Hey I'm 66kg was thinking whether i should buy a 151cm board?
I already bought an 11m kite, and I was worried that it may be a little too big for sydney winds (correct me if I'm wrong) so I thought a bigger board may be better?
I am also a beginner, buying my first gear.
151cm is a pretty big board, no matter how many kegs you weigh.
66KG, recommend 128 - 138?
66kg and a small board like a 132 and an 11m kite is fine there is no need to get a 151 board as it may help to get you up on your feet for the first few stages except once your up and riding and progressing you will appreciate the smaller board. And just to let you know having a big board in strong winds isn't going to help you, havinga smaller board will.
a 151cm board is normally (only) for light wind as they dont go very good in chop.
i'm 72kgs and ride a 128cm board even tho this is pretty little something around around 134cms i would say to be a good learners board and still be a good board in the future.
Yer man I'm also 66 keg's and I learnt on a 131/40 board and 10m switchblade and I was up on my board in no time.A board that big will help u a first but will just and up being a pain in the ass. 135/ 40'is board whould be the go.
I have a 151cm (LF Proof) low-tech board that is great in low winds or winter (to get through the many lulls). It is a far far better board in every respect than the 142cm one I wasted my 1st season on.
If the board you are lookin at is cheap get it and keep as your low wind board with a view to also buying a sweet (and prob exxy) smaller board - as a main board - that you will be using near the end of your 1st season.
My 2c anyhoo. It sure is nice cruising along effortlessly whilst the experts are struggling on a 126cm or sumpin.
BTW - most will agree - having a lightwind board is better (and waaaayyy cheaper) than a lightwind kite.
Oh - stay clear of anything older than 2004/2005 though I reckon.
Recommend something like a 134-137cm LF recoil comp which will get you up on the plane quicker than the proof board and youll have no probs going upwind even in light conditions..Itll handle the 18+knott days too. I ride a 134cm recoil comp, weigh 67kgs and ride a 12m lf hifi comp and 15m hifi in sandgate, QLD. Its an awesome allrounder board due to the shallow rocker, thin rails, flex and low weight. Ive taken a 151 proof out in light conditions and came back in for my 134 recoil comp coz i like the ride better on it. It goes better upwind, so in light winds, it helps quite a bit. The proof has a fun and forgiving rounded edge, and rides very smoothly in light conditions though. Yeah 2 boards are better than 1, if ya have the cash (126-132cm and a 137-151cm board) or for a single board, go for something in between... (134-137cm).
I'm about the same kg's (give or take beer consumption on an average week) riding an 11m usually also in sydney
If you can, see if you can borrow, or buy a very (very) cheap second hand board with a bit of size about it to begin with (preferably borrow!), maybe 145ish or so. You really don't want to spend much money at all on your first (big) board, as you won't be riding it all that long (really, you won't... you're more than likely to progress faster than you think you will, and you'll want to move onto a smaller board maybe 3-4 months down the track).
Because you're starting out, you don't need to worry too much about all that stuff about "pop" and "rocker" and all those other fancy words that boards come with.. you're looking for something that floats (bigger boards float more); not too much else will be all that relevant for you, so don't stress too much trying to work it all out at this stage.
standing up = good
Once you're starting to feel confident, and you're feeling comfortable getting up and riding and changing direction and begginning to get yourself upwind a fair bit, put your money towards a getting a good quality, smaller board then. You'll really appreciate the difference.
What will happen if you try to learn on a smaller board?
It's not going to totally stop you from being able to learn.. it may be a little harder, because it won't float quite as much, but if you're persistent you willl still eventually get there.. will just take a bit longer, and a bit more frustration along the way.. but you will still get there. If you're taking this one-board only approach, aim for something in the 130's.
I'm now ride a 128cm royal one (basically the Underground board with a different graphic) and i can't tell you just how much i love it, and how much it totally changed my riding for the better when i got it. I think it's the perfect size for me now- and would absolutely recommend it to anyone... well, anyone who is happens to be the same size as me, riding an 11m in sydney anyway.
So my advice - in terms of bang for you buck, you're far better off getting a very crappy big board to begin with, and a good quality small board after a few months, than getting a midrange big board to begin with, and then a midrange small board later on.
What type of kite did you get and have you had lessons. After a couple of lessons learning the basics of getting up and riding on a big board you would allready be able to ride a smaller board. Try to pick a board that is aimed at intermediate riders they are more forgiving and are designed more to get you edging properly and going up wind. I can recomend the nobile 555 range a board 130-135 for your weight is heaps the 555 is supper easy to ride,gets up on the plane early, has a soft feel when riding and has good shape and large fins that will drive you up wind efortlessly. You wont out grow this board for a couple a long time i still have mine and ride it when it gets light.
The N62 is a nice kite,should be good for learning and i have heard they are extremely durable. Its good that your mate has given you a bit of a rundown on flying the kite but i think it would still be a good idea to get a lesson from a profesional instructor as they will take you through all the safety, and teach the best way, safest way and quickest way to learn. Learning from a mate can teach you bad habits that could hinder your progression, make it frustrating and also put you and others at risk and contribute to getting kiteboarding baned from good local spots.
With the N62 kite dont go to much bigger than 132. then you will have a good allround settup that will handle most days 15-25kts with practise/lessons.
yep, IMHO around 132 would suit. I learnt on a 120 which now I think back was probably a bit short and didn't give me the wind range or upwind ability that learners need. I still learnt fine and was out there having a blast, whatever board you choose you'll be stoked!
Length depends on the board shape, width, depth etc so 132 in one style of board may not be the same as in another. I'm 80kgs and ride a 129 and have never had a problem getting out in the lighter stuff with a 11m.
