A shinn speedball is very soft on the knees. Reminds me of skiing on powder.

Kamikuza said..

How does the Inferno feel - do have you to feel over-powered at the kite to enjoy the board, or are you feeling like a runaway train?

Vanguard is a great all-rounder - so much better than a flat bottomed board!

I've been riding a demo 137x42 Vanguard and am astonished at how well such a "small" board goes for a heavy rider, even when I haven't been that powered. My favorite board to date... and the Limited is supposed to be better. We'll see :D

I've ridden it through small chop on an estuary and ocean chop on a gnarly day a Waikuku - it's butter smooth, no spray in the face... the Poron energy-absorbant stuff in the pads works a treat too, and the channels are supposed to ease the landings too... seems to work :)

Thanks Kamikuza -The inferno requires a bit of power to pull to the plane, and then skips along very nicely... I am almost on inching myself to keep it... Have no comparison, but reckon on the heavy side...?

I do like it and would not hesitate in recommending Axis again, good value (esp when discounted), good reviews and durable... Just not sure about size and would like a smaller board, sharper in the turn maybe and easier to cart around.... Advice from more expended would guide me greatly...

For smooth ride it's hard to go past the shinn range, I've had and trailed a heap all feel plank like compared to my monk, also absolute zero spray in even the choosiest of conditions, the faster you ride the better it gets , perfect match for my kite, the xenons and crazy flys would be other choices, as I always mention pads and straps can hide what lies beneath a board ,and also makes a board feel unfamiliar , use your original sets to get a proper feel, as for cost they are on a par with most makes,

IanCathy said..

Am 69kg, fly a SB 7 and Cat 10 in 15-30 knts ... Looking for versatile board, gentle on my creaking knees, can deal with a bit of chop, soft landings etc

Looking for next TT... Now have 139x41 Axis Inferno...

Thinking a 135 or 132 Vanguard, a Custom, JaimePro or Moneyshot....?

Really need advice as how small would work for me... And how big a difference from what I currently have...

Thinking used or ex demo.... As always out for a bargain....

Advice from more experience and accomplished always appreciated....

If u all ready have a specific board & like it then stick with the brand, if the size is the problem of skidding out or no control in strong winds, with ur weight size u can drop right down to a 130 evan.
when i lived in cape town South africa I road a 132x38 Misfit fron slingshot in strong winds and loved the board
nowadays here in perth I have moved to a 137x43 nobile nhp and love it.
U have to test 1 and see how u feel, my advice would be
1)look at the rocker line - moderate rocker
2) stiffness of board - to stiff kill ur knees on landing skitish jumps, too flexi and the board grips to much and really must know how to pop to get board working
3) think of what u like single, double or no concave all up to u.
4) footpads play a very big roll. to soft and you get a bad ride as you feet take a pounding, to hard and you cannot walk for days, each to them selves
5) knee problems wear a brace it works look at all the Pro's u will see most of them wear braces at some stage in there kiting career. they really work as I done me knee in with kiting as well and used 1 for about 6 months
Hope this helps ....