There's so much choice out there on the web with regards to buying boards, so many reviews, its daunting when faced with prospect of upgrading to a new board.
I've been on the same board for 2 -3 years, my 'beginner board', a 169cm Lightwave TT. I'm OK at kiteboarding, nothing special, I'm riding waves, getting good air, started to do a few kite loops and just comfortable with it all.
What I'm after is a bit of advice on the right board for me?
I'm a dedicated surfer having surfed my whole life, well since I was 8 I'm in my 30's, I've tried directional boards, great for in the surf, but I'm right-into going fast, carving turns, switching to toeside and big jumps when kitesurfing, I prefer TT's.
I weigh 85Kgs wet and I'm 183cm's tall (6ft). I can't go to a shop to demo a board because I live on a small isolated Island 600 Km off the east coast of OZ.
Can anyone please help me with:
What size board to weight/height etc and
What style board to get me progressing with what I enjoy about Kitesurfing.
Just demo as many as you can till you find one you like, but i'd definitely get something at least 30cm smaller. That's a huge board.
sounds like a mutant(slingshot fuse, shinn wave, spleene zone etc) or a wave twin tip like the airrush hammer might suit you. These boards are built to ride in waves but also are much better than surfboards for jumping/doing tricks etc
I am curious about where you live, is it norfolk or lord howe? and whats the wind like there generally?
600km off the coast where is you at brother? Is it tropical?
I could deliver you a board to try out ... of course there would be a nominal fee
Thanks for the info Bennie, I've thought about mutants, are they more like a TT or a directional in feel? Just from what I've tried in directionals they feel back-footed like a surfboard, I like the on-the-rail feel of a TT and being able to switch without jibing. And what about size of board?
You need to take into consideration your local riding conditions, but if you are mainly kiting on a flatwater lagoon, and sometimes in waves, then perhaps a TT, plus a surfboard would be appropriate for u. For the twin tip you weigh about the same as me so I would suggest a freeride tt about 131-134 by 39-41. There are many good boards eg
underground flx
cardboards
nobile 666
slingshot sx
actually there really are too many to name so do a search for more info on models. For the surfboard just use what you surf on.
Bennie, cheers mate, thats great info, I've been looking up the mutants you suggested, I reckon the SS Fuse and the Airush Hammer look like what I'm after, pretty xcy though, so i'll have to wait a bit until I can afford one.
legend mate, thanks again If your ever interested in heading over to LHI give me a hoy, just post it on this blog, VIP treatment for sure. August is the best month.
no worries mate, I've never thought of LHI as a kiting destination but will keep it in mind.
Hi
What is the kiting like at Lord Howe late March/ early April? Hope to be there!!
12m?
Thanks
Neil
Hi Howea,
I have a bunch of boards on my website and have written "no BS" reviews on all of them. Have a look and use it as a reference then see the east coast shops for a deal. Freight would make me unaffordable.
If you check out the board buyers guide, there are links to all of the boards for reviews and also pricing.http://www.aksonline.com.au/index.php/board-reviews/board-buyers-guide.html
Cheers mate,
KH
If anyones coming to LHI, Ha
Maybe try geting it sent QANTAS air express. Could be expensive though. but I think they should deliver to there
Most of the kite shops offer FREE delivery anywhere in Australia if the purchase is over,say,$300.
Lord Howe IS part of Aussie,yeah.
Happy days.
Qantas Air Xpress is not so bad if you request OFF PEAK rates but someone's going to have to deliver it to the depot at Mascot, could be done.
Kite shops - FREE DELIVERY - you dont say? Even from WA? I'll be spending more than 3 hundg thats for sure.
Has anyone got a SS Fuse or a Airush Hammer for sale on the East coast?
I'm keen to get a crossover/mutant board.
This might be a bit 'Out there', but...
I think there are a couple of ships that call there out of Yamba, NSW ???
If it's not top urgent, get one 'Hand carried' by the crew ?
Maybe a few bucks as a sweetener, plus tax hassles (?), but I would think that should be do-able ???
I dunno, maybe I'm talking out the back end ?
Thanks BA-Paul,
Yep, 1 ship heads out every forghtnight (Island Trader) but they don't do carry-overs anymore, gone are the good old days, It'd be minimum freight charge $44.
Apparently the crew get sent to the gallows to be whipped if they bring over any freebies, Ha!
Port Macquarie have a daily freight service (Macquarie AIR), i'm might use that, It'd be about $50 a board or i'll get my sister to drop it off @ mascot for Air Xpress.
Like the original names for the Island freight serices. 
Any off your mates got any mutant/crossover boards they want to get rid of?
