Is a 130cm board too small for a beginner?

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jennavzla
jennavzla
WA
72 posts
WA, 72 posts
22 Dec 2015 8:29pm
I've been using a 130cm board to learn by myself after doing my lessons.

I keep reading threads of people using much bigger boards for learning.

I'm not quite sure if having such a small board (even though im 52kg with a 7m kite) is slowing down my learning progress. If so, I will consider selling it for a bigger board as my biggest difficulty right now is to get a hold of body position on the board and keeping control of it.

Thank you!!!
KiteBud
KiteBud
WA
1615 posts
WA, 1615 posts
22 Dec 2015 9:10pm
The short answer is your board size is fine and not the issue here.

Actually for your body weight and Perth's strong wind conditons you should have a smaller board.

From reading your previous posts it seems your main issue is about your stance and presssure distribution. A larger board just makes it easier to get up and going so it's useful only for the first few days of walk of shame or if you're kiting in sub 20 knots conditions regularly

Once you start wanting to ride upwind a big board will only make it harder, especially in high winds.

The biggest game changer for you would be to have someone film you so you can watch your stance and correct it from there.

We offer this as part of our lessons products and the results are always impressive in just 1 hour of riding/video analysis

So many kiters are quick to blame equipment or wind conditons when they can't reach their goals when in fact it's just a matter of technique and skills.

Christian



Smithy
Smithy
VIC
859 posts
VIC, 859 posts
23 Dec 2015 7:41am
Can depend on the board and its width but a 130 is a small board for anyone not just a learner...
Plummet
Plummet
4862 posts
4862 posts
23 Dec 2015 5:21am
Your light as so it is probably the right size. But there's not enough info to properly answer.
As smithy says board width is important as is shape and rocker. Also what wind speed are we talking?

With your weight and a 7m kite you should be rocking at 20 knots.
Also. Allow yourself 1 full year to progress from learner to doing jumps and having lots of fun.

The most common error learners make is that they presume they can progress quickly learning from pleb to legend in a short time frame.
Redefine your expectations, relax and expect to take months and months to be able to go upwind effectively. Especially if you can only get out on the weekend. If you don't get out for a couple of weeks you may actually regress back a few steps.

If you want to fast track your learning then go and pay for more lessons. Instructors will pick up errors quickly and will be able to help you adjust your technique in minutes that may take weeks or months to learn by trial and error.
1950
1950
71 posts
71 posts
23 Dec 2015 5:23am
Smithy said..
Can depend on the board and its width but a 130 is a small board for anyone not just a learner...


It's small for first year. After year or so and few +25kts sessions, you'll love to take sometime that board after 25kts, but for everything else i would say it's too small. Also check this too: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/Why-do-pro-riders-use-such-a-huge-boards/
Plummet
Plummet
4862 posts
4862 posts
23 Dec 2015 7:03am
1950 said..

Smithy said..
Can depend on the board and its width but a 130 is a small board for anyone not just a learner...



It's small for first year. After year or so and few +25kts sessions, you'll love to take sometime that board after 25kts, but for everything else i would say it's too small. Also check this too: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Newbies-Tips-Tricks/Why-do-pro-riders-use-such-a-huge-boards/


But is it for a 52kg person? I don't know the exact formula but the speed required to create lift to get you up and planing is a relationship between surface area and weight. A heavier person requires a bigger board and lighter person requires a smaller board. At 52kg Jenna is 35% lighter than your average 80kg rider. At a guess a 130 board for her is like a 140 board for 80kg bloke.
jennavzla
jennavzla
WA
72 posts
WA, 72 posts
23 Dec 2015 9:46am
To be honest I bought this one without knowing the differences that board shapes would be, but this one seems to be a freerider one

130cm x 36 width

Ive actually expected to be up and riding in less time than I have, but ill have to put less pressure on my own progress.

www.progression.me/blog/what-defines-a-twin-tip-kiteboard/







www.progression.me/blog/what-defines-a-twin-tip-kiteboard/
thefacts
thefacts
51 posts
51 posts
23 Dec 2015 10:28am
Board size is fine for your weight and could be downsized once competent if kiting in 20knots plus . As suggested by Christian body positioning, posture and weight distribution are the key elements to focus on. Board control comes with correct body positioning i.e. heel and back foot pressure to wash off speed and point higher upwind. Kite control and position in the wind windo also affect edging ability.
harry potter
harry potter
VIC
2777 posts
VIC, 2777 posts
23 Dec 2015 7:26pm
Board size is fine
I'm 83kg and when on the TT I ride a 129 x39 Nobile NHP ( not much rocker ) and an 8m kite ( I'm having fun from 18knots but can ride in 15)
Most people are riding boards that are too big too wide and with too much rocker..... These boards are great if you ride well powered and can constantly get huge pop wakestyle and throw down big moves ( the only real reason for rocker is to smooth out your landings and save your body ) unfortunately the average punter is not doing this but still rides these boards.
When on the TT I mainly ride freestyle ( big loops and boost) and some old school board offs etc... So a smaller board with little or no rocker suits me .. The occasional wakestyle moves only a few per session means my knees don't take a pounding.
Plummet
Plummet
4862 posts
4862 posts
23 Dec 2015 6:23pm
harry potter said..

Most people are riding boards that are too big too wide and with too much rocker..... These boards are great if you ride well powered and can constantly get huge pop wakestyle and throw down big moves ( the only real reason for rocker is to smooth out your landings and save your body ) unfortunately the average punter is not doing this but still rides these boards.


Rocker is also good to smooth chop and ride waves.
cauncy
cauncy
WA
8407 posts
WA, 8407 posts
23 Dec 2015 7:35pm
jennavzla said..
To be honest I bought this one without knowing the differences that board shapes would be, but this one seems to be a freerider one

130cm x 36 width

Ive actually expected to be up and riding in less time than I have, but ill have to put less pressure on my own progress.

www.progression.me/blog/what-defines-a-twin-tip-kiteboard/







www.progression.me/blog/what-defines-a-twin-tip-kiteboard/




shes an oldy but has a nice shape to it, youd honestly benefit from a strap and pad change, something more snug a fit inspires more confidence, stance setting looks a tad closed for engaging a decent edge, open them up if you can , the outline looks fine, rockers important for wa shore conditions, if on the flat not a drama
if you petite youll have smaller foot sizing id say from the look this is half your problem, search some girl specific boards and pads, shinn, f one, cabrinah, if I trial or demo a board I always put my original straps and pads on it, if you go down that road take it to a local shop as the insert settings can be different, fins can be a big one also, 50mm are the general mark dependant on rocker
jennavzla
jennavzla
WA
72 posts
WA, 72 posts
27 Dec 2015 3:10pm
cauncy said..


jennavzla said..
To be honest I bought this one without knowing the differences that board shapes would be, but this one seems to be a freerider one

130cm x 36 width

Ive actually expected to be up and riding in less time than I have, but ill have to put less pressure on my own progress.

www.progression.me/blog/what-defines-a-twin-tip-kiteboard/







www.progression.me/blog/what-defines-a-twin-tip-kiteboard/






shes an oldy but has a nice shape to it, youd honestly benefit from a strap and pad change, something more snug a fit inspires more confidence, stance setting looks a tad closed for engaging a decent edge, open them up if you can , the outline looks fine, rockers important for wa shore conditions, if on the flat not a drama
if you petite youll have smaller foot sizing id say from the look this is half your problem, search some girl specific boards and pads, shinn, f one, cabrinah, if I trial or demo a board I always put my original straps and pads on it, if you go down that road take it to a local shop as the insert settings can be different, fins can be a big one also, 50mm are the general mark dependant on rocker



Thanks guys, Ill ask for kiteschool advice on how to get the best setup.

From what I can tell this board is quite FLAT, which means that with such a flat rocket it will go well with light winds, but does that mean that Ill be overpowered when having 22kn+ or higher winds? should stronger winds make any difference on my board control?
cauncy
cauncy
WA
8407 posts
WA, 8407 posts
27 Dec 2015 4:24pm
This board is getting on a bit around 8/9 years old and there's better options out there, but no reason why you carnt get through the beginner stages
I've just had a read up and a lot of reference was made to poor straps and pads as I mentioned, there's little on amount of rocker info but the mention it being a fast board in it's day, which may point to it being a bit flatter, however they make note to it being slippy and very easy to swap stances/which relates to it being otherwise, if your kiting on flat water then I wouldn't worry too much, open ocean and shoreline conditions especially in wa need a high flex/ rocker/ concave For comfort and control
RAL INN
RAL INN
SA
2898 posts
SA, 2898 posts
28 Dec 2015 9:05am
Just to get things in Perspective.
My Favorite board to ride and the board I travel with is a 2005 125 x 39cm now with 2009ish pads and straps.

That's with my 93kg and whatever kite size I use.

at one stage boards were as short as 110cm then moved out to around 130cm for a while they went to the 135cm area and 39cm was considered the best width.

Fashion and those forum users that promote the "wakestyle" riding pushed the fashion for wider longer boards.

So if any new kiter is wanting answers to which size board is right for them then the answer is in trying some for yourself and the board you most like to ride is the best board for you.

if you can get up and plane and go up wind then the board is well big enough. if in your favorite wind conditions you get pulled off your edge then the board is too big.
The other big factor is Flex. the right Flex in a board maybe the most important factor in having a nice long comfy fun session.
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