Keen surfer wants one board for both!

Hey there all,

Im a keen surfer but got into kiting a year ago. mostly twin tip but recently dabbled with a directional. Im traveling next year and want to surf and kite, but don't want to lug around too much kit, thinking of trying a tuflite style board (will travel better - sick of having boards trashed by airlines) are there any that are awesome for kiting without being compromised as a surf board? Sorry if this is a dumb question, I know I could kite on any of my surf boards I guess, but just interested to know if any are better than others i.e. shape of rails, staying upwind, etc.

Cheers, B

I demoed a 5.2 Naish Skater kite surfboard the other day,

My review is in Gear Reviews,

I travel a lot

sometimes taking 3 kites and a twintip and a surf kiteboard and 2 bar and lines [1 backup]

Plus laptop phone and clothes

And streamer if Im going somewhere cold

What a hassle

I like to do Downwinders in the surf and I like to Boost,

But I don't like the feel of a kite surfboard when I boost,too big and cumbersome in the air

and the 6'2 kite surfboard I got started cracking around the rails from boosting and landing heavy after only 12- 15 sessions, piece of junk

I know your not supposed to land heavy but I do sometimes

The Skater is designed for the surf and for boosting and is small,feels great in the air and curves unreal

And be easy too travel with because its short and narrow,not that much bigger than my Twintip,

Could take the straps off and surf it if your a good enought surfer,

Or could go the bigger 5.6 skater

Only downside is it has full deckgrip,bit harsh on the chest and stomack

but could wear a 1.5 mm rashy wetsuit,no more rash

The other option is to go a Firewire Vanguard but I dont think they come with inserts for straps

They are designed pretty much for surfing but feel good kiting,

I tried kiting the 5.6 Vanguard 3-4 times,was unreal

They range from 4.8 to 6.2 I think

But I dont think they are as robust as the Nasih Skater ,not built as strong ,not designed for heavy landings

Both the Naish Skater and Firewire Vanguard are planning hulls not the typical surfboard shape

So are therefore much shorter and narrower but can have similiar volume as a much longer surfboard shape, so are just as easy to paddle

Am seriously thinking about getting the Naish Skater

Only the cost is making me think twice

But only need to buy one, should last for years

Not like a kite that needs replacing every year or so

Go and demo both

Get a Custom made surf board that is close to what you would normally surf on , and ask the shaper to just put extra glass , footstrap inserts if you need them and it should be exactly what you need.

I no expert but I am pretty sure most of the time you would want your kite surfboard to be a fair bit smaller, and possible stronger than your usual surfboard. Sounds like by having one you will be compromising both. Sliding in one extra tiny kite board when travelling isn't that bigger deal usually in the scheme of things when travelling, when you consider everything else you take. Plus then you got a backup if you do bust or lose your kiteboard. I always think better to have more than you need rather than not enough. But each to their own.

+1 for Ben Wilson, they've got a few boards that would suit exactly what your after

Great guys, really appreciate the input. All good points, sounds like BWS is the way forward, or try and sneak another boards in when the missus isn't looking, ha!

cheers!

+1 for Vanguard for the best of both sports and lasts longer than my pu boards. Get the kitesurfing construction Vanguard if you want it stronger but it's almost double the weight. The FST construction will hold up unless you plan on big boosts then go the heavier build. Get the FST Vanguard with a deck grip and you will be laughing at the guys struggling with the massive coffin bags.

I don't think you could paddle the new skater they are only 1 7/8 thick unless you weigh 27kg. BWS Rawson or DHD are really the only option if you want the best of both worlds. I just ordered the new 5'4" screamer and there's no way in he'll I'd ever think if paddling it and I'm only 79kg. There is no perfect board some thing has to give. So decide what you can live with less of.

You could always try the Airush boards in active construction. They are the carbon ones. Much lighter than standard kiteboarding but still strong. Only slightly heavier than a normal surfboard. I rode one for a couple years as my short board. Could fit the bill nicely.

BWS White noise for sure. I have one on my shopping list

I also am not sold on the construction, hence my question - what is so good about them? Anyone thinking of kiting a firewire should first have a read of this thread and the countless other comments online of people breaking them surfing, let alone kiting:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Surfing/Shortboards/snapping-firewire/


Vanguard got a reasonable review here until the reviewer snapped it:

http://www.surfinglifeessentials.com.au/board-guide/2013/boards/tomo-vanguard-by-firewire


One board travel quiver? I really do want to believe the hype. Nice photos though Jedibrad.

Good thing about firewire is you can demo a board. Construction wise, if you don't choose the kiteboard, I personally would only go with FST, which would be equivalent to a 6oz glass job. So you can still get breaking stories, but I see custom boards snap regularly. Re Tomo shapes, I still have a couple. (hand shaped by him not firewire). I took a 5'4" x 18" (Tomo darkstar) to Indo this year. Paddling in can be a bitch on the big days, especially if it gets a wobble in the wave. The boards do have a lot of versatility, but you can't beat a specifically designed gun when it's pumping in Indo. Having said that, if the question is for a 1 board travel board, you would have to put a Tomo at the top of your list to try. Do a search on here re Tomo surfboards and firewire. It's been covered before.