Hello,
my fiance is getting back in to Kiteboarding, however, his board is the equivelant of wearing flare pants to a trendy nightclub - outdated!
Could someone please recommend a good board i should look at getting for him?
or if anyone is selling a seccond hand board that would be suitable, please let me know. it's his birthday this weekend and i'd like to get him one as a present!
Thank you so much!
Cheerfully,
Blair
To pick the best board we must know the following:
How much does he weigh, how tall is he?
What conditions does he ride in (surf/Flat water/choppy water)? What is the area (so we can determine average wind speed)
What is your budget?
Many excellent boards don't have to come from USA/europe and some cheaper ones are designed in Australia.(eg cardboards)
lots of good board companies out there but i'd check with your local kite board shop first, its good to go local for warranties and exchanges etc. so if you let us know you're region i can look up local shop and see the best they have...
Lucky boy.
He's about 5"10 and weighs about 80kg's.
i dont think he'd be riding in really rough conditions, but, obviously in wind so it wuld be choppy.
we tend to go down to Kurnell, but would probably travel up to the northern beaches too. We are in Sydney.
The budget is undr $600.. i know it's not huge..but i think it's workable.. especially for something 2nd hand.
His current kite is MASSIVE! (i think it's a 16?) he probably needs a 12.. so if anyone has one of those the are selling as well...
Thank you for your help!! 
I really like the Shinn range.. I ride the Shinn Monk myself. good pop, nice in flat and choppy waters!
600 no sweat. Soooo many cheap excellent boards in used section.
Big brands are:
Nobile
North
Cabrinha
I'll have a look a little later on for u.
134-138cm in length would be a good size.
something with rounded edges sounds suitable (unless you think he wants to do extreme tricks)
If it doesn't work out with him , pm me :) :)
Also- Click Buy and sell, see Kite boards section and filter results in NSW. as a start..
kite power is in sydney, who else?
you can custom design your own graphics Cardboards if you're super sweet and have time, I'd do that!
www.cardboarding.com/faqp.aspx
Although the FR board (the one you should choose) with custom graphics is $920
Your local shop kite power NSW San souci
Kitepower Australia (Sydney)
302 The Grand Pde, Sans Souci, 2219
(02) 9529 6894
Has $599 brand new slingshot brand board ((big name brand)
free shipping on orders over $200
www.kitepower.com.au/collections/kitesurfing/twin-tips+slingshot
Get the 136cm Slingshot Mayhem 2012
it says it caters for int-advanced people wanting to do tricks but i reckon its fine for anyone.
Nice wood bottom looks cool too.
I think the slingy maybe a little stiff for the conditions - he maybe better off getting one of these 2012 brand new online for cheaper and more allrounder size suitable.. and the lighter air why he uses a 16..
Crazy Fly Allround 138
Allround is a very comfortable board with soft flex, great upwind ability and quite a lot of pop. It is constructed from three main elements, namely, finest selection tip to tip CNC Shaped Wood Core, Multi Axial Fiber Glass and ABS rails. These three elements of highest quality enable this board to deliver unbelievable performance on water. Allround construction is designed to fit a wide range of riders starting with beginners and finishing with intermediate riders. This is the reason why so many kiteboarding schools use this board. Brand new Razor fins with ultra thin profile enhance the speed and early planing.
This year's design features transparent paint with cool graphics and sick timber look. The board is equipped with Dual Density EVA pads, Quick Fix II footstraps , handle and new Razor fins.
Blair, it's very nice of you to be looking for a surprise present. But it's fraught with danger. You're fiance may have particular likes & dislikes, unless he is just a learner. Perhaps you know experienced kiters who have kited with him. They would be in a better position to advise.
good luck
Col
Hi Blair,is that avatar your high school formal photo? I always buy my own sporting equipment,its a personal,individual issue to me.Unless your fiance' is with you ,chooses it and you pay,then its probably better you buying something more personal for him.Sporting equipment sits in the garage alot unused,where as a watch or other personal items he wears regularly ,he will be thinking of you evertime he looks at it.Its just a guys/my perspective.
