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Kite Surfing Boards

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Kite Surfing Boards

When you start looking into the world of kitesurfing, the amount of equipment options available to you can be confusing. There is just so much choice. How exactly do you go about choosing the right board out of all the kitesurfing boards available?

Well you will need to think about your style as a kitesurfter and if you have not yet started kitesurfing, think about the style of surfer you want to be. If you want to have an aggressive style, if you want to jump waves and go as high as possible then you will want a smaller board.

Smaller kitesurfing boards can hold down more kite power. Meaning that you can dig into the water, harnessing the power of the wind and release you into a big jump. Smaller boards also have a smaller amount of board in the water, so they are easier to jump with and more nimble than heavier boards.

If you want to be a cruiser, lean back and enjoy the long soulful ride, then larger kitesurfing boards are for you. With larger kitesurfing boards, you can go out into the water when there is less wind power, so the experience is going to be less physically exhausting than riding a smaller board.

When you start learning to kitesurf, you will definitely want to look at larger kitesurfing boards. The larger boards will stay afloat when you make mistakes learning your kite placement. To begin with your kite placement is not going to be dialed in, so you may loose power. Loosing wind power will not immediately sink a larger board.

Once you progress with your skills, you are going to want to have two boards. Having two boards will cover the widest possible wind range, meaning you can get out into the water in all conditions. You will already have a larger board, and this will be your go to board for lighter wind speeds. Buying an additional smaller board will cover you for higher wind speeds and get you into more aggressive stunts and maneuvers.

Kitesurfing boards are constructed from three pieces: the top sheet, the bottom sheet and a side rail. Having a side rail means that you have a sloped edge that will give the board a smoother performance in choppier water. The sloped edge will slide through the water and ride smooth. Without the sloped edge, your board is going to bounce and this is going to put extra strain on your knees and will be a more physically exhausting ride. Boards with side rails cost slightly more, but the benefits completely justify the expense.

When you buy your first board, you want to get the largest board that you can for your weight. If you are a heavier guy, 200lbs or bigger, you should go for a board that is larger than 158cm from tip to tip. If you are an average sized guy, 160-170lbs, then you should go for the 158cm board. If you are a lighter guy, 130lbs or lighter, it is advised that you go for a 148cm board.

A great way to find the right kitesurfing boards is to try before you buy. That way you can find the board that feels right for you and figure out what style of kitesurfing suits you the best. If you cannot do that, talk to an expert and they should be able to tell what board is right for you and your surfing style. Kitesurfing is fun but also dangerous, so be careful out there and surf to a level you feel comfortable with. Before you know it, you will be tearing up the waves.