Directional Board

harleyboy · Since 13 Jun 2007 41 Posts

I want to get rolling on the directional board thing. Any of you wave riders have advice on what board config to get.

How do I choose a length?
What about fin config?
Straps or strapless?
Are kitesurf directional boards that same as regular surfboards?

My plan is to ride flat water until I am pretty comfortable on it.

Thanks

Mark

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

liquid force has a 6' surfboard that can be a regular surfboard also. looks like a pretty dope board too, though i don't know the materials and buoyancy. i love my lf mission and am coveting one of their surfboards fer sher. i totally recommend lf.
however, if you aren't a surfer already you'd probly have a hard time learning on a 6' board. you've got to paddle it out in the first place, and that can wear you out as you start out. it doesn't get any easier from there....

i'm learning to kite waves and it's totally obvious how here, as everywhere you need the right tool for the right job. sirectional must be sweet.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

You need to start thinking of what you want from a surfboard. What your priorites are. There is no golden board..although some will say there is. Everyone is different so different boards will fit different people...and then you want to ride something else some day, and that requires yet another board Smile

Now really, think about what type of wind you like light medium or high ..fast or slow board...there are so many variables....

When that is said, there are some setups that more people choose. For instnace, hre boards between 5'5'' and 6'1'' seems most popular. Thursters are by far the more common setup, although I like other setups very often. It really depnds on what you want to do with the board. I have 4 kitesurfboards that I use for different condition, on twin fin 5'5' Naish fish for light to medium wind, super fast turning, but a little bouncy if you are light and ride extremely choppy waters..I don;t mind the bouncyness, but I am 200 lb, so I don;t notice it very much the board is super solid tough, and I can use it in anything from ankle snappers to pretty good sized swell. I ride it straples and strapped..super good for learning how to Gybe etc. I can use it form about 11 mph on a 14 meter Torch.
I have 5'4'' Naish Quad fin, super fast, holds so much power, good for a lot in your face riding...fast and furious. I've had it out on my 12 shockwave in upto 35 mph. The board holds so much power with the quad setup.
I have 5'8'' Underground, a good allround board, thruster, there isn;t anything bad to say about this board, simply a good performer. My only objection is that it is $150 more than the naish board, yet seems like it would buckle faster...though it hasn't yet.

I also have 6'1'' Ratboy M10, that I ride strapless, it is a regular surftech surfboard...it does ding a lot easier than the kitesurfboards. I can use it in lighter winds than the 5'8'', it's a nice single concave with a slight tail rocker so it turns fast. A really nice board that I know I will break pretty soon...depressing actually.

I am considering selling the UG and / or the Fish...both in mint condition...I just got a standup board, and the wife has started the motion to have me get rid of something...\

it all depends on wind / kite size, your weight, skill, the board shape / rail but most of all your preference...so think about what you want to use the board for..then ask for a board that might have the qualities you are looking for. In general I'd say that go for a kite-surfboard they will generally hold up better...I have buckled a couple of polyester boards..only on the first few sessions...the surtechs hold longer, but then break...

a.

hedquista · Since 13 Apr 2007 72 Posts Salt lake city

i have the liquidforce surf board and i love it. the swell riding is like no other. straps... strapless it is jsut awesome. i can ride the surfboard easy on my 7m while others are out on much much bigger kites. i love it

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

I've used the SS 5-11" SRT for two seasons, and it rides good, and has held up with no pressure dings or stresses. I did add an insert to move the back strap towards the tail 2 inches. This has helped with wave riding and hitting the lip. I tried the 5-5" but at my size (210 lbs) it was too small.

harleyboy · Since 13 Jun 2007 41 Posts

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the replies....here is a bit more data that may prompt some of you to point me in a direction on a directional.

I am new to kiteboarding this year. I would probably define myself as a pretty quick learner. Not a rockstar but quicker than average. I was riding upwind almost immediately, up on the board first lesson etc. Just starting to jump now with more focus on getting good load/pop vs big air. Also really focused on getting my turns dialed...toe side, heel side carves etc. Trying to ride at least once or twice per week and plan on riding all winter.

I am 148lbs, 5'8" and I ride North Rebels (9M and 12M).

Given my level I tend to not to put myself into extreme wind situations so I would say I am most comfortable in medium to strong wind. Light wind can be frustrating as I find it very hard to relaunch in super light wind and I end up stranding myself. I am more confident knowning I will get my kite off the water with a bit stiffer wind. So I tend to "try" more things in a stronger wind.

Locations for wave riding will most likely be Oregon coast or West Coast of Vancouver Island. The reason why I was attracted to the sport was the wave riding aspect

I do surf but normally I surf Mals....7'2". I have not been on a short board yet but my plan was to get one eventually.

It would be nice to be able to find a board that I can kiteboard and surf on but not absolutely necessary.

I am not sure if this info would help offer more specific advice or not but I thought I would throw it out there.

Thanks for all the insight.

Mark

richdirector · Since 22 Oct 2007 2 Posts New Member

If you can surf already then maybe look at the production quads or a custom one - I got one from dereck at DCBOARDZ its a 6 foot board (but nose snubbed to make it 5'8" 18.25 wide and is good for me riding between 11knots to 37 (that was on Halo '06 10m and 7m) His design rocks - suddenly all the production boards seem to have his template.

I didnt surf before (although windsurfed in waves for 8 years) and I found it effortless. I can gybe but spend most of my time riding toe-side regular. I had a custom 5 footer (3-fin) made before this and I think it was a mistake - the quad has better range is smoother carves just as quick and tanks up wind. I can do a downwinder for a mile on a cross onshore day - pop out 100m from the shore change feet and shoot upwind to my starting point on one tack.
GPS track attached.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

shoots,... if ya surf and are looking to ride waves with a kite your half way there going un strapped is a little harder cuz the kite pulls you up and off your board so you have to keep a consitance pressure on at least one rail best done in light winds underpowered{imo}...for hard chargeing i use a strapped 5-5 srt......and stay one kite under everyone else you got lot more volume =fast to plan smaller kite lets me ride the surf and not get pulled out the back and dig way deep for max buckets and vert....lately the move is going to 6-0...6-2....more range more user freindly...round pins.....or soft squash.....quick to settle on deep water peaks with chop ect...beach breaks .....are quick and the impact zones are shorter unless its huge .....4 fins a comming into play wider tails 5-8 and up quick punchy and very tearish......the wide tails in deep water are harder to settle and slip around a bit much for me check out liquid force 08 pat rawlson did some SWEET 3 and 4 fins.......still not sure.......like the feel of a skate but want a directional rocker and easy out of a twin tip......check out the SS FUSE ultimate cheat code....... skate layup off center [directional}strap set up......great oregon coast board for that thin water on the inside under the surf but in the lee butter....plus it goes shallow.....way more than a surf style.........confused yet??? grab any surf board nsi has pads with straps or just female inserts you just glue to the deck of the board if you have a large bone yard you have lots of options......dont buy a wave board thinking youll surf on it dont happen...when its windy kite when its glassy stoop to surfing after kiteing in good surf ...everything else is just slow motion i have more fun surfing now cuz it takes second fiddle not so agro more whatever..........oh warming up on flat water can lead to bad habits grab a wave board and go find waves rips.. currents......white water.......gapping barrels are a life time project dont go with a kicked dog head space CHARGE HARD AND BE VERY AGGRESIVE......take cafeful note and big hits bottom line FUN on your level.........if you can wait a few more weeks SLINGSHOT srt5-11 or sst6-2 you cannot go wrong........please note this rambling is my opnion......[think that covers me] Question

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