Selecting the right board

[malba49]

My goal is to be on a board this season. I'm looking at buying new gear, does anyone know of any resources on advising "how to" select the best board? What characteristics should I be looking for. I don't want to get an advanced board by mistake!!

Any advice or sources where to seek this advice would be greatly appreciated!

[windhorny]

If you are learning you are going to most likely be in light wind-aka alameda. I make due with a 12 bow kite and 2 boards. When you are learning I think it is more important to get a board that will plane quickly but also be stable. This is is just a suggestion and I may get criticism for this one but you could get a glide-which is great for light wind and add some 2" fins to it. the longer fins will really help you focus on getting up and kite control as to controling the board. the bigger the fins the more you feel like you are on rails. the misfit is great also, lots of great feedback. A 134 would be appropriate for an average weight rider in averae winds. Hope that helps.

[malba49]

Thanks for the tips, that's a great start for my search.

[andyandmarlys]

I have both the Glide and the Misfit 134 and they are a great combo... The misfit however is not really a beginner board.... the SX 137 might be a better choice as it is a little more forgiving and less stiff (easier on the knees) Most people start with a larger board and then grow to use a smaller board later.... The Glide is amazing for light wind.... the misfit is blazing fast

[elli]

Good advice on starting with a light wind board. If you start in Alameda it actually will be a good idea to have it anyway.

[mfremont]

I'm very new to the sport, and thinking about getting a different board to make the learning process easier.

My current board, a Fanatic Easy Rider (152cm) is difficult to get up on plane, so if I don't get the waterstart just right, or I'm a little sloppy with my kite skills, I don't get the board on plane and end up downwind. Do this a few times, and you get downwind pretty quickly!

I tried the Glide out last week and found it was an easy board to get up on plane. The short stock fins make it a bit squirrly when the board is flat, so the advice to put longer fins on the board makes good sense for a beginner.

I also tried the Spleene Session and the Spleene Door. The Session at 141cm was easier to plane than my 152cm Fanatic, and I was able to ride more consistently. And the Door at 164cm was, as you might expect, really easy. My session on the Door was the first time I actually made consistent progress upwind. Jeff at Air Padre swears by it and uses it for most of his beginner lessons.

You might also try to find a copy of SBC Kiteboarding with the 2006 Buyers Guide. The board list is pretty extensive, and in addition to giving the available sizes, the boards are also categorized. The ones they categorize as "Progression" are easy planing.

[elli]

Where did you test the Spleene boards?

[mfremont]

I demo'd the Spleene boards at Air Padre on South Padre Island, TX .

[pipedragon]

I have an old Wipika 161 twin style. I am 225lbs and it was the first board I actually got up and upwind on. Now I just use it as light wind board but it mostly sits in the garage so i am passing it on. Let me know. Send me a private if interested

[cholas]

I highly recommend the Caution 145 Hustla, it's wide, good for light wind, handles strong winds, it's wide, great upwind, a great all round board, and it's wide.
I am 6'5" and weigh about 200lbs. If you're a small guy, there's always the Hustla 135.