Hey, has anybody owned (or even ridden) this board? Im looking into one but I'm a little worried about how well the construction will hold up after a seasons use. It seems to have the same construction as a standard PU surfboard with only a few strengthening patches here and there.
I am fairly new to the sport, only kitesurfing for 1 year but I have 10years+ in surfing and windsurfing, is this board a bit high level for somebody like me? I want a single board for all conditions and only got into the sport for the waves, I do also have a TT.
I'm 85kg btw.
Cheers
Don't know about the signature but I've had the 2011 6'1" s-quad for about 3 years now and it's only just starting to show wear after a lot of use. It will be a sad day when it dies on me. It's an awesome board, nice and light with just the right amount of rocker, incredible grip on any size wave and strong. I've never had straps on it so that probably helps keep it in good nick. I think there was a lot to be said for Cab surf boards of the 2011-2013 era.
From what I have read the signature is the same shape as the s quad, it's just the construction that is different; the signature is standard surfboard build which worries me for kiting..
Recommended for a first board to hit the surf then? What do you weigh?
I think the 2013 Skillit has P/U construction (while others were not) and I am told this board deteriorates pretty quickly, so as long as you get an epoxy board you'll be right...:/
one thing I have to say is that some of them are funkin heavy, I picked up a double agent on the weekend and it felt like 7-8 kilos!
If you plan on riding it strapless, it will be fine. Generally big punts or treating surfboards like twin tips is the reason for them to snap. I rode a standard surf board for 2 years before I decided to go for something stronger as I was doing more punts.
Select to expand quotePhil27 said..
From what I have read the signature is the same shape as the s quad, it's just the construction that is different; the signature is standard surfboard build which worries me for kiting..
Recommended for a first board to hit the surf then? What do you weigh?
Definitely recommend, for the speed control if for nothing else. I started out on a drifter which was fine in light wind and smaller waves but would get away on you when the wind was up. I put some Mulcoy fins on the squad, which are a bit longer than the standard ones which covers me from 14 to whatever. I range between 85-90 depending on how much kiting I'm doing 
I have the Signature Series in a 6'2", it's a standard PU surfboard construction but has a pretty solid glass job. (not sure the exact layup). You will get some pressure dents for sure, but as long as you aren't jumping with it the board will hold up fine. I got it as a double duty board, I take it if the wind is flukey and it might turn into a surf session. Great surfboard for me, I'm about 155 pounds.
One thing you'll notice compared to the heavy duty production boards is how smooth the PU/hand glassed boards cut through the water, they feel really buttery. And then when you drop into a wave... beautiful feel.
I actually have all the wax off mine right now, I'll go shoot some pics so you can check out how it looks after a couple seasons. This board didn't get a lot of heavy use as I'm more of a strapped surfboard/flying through the air guy, but it will give you an idea.
OK, here's what my board looks like after a couple seasons of light/medium use... notice the pressures. Not a big deal, they all get them. One other piece of advice if you're going to ride this type of construction is you have to be a bit more careful about how you handle it, like throwing it in the back of a truck, etc. Also gotta be a bit more careful about banging it on your harness hook... Oh, and the Cabrinha fins that came with the board are pretty small, but they work really well. So if you don't have fins, try and find a small quad set, no need to go too big.
One more tip, if you're not going to regular surf it you could put on a front traction pad and that will give you even more ding-resistance. But I would surf it! I think I actually surf this board more than kite with it.
Thanks for the advice guys, especially the pics, good stuff..
Yeah the board will only be for kiting so I was thinking a front traction pad myself. I have a 6'0 Lost Subdriver as my surfboard which I love.
The 5'10 would be too small for me surfing at its quite narrow and thin, I should get away with it for kiting though.
Hey DI33ta, what's the biggest kit you use with this board? I've got an 11m Switchblade that I'm hoping to change up to a 12m, then get 11m and 8m Drifters which should cover me from 13-30+knots
I always see the Cab guys here (Reo and Keahi) either on 11 or 9 drifters, Moona is usually on an 8. 11 and 8 or even 11 and 9 and you should be well covered. I think personally I would get the 9, as the drifters seem a bit less powerful than other kites.
hey phil
recommend going a 7m drifter over the 8 if it is supposed to cover you to 30kn.
my mates on them (75-85kg) the last few years will even max out the 7m when it is really honking solid 25-30 (can still do it, but not great for wave riding as you are getting too pulled around), let alone 30+
maybe go 12m switchy, then 10, 7 drifters
i do similar with a 12m dice as my only lighter wind kite, 9, 6 neos for everything else
twinny occasionally to mix it up but mostly a couple of different surfboards ridden majority of time. even with that range though i think about going 12, 10, 8, 6 if the finances would allow 
trust me, you don't want to be saying "the 8 will be ok, i'll just use a twin tip if too over powered for surfboard", cause when the waves are on...well, you know... 
Select to expand quotePhil27 said..
Thanks for the advice guys, especially the pics, good stuff..
Yeah the board will only be for kiting so I was thinking a front traction pad myself. I have a 6'0 Lost Subdriver as my surfboard which I love.
The 5'10 would be too small for me surfing at its quite narrow and thin, I should get away with it for kiting though.
Hey DI33ta, what's the biggest kit you use with this board? I've got an 11m Switchblade that I'm hoping to change up to a 12m, then get 11m and 8m Drifters which should cover me from 13-30+knots
I use a 9m and 7m Neo. In SEQ there has only been a few occasions when I've wanted anything smaller than the 7 though. If I was in WA I think it would probably be an 8 and a 5 but the local guys would know better. If you get right into the downwinders your other gear won't get much of a look in, too much like hard work 
Anything over 9m using a surfboard is a pretty lame experience imo you have to think about your timing too much or you're way overpowered. If I can't surf it on a 9m I break out my 17m with a monster door.
