Choose your kite board

GONG gives you some tips and advice for choosing your kitesurf board. The lenght, the scoop, the thickness…all you need to know to choose the right board.

 

The Length

It has less influence in Kiting because it is well sustained by the kite. But it helps to facilitate the glide, especially in surfing.

There are as many size recommendations as there are types of shapes but below 5’9 with a shortboard shape the board moves with the slightest change of weight and the balance is very complicated for a novice. It will be great in strong wind, with a 5’6 for example. And the 5’9 will glide very well without asking too much traction from the kite when surfing.

Do you want to surf mellow or radically?

Boards under 5’6 are very agile while above 6 ‘they are more mellow.

  • A longer board (8 ‘and more) also increases the radius of turns, hence the need to pitch it up in some turns. This requires a specific technique and remains very marginal to kitesurfing.
  • A shorter board allows shorter turns, or even breaking curves for a trashier ride. This is another style of surfing, very in the pocket of the wave, in search of energy so you can burn it better.

With a good level, the length is not a big problem even if it slows down the turns. It brings stability and allows you to ride any sized wave that a small board does not allow because it will be more exclusive on its program.

The very small boards, referred to as compact boards, each have their own characteristics but all aim to increase the handling / lift ratio.

The Width

The thickness, manages the balance and the lift but also the maneuverability.

You have to have a little more surface at the beginning. This width brings you comfort and more maneuverability. And it’s better to have a little too much than not enough at first.

  • A 17” Kitesurf Board would be considered a narrow board.
  • 18”1 / 2 is a “normal” board.
  • A board that’s 20″ is considered “wide’’.

These are good indicators, but we can go much further according to the needs of specific use and the users.

Indeed, a narrow board usually goes fast. But the surfing will not be so simple. In very fast waves, a narrow board is essential. But in normal or soft waves, the width generates lift and therefore acceleration. The prejudice with considerations to the width, that it inhibits speed, is unfounded in 95% of your sessions.

The reflection is identical in the ratio of the width with the maneuverability. Often a wide board is more maneuverable than a Gun style board. The width offers off-center supports that can increase maneuverability if you are able to master it.

 

The Outline

This outer curve of the board takes the elements of length and width but the way the shaper will join the 4 “corners” of the board will define everything.

OFO (one foot off) data are often used, measures of width 30 cm from the front and the back. This gives good indicators for the curvature of the outline.

In your marked curves, the back third of the outline is often used for the rocker. As a result, a strong difference between the master ‘bau’ (maximum width) and the rear OFO but also the tail gives a very lively board in the curves. She will really turn very short. The other side of the coin: it will be hard to control. A rear third more “right”, “square” will be less maneuverable curves but more powerful.

Indeed, the wider the tail in comparison to the master ‘bau’, the faster the planning will be and accelerate faster. These are so-called powerful boards which need a lot of heavy back foot.

Similarly, a pinched nose will be more manageable because there will be less length of rail in the water when turning. On the other hand, it will work less for the noserides but will be faster to paddle …

 

The Thickness

Maximum thickness is important. A board less than 2”1 / 2 thick is a thin board.

More importantly is the distribution of this thickness.

  • A very heavy board (with the dome-shaped bridge as seen in section) will often be manageable but unstable.
  • Conversely, a flat deck board will generally be super stable but have a lot of drive and will need powerful foot support.

To get an indicator, be aware that a flat board that is one inch thinner than a board is generally stable.

Note that the distribution of the thickness in the width is very important, but the redistribution within the length is also crucial.

Indeed, a board that has little volume through the tail is often manageable and controllable. When excessive, it is also a board that will be very sensitive to foot placement. Too great of an imbalance with the distribution of volumes will be a vector for parasitic behavior and often this board will prove to be bad and jerky.

And a back half that’s too thick makes the board easier and less sensitive but almost impossible to turn.

The Scoop

You have to be careful about the scoop line (the banana). It is indeed not uncommon to see scoops that are absolutely ineffective.

Often, the initial ideas are good but they sometimes go of the mark and go wrong. For example, it is not uncommon to see surf boards with a big spatula or excessive kick. Good ideas pushed too far often lead to serious mistakes.

A scoop must be harmonious and especially in connection with all the other parameters of the shape.

Volume

Buoyancy is a well-known fact thanks to a certain Archi …

But experience shows that we are constantly making small mistakes that burden and inhibit buoyancy.

The rule of thumb is that for a very comfortable carry you need a little over 30 litres. And for a radical board, you can go down to 20 litres.

In short, direct yourself to true connoisseurs, and real passionate people. Escape the commercial BS, gadgets and miracle solutions. A real Shaper does not need that to sell his creations.

 

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