As luck would have it there's a demo 5'3 on the sunny coast.
Only way to know is to demow. 
For the light weight out there I have the Kite version 4'10 x 17 3/4 x 2 = 20ltrs. I haven't riden it as much as Ry, but I can't seem to get a rail turn. The wide tail is stable and quite boint, very comfortable with speed but not Jammy. If you know what I mean.. I seem to be on the MPH of the board more than the rails, unless im cutting upwind. However the board feels smooth and sits on the surface of the water, with such short length the MPH(modern planning hull) somehow cuts through the chops. Similar flow to a fish not snappy but so much fun.. Im 67kg at the moment and I normally ride 22ltr upto 24ltrs, so 20ltrs is small but it's seems so much more mature than my 22ltrs. I ride it thruster with a small single (quad fin) in the middle, kerzys 3D fins. Just so I can get loose on the rear. This is perfect for the average weekend warrior. But if you're a lege like Ry then you can lay back an Alaia.. haha. Sorry to put you on the spot mate. The Evo is the best punter, get ready for that unexpected height.
Yes I surf and kite on tomo nano 5,7 30L good travel stick I'm 85kg ,board is 3,5kg strong deck is still perfect nik
Select to expand quotebonster said..
For the light weight out there I have the Kite version 4'10 x 17 3/4 x 2 = 20ltrs. I haven't riden it as much as Ry, but I can't seem to get a rail turn. The wide tail is stable and quite boint, very comfortable with speed but not Jammy. If you know what I mean.. I seem to be on the MPH of the board more than the rails, unless im cutting upwind. However the board feels smooth and sits on the surface of the water, with such short length the MPH(modern planning hull) somehow cuts through the chops. Similar flow to a fish not snappy but so much fun.. Im 67kg at the moment and I normally ride 22ltr upto 24ltrs, so 20ltrs is small but it's seems so much more mature than my 22ltrs. I ride it thruster with a small single (quad fin) in the middle, kerzys 3D fins. Just so I can get loose on the rear. This is perfect for the average weekend warrior. But if you're a lege like Ry then you can lay back an Alaia.. haha. Sorry to put you on the spot mate. The Evo is the best punter, get ready for that unexpected height.
I am the same weight as you.
Tail pad all the way back on the deck? Like as far back as it will go? Use a tail pad that fits around the leash plug so you can get it right back. Then surf off the tail kick - most of the time my back foot is on the kick.
Watch Tomo or Stu surf these boards - they are snappy and pivot round very quick due to being so short.
My 23L Vader (surfboard) was snappy in the surf. My 4'11 x 17.5 x 1 7/8 (kiteboard) from Katana (local shaper) is snappy as. Particularly on forehand.
Fins? I am using Futures AM1 which are a medium allrounder. If anything, I would go larger rather than smaller.
I've had the demo 5'3 out a few times, as we don't get as strong wind over east - I think it's spot on for me at 73kg to kite & surf.
We have demo Vader's in now as well as stock, only managed too get the Evo in 5'3 for now.
Cheers
Jason
Ive been looking for a travel board for kite and paddle in surfing - sounds like this could be the one but a bit confused on sizing.
Obviously want to go with the smallest i can get away with for the kite so what size would you guys recommend for 80kgs rider that still lets me paddle into some decently steep takeoffs as well??
Hi Bara, Imo - if your a paddle fit surfer you could be ok on the biggest size Evo (5'3" - 27.4L)
I'm about 73kg, have had a great couple of surfs on the 5'3 but I don't think I would enjoy paddling it if I was 80kg. Being 19" wide, it's quite stable but also has plenty of rocker for such a short surf board.
For me - in high wind (at least high for sunny coast 20-30 knots), it does feel like a bit too much foam but perfect for 13-20.
Select to expand quotetoppleover said..
Hi Bara, Imo - if your a paddle fit surfer you could be ok on the biggest size Evo (5'3" - 27.4L)
I'm about 73kg, have had a great couple of surfs on the 5'3 but I don't think I would enjoy paddling it if I was 80kg. Being 19" wide, it's quite stable but also has plenty of rocker for such a short surf board.
For me - in high wind (at least high for sunny coast 20-30 knots), it does feel like a bit too much foam but perfect for 13-20.
Cheers Toppleover. Thanks for the feedback mate. Sounds like its going to be a bit of a compromise at 5 3 mainly on the paddle in - late drops with no nose hmmm.... None of the vids show the takeoffs on these boards when i went looking
But thats the biggest the kite version come in. Need to see if i can find a demo in WA i guess
Select to expand quoteBara said..toppleover said..
Hi Bara, Imo - if your a paddle fit surfer you could be ok on the biggest size Evo (5'3" - 27.4L)
I'm about 73kg, have had a great couple of surfs on the 5'3 but I don't think I would enjoy paddling it if I was 80kg. Being 19" wide, it's quite stable but also has plenty of rocker for such a short surf board.
For me - in high wind (at least high for sunny coast 20-30 knots), it does feel like a bit too much foam but perfect for 13-20.
Cheers Toppleover. Thanks for the feedback mate. Sounds like its going to be a bit of a compromise at 5 3 mainly on the paddle in - late drops with no nose hmmm.... None of the vids show the takeoffs on these boards when i went looking
But thats the biggest the kite version come in. Need to see if i can find a demo in WA i guess
No worries Bara, I just ordered my 5'3 this morning after another surf on the demo.
I was informed - late March to get a 5'3 but I think there's still some smaller sizes in the available in the next shipment that's due in a couple of weeks.
PS, the demo I had was a FireWire demo - not a shop board. (Had it for 2 weeks 
)
Surely there's some available in WA?
Select to expand quoteBara said..
Sounds like its going to be a bit of a compromise at 5 3 mainly on the paddle in - late drops with no nose hmmm.... None of the vids show the takeoffs on these boards when i went looking
Bara @ 80 kegs, if you are fit and can surf, I actually think the 5'3 would be perfect paddle size but too big for WA sea breezes. These boards are quite efficient once up and moving.
I have found these shapes to generally go later on take offs. I recall being slapped a few times at decent strickos, wishing that I had some extra length for the bigger ones.
Thanks Bene useful feedback. After this as a travel board so lighter winds and wide wave range is the aim and it will necessarily be a bit of a compromise. Got my delta for everyday kiting down here :-)
Like others have said its a wait till mid march to try out now and if the past few weeks is anything to go by there may not be enough wind to give it a go by then.
Well in 15 knots it will be fine. So in March you can take one for a paddle. This vid shows a couple of take offs, and what these shapes are capable of:
While your waiting to March Got the last one from KP last month 5'3" Best surfboard I have owned .
Tail pad from KP.
Sheet of deck pad 310 x1000mm from Squid .
Quid fin set M from Gum Tree.
Seems to be the correct length of pad have not had my feet over the front pad . Tail pad all the way back to lease hole as mentioned here.
Supper up wind board [ always been a weakness of mine]
Turns so easily getting far more top and bottom turns than before.
So glad I slashed the cash [full prices .
]
Select to expand quotebene313 said..
Well in 15 knots it will be fine. So in March you can take one for a paddle. This vid shows a couple of take offs, and what these shapes are capable of:
Great clip bene but shame the Evo doesn't get a run only the Nano & Vader.
15 knots & a 10m kite of your choice, IMO perfect Evo conditions. 
Kiteboard evo now available in the new firewire "helium" technology, said to be stronger and lighter, my 5'3 arrives next week, will post pics.
firewiresurfboards.com/technology/helium
Actual boards not yet on firewire site, a few sneak peek images of heliums in the firewire forums
To my knowledge, these are the first H-Tech Evo,s in Australia.
Being new technology, I hope there aren't any issues - I guess we will soon find out.
It's been a long 6 weeks but well worth the wait, I should have mine by Fri.
Heliums are killer/ I have a couple. 5'10 slab and 5'6 slab- both helium construction and both in kite construction. Weight is awesome. A tad heavier than an FST FireWire surfboard but not by much and then a lighter than the current kite construction so a good option for someone wanting a light board with the same strength. Can't wait to get one in an evo!!!!
SLAB model ( John John Florence board- pyzel shape) coming out in kite construction too any day now for those wanting that traditional surfboards shape
Here it is, arrived today 5'3" Evo Helium - Futures fins
Bare board no fins is very light weight but dont have accurate scales to weight it.
ooh, I hope you guys snap your boards! No, I am just jealous
So, what's the verdict on the water, please? How light are they? And lastly, one guy from German Oase.com forum commented that Evo is more difficult to pop than Vanguard/Vader, how do you see this?
Oh, almost forgot, do you know if the Helium Evos are commonly available or did you get a special batch?
Thanks and long life to your boards!
Select to expand quoteomg said..
ooh, I hope you guys snap your boards! No, I am just jealous
So, what's the verdict on the water, please? How light are they? And lastly, one guy from German Oase.com forum commented that Evo is more difficult to pop than Vanguard/Vader, how do you see this?
Oh, almost forgot, do you know if the Helium Evos are commonly available or did you get a special batch?
Thanks and long life to your boards!
We have just received some 5'1" and 5'3" Evo's in Helium construction, look the goods!
Had the best session to date on my Evo 5'1" KTE construction last night at our local southerly spot, just me and a mate out. cross on conditions up to head high sets coming through, and in between really fun smaller peelers running off to the right and downwind. Evo, not quite as good upwind as my Vanguard 5'2", but a lot more lively and better suited to bigger waves than the VG. The thing that strikes me about the Evo is how lively it is in the tail, turns on a dime but does not bog and lose speed, so linking up turns is easier and actually caught me by surprise. Normally in these more onshore conditions its harder to ride down the line and get multiple turns, but last night I was able to link a few together and all I had to do was turn back to the right and turn the kite up (almost at the same time) and complete one top turn with the kite ready to go forward slightly and then back up as I went for the second turn.
I'm still getting used to the smaller surface area compared to the VG, putting a little too much front foot into at times and burying the nose slightly, but the decent nose rocker helped me out of that everytime.
I'm running the Evo as a quad. It was 12M weather, going from underpowered and struggling to make ground to depowered slightly and nicely powered.
Construction on these KTE boards so far for me seems to be strong and durable.
Is the helium construction a standard surfboard construction ( for paddling ) but strong enough to kite on? Or are they doing them in a helium kite construction?
I am very impressed with the construction on my fst kite vanguard
It's still kite construction, the Helium Tech has just replaced FST.
My 5'3 weighed in at 2.8kg (board only) - so not that much lighter than the FST that someone mentioned was 3.1.
The H Tech paddle surfboard construction is ridiculously light, almost feels too light to me.
