I'm 85kg and started on a 142 x 41 slingshot. I'm up on the board, staying upwind and able to do turns most of the time. I just wanna cruise around for now but down the track will start jumping. In wavy conditions my board just feels to big, it also feels as though a slightly narrower board with better adjustable straps would be easier to edge and control. I've got 3 kites so can go out in winds from 14 to 30 knots.
I'm looking at a 2nd hand 2007 Naish Thorn 131 x 39 but a mate reckons that's to small? It's less than 10% shorter and 5% wider so I can't see that it's to small.
I don't really want to demo something from a shop when I'm gonna buy second hand.
Is 131 x 39 too small for 85kg me?
If its any help, I ride a 134cm 07 Thorn. Starting at 13knots, all the way to 30knot gusts and it feels fine. I'm 72kg
Hey mate,
At the moment your current board will be fine, by going smaller you will lose your bottom end windrange a bit. Maybe something a bit shorter but with similar width could be nice, 132x40 or a 135x41(Airush protoy mmmm),
Thanks
Matt
I have a 2007 Naish Sol (139cm) Its all wood, built like a snow board and easy to handle. Initiating a turn on it is a lot like snowboarding, and its quite forgiving if you are riding upwind and end up with a bit of pressure over your front foot.
I like it anyway. Maybe a 135 in that would suit you?
131x39 is not too small for a 85kg rider.
I'm 80kg and am shopping around for a ~130x39-40 board to compliment my main board ('06 Naish Sol 136) on high wind days.
Your best bet is to see if you can demo a couple of boards to find out what you like and dislike. I've been nabbing rides on mates and mates of mates boards to see what i like and have discovered that i far prefer something with a thin sharp rail and slightly larger fins than most people like; but that said the larger fins do make me lazier and less willing to push new tricks.
Different strokes for different folks.
Hi FirieJase,
It's always best to demo ride a board if at all possible. It's not about the size, there are so many other things to contemplate also. The 131 should be OK. I ride an Airush 2008 132 X-Pact most of the time and I'm ~87kilos. It's good most of the time, except in very rough chop when the shortness of the board is more apparent.
Boards are a very personal choice. Most people love the Protoy, but it's not for me. It's best to find out what works for you!
Good luck,
Im 90kg, I ride a 130x39 Nobile 555, its fine for me, you will probably trip up on front edge for a while until you get used to smaller board. But try to get demo board for a while, 1hr session is not enough you need it for a few times out on the water. Never mind if your gona buy 2nd hand, just use a demo.
I can plane on mine fine in 13knts on a 13m waroo or 35nts on a 7m waroo. But small is not always the best, its not a contest to see who has the smaller board, try a few size's to see what suits you. Guy I kite with is 70kg a sticks with a 137 thorn, in all winds. Try a few mates boards at the beach.
But its a bloody minefield, to much choice. Good luck
