One of the first and sometimes difficult steps when getting
into kiteboarding is picking your first board. Based on your weight, you can use
the following table to get a good idea of your ideal beginner board sizes.
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Beginner Board Sizing Guide
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Weight
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Min. Size
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Max Size
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< 150 lbs (68kg)
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136cm
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148cm
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150-200lbs
(68-91kg)
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145cm
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160cm
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> 200lbs (91kg)
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150cm
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165cm
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When starting out, it is recommended that you use a large
board for your size. The reason for this is that you will find that these
larger boards are a more efficient ride for anyone starting out. A large
kiteboard will float regardless of whether you are on or in the water, which
will be very important when you learn to launch from the water. This buoyancy aspect
of the board will allow for a more forgiving ride as the board will keep you
afloat with some kite mistakes and impacts. Another benefit is that it will be
easier to launch. You will find out that with the large volume of this larger board
you will not need as much kite power to get you up and moving. It will perform
better when learning the board handling aspect with the kite. When you push
down on your heels or toes, or edging, you will have more surface area to dig
in to the water to steer. Turning and learning the upwind aspect of
kiteboarding will be easer as larger boards excel in upwind handling. Lastly,
even as you progress as a rider, this large board can still remain a useful
pick from your quiver as your light wind board. In the long run, as your skills
grow, you will not need to worry about outgrowing this board as it will still
have its uses on the less windy days. Other conditions you may want to consider
if you are learning in a location that is consistently very windy, you will
want to go to a small board size. It will be easier to get overpowered by the heavier
wind speeds on a large board, so a smaller board in your size category will be
advisable.
Once you have determined the board size, the next step is to
select a boards with the right lateral curve, or rocker. The flatter the board
is, the better it will perform in lightwind and flat water conditions. If you
are in an area where the water is consistently choppy or wavy, the more of a
rocker you will need to help with board handling. You might also consider
getting a deeper rocker if you are more experienced in board sports and are
planning on moving into freestyle or wakestyle kiteboarding.
If you are still confused, feel free to contact us or look
take a look at the following beginner board recommendations.
The Cabrinha Stylus is a great lightwind board that has a
size for all weight ranges. The flat rocker line and extra wide outline
make the most of these less than ideal wind conditions. The outline
excels in earlier plaining.
The Best Armada is the best board for kiteboarding beginners
who have board sport experience. If you are strong surfer, wakeboarder or snowboarder,
this board will be the option that you can grow into.
