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Forums > Kitesurfing Gear Reviews

2011 North Wam 5'10"

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Created by Nath > 9 months ago, 5 Nov 2010
Nath
WA, 113 posts
5 Nov 2010 10:38PM
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Rider: 70kgs
Level: Advanced
Style: Surf
Kite: 2011 Ozone Catalysts
Weather: 15-30 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10

This board looks great with a glossy bamboo finish. The graphics are far from boring and the finish oozes quality and strength.

The board comes with options to switch from thrusters to quad - or could even try twin if you wanted to put the large fins in the position of the rear quads - I haven't tried this.

On the water, the first thing you notice is the super smooth ride. The speed is exciting, particularly when set up as a thruster. I usually want gear that lets me go where I want when I want on a wave. My directions are often a bit optimistic but this board seems to guide the best track with an arc that maintains board speed avoiding stalling. It lets you snap the fins out the back of a wave then magically remains underfoot (without straps) even after a rigorous ride on the foamball.

Set up as a quad, the board made some turns that shouldn't have worked keeping the board directly beneath ready to line up the next maneuver. There's heaps of grip and it allows quick turning, really good for lighter winds.

Being fast and smooth, it really likes aerials. I thought the slightly heavier weight might hinder it for this type of riding. It actually seemed to ride smoother and project higher, than lighter boards, with less disturbance from turbulent conditions.

The deck pads give better grip than wax and a soft comfortable feel - no more sore feet after 3-4 hour sessions in choppy conditions. The raised lip at back lets you firmly seat your back foot on the tail for direct turning. There's also a raised lip at front useful for strapless aerials.

It would be a board capable of taking any wave enthusiast to the next level. I think I've got the last one in WA until the next shipment, but if you're super keen to try it out then let me know if you see me at Scarbs.

Nath


simonp
212 posts
7 Nov 2010 8:53AM
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Loving mine, best kite-surf board I've ever used by far. It just seems to stick to your feet.

I was a bit gutted to find a crack in the rail up by the nose yesterday, it must have taken a hit in the shore break when it got washed up on the beach. Hopefully that was just bad luck......

Simon

snorton
WA, 87 posts
7 Nov 2010 10:39AM
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Nath said...

or could even try twin ...


I took mine to a nice spot up north recently and it felt super loose and I was popping it out all over the shop on my first session. I thought wow this feels different than when I rode it at scabs, and put it down to the wave and wind direction.
I was telling my mates that on the beach afterwards when I flipped it over and saw the centre skeg had fallen out (i didn't screw it in properly)

so the twinny option ... interesting, but I'd go a larger fins

toppleover
QLD, 2055 posts
12 Dec 2010 8:50AM
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After demoing quite a few different boards I picked up my 2011 Wam in a 5'8 last week. It is nice to have the option to ride it as a thruster or quad & pads n straps are really comfy. Trucks up wind as a quad and great on a down winder as a thruster, still goes good in light wind without being as wide in the tail as some of the trunk style boards around atm.

Big thanks to Luke & Hayden from OceanAddicts for letting me demo a swag of different boards and hooking me up with a great deal.

winter
VIC, 155 posts
13 Dec 2010 9:46PM
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has anyone ridden it as a surfboard ?

default
WA, 1255 posts
14 Dec 2010 8:01AM
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no, but the dims aren't to great for use as a surfboard. ie. theyre too small.

if you were a tiny guy, you may be able to surf the 6'0 but then the dims wont be the best WAM dims for use as a kite surfboard.

paddling is the issue - I cant see the WAMs paddling very well.




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"2011 North Wam 5'10"" started by Nath