Hey,
I picked up the sport a couple of months back with some second hand gear.
Just wondering on your opinions on when to switch to a smaller board. Currently i have about a 170cm old style wipika twintip which has been good to learn on, but seems to plane on top of the water at times making it harder to edge and stay upwind.
Skill level - can do the basics, upwind/downwind/ switching direction with ease.

Any advice appreciated,

Cheers,
Rory

When you have ridden a 130cm for a while your 170cm will feel like an aircraft carrier stuck to your feet. A smaller board will put you in control and may even fit in the boot of your car!

Hi Rory,

Yeah 170cm is a large board these days - tho we still keep a couple of my old 165TT's around for teaching on.

Ideal board length is mostly based on a riders height, basically the taller you are the more tail you require behind your back foot. Its a balance issue, if your centre of gravity on landing a jump is too far behind the tail of your board you are more than likely going to arse check than ride away cleanly. The shorter the board the more centred over it you need to be to retain your balance.

Ive got in my quiver a 90cm long speed board that is a blast to ride, and turns doubles into triples or more. However if Im not perfectly centred on landing Ill fall over the nose or tail every time; as such it is not a board I use every day.

As a rider progresses so their ability to place their weight correctly improves and they tend to enjoy the freedom/low spin weight a short board has to offer. A board between 120 to 140cm tends to work for most average size people. If you are 53 tend to the shorter end, 63+ maybe better to look at the higher end of that range.

Board width on the other hand is related to rider weight and wind conditions. Heavy riders and lighter wind require wider boards ~40cm+ where as lighter riders or stronger wind require narrower boards ~34cm.

Outline and rocker also have an influence, with some boards better suited to flat water and wake style riding, while others are more suited to hard edging and/or choppy water.

So getting back to your question should you be looking at a shorter board YES! (unless you are a 7-foot tall basketball player). As for what size board you should look at? Id need more information before I could answer that one.

Dave Kay

Thanks for that reply dave.. yeah definately going to look for a smaller board when i get some $$. Dont want to have to upgrade again for a while so i might head to the smaller side of the boards. Not into tricks at the moment but am hoping to start any day. I just really want an alround board that would suit most conditions, choppy through to calm / lightwind high wind.. Not too much to ask!
Anyone out there with the same weight/height got any recommendations from boards they're using? Am 175cm and 70kg.
Thanks again

Rory

Hey rory I'm the same height and weight as you are and i find that my underground fridgedoor is perfect for allmost anything. Great for boostin , great for trickin, flat water, choppy water.. and it's still forgiving in lulls too.

Another way you could go is to make your own board.

I would suggest either a DECAY 140-147 or
Underground FLX 132, Wavetray 142 or 147
I'm sure Ians boards are good, but they don't make it this far south
You could get a new FLX or DECAY board for $995 with FREE courier to your door, I would guarantee you'd be totally stoked
Cheers, Tim

No further south than Dunedin

Have you brethren not read the prophets curse on unsolicited advertising?

OBK - did your curse not preclude that if such a person had an ad to the left of your screen then he would be free to post whatever he/she liked?

I think you will find kitesports.co.nz has such an ad, in a very fetching orange I might say! Tim is also in a very good postion to comment having ridden both types of boards he mentioned AND having both lines stocked in his store.

DK

fair comment brother Decay
Allah bless you and yours and the many boards you make - may your business not follow you unfortunate name.

Thanks for the advice guys.. will prob look second hand for a similar type of board (lack of money).
Cheers