Hi guys, I am a Kitesurfer and I can say my level is medium. I can self-launch, self-land, ride on light and heavy wind, small jumps and jibe. I also Windsurf (same level) and SUP.Now, I would like to buy a surfboard for my Kitesurf gear-set. Primary I will use the surfboard for freeride (between 15-25 knots) and small waves and choppy water but even in flat water conditions if it happens.

I have a Cabrinha and an RRD dealers near by so I would prefer to choose one of these two brands. All my gears are North but right now I am in Turkey and they do not sell North Kiteboard here and I don't want to deal with cargo.

I am 1.72 cm
70 kg

What do you suggest me? Regarding the Cabrinha 2016, there is no guide online that tells me which one is better for freeride, small waves style. North kiteboard has more info about their board.

strekke said..
If you want to buy a first surfboard to learn strapless I would go for a North Nugget because it's superstable and fun in light winds and small waves. Once you get better and want a surfboard that's better for bigger waves/more wind you can get a "real" surfboard. The Nugget will never be wasted because on light wind days it will save you many, many sessions + it's still fun to ride even if you are more experienced (great for learning tricks/little jumps etc.). I think Cabrinha's similar board is the Secret Weapon, but whether it will be as efficient/fun as the nugget I do not know...

I wouldn't go for a short fat board if you're looking to use it up to 25 knots. I'd look a a 5'8" board that's not to wide, I found on my nugget it was harder to jibe because it was so wide and buoyant that the chop would move it around more. I'd just buy a cheap second hand surfboard to learn on and then splash out on a kite surfboard.

Buy a second hand traditional short surfboard about 6 ft to 6 2 about 18.75" wide with medium to low rocker. Practice on flat water till you are comfortable then hit the waves. Low investment for the most fun and learning curve.

I have had 6 different surfboards but the vanguard/vader style parallel rail board is by far the best.

You can get a board much shorter but with the same surface area.

Volume is the most over rated statistic on a surfboard. It is surface area that you need to look at.

The parallel also allows you to have superior upwind ability and cruise through dead patches

I understand where the guys since my last post are coming from.
They are very capable kiters and possibly lost the understanding of the progression for thoes starting into strapless surfboard pleasures.
Again I encourage buy a short surfboard practice transitions till natural then decide where and if you need to spend bigger $.

So, because now here in Turkey only North, SlingShot and Cabrinha are available I choose to buy the Slingshot Celeritas 5'8" with straps.I found the board very forgiving and light, works great in flat/chops and with my Evo 8 + 11 mt is a perfect combo, at least until I will start to figure out how to stop dragging my back and how to plan, then I will also buy an Evo 6 for the very windy days.

I went to some local kite schools and they all told me to buy the SlingShot Celeritas 5.9" or the North Whip, not to choose the Nugget because I won't be able to use it at all during the winter season.

With straps it is not such a complicated thing but I can't even imagine myself riding the Celeritas strapeless, I hope I will be able to master it one day but now it looks like impossible to me.

Bara said...
Raffaeu

Where abouts are you in Turkey? Im going to be in Marmaris for around 3 weeks from next week - are there any decent kite spots nearby this time of year that you know?

Had resigned to waiting till we hit Greece in June but a few kites before then would sure be good.

cheers
John

John you have a spot called Gokova just 20mins drive away, go look it up. You might be lucky and the wind will have started now.

Thanks guys ill check out Gokova next week though looking at the forecast its going to need a big wind funnel effect to get going at this stage