what do you guys recon go for a normal surfboard or a epoxy
straps-no straps quad fin-normal thruster??? cheers

Hey guys, give the kid a break.

Hey Mike,

Definately go for an epoxy, you will destroy anything made of polyester in no time, rolled fins, heel dings and snapped noses, creases and crazing are all on the cards with the poly board.

You can encounter this in an epoxy too, but it takes much longer to damage them. They handle the abuse better. A standard surfboard is not designed to have the forces of kite wave riding applied to it.

Stick with the thruster, they just work! As for straps or unstrapped, matter of personal taste. I generally like unstrapped (if I can be bothered to take em off) for waves smaller than 4 foot. Anything larger or for winds over 25 knots, definately more fun (for me) in straps. You can't whack it hard enough strapless or get big airs off the lip with confident. A lot of people who ride strapless crash a lot and get pulled off their boards in the wave zone and just end up in everybodys way.

if you got the skills, get to it, if not, ride out of the way to practice strapless.

Hope this helps,

kitehard pretty much sums it up, epoxy is the way to go. but if you are keen on the poly what some have done is get another layer on the board for added strength and from what i have seen it works quite well. i personally use a 6'3" JC SD-3 epoxy which i can paddle and kite, very good cross-over board. and for stronger winds i use a 6'0", both strapless, my preference.

Epoxy = Strong
Polyester = Weak

it matters how serious a surfer you are, poly's definetly feel better if yuor really looking for that true surfing feeling. i have a double 6 ounce deck on my strapless surfboard which i use for under 5 feet, under 20 knts and for normal surfing. For above this i have a strapped epoxy board which goes really well.

If your not a serious surfer and are just a kiter looking to have more fun in the waves i would go for a smaller strapped epoxy board. so if you would usually ride a 6'0 i would go a 5'6.

I've got a 6'0 poly board which Stuey Martin shaped for me last year. I got it glassed quite heavy which makes the weight of the board heavier then a normal poly surfboard, but I find that works to my advantage when kitesurfing. I alway ride it strapless, & have had no real damage to it though kitesurfing.

I've also got a Naish 5'5" Custom Wave which is epoxy & I ride strapped in on the windier days. I much prefer the poly board as it just feels better (more like surfing) for me on the wave. I guess its just a personal preference. Both of the boards are thrusters.

Like dustin said, if you come from a surfing background, then I would suggest going with a poly board, but if you just want to have fun in the waves & ride strapped in most the time, then go with a smaller epoxy board.

BTW: I wouldn't write off quads either. They have some good design features that suits kitesurfing. There's a good article on them here: http://custom.surfboardshack.com/quad-fin-surfboards-the-next-best-thing-why-four-is-better&cat=11

I have purchased 2 epoxy boards one Delta the second a Tufflite both only lasted 2 kites before cracking under the front foot. Had a polyester with extra glass and FCS fins for 3 seasons now a few heal dents thats all.
Sure polyester is heavier but it does not absorb water if cracked a big advantage. Plus it is cheaper.

My 2 cents cheers Andrew

www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=6218
This is a 2 season old 5'8" custom Warren Cornish poly board. It's in excellent condition condsidering the flogging I give it. No dents only cosmetic scratches. Extra layer of 6 oz and custom plugs for my stance. I prefer Red x or future fins; fcs can be a bit fragile. Shaped 3-4 inches shorter than my normal surfboards, with the extra weight and straighter outline, it turns much the same. It is a specialty kiting board
If you want 1 board to paddle surf and kite, have a look at epoxies like tufflites or if you can afford them firewire boards surf really well (1-2 inches shorter than your normal board). Put some surftech strap pads on it, to protect the deck and strap up when you need it and you have the perfect travel kit. Alternately, there are high density and thicker stringer specialty blanks, that you could get glassed lighter in poly to get a custom board that you could paddle surf and kite.

sorry about the typo. yes i have seen first hand whats in epoxy boards, the new JC's (that im pimping) are not constructed of the same foam thats usually used. so if you get a chance, have a look at there promo vid, choicey has one if your interested.