Using a surfboard with a Kite!! Please Help

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

I'm thinking about getting a regular surfboard and kiting, but I don't know what the general rule is for kite size etc..

Say it's a 19mph day at Clatsop Spit.. I have a low volumn 6 foot thruster.

What size kite would be the best?

I weight 220lbs..

Thanks Very Happy

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Riding a kite one size smaller than normal would probably be a good starting point. This is assuming that you normally ride a twin tip and like to be pretty powered up on it. Of course the way the wind's blowing the past week you'd need a 20m kite just to get off the beach.

Kyle · Since 28 Jun 2007 54 Posts Squamish, Canada

Too bad you missed the Surfboard Riding Clinic this weekend, as part of the SKC....

but, remember you aren't going to be jumping huge, so all you need is enough kite to get going upwind. Typically this is also a bit less than on a TT.
I generally try to ride the smallest kite that I can get away with on my surfboards. It's more fun that way because you've got a fast kite that responds and reacts better to your bar input and board movement.

...although 80% of the time for most ranges of wind and waves, I've been choosing an SLE 9m (Shockwave in my case).

Mark · Mon Jul 16, 07 12:57 pm

I bounce between my 9m boxer and 7.5 boxer for really windy big swell days.

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

You can use a regular surfboard for sure. Just don't freak out when the surface starts looking more like the moon from all the heel dents.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Went out today on my 11 meter TD II and an RRD 5-8" twinster board. Almost went on my 9 meter, but I wanted to be powered up and it was blowing 16 mph average at the time.

Had to avoid some kookster doing water start practice and hot launching right off the yellow marker..Scary Shit!! The guy was oblivious to the danger he posed... I yelled at him and pointed to the north side of the beach. EESSHHH

Went straight upwind on the twinster.. I think it's about 5'-8" or so. I was surprized by how nice I went upwind. Very fast and smooth cruising for certain. I'm going to put some nice cushy pads and new straps.. Any suggestions?

Twas able to go toeside on my right side and then just turn and go heelside on my port. My right calf was really tired after about an hour and a half so I came back in and switched to my tt.

The fins are 6 inches long and really dig into the water. It twas remiscent of surfing in Hawaii.. oh sweet loverly flashbacks to Paia', Kuau, and HOOkipa... I'm really looking foreward to getting on some real wave faces as soon as possible. I'm wondering what the hell I'll be doing with the kite?? I guess I'll just have to figure that out when the time comes.

I took my feet out of the straps for a bit to see what it was like. Not that hard to keep the board right under my feet. It felt a little sketchy but with some time I think I will go out without straps for sure.

I must say that the feeling of having a board with nice round rails is great!!!

Does anybody actually read all of this shit,

later Very Happy

forrest · Mon Jul 16, 07 7:02 pm

i read it! Sounds like you had a killer time! I'm the guy switching between boots and a green skimboard with grip tape... Come say hi next time.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

if it is a regular polyester board, it will buckle. One of mine did after only a few sessions on it.

If it a surftech / epoxy it will old better. It does depend on how you want you board to look (like bam said).

It's a lot of fun though, but kiting a surfboard put WAY more strain on it than it was built for..that said, it is sooo much fun though.

a.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

I did have a great time. I'm going to give the skim board a shot too. It's amazing the range of different shit you can ride!

Love it Man(((