NSW
2 posts
Hi all,
With a couple of lessons under the belt and an arvo sharing a friends rig im gearing up!
Im about 75 kg, 186cm tall and have just bought a 2013, 10mtr Ozone Catalyst, im based in Sydney.
The harness i intend to buy new so that leaves the board.
Ive found a 2nd hand 2010 Crazyfly Raptor Pro 137 X 43 for sale and am seeking advice whether this board would be suitable for me?
Looking forward to getting into the sport and the kitting community.
Thanks.
Cam.
NSW
21 posts
I have never ridden the Raptor Pro, but I have read that it is more aimed at the intermediate/ advanced riders. The new models have loads of flex at the tips, but stiff under feet for loads of pop. On the other hand I have had experience with the Raptor Port LTD. I would say that it is not suitable for beginners simply because that it is very expensive and that it is made of carbon fibre and if it comes off your feet and it flips over then you need to hope that someone is kind enough to find it for you because it will be lost. I think that these boards have a lot of the bells and whistles that you don't really need as a beginner. I would look for something that is relatively cheap, about the 137-139 range (the bigger the board the more stable it will be), something with a smaller rocker (this will get you going in lower winds, also it is something that as a beginner you don't really need), has a bit of flex so your knees don't give out and once you start to jump and refine your popping technique sell your board and upgrade to a higher performance.
Hope this helps, if your sold on the Raptor Pro I would wait to hear from someone that has ridden one, or contact Kitepower they would be happy to help point you in the right direction. Good luck with your progression.
WA
8407 posts
not being smart but it doesn't matter what the board does or doesn't do, if your a new starter its easier with a slightly bigger board, the reason for this is because youll not be efficient with your kite, youll be choking it , if you were on a smaller board youd spend more time slumping in the water than riding, doesn't matter about rocker, outline, flex,concave blah blah blah, a larger kite with a standard board is another option which will be what youll buy anyway
NSW
67 posts
I agree with Cauncy. I have been struggling with a board that was too small. Today, I just got a big plank of a board and held ground up wind, on both tacks, for the first time. Best money I have ever spent. Landed at the same spot as I launched from with a dry kite. Awesome feeling. No "walk of shame"!! When I improve, it will be the light wind board, so no money lost. Go big!!
WA
547 posts
Don't go too big either as you might struggle holding your edge being dragged downwind (in combination with a large kite). And once you leave the riding-overpowered-in-order-to-keep-upwind phase you will appreciate a board you can enjoy for a bit longer. So yes, cheap temporary slighly larger board which then can become your light-ish wind board or sell it again
NSW
2 posts
Thanks for the advice and sorry for the late response, have been away without computer access.
In the end i bought a 2nd hand Axis Patrol with the thought that big will help me get going and if it turns out crap, hopefully i can sell it on
