I wouldn't mind picking up a cheap board to start off with; but I don't want to get one that will hinder my learning(too big, small, old(this 2009
board for example; good enough?).
liquid force proof 151Jaymz - 2-3-2012 at 09:33 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Houston AirHead
liquid force proof 151
Same here bigkahuna - 2-4-2012 at 02:16 AM
"I wouldn't mind picking up a cheap board to start off with; but I don't want to get one that will hinder my learning(too big, small, old(this 2009
board for example; good enough?)."
I've never known any noob whose learning was hindered by too big a board, but have known plenty who became frustrated as heck because their board was
too small. You didn't post your weight nor the conditions you will be kiting in, but generally speaking I'd say the Proof 151 or 161 (I have the 161
that I've modified for riding waves) is a good call.magictat - 2-4-2012 at 04:19 AM
Myply kiteboard.
I had one for two seasons. Same as a door, much less expensive. You wont feel bad if you drop it or dinging it up on the rocks!
Many models to choose from.
i bought a liquid force 151 to learn on and i would definitely say go get a.... lightwave wing...
... or something like it... spleene door, cabrinha plasma i think their door-type board is called the plasma?), ive heard good things about myply...
there is also a guy selling custom jobs on ebay that look pretty good (never heard a review, tho)
the thing the sets these boards apart for learning to ride is the flat bottom and wider profile.... the proof has some concavity to it, which doesnt
allow for easy planing and riding for the beginner...
after trying to surf so many times that i wanted to give up, i ended up riding with a lightwave wing, and the first attempt brought easy riding, even
upwind... the board made all the difference for me...
i think people began to suggest these as beginner boards not because they are easy to learn on, but because they are relatively inexpensive and
durable... i wish i had started with a big board first, i prob would have had a much easier time learning....Kamikuza - 2-4-2012 at 08:17 AM
Yes, Door to learn on then live with for the light wind.
Flatter and wider for light wind, longer if you're taller (or fatter) and it's got to have 3D flex tips or it'll kill your knees.rtz - 2-5-2012 at 02:59 PM
I was looking at the Myply board. Will the board be usable with no fins?mdpminc - 2-5-2012 at 03:03 PM
I am 200+ lbs and I started with Proof 151 and after two sessions of frustrations almost gave up on water kiting (previous experience snow kiting and
few summers on a landboard) .
Then I tried Ocean Rodeo Mako 150 Wide and ended up buying one, after 1 full day I was able to stay upright and after the 2nd day go upwind. It was
an easy progress.
I still have and enjoy this board in flat or choppy water as well as in smaller waves
During last water session of last year I tried a strapped surfboard when wind was too low for the Mako.
I believe I found my low wind alternative to buying a large twin tip.
Riding technique is slightly different but I believe it might be a good tool for a beginner as well.
Surfboards are super light, relatively cheaper and more abundant than kiteboards.
I got mine for $200, later added full deck pad and straps for another $50.
Nfish - 3-15-2013 at 06:07 AM
Didn't want to start a new thread for the same topic, so I picked up this old thread.
I'm on the same boat now and looking for a good beginner board. Sounded like the Spleene door and Lightwave Wing would be the good choices. Any other
recommandations? Also, not sure how much changes they make on the boards each year, would a used board be sufficient or am I better off with a new
board?rtz - 3-15-2013 at 02:28 PM
I got to ride a Lightwave Wing when I was taking some lessons down in Padre. It's a cool board; very easy to ride and very easy to get going on and
up out of the water.
It's very slap happy though. Meaning it really slaps the water a lot. Also I kept on snagging the front corner and crashing because of that.
I've got three boards right now. But I don't yet have enough time on them to really comment.
My "highwind board"; a 132 that I will use with my 7m and possibly my 9m in time.
My 140 Mako which is my primary board. And a large 145x49 board for "light wind" use with my 11m. Possibly with a 9m. That was the first board I
got and it was used.
A big board definitely makes it easier getting up on the board for the first times.
That Wing was wicked easy. I think it was the 161 size.
Best option would be grab something cheap and go from there.
Body weight will factor into how big of a board one might need and how small one might be able to get away with. Also if you are out in strong
wind/trying to hold back a lot of power; a big board makes that harder.Nfish - 3-15-2013 at 04:08 PM
Thanks for the input. I like the idea just grab something cheap and go from there, lol.
So I looked through ikitesurf and there are just so many different boards...Anyway, I'm about 5'8 and 150lbs. Is 140cm board big enough to learn on
or should I go 150 and larger?Kamikuza - 3-15-2013 at 07:15 PM
Width is more important, Nfish, for easy planing - as is a lack of rocker.
My personal choice, if I were 5' 8" and 69kg, would be a Flyradical XL 144x46 - love my L and it's actually a good light wind board for the smaller
guy http://www.flysurfer.com/produkte/boards/radical4/
BEST idea, is to get a giant Airush Square One for a few sessions, just to get up on a board and moving... but you don't want to keep it.
Doors are great if you're heavy or chasing the absolute bottomest end - I think with your weight, if you go out on the biggest doors, you'll be
risking dropping the kite and being unable to relaunch it due to lack of wind Nfish - 3-17-2013 at 11:35 AM
Kamikuza, thanks for the input. I think I've narrowed down to 2 boards now: Epic Oxygen 135x47 and Shinn King George 140x46. I'm leaning towards the
Oxygen a bit more.
