Hey Guys,
I snapped my kite specific surfboard last weekend and hopefully if anything comes to plan I will be getting a replacement board.
Can anybody not recommend a board?
I looking for easy planning, 16 to 25knot Perth moosh wave riding board, don't care about straps but can handle ollies etc and light enough to do grabs (hopefully)
I am currently repairing a toughlite board at the moment but noticed it does not like sharp knocks, looks like 1 layer of glass of PVC foam so once the foam is crushed it looses all strength.
By the time the board is finished its going to weigh about 3kg, is that alot?
Any recommendations would be good.
Thanks
Rich
Not any boards I wouldn't recommend from experience - But 2 options I would recommend...
The Underground surfboards are super strong - rather than being epoxy boards with the usual stringer down the middle - they've got a foam core with a full 1.2mm wood shell - This makes 'em super strong but light as well. The Pohutu 5'8 and 6'2 are amazing boards to kite & paddle with...
You should also look at getting a custom shaped - Most shapers are happy to sit down and nut out your perfect board - consider giving it a thin carbon shell, or patches over the deck, tail & rail area to give it strength... This'll work out about the same price as a kitesurfboard...
The thing is all surfboards will damage easily. I dont think there is anything out there that will take a good bar hit and survive.
Most of the good board riders get boards made up by a good shaper and then get it glassed heavily. A good local shaper will be able to give you a design in my opinion which is more current and better for surfing the wave better than a big kiting brand that designed the board in a different country 1 year ago.
You also can then customize everything to exactly what you want including the graphics. It'll still work out cheaper and youll be support Aussie business'.
if you are in perth go and see colin earle in ossie park for a great custom board.
Looked at plenty of brands, shapes and sizes.... geeeezz lots of options but going to put an order in for a Colin Earle fish 5'6'' will do a review asap
Hi Rich,
Don't discount a board shaped by Dave at Katana Surf. He's also in Ozzie Park. He's just finished a new surfboard for me 6'9". I hope to pick it up today 
Dave is a legend in the game and does amazing work. I'm a big fan.
Cheers,
KH
I never would claim to know lots bout surfboards, but after speaking to a shaper I know only last week he recommended to me that I get a board made from extruded foam, a very strong but also very light still... The only downside that was mentioned was that it is a little more pricey... But hey if u want something that won't break or ding as easily...
Go the wainman boards.
Or I have a 5'9" North rocketfish for sale, buy it and i'll buy a wainman
Rich, what I do like is my Delta. Heavier than the epoxys but narrow so not bulky. I like the solid poly feel.
Hi,
From my personal experience, I would avoid the Naish 2008 series, the "hull" was a way too soft compared to the "deck" and the surfboard was cracking on the edges because of compression...I didn't jump with it at all... Even Naish recognized the 2008 boards were bad, as I got a new 2010 Custom Global Serie 5'4" for replacement (so stoked!), thanks Naish! and this board really is a great toy, small but so lively!!!
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the replies.
The majority of kite specific boards look a bit slim for a heavy weight but saying that my previous board going me going fairly earlier. The Wainmans do look good but most do.
The custom boards looks like the way to go. Is it worthwhile to use carbon composites around the feet areas.
Also would it be better to use multiple stringers to strengthen the board and also if positioned correctly could help with heal damage.
The only downside I see with normal surf shapers is that they may not know the dynamics of the sport like in regards to the toe in on fins etc, to much like a surfboard creates alot of drag.
I did a down winder on Saturday on my skimboard and Sh!t was I useless.
Cheers
Rich
Hey Rich,
youve got a challenge on your hands to get a sub3kg bord that is tough enough for your standards. light weight and strong tend not to go together.
In my experience through events and beach talk it seems teh slingshot and naish boards arent all that durable - Ive never had personal experience here though, just observing others misery.
Ive been riding a litewave quad fin which has been awesome for me, but it really shines in bigger waves and high speeds. not exactly perth conditions. Its not a bad board in small slop but it is too heavy (and strong) to really excell. The loose quad fin set up helps alot as does the extra width and rounded plan shape, but the weight is hard to overcome. maybe being heavier yourself though will balance this out some.
I wouldnt worry too much about the local surf shaper not knowing the intricacies of kiting. it more important to have complementary rail, rocker, plan, and volume features and the surf shapers are experts.
thats my experience but you'll probably get lots of good info by quizzing the shapers in your area. Marty at Delta is surely a wealth (like sultan of brunie) of knowledge nearby.
good luck - let us know what you find.
No point reinforcing under feet with carbon.
Carbon has fantastic tensile strenght. But its impact resistance is TERRIBLE. it shatters/splinters very easily.
For best impact resistance kevlar is the go. The problem with kevlar is that it is a complete beeatchh to work with - and the best way to blunt a pair of scissors known to man. But a patch of kevlar under the glass would give good impact resistance.
Alternatively just extra layers of glass is fine too
I think anything that is made the same as a traditional surfboard is going to suffer from weakness if not heavily built.
Dunno what Cabrinha make their boards out of but the don't seem to be like any other boards I've seen.
Tough as nails, not ultra light tho !!
I broke my 2010 SS Ben Wilson pro just hitting a lip of a wave and SS refused warranty.. I have been telling myself not to go public on this matter but i continually see other brands of boards getting replaced after being snapped for no apparent reason.. I emailed SS with photos and a video of when the board creased and their reply was. Sorry we would love to do all warranty claims.. that would make our jobs much easier.. then they offered me a very small discount on a new board.. FFS the board i had was new and cost me over $1000.. Why do they even offer warranty on their boards if they refuse to honor it.. a friend of mine snapped his Cabrinha board and they replaced it.. I also know of a North wam replaced.. now a naish.. I spent $7000 with SS in 2010.. and now i am so furious i can not wait to get rid of the stuff.. GRRRRRR
I broke my 2010 SS Ben Wilson pro just hitting a lip of a wave and SS refused warranty.. I have been telling myself not to go public on this matter but i continually see other brands of boards getting replaced after being snapped for no apparent reason.. I emailed SS with photos and a video of when the board creased and their reply was. Sorry we would love to do all warranty claims.. that would make our jobs much easier.. then they offered me a very small discount on a new board.. FFS the board i had was new and cost me over $1000.. Why do they even offer warranty on their boards if they refuse to honor it.. a friend of mine snapped his Cabrinha board and they replaced it.. I also know of a North wam replaced.. now a naish.. I spent $7000 with SS in 2010.. and now i am so furious i can not wait to get rid of the stuff.. GRRRRRR 
