Nissey said..
how do I choose the right twin tip for my size and ability , does it really make that big a difference? As you get better to you go smaller?

That's an excellent question. There are a few rules of thumb. Generally anything above 136cm for most averaged size people, but it also comes down to style, shapes, rocker or no rocker, fins or no fins, etc.

Try this...

http://www.riggeek.com/gear-calculator/for-kitesurfers

But take the beginner board suggestions or most of them as a rough guide. A beginner on a 170cm board, well you might as well go straight on a surfboard!

Size will vary board to board, person to person. Some one with a one kite quiver will want a different board to someone with a full quiver. The only real way to decide what suits you is to demo as many as possible. Borrow a friends board etc, talk to the guys selling the gear, read the forum gear reviews and ask questions on a specific board.

KiwiDave said..
That site recommends really big boards. I'm 90kg (beginner) and according to that site my 138x42 board is too small even in moderate wind?

Hmm it depends where you're from. Up here in the tropics, winds are lighter so to me what you've said makes sense, a 138 is too small. I have a 136x42 Cardboards and it's great in anything over 14knots. And that's with a 15mt Cabrinha. But as a true light wind board, nah... Way too small. I would need at least a 142. I weigh 78-80kg and not a beginner. So if I struggle in light winds you'd sink!

Nissey said..

waxman said..
Size will vary board to board, person to person. Some one with a one kite quiver will want a different board to someone with a full quiver. The only real way to decide what suits you is to demo as many as possible. Borrow a friends board etc, talk to the guys selling the gear, read the forum gear reviews and ask questions on a specific board.

cauncy said..
What is your ability

It's for my son who is just starting to land back rolls, got jumps with grabs. He like to play in chop and we kite flat water too. He is 48 kilo 155cm tall, confident iin the water. Have a 7 meter and a 9 meter. Just curious more if I should go the best model board in the range or will it be too advance for him is he better with mid range

Even as a beginner, no board is really 'too advanced' for someone, you can get up on any twintip, some boards just make it easier when you're learning. The biggest thing that define different boards are their rocker and/or flex. For example:

Your beginner or entry level boards have a low rocker and high flex. A lower rocker will get you on the plan early (helping you get up) and go upwind easier. High flex will be more forgiving in chop and landings and therefore be more comfortable to ride. These characteristics in a board are key and desirable when learning.

As you progress from this stage you may want a different board that has different characteristics for different styles. A board with high rocker and low flex will give more pop, for your freestyle and low powered wakestyle moves, but the trade off is it's harder to go upwind and less comfortable in chop. You may choice a board with a high rocker and a mid flex if you're hitting lots of obstacles such as kickers and rails.As with choosing anything, go to your local shop and have him demo a bunch of new boards and see which one he likes best for his current riding style and don't get fixated on boards suitable on it's price range. The most expensive board in a brands range, will most likely be its pro-freestyle board, with a higher rocker and less flex, this made of higher-end materials to provide the strength to the rocker and overall stiffness and therefore be a more expensive board. But it might be the worst board he demos on the day, due to his preference.

At his level of riding he could ride anything. If you ask him he may already know what sort of board he would like to try. Once he starts riding well powered and actualy using the board to generate pop as opposed to using the kite it will be more critical to get the right board under him. Some board manufactures make grom boards aimed towards aspiring young freestylers.

What board is he using now?

www.f-one.world/kite/boards/twintip/

That's just one I know of

Sounds like you could make a quiver of boards ? include boots board .
Easy to change boards rather than kites.

Boots probably are not a good idea.

You could just look at replacing the best board that was lost?

Or you could go for a free ride board around the 130 size they are generally very comfortable to ride and track up wind well. They won't hold him back on any hooked in tricks he may want to try.

That looks sick, but it's a boots board and quite big if you did choose to run straps on it. He could ride it but wouldn't like it as much as the armada.

www.kitepower.com.au/collections/kitesurfing/twin-tips

Nissey said..
He has a Jamie pro, he likes this but still goes on about his best armarda which we lost to the current about six months ago. We learnt together on a Naish momentium which is mine now and he didn't like. The armarda is what he got up and riding on. the Jamie is good but am thinking I might have that as it's bigger 133 by 40 mines is only 130. We have been at it almost a year and I'm only just getting dry turns and feeling confident so thought a bigger board might help. Which leaves me with the perfect Chrissy present for my boy a new board, just what to get. Who makes the grom boards as most of what I've looked at needs a heavier person.

What doesn't he like about the Jamie pro compared to the armarda ?
early planning , load n pop , soft landings ,top speed ?
ps never ridden either lol

i have just got to say - you are a legend of a mum, and he is one lucky kid
respect!