Kiteboards
There are many different types of boards you can use for Kiteboarding. Just about anything you can put on or under your feet can be used for Kiteboarding. I have seen everything from skim boards to water skis used for Kiteboarding.
Although these are fun for playing around with once you have progressed as a kiteboarder, they can make learning to kiteboard extremely difficult. In this article I will outline the two main types of boards used, board sizing, bindings, and board skills.
Types of kiteboards:
- Bidirectional boards
- Directional boards
Bidirectional Boards
These boards are the most common and are similar to riding a snowboard or wakeboard. They can be ridden with either side as the front making changing direction easier. They have been designed to make riding upwind, jumping, and doing tricks easier.
Directional Boards
Directional boards are much different they only have one front which means you have to switch your feet when you turn. These boards are styled after surfboards and are commonly ridden in the surf with a kite.
Sizing
Choosing the right size board is fairly easy and is determined by experience level, weight as well as the wind speed you intend on riding in. Below is a chart which should help you in picking the right sized board.
Board Sizing Chart |
7-14 mph |
15-22 mph |
23+ mph |
90-130 lbs. |
125-140 cm |
120-130 cm |
100-120 cm |
131-175 lbs. |
135-155 cm |
130-135 cm |
125-130 cm |
180-219 lbs. |
145-170 cm |
135-145cm |
125-135 cm |
Bindings
The best bindings to use for Kiteboarding are sandal bindings. They allow your feet to slide in and out easy. This makes tricks as well as simply putting your board on when your ready to start riding much simpler.
Board Skills
There are many aspects to learning to Kiteboard. One of these is board skills. When you have learned to control and fly your kite you will eventually try to start riding. It is important to realize that even if you are good at controlling the kite if you don’t have board skills your learning process will be held back.
If already participate in board sports chances are you wont have many issues but if not it is important to practice riding your board. A good way to focus on simply board skills without having to worry about your kite is to get pulled behind a boat or Jet Ski just as you would wakeboarding but with your kiteboard. Doing so will help you to develop the board skills you will need to master Kiteboarding.
Wakeboards
If you do own a wakeboard you’re probably thinking why don’t I just use that? Well yes it would be possible to use your wakeboard, although it is far from your best option. Using may take longer and make learning more difficult and potential dangerous. This is because it is hard to get out of the board because of the bindings which lock your foot in. Secondly they are not designed to have as much traction as a kiteboard so it will be more difficult to get and stay up wind. But if you do want to use your wakeboard you should make sure that you leave the bindings lose so you can get out easily.
