Hey guys,
I'm looking for a kite surfboard that I can use on lighter wind days and also in small waves.
I'm a beginner but wanting to get out in lighter winds and also start getting into some wave stuff which I have been liking most.
Weight: 67kg
Height: 176cm
Kite: 10m Slingshot Rally 2012
Current TT Board: Xenon Rayo 134cm
Location - sunshine coast (atm just maroochy river mouth/swell on north side and caloundra golden beach)
Got my eyes on:
Naish Fish 2011 (unsure of size? thinking 5'4")
Alternative option - North Nugget
Do you think either of these would be a good choice?
If so, what size would you suggest for Naish fish - 5'4", 5'8" or 6"
Also, is a Naish Custom Fish 2011 the same as a Naish Fish 2011?
Thanks for any help!
Merry Christmas all - I hope you're gettin some good winds.
Mark
At your weight - looking at the North range, I,d go the Whip 5'4....whilst learning - just grab a bargain and enjoy the ride.
My suggestion - grab a cheap 5'8" to 6'0" surfboard and just go for it. Dont get to hung up on a kite specific board for learning, particularly if its for light wind stuff. A front strap can make life a bit easier ( but you wont get this on a standard surfboard obviously!!).
Agree with lambie. If you must, the north nugget is the go. A guy who is six months in, was taking a while on a conventional surfboard design, bought the nugget and was going upwind within two days.
North nugget will work in very light conditions (if kite can fly ) and is a lot of fun in waves at the same time.
Due to your light weight(I am 85 kg) it might mean powering up on this board very quickly due to its width and weight.
Consider the nugget or whip type board depending on how light wind you are talking. There is a big difference between these boards as compared to heavier air and wind strength.
norths range of surfboards are rubbish.
you want a surfboard, well get down to your local surf shop and flick through their racks, or troll ebay for a bargain.
Thanks for the fast and helpful replies everyone.
I've done some more reading about the north nugget and everyone seems stoked with it.
Noone has really said much about the Naish Fish 2011 option.
The Fish is on sale for $690 and the North Nugget $999, hence my original preference for the Fish.
Your only seeing what you want to read... The good advice is the other stuff about cheap surf boards....
Yup, cheap standard surfboard around 5'10 would be perfect for you. Kite specific boards weigh a tonne, don't flex and are a rip off....
+ 1 for cheap surfboards. You can pick up new for less than half that coin. As A beginner you may be more suited a short "fish shape"
Options...
Ring every kite shop within driving/delivery range and explain what you want. they may have deals on old stock or end of year discounts...
Go to your local board factory and tell them you only want to spend $X and leave your phone number. Explain you are just going to trash the board 1st kite and looking for a factory secound, disclolored etc.
Secound hand Check BUY and SELL, Ebay, cash converters, plus on Gumtree atm there was an importer selling new kite boards, (that are probably crap) for $200 if you really want a strapped board.
I dropped down the local tip shop and grabbed a 5ft 1 surfboard for $10, had to reglass the tail but otherwise it was solid. Then bought an old windsurfer for $20, removed the straps and lugs and cut the rest into tiny bits and placed in the bin (fun). Used a router to cut some holes in the deck next to the stringer and glassed the lugs in place,, done.
Total cost around $50, light as hell, good for waves and jumps reaaallly well.
And if it breaks, I got another one under the house..
Lets face it most boards will do but some are more difficult than others.
The big fat wide ones like the Nugget or traditional fishes are the easiest to learn on and are great for mush and light wind. Straps help initially for the obvious reason of keeping your feet on the board.
If you want to progress to more surfing oriented riding, then something with less volume and width (although harder to learn on.)
I have a 2011 Naish fish 5'8" I weigh 85kg
Its a good board for powered riding using straps. It isnt that wide for a Fish and is almost a normal board shape (width and volume wise with a swallow tail.)
It would be harder to learn on than the Nugget and would need more wind to get going but when the wind is up a better board to ride IMO.
Ok thanks, was wondering about normal surfboards.
My main concerns that are putting me off them are:
Are they durable enough?
Will they be good in light wind? (10-15kts)
Have read in a few places that they don't last under the stresses of kitesurfing.
Have also read that surfboards for surfing have more rocker, making them slower and less likely to get going in light wind.
Have no experience though! What do you think about the above?
Cheers
Plenty durable enough if you are only planning on surfing them and not jumping, surfboards and kite surfboards all come in varying rockers, flatter the rocker, the faster to get planing, but less maneuverable. Have a read of this or similar to get you a bit more clued up....www.surfscience.com/topics/surfboard-design/
Dont be afraid of going something a bit longer and heavier for your first kite surfboard.
I suggest anywhere between 6' and 6'6" . You will be grateful with a bit more bouancy a touch more weight to smooth out things and you will learn how to "CARVE",
so many crew go straight to short narrow "PRO" like sticks and think its the way forward but end up struggling.
First learn the basics, create some skills, learn how to "carve" a bigger board,
think about little whips and fishes and stuff later.
You wont learn how to POWER surf on a weener..
Have a good one!
Interesting to read this. I've kited for 5 years now but only ever on twin tips. I have just been given an new F-One bamboo fish 5ft 2 and tried for the first time today in light wind chop. Weigh 80kg, is this a good size mainly for light wind kiting on flattish water though occasionally making it to the surf?
Also, I put the straps on which obviously helped but made switching feet quite tricky. Should I drop the back strap or even both?
hey burkey drop the back strap it is easyer but be warned... you work itout soon that you must be really hot as you end up in the water a LOT .Good luck and if you get it let me know how cause i only get to switch 2 out of 10 times .
^^^What are you talking about, with your twin tip experience and, on a board that size it must be childs play??
^^^hey i was talking about jibing a board i can cut in my opion alright on the board i mainly do it strapless but learning to switch ya feet around isnt easy for the mear mortal man which i think i dont even close to that when i am trying to turn that bloody thing around maybe you sould try it some day it is fun for your first what 100 times NOT.
^thats awesome man, couldnt of said it better myself, now we are on the same wave lenght!
the cabrihna skillet 5'6" would be ok for your needs, fun all rounder and easy to ride strapless, also the slingshot celeritas around 5'8 would be good. these boards are a little heaver but they are more durable, and really unless your a pro the weight issue isnt really big concern.
