Somewhere I remember Trip Forman saying that windsurfers typically ride kiteboards that are too large. I've had that in mind this season as I finally paid the dues and learned to ride, transition, and most recently, jump. My learning curve has been shortened dramatically by a Slingshot SX-151 and 12m Turbo Diesel. At 5'10" and 160 lbs., I've ridden this combo comfortably from 12-25 knots, in flat water and overhead waves, and remarkably, for a scrawny Old Guy, can even hold it down in 30 knot gusts. As I've gotten better, I've naturally started to wonder how a shorter board would perform, and especially while in the air have felt that the SX 151 is pretty big, at least for someone of my size and abilities.
And so, last week, I picked up an SX 130. Yesterday, I had a chance to ride it for the first time in a solo session in classic late afternoon 20-30 knot SW winds at Cannon.
Awesome. What a blast. Or, a gas. Or, da' bomb. Or, whatever you you young dudes say these days when something is like, totally, right, you know? Near the end of my first season of kiteboarding I feel like I just discovered kiteboarding for the first time. The board felt like an organic extension of body, a perfect fit, making moves possible just last week I couldn't imagine. Better yet, the shorter board--as with shorter boards in windsurfing--allowed me to cruise in control in higher winds than I've ever kited.
I'll still love the SX 151 for light wind days, but now what I really want to ride is the shorter board. In higher winds. Just like it was in windsurfing.
What a glorious addiction.
in praise of short(er) kiteboards
Moderator: MK
130's
Im with you, I had my first day on a new 130 Jamie Pro as well after riding the same combo 12TD SX 151. Cant say as I have it dialed in yet as I just started to seddle in and get comfortable at the end of the session - The smaller and stiffer ride sitting deaper in the water was great for the high winds and gusts yesterday at Washington - I dont know how hard the gusts hit but the knuckles are still white from a couple speed runs with the bar all the way out, I love the SX 151 but cant wait to get the 130 dialed in 
Yeah, there is something about being able to ride efficiently, which I haven't figured out yet...I can do just fine on a SX151 (really like the board, thanks Dean!) and Waroo 16, but can't seem to follow the same track with a smaller 139 board.
I'm out there with the 16M and big board slowly making my way up wind (at least I'm going UP wind!), and guys like Todd Hanson and others cruise past me on a 12M and smaller narrower board...I just shake my head and keep thinking someday that will be me too!
It's been a great summer of learning and actually RIDING!
Mark
I'm out there with the 16M and big board slowly making my way up wind (at least I'm going UP wind!), and guys like Todd Hanson and others cruise past me on a 12M and smaller narrower board...I just shake my head and keep thinking someday that will be me too!
It's been a great summer of learning and actually RIDING!
Mark
In previous years on C's I moved to a two board quiver of (151 and 128). I used the 128 maybe 40% of the time whenever I was powered up. It was like going down a kite size. Now since I've been riding the bows I have the same two board quiver and use the 130 maybe 15% of the time. The larger board makes riding in gusty conditions easier, it never gets too big because you can always depower the kite and set the edge deeper, and it allows for a better launch pad. For my weight (190) the 130 is just too small, when the wind isn't just perfect, steady and strong (only on Mille Lacs) it is more challenging to keep a steady ride in the holes. I'm thinking of going to the 137Sx and the 157sx this year. Assuming I'll use the 137 the majority of the time and just use the 157 for really light days. It sounds like many in the Gorge have gone away from the 120's and 130s and are riding the 135-145 sized boards as their main boards. Lighter guys and Women obviously have smaller boards. I've been recommending to students to buy on the bigger size if they're going to pair it up with a bow. It shortens your learning curve and if you ever decide it is too big, gives you a great lightwind board.
Tighe
Interesting effective edge is the same on what seems significantly different sized boards sx122 2004 and sx130 2005
http://www.kitesurfari.com/store/sssx.html
Kurt
http://www.kitesurfari.com/store/sssx.html
Kurt
I'm 165 lbs and find that a 137 works for 80% of my riding with Bow kites. the other 20% of the time is on a plywood glide clone. with a 16,12 and 9 bow there isn't a day that it has been blowing that I couldn't get out.
side note, with the plywood glide clone, the 16 barely comes out anymore, I just use the 12M even in light wind
there was talk somewhere, sometime on some forum that I can not rember that said that with the bow kites you may want a 10cm larger than normal board to give you the most of the effective range of a bow kite.
side note, with the plywood glide clone, the 16 barely comes out anymore, I just use the 12M even in light wind
there was talk somewhere, sometime on some forum that I can not rember that said that with the bow kites you may want a 10cm larger than normal board to give you the most of the effective range of a bow kite.
In my never-ending quest for simplicity I may end up with solely an SX 137 and 12m TD: one board, one kite, will travel. At my size I could probably get away with it, though the SX 151 is no doubt a great board for the vast majority of our midwestern days (gusty 10-20 knots). Two kiteboards, after all, is still not that much stuff, especially compared to the truckload of windsurfing gear I've hauled around for years. It may be time to replace the F-150 with a Prius.
I think that is easily possible. As many of you know the 12m TD is my one kite does all. The larger board, 151, definitely does help extend that range. I think that 137 would be to you with your wt. what the 151 is to me with my wt.
I think if we really want to do it right, we through the board and kite on our back and grab our bike and ride to the lake.
I think if we really want to do it right, we through the board and kite on our back and grab our bike and ride to the lake.
Tighe
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Dean Rizer
- Posts: 319
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2003 3:52 pm
I was able to use my SX 137 for the 1st time during my last two sessions at Lake Washington. Perfect combo with my 12 X Bow. For my skill level I think I will need a steady 15 ++ for that board. The winds gusted to the mid 20s but I never felt like I had too much board. The board is very easy to turn compared to my Session 141. For me shorter is definitely better and more wind is better too. The black underside makes the 137 a little difficult to spot upwind in the sun. Thanks to Tom I still have my board, he retreived it for me, and showed me a really great way to sail with a retreived board; top side over forearm I think. And I started kiting thinking I would only kite when the winds were too light to plane on a windsurfer. What has happened??
support
Hey,
I thought you guys were here for support and to help justify spending more $$$$ on toys, all this talk about 1 board, 1 kite is a buzz kill to the justification rational
Actually I was suprised that the 130 Jamie Pro got up on top of as quick as it did, however I think it is just as wide as my SX 151 and more sqaured off - it will be interesting to see what happens on a lighter day with it.
Okay back to shopping for a 2nd kite to go along with the 12TD for the lighter days - all justification for a bigger kite welcome !
I thought you guys were here for support and to help justify spending more $$$$ on toys, all this talk about 1 board, 1 kite is a buzz kill to the justification rational
Actually I was suprised that the 130 Jamie Pro got up on top of as quick as it did, however I think it is just as wide as my SX 151 and more sqaured off - it will be interesting to see what happens on a lighter day with it.
Okay back to shopping for a 2nd kite to go along with the 12TD for the lighter days - all justification for a bigger kite welcome !
I have found that the smaller boards have less drag so they are faster... I ride a 125 LW freestlye all the time. I found I could go eaiser with this board than a 150 something.. because small fast board allows you to use more apatent wind.. I weigh 180-200lbs and I can use this one board with a 10 m C kite from about 18- 35mph.
I also did kindof a test between a glide replica and my skim board.
the skim board didn't have much more area than my 125 and about half the area of the glide. but I could get going alot faster on the skim than the glide. which made the small board a much better dicision for the light wind. I think Eric Paulson would second this... he tried the two as well.
this is the skim (100% flat length 127... I think the width was arround 35 at the widest point)
<a><img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f246/ ... G_3899.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
if you ever see someone using this board at park point pease beat the crap out of them for me because someone stole it off the beach at the tot lot a few weekes ago
.....some peoples kids 
Jon
I also did kindof a test between a glide replica and my skim board.
the skim board didn't have much more area than my 125 and about half the area of the glide. but I could get going alot faster on the skim than the glide. which made the small board a much better dicision for the light wind. I think Eric Paulson would second this... he tried the two as well.
this is the skim (100% flat length 127... I think the width was arround 35 at the widest point)
<a><img src="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f246/ ... G_3899.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>
if you ever see someone using this board at park point pease beat the crap out of them for me because someone stole it off the beach at the tot lot a few weekes ago
.....some peoples kids Jon