Hi all,

I did 3 lessons learning how to kite last summer and am now assembling a set of gear to get into it this season and need some help choosing gear.

I have picked up a 2009 Cabrinha Switchblade 12m kite and got an old harness to try off a mate and am now trying to choose a board. I've been advised by a friend that a twin-tip is better to learn on so am looking for one of those at the moment. I may move to a wave board in the future but for now I just need to practise the basics. I'm looking for second hand gear to save some cash and as a beginner I don't need the latest and greatest.

Firstly, some stats you'll probably need to know to help me:
height: 187cm
weight: 99kg
kite: see above
desired style: a bit of everything for the moment so a good all-rounder for a beginner would probably be best.

One of my friends advised I should get something around 136cm for a twin-tip. Does that sound about right?

Any advice on good brands/models to suit my needs? I'm basically after a good all-rounder board for a beginner.

Thanks very much for any help you can provide!

136 ish sounds OK, but bottom end - nothing smaller. You could go bigger for learning if you found something cheapish that you could sell again in 12 months. Up to 142ish would work for you.

Lots of demand and turnover for larger beginner friendly boards at the right price.

Best way to go is look for something that you think might be suitable and post it here. You will get better responses on a specific item's suitability.

Hi Colin don't just look at board length the width is also important for an early planeing board,also maybe look at something you could progress with instead of a board that you'll quickly grow out of,saves you money, and as you weigh 99kgs look for a forgiving board under foot ,less stress on the back and knees, id look at the shinn board range shinnworld.com

Subculture said...

Hi Colin,

Paradox is on the money. I've sent you a PM.

I've replied to your PM

This would be ideal 1.38x43 its a 2012 board that got mistakenly laminated with the wrong graphics sheet at the factory, its a 2012 Crazy Fly Allrounder with the 2011 Bulldozer graphic, hence our made up name of Bullrounder!

http://www.kitepower.com.au/crazyfly-bull-rounder.html

Yep its $499 brand new and that includes free shipping anywhere in Oz.