Hi
I started KS in 2006. Due to unrelated injury I've been out since 2007. Back into it this year and loving it although I'm still pretty inexperienced.
Weight - 98 kilos
Kite - new switch 12
Style: don't really have one - just farting around and going fast with a few pops. Twin tip.
Conditions: usually choppy. 20 knot kind of gig.

I'm having a good time with my old cabrinha board from 2007. It feels a little heavy though. I'm getting the itch for a new board.

Could someone in the know bring me up to speed with board tech or ref. a link to the right post as I couldn't find one? Still have a few questions:
Is there a big difference in board tech over the last 6 yrs? Will I notice a big difference.
What should I be looking for in a new board? is weight a major factor? Flex?
What size should I be looking at given my weight? 144?
How much rocker?
Anything in particular I should know re. pads?

Cheers

To answer your first question there is a huge difference in board technology between now and 6 years ago. The major shifts have been in core materials (wood is now the standard, no more foam), channeling, and acceptance of the benefits of rocker. A few years ago most boards were either "freeride" lifeless noodles with no performance but were okay through chop OR cookie cutter "freestyle" boards which were stiff as all hell, square, no bottom shape, and no rocker.

Now to the present. There have been huge advances in board efficiency as a result of the use of channels and innovation in shape. It sounds like what you're after is something with good speed, pop, soft landings, and goes well through chop (with added some size of course).

Here's what I would recommend:

Axis Limited 140x43 - Quad concave, great spine shape with moderate rocker, super light, great pads and straps, amazing pop, soft landings, fast board

Axis Vanguard 139x42.5 Same shape as above but no carbon resulting in a more freeride oriented board, still soft through chop with good pop and smooth landings

Crazyfly Pro LTD 140x42 - Softer double concave coupled with a moderate rocker, butter through chop yet tons of grip and lots of potential for high-end freeride and freestyle


Cheers

Hey Rolls

I've been going through the learning process for a new board too. Have a look at these 3 vids, this should explain what different board qualities will provide. Then go looking for the design features that will suite your intended style, which I'm finding is not easy to get from the manufacturers' sites.







www.desertwindkiteboarding.com/?p=2310

I demoed a heap of boards this season
Got rid of my beloved FLX and bought the Shinn DUNDEE

beware the Shinn Speedball it's a love it or hate it kind of board.
When you're a competent rider demo a few, you'll know the right board for you when you ride it.
They're all roughly the same price range but well worth it

The newer boards appear to have a wider middle section. Does this mean that I won't need the same length as I used to have? I.e. Can I knock my 144 down to a 138?

Speedball sounds good but not sure if any Melbourne stores demo it.

I'm down in tassie, with often choppy conditions as well.
I'm 95kgs, bought myself a xenon la luz in 135. You could go for the 138 if you want. Very light board. And good in the chop. Worth a demo if you can?

Surely this post should be immediately re-filed into the newbies' section?

Some great advice here from regular contributors and some great newbie video, but for heaven sake let's put it where it belongs (before someone bumps it to the top of our most recent post list some months down the track).

Great to see good input from our good contributors... But from here it'll just become a pimp-festival of people recommending the boards they get at cost or less than the rest of us regular punters.