151cm is a pretty big board, no matter how many kegs you weigh.

66KG, recommend 128 - 138?

a 151cm board is normally (only) for light wind as they dont go very good in chop.
i'm 72kgs and ride a 128cm board even tho this is pretty little something around around 134cms i would say to be a good learners board and still be a good board in the future.

I have a 151cm (LF Proof) low-tech board that is great in low winds or winter (to get through the many lulls). It is a far far better board in every respect than the 142cm one I wasted my 1st season on.

If the board you are lookin at is cheap get it and keep as your low wind board with a view to also buying a sweet (and prob exxy) smaller board - as a main board - that you will be using near the end of your 1st season.

My 2c anyhoo. It sure is nice cruising along effortlessly whilst the experts are struggling on a 126cm or sumpin.

BTW - most will agree - having a lightwind board is better (and waaaayyy cheaper) than a lightwind kite.

Oh - stay clear of anything older than 2004/2005 though I reckon.

I'm about the same kg's (give or take beer consumption on an average week) riding an 11m usually also in sydney

If you can, see if you can borrow, or buy a very (very) cheap second hand board with a bit of size about it to begin with (preferably borrow!), maybe 145ish or so. You really don't want to spend much money at all on your first (big) board, as you won't be riding it all that long (really, you won't... you're more than likely to progress faster than you think you will, and you'll want to move onto a smaller board maybe 3-4 months down the track).

Because you're starting out, you don't need to worry too much about all that stuff about "pop" and "rocker" and all those other fancy words that boards come with.. you're looking for something that floats (bigger boards float more); not too much else will be all that relevant for you, so don't stress too much trying to work it all out at this stage.

standing up = good

Once you're starting to feel confident, and you're feeling comfortable getting up and riding and changing direction and begginning to get yourself upwind a fair bit, put your money towards a getting a good quality, smaller board then. You'll really appreciate the difference.

What will happen if you try to learn on a smaller board?
It's not going to totally stop you from being able to learn.. it may be a little harder, because it won't float quite as much, but if you're persistent you willl still eventually get there.. will just take a bit longer, and a bit more frustration along the way.. but you will still get there. If you're taking this one-board only approach, aim for something in the 130's.

I'm now ride a 128cm royal one (basically the Underground board with a different graphic) and i can't tell you just how much i love it, and how much it totally changed my riding for the better when i got it. I think it's the perfect size for me now- and would absolutely recommend it to anyone... well, anyone who is happens to be the same size as me, riding an 11m in sydney anyway.

So my advice - in terms of bang for you buck, you're far better off getting a very crappy big board to begin with, and a good quality small board after a few months, than getting a midrange big board to begin with, and then a midrange small board later on.

waxman said...

What type of kite did you get and have you had lessons. After a couple of lessons learning the basics of getting up and riding on a big board you would allready be able to ride a smaller board. Try to pick a board that is aimed at intermediate riders they are more forgiving and are designed more to get you edging properly and going up wind. I can recomend the nobile 555 range a board 130-135 for your weight is heaps the 555 is supper easy to ride,gets up on the plane early, has a soft feel when riding and has good shape and large fins that will drive you up wind efortlessly. You wont out grow this board for a couple a long time i still have mine and ride it when it gets light.

I got an 09 Nobile N62 kite, it's 11m. I've had one 'lesson' with a buddy of mine who kites, but I haven't gone out into the water yet.. was more theoretical type stuff and flying on land.

Also thanks for the replies everyone, appreciated. I think I'm gonna look for one around 130-140.

I'll be seeing you guys out there soon ;)

The N62 is a nice kite,should be good for learning and i have heard they are extremely durable. Its good that your mate has given you a bit of a rundown on flying the kite but i think it would still be a good idea to get a lesson from a profesional instructor as they will take you through all the safety, and teach the best way, safest way and quickest way to learn. Learning from a mate can teach you bad habits that could hinder your progression, make it frustrating and also put you and others at risk and contribute to getting kiteboarding baned from good local spots.

With the N62 kite dont go to much bigger than 132. then you will have a good allround settup that will handle most days 15-25kts with practise/lessons.