I reckon get something 2nd hand from a known brand, late model i.e. 2008/2009 around 142cm. Once you find a couple in the buy and sell do some googling on them, as a beginner you can't really try before you buy which is what normally happens.

Im roughly your size...about 10kg heavier....u just can't beat an undergroung flx in my book.... 138 2010 model would do the trick..... as it will get you up and going early and when you are an addicted kiter it will be a great light wind board......ive been riding underground since i started kiting....but am not sponsored by underground....but would be happy if i was.. so i'm just giving you my genuine opinion.....this years flx boards are scmick....i'm saving my pennies for one as we speak...i got to demo 135 for a few days and i'm in love.
the thing to keep in mind is that a larger board will get you up and going long before some of the tiny stuff around...and even if you don't want to keep it after you have progressed you will find the UG has great resale value plus they are virtually indestructable....ive got a 2006 152 that i punish the bejesus out of and it still keeps going...hope that helps

the fox

thanks for the apology

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I have actually had my eye on underground and cardboard boards. I heard they are great. I'll also look into Nobile.

One thing that does confuse me is the dimensions of the board to get. I called one of the sellers on here and he said that its not so much the length of the board that a beginner should go for, rather, the width of the board is the critical factor. He wasn't inclined to sell me his board for this reason as he said it was too narrow for me, although it was a 138cm in length. He was fantastic for being so honest. It seems a lot of advertisers don't state width, which is surprising.

So if I go with a 142cm board, what width would that be? Also what width for a 2010 UG flx 138cm board? :O)

Yep I've heard quite a number of people retaining their beginner board for light wind conditions. Sounds like a great idea.

Thanks again!

Cheers.

==========================================

Ok, 2010 UG flx 138cm only comes in 43cm width :)

voirin said...

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I have actually had my eye on underground and cardboard boards. I heard they are great. I'll also look into Nobile.

One thing that does confuse me is the dimensions of the board to get. I called one of the sellers on here and he said that its not so much the length of the board that a beginner should go for, rather, the width of the board is the critical factor. He wasn't inclined to sell me his board for this reason as he said it was too narrow for me, although it was a 138cm in length. He was fantastic for being so honest. It seems a lot of advertisers don't state width, which is surprising.

So if I go with a 142cm board, what width would that be? Also what width for a 2010 UG flx 138cm board? :O)

Yep I've heard quite a number of people retaining their beginner board for light wind conditions. Sounds like a great idea.

Thanks again!

Cheers.

==========================================

[b]Ok, 2010 UG flx 138cm only comes in 43cm width :)

Thats why the 138 UG is spot on for you.....the width of the board is paramount to early planing in lighter winds.....i'm no technical type.....i just ride a lot ....but whatever they have done to this 2010 board...well they just got it right....for big blokes like us the 138 can be a one board quiver....its just about using ur legs effectively...and the price is right....they even dropped in price over last years board.....cause your still in learning stage it would be hard to judge differences in boards other than when you ride a real lemon....so its basically biting the bullet and going on advice of blokes who have been where you are and who are physically similar....good luck....and enjoy your new life...cause believe me....kiting addiction is like a re-birth.....every thing changes...if you have a chick...convert her....its the only way you will ever get to see her..

I would not get your hopes up too high for resale value, as nothing in this sport holds it's resale value.

I'm with the Fox on this one :) I asked to try a UG at the beach a while ago. It came with a warning.. "if you try it you'll want one.." And I did. 2 weeks later I had an FLX 152 and love it for light wind but also use it in moderate days as it handles so well.

GO FLX man, can't complain myself

Something like this wold be good
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing/Boards/~rykna/2010-Naish-Sol-140-cm.aspx?search=gb7cSR4J7TSTN2x1KA8fQw%3d%3d

Consider a Cardboard Glide with custom graphics.

www.cardboarding.com/

Have one myself and so far very happy with quality and performance.

Can design your own graphic if you want to and have it printed on your board at no extra charge. Once you are done with it - hang it on the wall as a piece of art.

totally agree with everyone about the FLX.

you can also keep an eye out for a "Royal One" if you happen to come across one somewhere .

It actually is a rebadged Underground FLx (or was a couple of years ago) but with different graphics. Rest is the same Even comes with underground pads.

Same board though.

i was at that early stage of desperately struggling to stay upwind on my first board, changed to the FLx and in all seriousness, the very first run out and back in i did on this board, i reckon i got more upwind than i had done in total for my previous 3 sessions. Got into shore several hundred metres back up the beach from where i started, and then smirked non-stop for the next 3 days.

Not sure how it goes for the superstars who know how to use fancy words like rocker and rails and pop etc, but for beginner/intermediate, guarantee you won't regret buying an FLX.