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Advice for getting back into it Twintips (exclusively riding Surfboards thet last decade)

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Created by GranG > 9 months ago, 8 Sep 2019
GranG
WA, 257 posts
8 Sep 2019 1:14AM
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My 10 year old boy is showing interest in kiting.
Been thinking it may be fun to get a bit of variety back into kiting by buying a twintip again. Now with my eldest boy interested, it would be fun to go with him. (Will get him some lessons too. Nails the trainer kite and body dragging with the 2m foil trainer).

After a decade of exclusively riding surfboards, I am really kinda lost what to look for after checking out the buy sell section. It seems to have changed a lot. . My last board was a 2005 Cabrinha Icon.

What is the advice on what kind of board to get? Dimensions, Stifness, Design aspects, fins? I looked at a few second hand boards and I had no idea. Not into a specific brand (any quality will do). Prefer a recent model I can get used an in good nic.

Info to help
* Kiting for almost 20 years - since the Naish ARX days in 2001. Since 2006 exclusively surfboards.
* Proficient and experienced.
* Weight is a bit higher than I'd like at 88 kilos. Height 6ft
* Ride around Perth, WA. Mostly the the city beach dog beach stretch close to my home. Will drive with my boy to flatter water locations.
* Tricks. Been so long. I could do the kite loops and most moves. Never quite nailed the big handle passes with a shoulder repair. Would like to get back into nice big railies and big jumps and spins... no hard hitting kiteloops to keep the knees healthy.
* Would stick with straps (and not go full bindings)

Any advice on what to look for is much apprecaited.

(And if you have kids, what to get a 10 year old. He is skinny and tall for his age).

Plummet
4862 posts
8 Sep 2019 3:33AM
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I would say around 138-142cm x 40-42cm with intermediate rocker around 40-45cm.
Flexy at the tips and stiff in the middle.


You could also consider a wave style tt or mutant. That will get you some tt with some wave performance.
If you do that look at 145x45 sizing for a more rounded wave TT.


If you are in Perth then why not demo a few boards? you might be able to pick up an ex demo last years model for cheap and get good advice from the kiteshop as to what sizing is best for you.

Chris_M
2128 posts
8 Sep 2019 5:30AM
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Doesn't really matter that much just buy one and start riding it

shi thouse
WA, 1129 posts
8 Sep 2019 6:46AM
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Kitesurfing is a sensational experience and I have had many great sessions over the years , but nothing has given me greater happiness than kiting side by side with my 8 year old. Sharing the stoke and watching him progress has been truly amazing. Conversations at home now revolve around our next session, kite holiday, Youtube clips or looking at kite gear.

Put your focus this summer into developing your sons skills and you will get a greater return than you would ever realise.

Given my sons age I still kite next to him plus I regularly talk about the safety aspects of the sport. Additionally he does regular swimming squad training to give him that additional water confidence.

My son is currently riding a 6m Catalyst with short Ozone bar. He wears an XS Ion waist harness and recently "saved" up (with our help) and bought an F-One Next Generation (Youth) twin tip. Great board with plenty of flex for his 30kg body weight.

As far as the Catalyst goes, I will look into upgrading this sometime soon. Mates son is riding the Ozone Amp and speaks highly of it, so may look at these as an option for him as he wants to get into freestyle.

We will be kiting Safety Bay a lot this coming summer so if you're down there keep an eye out and get him to have a chat to my young fella.

Ozone Kites Aus
NSW, 884 posts
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8 Sep 2019 9:34AM
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Who is the board for? You or your son? (or both). If its for your son what is his weight? What kites do you have, sizes?

eppo
WA, 9372 posts
8 Sep 2019 8:48AM
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I'd say plummets measurements are about right given weight and height. Any all round type TT from any manufacturer would do. One that has reasonable flex (considering where you live), some rocker and not fully squared off tips. Anything from 2014-2015 on was a world away from when we started man (about same time by the looks). Well 2011 on ... but I think they actually got even better after 2014 ish.

GranG
WA, 257 posts
8 Sep 2019 9:33AM
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Select to expand quote
Plummet said..
I would say around 138-142cm x 40-42cm with intermediate rocker around 40-45cm.
Flexy at the tips and stiff in the middle.


Awesome thx. And noted 2014 onwards

Board for me yes.
Sadly. Very little free time to demo boards. Maybe at windfest? I travel too much for work.


Want to put him in kite school when warmer to see how he goes, before I buy my boy a board. (will keep letting him play supervised for our upcoming Gnaraloo trip then lessons thereafter in November .

wishy
WA, 1501 posts
8 Sep 2019 12:28PM
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You asked about fins, I reckon if you're chasing the kid around a lot the standard bigger ones give you more freedom to go upwind quick and rescue boards etc.

But the littler ones that only usually come with wakestyle boards are nicer on bad landings. Particularly if you're going to unhook and show them how sick you are.

Ozone Kites Aus
NSW, 884 posts
Site Sponsor
8 Sep 2019 5:53PM
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Select to expand quote
GranG said..

Plummet said..
I would say around 138-142cm x 40-42cm with intermediate rocker around 40-45cm.
Flexy at the tips and stiff in the middle.



Awesome thx. And noted 2014 onwards

Board for me yes.
Sadly. Very little free time to demo boards. Maybe at windfest? I travel too much for work.


Want to put him in kite school when warmer to see how he goes, before I buy my boy a board. (will keep letting him play supervised for our upcoming Gnaraloo trip then lessons thereafter in November .


Something like what Plummet said. In the Ozone range the Torque or Code and if you still want to do dowwinders I'd go the Code

daggy
WA, 527 posts
8 Sep 2019 6:59PM
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Shinn MONK
Yeeeeww
excellent in the chop.

Surfer62
1357 posts
9 Sep 2019 4:34AM
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Liquid Force Moon Patrol hybrid, awesome fun, best of both worlds and coming back from a surfboard you'll enjoy the loose twin fin surfboard feel to it. Not directional, kite it both ways like a TT but is a dream toeside in waves.





high as a kite
SA, 1312 posts
9 Sep 2019 1:25PM
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Select to expand quote
Surfer62 said..
Liquid Force Moon Patrol hybrid, awesome fun, best of both worlds and coming back from a surfboard you'll enjoy the loose twin fin surfboard feel to it. Not directional, kite it both ways like a TT but is a dream toeside in waves.






Where was that pic taken Surfer?
Looks photo chopped to me

Surfer62
1357 posts
9 Sep 2019 5:38PM
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Select to expand quote
high as a kite said..


Surfer62 said..
Liquid Force Moon Patrol hybrid, awesome fun, best of both worlds and coming back from a surfboard you'll enjoy the loose twin fin surfboard feel to it. Not directional, kite it both ways like a TT but is a dream toeside in waves.






Where was that pic taken Surfer?
Looks photo chopped to me



Got me haak, absolutely photoshopped, I was hanging off a tree at home, Sulawesi highlands in background from Google images

Catch up soon I need some foiling lessons, the Darwin crew turned me to the new dark side

high as a kite
SA, 1312 posts
10 Sep 2019 7:57AM
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Select to expand quote
Surfer62 said..


high as a kite said..




Surfer62 said..
Liquid Force Moon Patrol hybrid, awesome fun, best of both worlds and coming back from a surfboard you'll enjoy the loose twin fin surfboard feel to it. Not directional, kite it both ways like a TT but is a dream toeside in waves.








Where was that pic taken Surfer?
Looks photo chopped to me





Got me haak, absolutely photoshopped, I was hanging off a tree at home, Sulawesi highlands in background from Google images

Catch up soon I need some foiling lessons, the Darwin crew turned me to the new dark side



Yep, as soon as the sun starts shinning and the winds turn southish.
You will find my foil is a lot easier to learn on than the one your looking at!!!!

NorthernKitesAUS
QLD, 1061 posts
10 Sep 2019 1:02PM
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Just a get as per above described board, but remove the little fins. Useless in any form of rudder-type control. If you "feel" you need them, keep the bottom two intact (heel side). Ever since I've taken mine out, I've had a lot more fun on sandbanks and shallowest of water.

sir ROWDY
WA, 5353 posts
11 Sep 2019 11:16PM
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What ever you do just make sure you get a big enough board, way too many people have a bad taste in their mouth about twin-tips because the industry recommends they ride something that's way too small (similar to surfing in the past).

stoff
WA, 246 posts
12 Sep 2019 8:36AM
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^^^ what he said, especially because you probably don't have a kite over 9 or 10m any more



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"Advice for getting back into it Twintips (exclusively riding Surfboards thet last decade)" started by GranG