Power Kite Forum - Beginner kite board?

Beginner kite board?

stetson05 - 12-12-2009 at 07:01 PM

I need some advice.
I am looking at all the good deals out there and wondering, What is a good beginner kite board. I weigh about 200lbs. At first glance I would guess that bigger is better. I am looking for a board that will get me going. I don't want to get tired of it and need another one soon though. I am not big into tricks and just like to ride but I like to jump a little bit. I have heard good things about the splene doors and also about a session 141 but the cost more than the ones I am seeing lately.

A couple boards I am looking at that are new and come complete are
liquid force mission 144 2008 brand new for $279.00
Liquid force proof 141, 151, or 161 for $300.00
Liquid Force WLF 140 2009 for $279.00

I know there are boards for sale here too but I don't know anything about them. I am tempted by the proofs but will I get tired of it? Is a 141 or 144 a good enough beginner board? Any advice is appreciated

syuzhak - 13-12-2009 at 11:49 AM

IMO Shorter but wider boards are much better, contrary to what it was a few years ago. I wouldn't get the proof, the ridiculous length just gets in your way, and doesn't help with easy plaining that much. Boards at the beginning of kiteboarding generally looked like the proof, so that shape is kind of dated.

If I were you I would get the Liquid Force WLF 140cm, that's a great deal for a complete board and the Liquid Force pads and straps are really comfortable and soft. Plus the length, makes it feel like a smaller board, while having all the early plaining performance because of the big width and flat rocker.

Also, from what I've heard the mission is a pure wakestyle board, meaning it is basically a wakeboard shape, that will make it much harder to plane on because of the huge rocker, even though the board itself is big.

tridude - 13-12-2009 at 12:27 PM

I agree on shorter/wider ............I have a Crazy Fly All Round 145x48 for sale that would suit you fine and never outgrow............great beginner board then light wind board as your skill improves.
Wood core for shock dampening and flex, progressive rocker, flat bottom for early planing, and ABS rails for edging and durability.........................let me know if you are interested..................

syuzhak - 13-12-2009 at 01:40 PM

Yeah I second tridude on the crazyfly

I've got a Crazyfly Raptor myself, and love it. Really light and the carbon construction takes TONS of abuse. I've ridden it over rocks, dropped it numerous times and still very minimal scratches.

stetson05 - 13-12-2009 at 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude
I agree on shorter/wider ............I have a Crazy Fly All Round 145x48 for sale that would suit you fine and never outgrow............great beginner board then light wind board as your skill improves.
Wood core for shock dampening and flex, progressive rocker, flat bottom for early planing, and ABS rails for edging and durability.........................let me know if you are interested..................

The christmas special is tempting.

kiralikceset - 13-12-2009 at 08:10 PM

tridude - 14-12-2009 at 04:18 PM

Christmas special st :yes:

ill good............................. :yes:

:duh::duh:

edk442 - 14-12-2009 at 11:28 PM

i personally bought a Spleene Session 142x42 since it it fits in between the high performance RIP's and the lightwind Doors, but also looked at the ABoard Glider which is advertised as an instructional/beginner board. the glider looked like a bigger version of the Spleene Session. both boards are pretty pricey though

stetson05 - 15-12-2009 at 05:39 PM

@ tridude. So you are getting rid of the crazyfly but got a door. You need a specialized low wind board? I am just curious about the reasoning and if it is worth looking for one. How much different is the spleene door and the glide? I am still interested in the crazyfly but the price is so good on the wlf

PHREERIDER - 16-12-2009 at 02:54 PM

the LF are not as wide , but have a nice concave bottom which makes control smooth and easy to start out . the only draw back is that you need a little more breeze. which equals a little faster action

the crazy fly is a step up on quality for sure . it will get you on in the lighter of conditions.

shorter and wider are a good general direction

flat bottom makes a better light wind ride but can be a little slick at first to start out on.

kiteb1n4ry - 6-4-2010 at 10:13 AM

if your still looking ABoards Flip is a really good big board!!

xxxBUGGYPILOTXXX - 11-4-2010 at 11:04 AM

stetson05 - 11-4-2010 at 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xxxBUGGYPILOTXXX

Quote:

Originally posted by stetson05
I need some advice.
I am looking at all the good deals out there and wondering, What is a good beginner kite board. I weigh about 200lbs. At first glance I would guess that bigger is better. I am looking for a board that will get me going. I don't want to get tired of it and need another one soon though. I am not big into tricks and just like to ride but I like to jump a little bit. I have heard good things about the splene doors and also about a session 141 but the cost more than the ones I am seeing lately.

A couple boards I am looking at that are new and come complete are
liquid force mission 144 2008 brand new for $279.00
Liquid force proof 141, 151, or 161 for $300.00
Liquid Force WLF 140 2009 for $279.00

I know there are boards for sale here too but I don't know anything about them. I am tempted by the proofs but will I get tired of it? Is a 141 or 144 a good enough beginner board? Any advice is appreciated

u2u sent:tumble:

Funny, that is the exact board I bought from Tridude. Good to know from another source how good it is. Now I just need to learn to ride it.

arkay - 12-4-2010 at 01:46 AM

You're about my weight. I was told to go wide, between 40 and 50cm :thumbup:

And it worked out well. I've tried a few different boards but had really good lock with the OR mako in the NW waters. It's pretty concave and takes chop (coast and gorge) like nobody's business and is an upwind beast. The fly is a nice board for sure, lot of them out and about in this area.