improve speed on slower board

[keegster17]

Hi, I have found a great board, 139cm x 43cm RRD Bliss V5, however I am finding I am riding a little slow with this board. I am a freeride kiter, looking to one day get big air, no freestyle. I am 172lbs no gear, probably 180lbs with gear at 5,8" tall. This board is fantastic, handles well, eats chop, however I am now noticing it rides a bit slow. Is there anything I can do physically to improve speed for bigger air? I am also noticing, I typically need my largest kite, more often than previous boards. I fly 18m Soul Flysurfer, 12m Switch Element, most days. Typically kite on choppy water in low winds. I am just wondering, rather than buy a different board, I could change my stance or something to improve speed? I have read reviews on this board, and the same things are said, it rides slower, so at 139cm, it probably feels like a 134cm.

[pj sofine]

Looked at some reviews. Only thing that I wondered about was one reviewer said it was aimed at the "freestyler" a little more than "freerider". Overall it sounded like a good all around board. I would think the problem is on your end, not sure what advice to give except more time on water, trying different weighting , edging etc. What do you consider low winds ? I'm 220 lbs and my largest kite is a 12 meter,I'm good to go at around at about 12 knots.

[knotwindy]

Sure, heat it up and flatten the rocker.


Just to be clear, this is a joke and a terrible idea.

[keegster17]

thanks PJ, I have been kiting for 5 years, not to say I am a pro by any means, but maybe you are onto something, maybe I edge wrong or something.

[plummet]

Put bigger fins on, go out more powered on a high aspect kite then see how the speed is.

[Jukka]

I had an earlier version of Bliss. It handled chop really well, as you say, but that was the only thing I liked in that board. Surprising power hunger was my main issue with it, which relates with low speed.

[keegster17]

Jukka what did you switch to?

[Jukka]

I ended up with two twintips. A large Core Fusion3 and a small Shinn Bronq. A perfect combo to me.
But if I'd do it all over again, I would propably get just one midsize Crazyfly Raptor LTD...

[pj sofine]

I ended up with two twintips. A large Core Fusion3 and a small Shinn Bronq. A perfect combo to me.
But if I'd do it all over again, I would propably get just one midsize Crazyfly Raptor LTD...

x2 just cut to the chase! Been riding the ltd since 2012,best board I've owned in 18 years.I have the 136 and 140.The 136 would be perfect for you.Of course there's plenty of other boards that would suit you also.

[keegster17]

does anyone think, If I go with the LTD version of this board, it might help my situation? 20% lighter than wood version.