you been on the new zephyr?

Jason you kite just flat water on in the waves as well. If so get on a mako 150 or even the king as well. To answer your question at 85kg pm cauncy he has a zephyr and rides a monk. Might be able to help ya out.

...and I agree ozone have a special feel to them. Can't see myself ever riding anything else.

Feel compelled to post this, I've been riding my Monk FE for a couple of months now and I have to say, we're in love. I ride pretty much exclusively in the surf and what this board allows me to do surprises me each session. From the massive range, the fantastic control when you carve or traverse the break, how it soaks up the wash when you hit it a bit hard.. ahh need the hanky just thinking about it.

It's nice to be able to hang out in the mushy choppy sections where there are no other kites and still have a comfy blast. Well done Shinn peeps, board well done.

Was in KSS the other day and had a look at the new SPEEDBALL.

Pretty keen to hear of some feedback on this board...

Hopey said...
Hi guys & girls

Not a gear review, but I just wanted to share my experience with Shinn regarding a cracked board. I purchased a 2011 Shinn Monk back in April 2011, and it has been ridden for probably 75% of my kiting since then (love that board!!). Recently I had a hard crash, and noticed afterwards it was cracked. Possibly during the crash, maybe not I cant be sure. Anyway, I purchased the board through SeaBreeze Buy & Sell from a guy who held the WA rights to Shinn Australia at the time. Made contact with the point of sale, however no joy there as he has since handed in the rights and sold his stock to KSS in Scarborough. Being in Brissy, I then contacted Justin at Darkside Surf (East coast distributers) and after passing on some pics of the board, a few details of my riding style, experience etc I got the following response;

"Good news.

Mark Shinn has agreed that your board will be replaced under warranty with a brand new Monk Forever which will come in with my next shipment. He apologised and advised that the failure was a 1 in 10,000 and was not related to your riding style. He also advise that the board is unable to be repaired for this type of failure and is confident you will be happy with the new board when it arrives.

Please keep your footpads and straps as only the board will be replaced under warranty.

I am waiting on advice when the next shipment will arrive and unfortunately I do not have a Monk Forever or even a Monk in your size in stock at the moment. I will advise once I know when they will arrive."

Warranty on Shinn Boards is actually two years despite what I was told by local kiteshops who stock Shinn......and I can now confirm they are pretty good at honouring their warranty. So happy days here.....going to miss my old Monk, but cant wait to get my hands on the new Monk forever!

Great boards, great service, a very happy customer!

Took a little while, but finally the shipment arrived! Thanks Mr Shinn and Justin at Darkside Surf who personally delivered it to me at work. Great service I cant wait to get out on the new Monk Forever.....but no chance of wind this wekend unfortunately [:( .

I had my fifth session on the Shinn Dundee 133 x 42. It was quite breezy. I was lit at times on a 7 meter Cab. Vector with the meter reading 30 plus knots in the gusts. I know the board is suppose to be big for my 72 kg in those conditions, but it was smooth-smooth-smooth and so well behaved in some stiff chop. When the gust's hit, I dug in the edge and the board behaved and climbed upwind like a bandit. I was under control and it was a welcome comfort. Carving turns was smooth and precise. The extra width helps in the transitions and riding toe side. Being so gusty, the extra size is an added benefit in the lulls. From lighter winds on up, so far it's a one board quiver.

A few more comments from the self confessed Shinn agent (and addict).
At 70 to 75 kgs I was on the 132 Luigi last season - absolutely perfect size for me.
(I tried the 130 & 134 numerous occassions but the fit of the 132 hit home every time)
With the Luigi upgraded to the Dundee I thought Id go back to my normal preference for bigger rather than smaller but after a few runs on the 133 Dundee Im convinced the 131 will do it for me & my weight.
Having morphed the Luigi into the Dundee to make it more of a wave rider (rather than a mid range freerider) it has more surface area due to the wider tips. Im thinking this is probably the reason my board for this season will be the 131 Dundee.
BUT HEY - the Speedball is here.
You have gotta see the Speedball to believe it AND you have to ride it to appreciate it. I havent had a crack yet but Im guessing the Speedball will be THE rave board of the 2013/14 season and certainly a big contender for riders like me who just want to be out there having fun regardless of whether its butter or choppy waves.
Check www.shinnworld.com for details. But dont expect too much there. As usual Mark is playing it close to the chest. Demo & review riders are wanted desperately. We have both the W16 & W18 in stock & available for your riding enjoyment right now.

I have been browsing the net on the Shinn boards. For those interested this was posted in another forum regarding size for the Monk Forever:

Mike B wrote...

This is what I had Mark pen for me the other day - as a guide on MF..

<70kg 128
70 to 75kg 130
75 to 80kg 132
80 to 90kg 134
>90 kg 136

Personally - (especially with the new boards being better in lower wind situations and my tendency to outfit people for higher ability levels) I'd have pegged my size / weights at;

<70kg 128
70 to 78kg 130
79 to 83kg 132
84 to 92kg 134
>92 kg 136

Very keen to demo the Monk and Speedball but alas it is that time of year. I may just pick up a Monk for winter and grab a Speedball demo in September.