I'd like to try a surfboard w/ kiting... My local surf shop has a bunch of cheap shortboards... All around 6'.. A couple wider fishes, some other narrower pointy shortboards.... What would be a good try as a first?? The fishes have less rocker and a little more bouyancy... Suggestions??????

your 150 lbs.?? about 5'5" or better in length . if you have surfed before understanding the drive on the back of the board is old news. if not then let the lesson begin. at your size just about any thing will work.

strapless ?? my jibes are weak but trans. air board flips are better. both are challenging. kite control and timing through the jibes need to be spot on.

i curve toe side and at the unweighted apex move my back foot to front . for a second your feet are dead centered and getting the your NEW back foot IN( 3strap set up) is just hard for me. strapless is easier but chasing the board gets old.

a narrow board will be faster not critical but the kite will like it better , the turns are gonna have you in the water alot, coming in really close is out the fins will bottom out .

QUAD finn set up is def the way to go, well separated front to back.

upwind in light air with the right set up is where drive comes in, not as much work as a fat TT but rewarding if you can keep the kite happy

I got the same itch - everyone here has a directional and they're riding while I'm walking, even if they're using a 9m kite and I'm using my 19 :o

One thing Nick-san said about surfboards - they're not designed to have a load on them in the manner the kite applies through your feet and if you drill straps into the board, expect them brake even more readily!

So don't spend big dollars on the board! There's a shop here with a bunch for $50 - $100 that I might grab for #@%$#!s'n'giggles too ...

for long hauls they are easier on the legs in swell and chop.

but i hands down default to TT. friend of mine rides a directional about 50% of the time . more a decision of the ability to stay upwind, beat the current in marginal conditions.

i have one just like it and it really is a departure from a "surf board"

narrow, thin, huges finn, really far apart