Hi there, would love some opinions on board size. I am 78kg, ride a 10m kite and have a 128cm board. I struggle to go upwind and can't really hold my position. Now I reckon part of my problem is my poor technique but would a bigger board help, and how much bigger?

Thanks for your advice

Look for a board around 135-136 and 40-41 wide will go well in light to mod wind for your weight,keep the 128 for mod to higher wind days.

sdj said...

Hi there, would love some opinions on board size. I am 78kg, ride a 10m kite and have a 128cm board. I struggle to go upwind and can't really hold my position. Now I reckon part of my problem is my poor technique but would a bigger board help, and how much bigger?

Thanks for your advice

I am around your weight 3lbs more. I ride a 133cm twintip 184cm directional. For pointing upwind I say load the harness hard and go My directional I can point upwind without thinking. The twintip is bit harder just my experience. I rarely ride the twinny anymore.

Jared888 said...

Like sdj I have a board size dilemma

I weigh 95-100kgs always have maintained this weight get a little lazy get fatter get a little fitter bulk up weight never seems to change

So I ride a 158 cabrina prodigy and has been suggested to me that it is to thin

I seem to have to have a large kite up to go up wind which makes me susceptible to gusty condition has been challenging

I find it hard to do a heel side turn to toe side and maintain speed should I drop twins and go to a surf board

any advise appreciated

ok .... 158 thats really getting up there...... even at your weight I wouldnt go much bigger than a 144 and that generous..... ( if i remember correctly the Prodigy is about 6-8 years old and by todays standard is probably quite thin and long ) This will have an effect on your riding although the upwind area could be due more to technique.

Try to get hold of a 144 x 42 ( 44 ) something around that size. A good mate of mine is 105kg and rides a 138 Cabrinha Custom but he has been kiting about three years and only goes out when he is powered. a 144 x 42 (44) will have that extra width needed for a bit lighter wind.

remember a board that is 1-2 inches wider has a much greater increase in surface area than a board that is 1-2 inches longer.

At 78kg, I mainly ride a 2010 cab custom 136x41 (web says its 42 wide, tape measure disagrees) which due to curvy outline and lots of rocker rides like a smaller board and takes a bit of power to get going.

On light days I ride a 2010 underground stella 144x46. On my 12m this gets me going upwind in 5 or 6 knots less than the custom!

Initially I thought I may find it too big but this season there have been many 12 knot days when I was jumping and easily charging upwind while others grovelled. I have no problems riding toeside, landing decent boosts and basic rotations on it.

For me, a big board made a lot more sense than a bigger kite, especially as my regular board has so much rocker. A bigger kite than a 12m would be wasted on the custom but with a large flatter board my 12m gets a big bottom end boost and as soon as its a solid 15-16 I grab the custom and go.

Just my 2c but a 2 board quiver has added a lot of time on water for me this season.

therustymile said...

hi, im just looking to get started and am not sure what set up to get. im 95kg what board and kite size should i be looking for and type of kite- c , bow , hybrid etc. any info would be great
cheers.

If your just getting started you are better off looking up a kite school near you and getting a few lessons ( honestly 2-3 lessons is probably enough) just to get a feel for the kite.....your instructor will be able to recommend a good setup for your size and general local conditions.

I don't mean to sound like the fun police by telling you to get a few lessons but ... Kites are very powerful ( easily throw you 10m into the air... That's a fair bit of power) and when in the wrong position at the wrong time will spank you big time... seriously.

Once you learn what not to do kiting is generally very easy to learn and awsome fun from the outset.

Do it you won't regret it..... Once you start you will be hooked.