I'm a low budget college student... about to be college graduate actually. Regardless I'll have student loans and not much of a budget to play with here. I just got an 11m Ozone instinct and now need a board to go along with it. My style of riding is going as big as I can, and throwing or attempting to throw big tricks. Snowkiting I got the 720 down, kiteboarding I for sure want to learn the Jesus walk, a 1080, and a few other tricks.

Can I have a recommendation of a single board that will do this for me? I'm quick learner, and am okay with having to struggle the first few sessions if the board is not a 'beginner board'

What board and size and brand will be best for me? Thanks in advance for your help.

WOW that's tough to answer.

Different people like different boards.

Since you are shopping on a budget I suggest you find a board in your range then ask on here what it's attributes are ? Beware shipping adds a bit to used prices due to size and weight.

I personally love my MBS Core but it is too flexi for some . I also am not sure it will stand up like my previous Comp 16 would. The Comp 16 was heavy but indestructable. Also look for GI, Trampa, Scrub or Keho.

I think he is looking for a board for the water.......I'd say to have a look at the clearance section here:

http://www.kiteboarding.com/

Jeff at kiteboarding.com does lots of video reviews on much of the gear they sell. I'm sure you can find something with a review to suit your needs, at a decent savings since it will be last years model.

If you buy a Trampa, you will never need to buy another board methinks.

EDIT: Nevermind. If it's for water you won't be needing an ATB lol. Look at the clearance section on kiteboarding.com. You might be surprised to see what you find.

OH

I didn't consider water. ( of course the section might have been a tip off )

Thank goodness. Big moves for on land!

i think you should get the Slowurole 135x40:moon:

how much do you weigh?

spleene door

Well... I've got a used 2007 Spleene Rip 134 that I'm finally ready to part with, if you are interested. Been riding the board for awhile, really liked it, but felt like getting something a little newer. Send me a u2u if you want pictures or more detailed information on the board. 275 would be the amount i'm looking for...

alot guys like jimmy lewis , the dominate feature is a concave bottom that offers smooth control in whatever, and stiff. i think fragile comes to mind but crazy control in nuclear wind.

something under 140(cm) in length. below 170# < 135 in length.

width, something like 40 cm, wider will get you on in lighter air. big guys need even more for light air.

smooth bottom gonna tricky slicky out of the gate but fast, BUT with apparent skills for edge control will only take a few goes for a seasoned trickster as yourself.

and $...ragden got the deal! if it fits your size.

troll ikitesurf, its alot , i know, but i fished out a 142 switch for $200 that was magic!

cab custom, got the channeled bottom, nice
kgb, simple effective sandwich lam. FRESH at 300slick bottom
underground , pro choice !
naish ...haze or thorn 135 range
air rush switch..concave center great allrounder
crazy fly, spleene getting $$$ for new,, nice used would be choice like ragdens!
liquid force concave bottom, super tough, easy up and away
JL model III, super model , park all pretty decent (rail line is too curvy for me)

got fish one out!

I'd say something between 135cm and 140cm/142 tops. Don't go too narrow or wide. Too narrow means you won't plane easily when the winds lighten up. Too wide means a stiffer ride and having to lean on your back edge harder to prevent from slipping out. Right around 40cm width should be good enough.

A lot of rocker could be good or bad depending on the conditions you'll be riding in, same thing with very little rocker. Lots of rocker will smooth out your ride bigtime, but make it a little harder to go upwind when the winds are lighter. Less rocker will get you up and planing easier, but make your ride a little rougher in the chop/waves.

My Flexifoil Delta 139x41.5 has been a great all around board for me. It goes upwind easily, and the pop on it is great. I boost on it wayy higher than my Custom 136 because I can load up way harder on it before I pop. Landings on it are usually cush, but half of that's also what you're doing with the kite. I've ridden it from the low teens on a medium/big kite into the very high 20s on smaller kites. I've ridden it in flat water, chop, and waves, but it really excels in flat water and small chop

I've got a 2010 Cabrinha Custom 136 as well, but that's more of a highwind board, riding in chop/waves board, or messing-around-riding-finless board :frog: I'm not sure I could recommend it as an all around board for you given how much rocker it has, and that you only have an 11m right now. If you had a bigger kite for light wind, then it'd probably be doable as an all around board, especially if lightwind conditions were the exception and not the rule in your riding locale. If you do decide on a Custom, you should probably go for a Custom 140- not too big, not too small.

Btw, answering a few questions will help us help you:
How much do you weigh?
What are the avg windspeeds you'll be riding in?
What are the water conditions you'll be riding in (flat/chop/waves)?
Do you have any shops in your area to let you demo boards? (if so, demoing multiple boards will help you make a decision much more easily)

Good luck in your search!

Depending on your weight 130x38 to 138x40 would likely be a good size range. Good mid size width and on the shorter side for your trickery. Of course you will have a to be a quick learner as getting up on this the first times out will be a chore. If you can I'd suggest a lesson and using their big boards to start or trying to borrow one. The stance and weight is just different than sk8ing or snowboarding.

I weigh 170 LBS. Probably will be riding lakes in minnesota, guessing they'll be fairly calm? And I ride between 14knots to 23 knots. 17knots is my butter zone on snow.