Rider: 78 kgs Intermediate level
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle.....
Weather: 15-22 knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)
My Comments:
Hi,
Was wondering what my options are for buying a surfboard with straps to use while kiting and if I can just remove the strap for when i want to use the board for normal surfing rather than buying two boards. Can anyone recommend a good board for me. I am 176 cm. Would go to a shop but i live in the bush.
If you are a team rider surely there are options available from the brand you are team riding with or at least crew you are associated with would know. Do you work on a oil rig?
Forgot to delete the disclosure. Im just a normal old pay for your own gear kiteboarder who wants to have a go kiting waves and buy a new surf surfboard at the same time.
I bought a north WAM which is great fun for me as a new kiter. You are supposed to be able to take the straps off and use as a surfboard, but to be honest it's just too small for me to use as a surfboard. I think that's one of the reasons I moved from windsurfing to kiting is that I get to ride waves on a board I would not be able to catch many waves on as a surfer.
Enjoy your search...! These are nice choices to make
Dave
Yep ,I did a Dave and bought a 6,0ft north wam.Great board highly recommend it.Bought it second hand in near new condition.You can take the straps of.But i wouldnt ride it as a stand alone paddle board.To small,and wouldnt support my weight. I recommend 2 boards.
Forgot to delete the disclosure. Im just a normal old pay for your own gear kiteboarder who wants to have a go kiting waves and buy a new surf surfboard at the same time.
Dont know your level as a surfer but for me the kite boards are to small (25+ Ltrs) to use as a surfboard after the straps are removed.
My surfboard is 30 litres and I'm 75kgs, great fun to kite on but no straps, board is fine until over 20knts when it gets to much bounce.
Depending on where and the conditions you have your favourite paddle in surfboard will be fine with a kite and without straps just have a good wax coat and use surfing booties.
Over 25knts I use a strapped epoxy kite surfboard the pu boards just dont last.
BUT if you're a nimble young tacker then forget the above because I saw Kelly Slater (Approx 80kgs) at Bells paddling in and riding a 5'9" x 17" x 21/4" which is almost the demensions of a production K Board.
North produced the X-surf for this very reason, 29 litres of volume, back pad but no front pad, inserts so you can ride strapped.
Surf in the morning, kite in the afternoon.
We had stock at the beginning of the season but it sold out pretty quickly. we have a demo to try/buy if you can get to Perth.
My 6'2 Firewire Felix model has served me well. Has provisions for straps, but i have never used them. I have kited it from 1 foot to 8 foot plus. I have paddled surfed it from 2 to 5 foot. I didn't really notice the weight difference from my standard board. Definitely recommend it as a dual use board.
Rider, 78kg
Disclosure, Shop rider.
Croc 
6'4 Simon Anderson xfc is my standard short board ,Its excellent for both paddle in or kite , but you will have to put strap plugs in if you need straps .i'm 87kg'. I find kite specific boards don't really have the volume , unless your Kelly Slater or a Gromet that ways 60 odd kilos
I have a North Xsurf as mentioned above and I find the board is pretty sweet for surfing. Havn't kited on it heaps but I rate it, although it would be nice if it had the 5th fin so you could have the option to ride it as a thruster, as it only comes as a quad. All in all a great dual board that you won't be disapointed with, be prepared to fork out a little bit more than you would on a normal surf board, but the build construction is ment to be stronger for kiting on.
I've recently had experience the other way around. Rode the NAish 5'4" Skater (78kg) and loved it but did not get a chance to kite it. Should be fine for both if you a light footed surfer. They also do a 5'9".
