VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I'm thinking of getting a light wind board but also am intrigued by the surf-kiteboards. There are two boards below. First is the barn door 140 x 46 cm with flat rocker (superimposed over a Slingshot Glide). It's supposed to plane in 10 knots plus is light enough to trick. Next is the 5'6" x 18-3/4 surf style. Great for the waves but I guess just a cruising machine for light winds and maybe not as good low end as the TT due to narrower tail. Anyway any comments you have on these two boards might help me decide ...

I have used surf-style kiteboards (one actual surf board that was modified, the other an underground directional) in low winds and found that I can go out in less than 10 knots. I can't imagine that the barn door style TT could ever match the bottom end of the surf-style boards, as you can get so much more fin and edging out of the latter. Also, the flotation helps in the lulls!

Cheers,
Paul

i ride a 5'11" surfboard in the light stuff. nice to be out there with no straps on, just feet on the wax. it's nice because its different from riding a regular board. ollies and nice jibes once you get the hang of it. $100 from a buddy of mine, can't go wrong, i'll never let it go.

So Kook, how did you like the UG surf board? Worth having in a quiver?

Matthew

I am a one board kind of guy, so no board quiver for me.

The UG board was old school - @ 6 foot if I recall. It was also set up with three foot straps (although that could be changed). I can't gybe. So, not for me but absolutely astounding at low wind. I have also used a regular surf board without straps, and I found that to be really fun.

For me, simplicity is key so I got GMac to make me a custom board that is 149 with killer upwind and low wind abilities, yet light and turny enough to be my all around board. Doesn't match a surf board for low wind, but outperforms all TT's I've seen or tried.

Have fun,

Paul