Hey all,
wanting to get into waves and thinking of trading my airush switch for a hammer.
If anyone has one of these can you please let me know what you think of it ????
Had a go on an airush converse 6'2 recently, but kinda struggled a bit.
Probably just need more practice on it, but thought I could go for a hammer to get used to the surf and then maybe give the surfboard a crack again later on.
I also kinda like the idea of a board I could use in surf and to freestyle on in flatish water too....
Any thoughts would really be appreciated, cheers.
Gday Marno,
I've got one and love it....... now I just have to move back to somewhere where there are some waves and I'll be happy again. Only whinge is the're a bit power hungry,I'd probably look at the 144cm if I was buying again.
Hammers have been discussed plenty in the past so do a search if you want plenty of info.
Cheers.
Hi Marno,
The Airush Hammer is probably the best of the wave twin tips available IMHO. The reason you buy a Hammer is you ride in waves most of the time. If the ratio is 75% waves and 25% flat water then it would be a solid choice. If you ride flat and freestyle more than that, then a Protoy may be a better option.
The Hammer has very rounded rails, a "V" bottom spiraling out into slight concave on the tips, raked 60mm surf type fins, and has narrow tucked tails which makes it a phenomenal wave board but an average freestyler. See where I'm going with this?
It will freestyle but with the narrow tail and rounded rails it consumes power to get it to go upwind more so than a normal twin tip. It also doesn't have a lot of flex compared to modern twin tips.
Having said all that, the Hammer is a weapon and a half in the waves and would be first choice of that style of board if you ride enough waves to justify it.
If you are 65 kilos or less look at the 138, if more than 70 kilo's, then go the 144. If you are between these weights, then you could go either way and will be more determined to whether you like to ride quite powered or modeerately powered.
This board is also excellent in choppy water as the "V" takes out the bumpiness.
If you are in Perth, WA, I have a demo 144 Hammer you can borrow and see if you like it.
Good winds,
It could be worthwhile looking at the choptop, it is a lot easier to ride than the converse but is still awesome in the surf.
Thanks
Matt
There is a demo 1.44 in Sydney now too, arrived yesterday, very interesting looking board, will have to take it over to Wanda soon!
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve
I found the Hammer a great board in the surf for carving, wave riding and wave assisted jumps / rotations etc. It's quite a stiff board and really sticks due to rail shape and profile and fin setup.
It's a dog on flat water though and I found it quite hard to do any freestyle stuff on it for all the reasons that its good in the surf. i.e. it's stiff and it sticks.
So if you're looking for a board that's great for surf get the Hammer. If you're looking for something that's good for freestyle, surf and flat water - get something else. (I use a Cardboards Tempo 137 for this)
The only downside I found with the Hammer was the footstraps and pads were really uncomfortable. I don't know if they've fixed this on this years model.
Hey Marno
I have a 144 Hammer and love it in the conditions that it was made for ie. surf and chop. It was pretty much the only board I used for a while but they are rather power hungry, stiff etc and as such aren't much good for flatwater, freestyle type riding.
If you can afford to, hang onto you Switch for flatwater and buy the Hammer for the waves. Whilst the Hammer is still ok on the flat it is not ideal and you end up using a different technique to jump as they don't have the same pop as most boards.
I now have a dedicated freestyle board for flatwater and a surf board for the waves so don't use my Hammer much anymore. I did think about selling it but occasionally when the wind, waves and chop are all up I grab my Hammer and remember how good it is in these conditions, so smooth and carves like no other TT.
For proper waveriding you can't beat a surfboard but for folks like yourself just getting into wave kiting the Hammer has the advantages of being able to jump over closeout sets on the way out or turn without having to gybe or ride toeside.
Mmmm it's 20kt+ mushy onshore slop at my local at the moment think I might grab the Hammer and get out there. 
..... I'm kinda torn between going for a choptop and keeping my switch, or trading in the switch for a hammer. decisions, decisions ...... probably a good idea to demo I guess ...
Marno,
I agree with tightlines. I love my Hammer (138) in the surf/chop but forget about it for flat water or if the wind is marginal.
I have a nobile 666 (129) for those conditions. As I have said before in previous hammer threads I don't think the hammer is a good board if it is to be your only board.
I'd recommend getting one but you'll need to keep something like your switch if as Kitehard said you still want to ride flat water.
I just saw one for sale in the buy and sell for $800
Not my ad, just trying to help.
Most of it has been said, great boards made purely for smaller waves and chop. I have a 6.0 converse for bigger waves and a switch for flat.
The 144 helps the power hungry aspect a lot, and I have no problems with getting up wind or planing in lighter winds and I am 95kg's
In flat water it is not at home, but is still manageable. I would recommend a seperate flat water board though, so keep the Switch.
On a seperate note, I tried the new x-pact the other day and OMFG what a great ride! I need to get one!! My Switch is going.
I would note that the footpads were updated significantly on the 07 (yellow) model, and mine have been nothing but comfortable. Sunseeker had the red 06 model which did have harder foot pad setups.
I come from a surfing background and wanted to ride a twin tip in the waves whilst i was getting the hang of the kite and I reckon their performance is right up there. I have one for sale in the Buy & Sell. Perfect nic. Gonna be out of action for the next summer or two due to an injury unfortunately.
It just sucks a little bit of power on the flat water due to the extra rocker. Not that noticeable. The extra rocker makes for great bottom turns in the waves though and a more comfortable ride through chop. The board has single to double concave through the fins so it is really quick on the waves.
i love my hammer... 144 - (95 kg on a good day), awesome in the chop, makes you look way better than u really are at carving
, oh yeah. its an 08 and the pads are great!... get one!
I have been through the same ordeal in deciding on a twin tip that does handles both surf and freestyle. My final choice was the TB kiteboarding Haura XXL and after riding it at One Mile beach on sunday it fits the bill and more. It rides as well as it looks and can be set up quickly from twin tip mode to mutant mode. Check out www.tbkiteboarding.com for details.
Constant winds,
Baz.
Yesterday was perfect Hammer weather and looking like more of the same this arvo.
Hey Slack you got the board right , you just need to work on the kite now LOL
you know you want one !!!
.. after a few sleepness nights and toing and froing, I have brokered a deal to buy Mal's (Kahuna) Hammer from the buy and sell section. Cheers Mal, and thanks to all for their input and advice. Think I've made the right choice and the Hammer will more than service my needs for this season and get me out in the waves !!!
Catch ya's out there !!!
yay! great choice. i get mine delivered on the 22nd of this month at my house.
goodluck mate
Great board. I borrowed one today and tried it out, before I had left the beach I had ordered one.
Tried the 144 yesterday in a very messy (choppy) downwinder from Pinnas to Mullaloo. Flattened the chop very nicely. And soooo forgiving - you just cant put a foot wrong with this board.
The pads & straps - 08 model - are definitely the best I have ever used. That inc's the LF luxuries.
Next test - the flat stuff 
