Why did they stop making surfboards for fat guys?

[happytrees]

Comment on the North Charge- Will step on some toes with this post so will only state facts not opinion. Think its worthy info.

Friend 70 yrs old 70kg bought one, site unseen recommended by dealer(closest 400km away). His style is cruising only no jumps.
Board looks great. Yep that's a fact
Board is freaking light
Board has heel dents in it after 4 uses approx. 4 hours

[sflinux]

It is because the surf industry is geared towards the masses (avg of a pro rider is ~150#/68kg).
For any weight, you probably don't want to go lower than the relative volume of a pro at your weight:
https://surfsimply.com/volume-to-weight-calculator/
If you go under that weight, you may as well be on a skimboard or alaia, where you will need pull from the kite or the power of the wave to keep you on a plane.
If you can't find a shortboard for your volume, you may want to look at fishes or midlengths. Twinfins are super-efficient for kitesurfing. Watch videos of Torren Martyn to see the beautiful lines of a twin fin. For strapless riding, there is no need to stick to kite branded boards. Support your local shaper.

[tautologies]

It is because the surf industry is geared towards the masses (avg of a pro rider is ~150#/68kg).
For any weight, you probably don't want to go lower than the relative volume of a pro at your weight:
https://surfsimply.com/volume-to-weight-calculator/
If you go under that weight, you may as well be on a skimboard or alaia, where you will need pull from the kite or the power of the wave to keep you on a plane.
If you can't find a shortboard for your volume, you may want to look at fishes or midlengths. Twinfins are super-efficient for kitesurfing. Watch videos of Torren Martyn to see the beautiful lines of a twin fin. For strapless riding, there is no need to stick to kite branded boards. Support your local shaper.

I disagree with some of that. You do get the pull from the kite getting into waves, and once you are planing the volume of the board doesn't really matter...ie the demand for volume changes significantly compared to a surfer. 40l for a 100kg person kiteboarding is a massive board.

To answer OPs question...they do make boards for big-boned people, they just looks different than they did some years ago. The 5'4'' skater at 30l is more than enough volume and width for a large person. There are many boards like that out there. Twinfins are fun too.

[Frankieboy]

It is not only about the volume or the lenght. It is about the shape.

Firewire Evo 5'3 is the biggest you need even at 110kg!

It plannes quickly, and rockets upwind which is a problem for us big guys

[tanre]

Well, I went with the North CHARGE 5'11, 19 3/8", 2 3/8",29.5L. Called a bunch of people and the 5'3" evo (runner up) was just not enough board. SO, I guess I will find out over next few months if this board can support my fat ass! Thanks all. I did look into all suggestions. Some, like Shrike were close, but better and more reviews on the north. If it doesnt work out, then I will prob eventually go the custom route; but im a bit too novice to consider a custom board right now as I wouldnt know what to ask for.

Still did love the Mitu boards and if I get a change to try their 5'10...Im going for it.

Maybe someone will cater to us large folk:)

Some say heel dents are ok...so, guess I will find out.

[Onda]

speaking of fatboys on surfboards...

i can't forget the kamikaze Shawn Briley.. one the greatest pipeline rider there ever was.

That vid is so brilliant! What a kamikaze guy! Breath taking

[Onda]

About the North Charge:
I recently bought one (used). Mine is NOT light (3.32 kg for the 5.7 without fins), what a bummer!
The even bigger bummer is that it needs quite a lot of kite pull and speed to start planing. Compared to my Duotone Pro Wam 5.10 (2019) it feels like seaweed is stuck on the fins. NOT GOOD...
I am really disapointed by the Charge, as it doesn´t support my riding style.
I wouldn´t chose this board as a large guy who wants an early planing board.
The Firewire Vader is by far the earliest planning board I´ve owned so far (and the Helium kite version is also super robust). I have the 5.1 Vader, the 5.3 was too large for me (75 kg). Only disadvantage of the Vader is its skateyness, not very "surfy". But a dream for strapless freestyle / jumping. Super light (2.7 kg w/o fins and pads), very easy jumping.

[sflinux]

About the North Charge:
I recently bought one (used). Mine is NOT light (3.32 kg for the 5.7 without fins), what a bummer!
The even bigger bummer is that it needs quite a lot of kite pull and speed to start planing. Compared to my Duotone Pro Wam 5.10 (2019) it feels like seaweed is stuck on the fins. NOT GOOD...

Thank you for sharing.
North says:
"WHERE IT THRIVES
Paradise - think big surf and barrelling waves"
Duotone says:
"The Pro Wam is a great all-rounder and able to handle all sorts of wave conditions. It is built around a high- performance, yet traditional surf shape that excels in most conditions from small to large waves"
Firewire says:
"The Vader enables riders to have all of the planing and performance of the Vanguard, but with tighter turns in the pocket because of how the rail line shortened in the Vader’s diamond tail."
"The Evo (Helium) is the pinnacle of Daniel Thomson’s Modern Planing Hull designs"

From my experience, boards optimized for small waves, typically require less power from the kite. Boards optimized for big and powerful surf, typically require more power from the kite. Modern planing hulls are designed to be efficient and get up on a plane, which typically requires less kite power. Once you get used to the efficiency of these types of boards, it is like a smartphone, hard to go back, at least for average sized waves, or unless you want to ride a bigger kite. If you ride thrusters and the board feels sluggish, try running it without the center fin. (thank you TopHat)

[BWD]

speaking of fatboys on surfboards...

i can't forget the kamikaze Shawn Briley.. one the greatest pipeline rider there ever was.

Love how he shrugs off that lip like it was nothing

[wind chaser]

It is not only about the volume or the lenght. It is about the shape.

Firewire Evo 5'3 is the biggest you need even at 110kg!

It plannes quickly, and rockets upwind which is a problem for us big guys

Until it breaks in half.