SURFBOARD QUAD DESIGN

Directional Kiteboard Review – Why Kitesurfers Have A Lot To Learn From Surfing

First impressions of the Luke Young Custom directional kiteboard.

Luke shaped the directional kiteboard with design influences taken from the Cyborg surfboard. A narrow tail plan shape and quad fin design hold the board in the water at high speed, and while wave surfing. The kiteboard has a low rocker throughout, with a rolled vee through the nose to break up surface chop. The centre section is shaped single concave, running back to double concave through the fins and out the tail, increasing drive and control. Straps are totally optional, and although bolting points are built into the board the straps themselves are not included.

I first went out on the board in September last year, at Daymer Bay in Cornwall riding strapped. It was an excellent first session on a directional board – when riding the waves the stance was ideal, but for normal cruising it was a bit painful.

My second kitesurfing trip with the Luke Young board took me to Hill Head in Hampshire. Having lent a friend my usual twin-tip kiteboard, I took the 5′4″ surfboard out in relatively good wind – Once again I decided to use the footstraps, it was all great fun until the front strap bolt came out and I had no choice but to kitesurf without it. The rest of the session was not so good, my back foot was stuck in the tail strap while my front foot was bouncing all over the place in the heavy chop. After that session I decided to take the straps off and give strapless riding ago!

With the board floating in front of me and the kite at twelve, I put my heels on the board and sent the kite down for a board start. Directional kiteboards are so buoyant that the start is much easier than expected. Having gotten up and riding I pointed the board downwind and leant back, adjusting my feet to a wider stance stopped my front leg popping into the air and I found myself most comfortable as I moved my back foot towards the centre of the board. As I was kitesurfing, I felt that the board was a part of me, but not attached, because of this I couldn’t help but feel like a surfer. Positioning the kite deep in the wind and charging at what swell we have, I unleashed a variety of cutbacks, floaters and aerials with grabs. I rode back to the beach happy!

Riding strapless has given me a completely different outlook when kitesurfing, I am no longer worried about lending my twin tip North kiteboard to friends as I’ve found the directional board suits the local conditions far better.

About the Author

Lucan Bradbeer is an avid extreme sports fan, and team rider for Airtime Kitesurfing.

Airtime offer discount kitesurfing equipment from a huge range of top end manufacturers, including; Best Kiteboarding, North Kites, Balance Kiteboards, Liquid Force, Flexifoil and many more.

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