Gabriele Steindl: Professional Kitesurfer & Freelance Writer - Action, Lifestyle & Travels

Is the board I am using ok?

I have never kitesurfed before and have recently done an introductory course. Now I want to practise and progress as fast as possible. For that I’m using a friends old board. It’s a custom board, 124 cm x 36cm. My friend is rather short and a real lightweight, whereas me, I’m 188cm and weigh 90kgs. I am finding it really hard compared to the board that we used in the course but this one was huge and a true beginners-ship, something like 165cm long! My friend reckons the best for me would be something like 135cm x 40cm but I wanted some second opinion. Thanks!

Yo John!  For your weight the board of your friend is really small and it would certainly not be the most supportive for your learning curve.   Although eventually you will be able to handle even the smallest boards once you are confident with kites of all sizes and the respective power levels and wind ranges, learning on that board is going to frustrate the sh$% out of you! I would strongly agree with your friend on finding some board around the specs he gave you.

I also totally understand your point of view on the ‘beginners-ship’  (love your description!!), however, don’t worry there’s so many options in between a vessel of that kind and the small high wind, light weight board of your friend.  I would recommend you to go to a decent shop or kitecentre and get some objective, professional advice.   Have fun!  Gabi

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