Been riding 100% in waves the last 2 years but moving next to a nice flat water spot so will be back into some freestyle and have always been interested in riding boots.
I know you should go a larger board but how big do you need to go to suit boots?
Did a bit of searching but couldn't find anything on minimum dimensions.. from what I have found - maybe something like 138-140? Would 137 be too small?
I weigh 75kg, am 5'10 and have a US size 9 shoe size.. have a few kites, so kite size doesn't come into it.. I think
depends how much rocker your board has. Anything from a 137 Liquid force influence to a 140 cab custom would suit. enjoy
Any sub 140 true wakestyle board will suit. I've got a 142 LF DLX that you're welcome to try but the boots that are on it will be too big for you.
the reason you get a larger board isnt just because you ride boots,
usually if your riding boots you want a board stronger and with more rocker, the more rocker makes it slower and you need more wind to get going, so you increase the surface area to make up for the rocker.
a standard board, standard size will work fine with boots, although they arnt made for it and could break easily.
you need to make sure the insert pattern will take boots- the spread is different to straps. also the deck of the board needs to be flat: if not you will rock the bolts out of the inserts or the inserts out of the board. there are plenty of boot specific boards out there.
but if you're moving to a proper flat water spot with no chop then buy a wakeboard and ride that- they perform heaps better and will go upwind if it's flat
cool guys, need to find a new board and would like something that sits in between wake specific and freestyle specific. ie dont want tooo much rocker.
so I think I will have a look at some freestyle/wakestyle kite boards, probably along the lines of a cab custom..
any other recommendations worth trying?
Ronix boots seem to have a good rep. I assume you cant demo boots?
I've been riding the 2013 custom for a while now with ronix ones. I'm finding I need atleast 17knts to feel comfortably powered, there is a good chance I will be buying a north gambler which has quite a bit less rocker.
Most straps are 6inch spread the same as wakeboots, nothing to worry about there, but just check when buying. Custom length bolts will be needed though in most cases
im riding a 140 custom, i had been riding a 136 caliber that i could ride in 14knots easy with an 11m switchblade.
i will be getting a 139 gambler
edit.. i weigh 76kg
I'm 84kg and ride a 2012, 133cm xenon infra with ronix ones. The board is a bit stiffer with a bit more rocker than your standard caliber type board and I have no problems getting going in 14 knots on my 12m torch. Hope this info is helpful.
Wow, times have changed...
As the monkey said above, you want rocker, rocker is your friend... and lets face it, kiteboardings idea of lots of "rocker" is usually nothing noticeable.
The only board with a big rocker is the Cab custom and the rocker wont affect your upwind, it will affect your pop in lighter winds.
Actually Best has a "wakestyle" board with way too much rocker, it is an absolute joke and I wouldn't consider buying it.
As for boots - Buy Ronix in your shoe size. Problem solved.
p.s.
In-fact I think the biggest misconception in kiteboarding is that a board with more rocker will stop you going upwind... it won't stop you going up-wind, the only thing it does is slow you down in marginal conditions. If you can ride properly, you can still go upwind in almost anything.
I second that, the custom once I figured it out goes upwind like crazy, different technique needed though.
you hit the nail on the head spacemonkey - I didnt want to sacrifice too much upwind ability, or probably more so "speed" with crazy rocker (Im talking pure wakeboards) and thats pretty much it.. but in reality, this isnt something I should worry about. Board performance is priority.
Thanks for the clarification rowdy, kick the brain..
cheers for the feedback guys, I'll be looking around the 140 mark
Yep 140 mark will do you well, give or take a few cm.
Some Ronix boots will help also, good support, direct response and lightweight.
Boards I would consider are:
Cab Custom.
LF FLX (wakeboard although has less rocker than custom)
LF Watson Hybrid 2010 (wakeboard although has less rocker than custom)
Cardboards Tempo.
or
Tona Pop (what I ride - good mix of everything).
Obviously there are other boards that are ok. But for best price and feel I would look for something like above.
Less, but it's a very controlled amount.
I don't know for sure the exact amount (maybe 2 inches?) but put it this way - if you ride it you don't feel like it has a big rocker. But when you land and take off it's still smooth and soft like a custom. I think it has a lot to do with it's bottom shape.
The Tempo is pretty good, quite flat in the middle never have had troubles going upwind yet the tips are quite raised so there's not much chance of tripping an edge.
New Gambler was looking alright shape wise. I saw only the prototype though and it was far too flexi... They said the production would be stiffer, but I didn't see or ride that board so I can't say if it is.
