Kitesoul Magazine #12 English Edition

150
TECH
Choose your Board
Choosing a board can be a daunting task. There
are so many choices on the market today so how
can one ensure that the decision is the right one?
The key is to find what will work best for you by
asking yourself a few simple questions.
Why do you kitesurf? What was your draw into
the sport? Do you want to ride off into the sunset?
Are you addicted to speed and want to race?
Are you only interested in jumping to the moon?
Maybe you strictly ride waves? Or you are hoping
to compete on the world tour for freestyle? Possibly
a little bit of everything? Knowing why you kite
and what brought you into the sport will determine
which discipline you best fit in. Understanding
your discipline of choice will greatly affect which
board you want to focus on. Most kiters have
multiple interest in different facets of the sport
so it is important to have the right board for the
right conditions. Just like we need a quiver of kites
for the ever changing conditions, it is also wise to
have a plethora of boards.
Some choices are more obvious than others. For
example, if you want to hit park features, such
as kickers and sliders, a surfboard isn’t the right
choice for you. Unlike the example, most choices
are not as obvious. We can go over some of the
disciplines and the features associated with boards
in each.
Freeride
Cruising. Staying on the water. Some small jumps.
Solid carving turns. Typically boards geared
toward this discipline are softer. Really comfy to
ride in choppy conditions because of the soft flex.
The goal is to make it as enjoyable as possible.
All - Round
A bit of everything, the do it all board. Decent at
everything but not phenomenal in one direction
or another. Medium flex.