Looking at getting into small waves this summer, don't want to use surfboard type, thinking of getting a twin tip suited to waves and large chop. Has anyone used the Airush Hammer or similar?
The airush Hammer absoloutly rocks. I don't know where in OZ you are but if your in Perth get down to Airborne Kitesurfing and grab their demo for a day or two. You will love it. I'm definetly adding one to my quiver as I've never experienced that true surf/carve feeling, having always only used freestyle twintips and wake boards in waves and never having surfed. I won't go into a full gear review here, I'll leave that up to you because after a couple of sessions on the Hammer you won't be able to shut up.
The Hammer is the best board aroud for waves by far. It may look like other boards, but it goes like none of them. It has a unique rail that allows you to do full rail turns on a wave and then smoothly switch to the other rail for your next bottom turn. I do admit in waves under head high, you might not notice much difference as you need a decent size wave to be able to get a nice carve on the rail. Still the rail to rail benifit will still be noticed.
I had a go on one and went out and bought one the next day.
They also hold and edge really well in choppy conditions, like when your out in decent waves and your blasting though some solid rips.
Paul, I understand your comments when watching guys like Felix. However I think a lot of guys like myself don't surf and find twin tips a lot easier in the waves. Doesn't look the same on the water but still having a heap of fun. Take the Hammer for a ride at Mambo and see what you reckon, or maybe we just catch up for a beer.
I agree with VB and Corey the Hammer is amazing, it certainly makes Scarborough a little bit more user friendly.
The demo Hammer will only be at Airborne till the 18th then I am taking with me in the Auswind Demo trailer for the following month.
I've just bought a hammer and am lovin it. I demo'd it in moderate winds and wasn't sure about it holding the fatter rail in bigger winds but once I got onto a wave I knew I was going to buy it anyway, it carves in waves and rides from rail to rail superbly. Anyway I've since had it out in bigger winds and it holds its rail in the gusts unreal and loads up sweetly for great jumps. I love the double concave, so smoooooth.
btw I've had a 147 wavetray as well which was great in the chop and ocean but needed a bit of juice to get going. The Hammer doesn't need as much as my old WT to get going which has been another impressive trait of the board.
Hey XXX. If your wondering about the wind range of the Hammer, I usually ride a 127 Protoy as my everyday board and not only will I be using the Hammer for waves, it will also be my lightwind board.
The premise here seems to be one of compromising because you're not a surfer. What ever you are having fun on is great. But I can't overstate how briliant a proper surf board is in the waves. I ride an Underground wave board. I'm not a surfer, and I love it. Don't buy some compromise board until you have tried a surfboard style board. Having said that, if its 25kn tomorrow and 3m, I'll be on my 122 FLX, because you need a small board in truely wicked conditions.
Please don't be intimidated by surfboards! Just pick the right days to start off with them.
