Hey. I've been kiting for about 18 months now. When I started I bought a best armada 2015 board 2nd hand and it's been great learning on. So looking to getting a new board and I've been looking at a North Atmos or something similar but to be honest they seem to be pretty much the exact same shape/rocker/flex etc. I'm 65kgs and on a 135x41 so I don't really think I need a different size either. So are the new boards a lot better?
I replaced my Armada with an Atmos carbon last year and love the new board. Only thing I found was it was not as good getting upwind when the wind was marginal. Everything else was way better. Mainly ride in bay chop and was amazed and how smooth it cut through it for board with less flex.
Its a really good question, a new board will ride better, maybe not a massive difference....most retailers will have test boards to try.. basically
quad concave through to double concave in the center with medium / high rocker, medium flex in a slightly longer than normal length and wider tips for better upwind has been the latest trend.., carbon can be really stiff and uncomfortable in chop, but some people love carbon.
Chop mostly
A board with decent rocker plus flex, especially in the tips, The shinn range are highly regarded here
I replaced my Armada with an Atmos carbon last year and love the new board. Only thing I found was it was not as good getting upwind when the wind was marginal. Everything else was way better. Mainly ride in bay chop and was amazed and how smooth it cut through it for board with less flex.
Good to know thanks. Was thinking the Atmos hybrid. I'll check the Shinn boards also thanks.
I replaced my Armada with an Atmos carbon last year and love the new board. Only thing I found was it was not as good getting upwind when the wind was marginal. Everything else was way better. Mainly ride in bay chop and was amazed and how smooth it cut through it for board with less flex.
Good to know thanks. Was thinking the Atmos hybrid. I'll check the Shinn boards also thanks.
I have the Focus Hybrid, its a machine in the chop
Don't know if this topic is still on, but for choppy water, the Lieuwe shotgun is definitely the best board. Wouldn't recommend a carbon board for choppy conditions because you will feel your knees :/ unless you're focussed on big air. Carbon makes your board stiffer and makes it easier to pop, but you will lose it on comfort and your soft landings.
In my very humble experience changing boards to deal with chop will make only small marginal differences. I hate chop on the twin tip....so I saved the money destined for the new board and learnt to foil. Now I twin tip in flat water, strapless surf in the surf and foil in the chop. Just loving life??
There is a lot of fun to be had in horrendous chop without going to a foil.
As per Cauncy, the Shinn boards or anything with good flex tips can make it so much nicer to ride.
We have a big sale going on at the moment and these superseded Ozone Code V2 are on special and available in your size. Excellent in choppy conditions due to the multi-channeled base and more curved outline especially in the tips. Only $599 complete!
www.kitepower.com.au/collections/sale/products/ozone-code-v2?variant=37032573862047