Keep breaking boards, getting expensive. Whatcha guys riding? No heavy ass boards please!
pretty sure I'll put my foot through a custom in about 2 sessions. Had a Naish Skater Sport, lasted about 4 sessions, heavily re-enforced tuflite lasted about 8 sessions or so. Going big and going for it, hitting some hard landings. Thinking about just buying a bunch of crappy old surfboards and destroying them one by one, might be cheaper.
Firewire vanguard (kite construction), not doing anything massive yet but its holding up well.
Select to expand quotehorey69 said..
Slingshot Celeritas 5'8"
Same 2103 Celeritas still going strong
I have 6oz innegra cloth over my FireWire vanguard , it's had some harsh landings and still bearly dented the deck.
I've put my nugget tt through everything (very hard on the gear), 95kg, still going hard after 2+ years (just starting to dent under my leading heal), the longest any form of board has lasted me. Makes the good days when I can ride a normal surfboard all the better, 20+ and good kickers is rare for me. The heavier wider board forces good technique and it can take all the 'maybe I'll try this' carnage. I haven't riden the new tt yet but it feels half the weight of mine (mine may or may not have some water in it..).
The best freestyle board I've used though was an old surfboard covered in deck pads. In future I'll go extra glass and full pads on a standard board.
Im a bigger guy 95kg and had the same problem, broke a board ever 3 month, rubbish kiter aswell lol!
i got the stallion5,4, (dsdintel board, appletree, bws, ian alldridge ) bit confusing on who actually they are but appletree make the board.
had it 6 months now, 3 months using it everyday in barbados and not even a heal compression!
Very similar yonthe firewire in shape but the construction is amazing
worth a look
I have been purchasing 2nd hand surfboards now it's a cheaper option . I break them after a few sessions because I like small lighter boards to kite on
Thanks everybody for the info, I actually just got a Vanguard in kite construction second hand...like really second hand. If my repair guy can work some magic and get it ride-able I'll be stoked. A bit worried though as it's got some nasty fin box damage, really close to the rail. If anything I can give it a go to test out the deck strength. Hardly a pressure on the deck now and it looks like it's been ridden hard.
Those Stallion boards look great too, although I saw in one thread that a guy snapped his pretty quickly. Also not sure where to find one here (Hawaii). Thanks again, got some ideas for some brands to check out.
My 2c. Always a trade between strength & weight. I'd rather have a board I trash rather than a pig. Most I've really liked dent. Custom wise I've found PU blank Ep glass. Triple wrap (overlap) rails and I like a grab channel on rails which adds torsional strength. There's blanks & blanks & you have access to some of the best in world in Hawaii. Preferable to just skin them when shaping. I like full deck grip on kite only boards which is an added layer of protection.
Having said that I've creased multiple surf boards paddle surfing this year in decent waves but I'm thankful & lucky enough to be given new ones.
Photo below result of landing air heel dents in a stretch surfboard. Won't take much more but maybe the flex has saved it somewhat
Compared with same riding age of 2 seasons custom below still just minor depressions and did a few finboxes. (Wouldn't recommend fcs2)
www.seabreeze.com.au/Img/Photos/Kitesurfing/11572588.jpg' />
Best landing gear available, can handle a beating!!!
I use to boards one surfboard shape and similar shape to Vader and both boards are holding up well both are lightweight PU with 6oz cloth with carbon twin at 10 mm apart Epoxy There weight are 2.2 to 2.4 klg board only
I have to commend FireWire on their construction, I have been riding my vanguard( lft kite construction) for a year now and it is still in really good condition, I am 100kgs and got it second hand from another 100 kg guy and it is barely showing any heel dents nd I haven't put any dings in it, I jump on it ( ok maybe my strapless airs are more of a bunny hop) and it has also been through the Perth shore breaks for a season and they are usually pretty tough on boards, all round stoked on the performance and durability
Have a Vader LFT had the deck repaired twice (heel landings). Love it cos so light easy to punt and plenty of vol for light winds. Took it out for a normal 3-4ft paddle surf and the bottom creased/cracked in a different area of the board entirely. I did notice there were some creases in the foam prior to this. Also I'm told strengthening one part of a board weakens another. To repair required board to be snapped completely in half and reconnected. Still a great board, picked up another brand new one for 450. Closest thing to a surfing and kiting board.
Used to buy S/H PU boards for $100 but got sick of trashing them too quickly.
Another option - my Jester takes a good hammering, a little bit heavier but no dents yet..
Select to expand quoteJKimbler said..
pretty sure I'll put my foot through a custom in about 2 sessions. Had a Naish Skater Sport, lasted about 4 sessions, .
No, a custom will last, but ask for a stronger blank and an extra layer of glass.
A lot of guys are getting off the Chinese boards, because although they don't heal dent, when the damage they are rubbish, the let water in and they don't perform like a custom.
I still use custom boards from 2012 And still at 2 .4 klg If made with the right materials will last
I have snapped a 5.2 Naish Skater and destroyed a 5.4 North Whip in the last few months and are now riding a 5.2 Stallion.I like the Skater the best but landed with my feet together and with the nose of the board on a small wave so there was nothing under my feet under the board,snapped like a twig,Stallion is nice but I am not over the moon,whip was so so
I was just looking at a mates lib tech he picked up from a Ashmore factory outlet with grip and leggy for $450 Aus. Worth trawling through to find something like that. Check the video in link belowhttp://www.swellnet.com/forums/wax/318056
Hey Pearl, the video looked impressive but if you read the comments there's several posts from users that shed,s a different light.
Read that the Libs are breaking and no warranty if kited with. Those hybrid build boards look fun (Jester etc.) and I'm sure they are strong, but I should have specified that the board has to work in legit waves too. I have a hard time believing a custom would be stronger than the tuflite reinforced with 2X carbon and 4X S-glass that I just put my foot through (without being too heavy to enjoy), but I could be wrong. Not a risk I'm willing to take to spend that kind of money to "see how it goes".
Anyway, did the usual and found a neglected board with busted fin boxes and tons of dings, bought dirt cheap, resurrected and ridden twice already. So far so good, when it breaks I'll continue the search... I do love the MPH boards from Tomo, they have some magic going on. Interested in checking out the new construction that's coming out for the Firewire boards, supposed to be pretty tough. Amundson has a jumping model too that's built in a twin tip type construction, interested in having a look at that one too.
Here's this one all cleaned up, she was beat up but structurally sound. Kind of nasty yellowing, oh well.
Select to expand quotetoppleover said..
Hey Pearl, the video looked impressive but if you read the comments there's several posts from users that shed,s a different light.
Yes nothing is indestructible. I've seen second hand ones with repairs. For $450 off the rack new... worth considering Prob reduced because they aren't as strong as protos. Keep your receipt, pretend you were only paddle surfing in 1 foot waves like everyone else. That published video goes a long way to being your fit for purpose warranty
btw they supposedly don't take in water so you can still ride when damaged
Select to expand quoteJKimbler said..
Thanks everybody for the info, I actually just got a Vanguard in kite construction second hand...like really second hand. If my repair guy can work some magic and get it ride-able I'll be stoked. A bit worried though as it's got some nasty fin box damage, really close to the rail. If anything I can give it a go to test out the deck strength. Hardly a pressure on the deck now and it looks like it's been ridden hard.
Those Stallion boards look great too, although I saw in one thread that a guy snapped his pretty quickly. Also not sure where to find one here (Hawaii). Thanks again, got some ideas for some brands to check out.
If you are from Hawaii, check kazumasurfboards.com
Slingshot Angry Swallow. They priced at $1349
Never seen a broken Slingshot board. Carbon stringer patch in the new models making them bombproof.
