I am looking for my first kiteboard. I am 6' 200lbs and kiteboarded for the first time last November in Padre. I have two kites. a 550 windwing I used a lot this winter and a 15.1 F-One that I used a little this winter, and last fall. I had borrowed a board. So guys, help me. For someone who is low on funds, needs a couple more kites, what is a good board to get into? New or used. I really want a bidirectional wakeboard style any ideas?
Paul
Kiteboard Ideas.
Moderator: MK
I've always had good luck with Airush products http://www.airush.com/products/products.asp . I logged most of my water hours on this board http://www.downhaul.com/kites/020602/im ... 020014.jpg It's a switch 180, big board but great in light wind. Rob H owns this one now.
Teran was using this one http://www.downhaul.com/kites/020602/im ... 020015.jpg I think it is a Wipi Olry. Very nice board. Teran rocked on it. If you can find them used it would be a good board.
The current trend, but I'm no expert on this, is for shorter and shorter lenghts. They are fairly wide but reallly short (to my eye). I was totally shocked last summer when I help AP lug gear off the sandbar in HR. He was riding somthing I never would have thought would work. I think it was a buzz board http://www.e-stormwarning.com/nsi_boards.shtml
AP was rocking on it in light wind with a large kite. I watched him for like an hour from the eventsite. I don't know if he liked it or not but he was riding the hell out of it.
I'm taking a retro aproach this summer to kiteboarding. I have no need to jump. I do enough of that during the winter so...
I'm figuring I'll try to use 1 kite (12M Rhino 2) and 2 boards:
Light wind:
http://www.downhaul.com/kites/040223/im ... 010010.jpg
Uber Light wind (GO 150 sans straps - untested)
http://www.downhaul.com/windsurf/040320 ... 010022.jpg
If it's capping, I'm windsurfing. The only true wind sport hehehe.
Good luck in your hunt!
Teran was using this one http://www.downhaul.com/kites/020602/im ... 020015.jpg I think it is a Wipi Olry. Very nice board. Teran rocked on it. If you can find them used it would be a good board.
The current trend, but I'm no expert on this, is for shorter and shorter lenghts. They are fairly wide but reallly short (to my eye). I was totally shocked last summer when I help AP lug gear off the sandbar in HR. He was riding somthing I never would have thought would work. I think it was a buzz board http://www.e-stormwarning.com/nsi_boards.shtml
AP was rocking on it in light wind with a large kite. I watched him for like an hour from the eventsite. I don't know if he liked it or not but he was riding the hell out of it.
I'm taking a retro aproach this summer to kiteboarding. I have no need to jump. I do enough of that during the winter so...
I'm figuring I'll try to use 1 kite (12M Rhino 2) and 2 boards:
Light wind:
http://www.downhaul.com/kites/040223/im ... 010010.jpg
Uber Light wind (GO 150 sans straps - untested)
http://www.downhaul.com/windsurf/040320 ... 010022.jpg
If it's capping, I'm windsurfing. The only true wind sport hehehe.
Good luck in your hunt!
At this stage in your game I would go for price. Boards really don't matter as much as with other sports. Mike is riding a sheet of plywood he affixed some footstraps to. ( after bending it a bit). I wouldn't go too small (below 145cm) or too big (above 165) if you are looking at wakestyle boards. The 175 Olry that Mike mentioned is an awesome allround board, though is not of the wakestyle you mention. Normally I suggest people start on a larger board. That way they speed their entry into the sport and then can get a good shortboard down the road and keep the bigger one for light wind. But if you are strapped for cash, finding one that won't be too difficult to learn on and then grow with you, is a good approach.
All the manufacturers have had twintip options. If you buy an 02 or 03 you should be fine.
Good used options are
Slingshot Jarvis
Naish Twin tips
Airrush switch
etc.
So, bottom line. Put your money into a good quiver of kites and find a solid used board or a closeout and get out and ride. I can guarantee a year from now, no matter what we say now, you'll have your own ideas about what you want from a board.
see you on the water
All the manufacturers have had twintip options. If you buy an 02 or 03 you should be fine.
Good used options are
Slingshot Jarvis
Naish Twin tips
Airrush switch
etc.
So, bottom line. Put your money into a good quiver of kites and find a solid used board or a closeout and get out and ride. I can guarantee a year from now, no matter what we say now, you'll have your own ideas about what you want from a board.
see you on the water
Tighe
-
Portland Pete
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:06 pm
- Location: pete at petegoodrich dot com
I learned on a Jarivs, I hated to sell it
But I took pity on a junior high kid
who volunteered all summer at the kite school
and was learning quickly
after one summer kiting everyday
I was ready for something different
just like Tighe said. you can make your
own decisions after a year.
I now ride a SS misfit 122
not a great all around board for someone my size
but a ton of fun when you are really powered up
Pete
But I took pity on a junior high kid
who volunteered all summer at the kite school
and was learning quickly
after one summer kiting everyday
I was ready for something different
just like Tighe said. you can make your
own decisions after a year.
I now ride a SS misfit 122
not a great all around board for someone my size
but a ton of fun when you are really powered up
Pete
Paul my rhinos may be going in the classifies soon, contact me if your interested. I have a 16 and 12 both 2002, 12 is in really good shape no repairs just a few pinhole tears, the 16 was previosly owned by matt z, he did one repair, and there are a few minor things like a couple of the nipples are torn so you have to hold while inflating but nothing major, both still fly great and are solid kites.
email if interested kobes19@yahoo.com
email if interested kobes19@yahoo.com