i know it may be stupid to ask but i was just wondering if it is possible to stip down a big old windsurfer and essentualy use it as a sup for ultra light wind kiting. saw one at the dump shop and thought well cant afford a sup why not an old windsurfer. is this possible ?? any ideas
Andy
FAIL !!!!
My first attempt at kite surfing back in the late 90's was doing that.
Lucky for me not many ppl around to see
Yes it works . I used my old wave board which is verry loose but it's still like driving a mack truck when you are used to driving sports cars. the straps are in the wrong places and you cant obviously do any jumps etc so you'd have to question whats the point.
Not worth the effort and I've haven't bothered with it since though I should admit I have other hobbies that keep we well and truely occupied on low wind days and even on high wind days 
I started kiteboarding on a 9' longboard and a 4m buggy kite. It worked fine. No straps. Plenty of wax. Away you go.
I wouldn't bother with a sailboard. Heavy. ugly, cumbersome, wrong setup, rails too thick.
For very good light wind performance get yourself a sheet of plywood and ride that. Make it vaguely skimboard or TT shaped. Add straps if you want. Don't bother with fins. Marine ply is heavier but lasts better.
About 10-12mm thick. 48-50cm wide. Not too long. Too long means too much flex which is slow and will bog you down. Mine was 135cm.
My first plyboard looked like that. The second was 135x48cm and it rocked. WIdth and flatness is much more important than length.
I've taken a 7'+ Mal out with a kite before. Not to be negative but it was boring as bat****.
can you put building a light wind board into more detail im keen to build boards i built my skateboard and loved it just wondering can u make straps or is there a cheap alternative ?? and also any tips on building a kite skimboard ??
Zero prestige are your friends for ultimate budget, dumpster-diving DIY kitegear. Designs could be updated but the take-home message is the same: give it a whirl!
www.mit.edu/people/robot/zp/zeroprestige.html
Be careful that your straps won't break your ankle, but apart from that, go to town, and be sure to post pics and reports.
Hey Andy,iv got an old 12ft sailboard i use as an SUP and it goes good but a little hard to turn on waves.Next time your in Bundy give me a buzz and il bring it out for you to have a go kiting with,iv tried kiting with it but i think its to heavy.Iv also got a smaller sailboard bout 9ft that i havnt played round with much,you can use it as an SUP but since its so small its really hard to ballance on.I havnt tried kiting with the 9ft sailboard but it might go ok,il be happy to let you use that one to.
