ABOARDS
Aboards have produced two thruster models for 2009 – a 5'6 and a 5'11. Constructed with multilayer glass epoxy, specially reinforced areas surround the foot straps, pads and fins. Both boards feature squash tails, wooden stringers for optimal stiffness, progressive rocker lines for excellent maneuverability and sharper rails at the rear for clean exits and control. The boards come complete with two wide EVA ergonomic 3D deck pads, Velcro adjustable symmetrical straps and three thruster fins.
SIZES: 5'11 x 18 1/8'' and 5'6 x 18 1/8''
www.aboards.eu
AIRUSH
 The Converse line makes it into its fourth year with a higher volume meaning you can use a smaller kite, allowing you to ride more vertically and with more snap.Kite specific Flytech construction suits high volume kiteboards due to low density and core weight. The lightweight core is combined with unidirectional and standard glass and a combo of various sandwich technologies. T-stringer technology enables the foot strap and stepping areas to be reinforced with wood and PVC sandwich layups while the front section is reinforced with the T-stringer to prevent buckling of the laminate and to maintain low weight. Shaped with surf rails, single-to-V concave and all models come with FCS glass fins and directional straps. CONVERSE SIZES: 6'4 x 18 ¾'', 6'0 x 18 ¼'' and 5'6 x 18 ¼'' CONVERSE WOOD MODEL SIZES: 6'4 x 18 ¾'' and 6'0 x 18 ¼'' 
Lower volume boards such as the Choptop and Converse 5'6 feature a higher density core. The second generation Choptop combines small wave and onshore performance with fantastic strapless riding qualities. A wide tail and flat rocker offer incredible light wind performance with greater high wind control due to 'over the board' rider geometry. Unique hooker pads can easily be removed and positioned for personal preference. Quad FCS fins enhance performance in small waves and onshore conditions.
CHOPTOP SIZE: 5'3 x 19'' www.airush.com
 
LITEWAVE Litewave's pulled in bat tail outline and fast, gun style rocker really allows the quad surf to drive and keep speed throughout the bottom turn. Providing incredible grip for snappy off-the-tops, the quad fin allows limitless top speed combined with a lively and responsive feel. Built to withstand any abuse, the machined EPS core is wrapped with a wood veneer/glass/epoxy composite laminate to provide impact resistance and an optimum strength-to-weight ratio. SIZE: 5'8 www.litewavedesigns.com 
BEST Tuned for different conditions, the additional nose kick, lower volume and more aggressive profile of the smaller 5'7 help you tackle the steepest and fastest moving sets, while the more progressive shape of the 6'0 is the choice for less-than-ideal swell. A subtle bottom concave from front foot to fins balances fin drive and rail bite, maximizing edge-to-edge control. Three-piece EVA deck pads with kicked-heel sections help you to power through the turns. Seamless construction with double-wrapped rails in both sizes and a wood reinforced laminate construction provides dentproof strength to the upper deck without adding undue weight to the board. The thruster wave core has an optimisd stiffness-to-density ratio for outstanding handling and feedback whatever size waves you ride. SIZES: 6'0 x 18 ¾'', 5'7 x 17 ¼'' and LTD 5'7 x 17 ¼'' www.bestkiteboarding.com 
BRUNOTTI The quad surf 5'9 comes with an innovative four way adjustable fin system technology (4wfs.com) and has been specifically designed with onshore conditions and mushy waves in mind. Adjust your fins to suit the surf conditions and your riding style. The 5'9 is fast, full of drive in the turns yet loose and snappy on top turns and in the pocket. The thruster 5'5 is for more traditional down-the-line wave riding. Super stable and predictable, the rocker line and three fin set-up ensures a fast and aggressive ride, favouring more side-shore conditions. SIZES: 5'9 x XXX and 6'0 x XXXX www.brunotti.com 
FREAKDOG Time for something a little different. Freak Dog's custom boards, shaped by Buddha Bonifay, are hand shaped vacuum-bagged custom carbon-fibre epoxy kite boards, all manufactured in-house from flex foam with rail-to-rail sandwiched carbon inlay. Boards are available in any size and thickness, although Buddha recommends the 6'2 or 5'10, but any modifications can be made according to the customer's size, weight or experience. And he's doing his bit to help the environment, too:
“We started with a 100% recycled expanded polystyrene steam blown foam on a board I made for Flash Austin 12 years ago. The foam is closed cell so water absorption is minimal when dings occur and any leftovers from cutting blanks are used on twin-tips or skimboards. Anything else is used for packing.” All Buddha's products have reforested wood stringers from trees that are replanted over and again and have good strength and flex properties. Even the glue is water-based with water clean-up. www.freakdogkites.com 
LIQUID FORCE
The LF surfboard line-up, shaped by Pat Rawson, includes multiple fin set-ups, tail shapes and board sizes...and should the wind die, any of them will paddle surf, too. The Quad carves and edges well, not stiffening up through manoeuvres like three fins can. Pat found the quads also surf looser in waves and edge and point upwind better. A slightly inverted diamond tail make it fast right off the mark. QUAD SIZES: 6'2, 6'0 and 5'10 The Skate is one of Pat's long term design favourites that has been improved upon by adding a 3 +2 fin concept – use the five fin boxes in a three or four fin configuration. SKATE SIZES: 6'1 and 5'11 The 6er, “like an exotic Ferrari” goes faster than any conventional design. Featuring a twin fin with an extra four inward fins that are mounted just in front of the twins and canted out to loosen the turning radius and free the outside fins once in a turn and put on a rail. “Each turn feels like shifting through the gearbox of a super car with a turbo power plant.”...according to Pat. 6ER SIZE: 6'0 Custom orders can be taken in the EVF technology – vacuum bagging taken to the next level with fibre-glass cloth layers specially cut on a bias, giving a more hand laminated feeling regarding the overall board flex. The knock out paint job and extra cloth layers also increase the strength. www.liquidforcekites.com 
NAISH In the last ten years, Naish has utilised many different kiteboard construction designs, taking them from long to short, narrow to wide, control to power... and back again. 2009 sees them focusing on developing and refining materials and their construction techniques. The Custom range is made up of all new shapes and constructions to make them faster and with more drive than ever before. Seven models are grouped into three ranges: Global, Fish and Gun and all come in a premium full-wrap PVC and wood deck construction. The Globals are supersnappy, versatile, have a new shape and a quad fin configuration. The three boards in the Fish range have very individual performance characteristics while the Gun has wood laminates on the bottom as well as the top, allowing you to charge all out in any conditions at high speed. See our Global 6'0 test last issue. GLOBAL SIZES: 6'0 x 18'', 5'7 x 17 3/8'', 5'4 x 16 ¾'' and 5'0 x 15 ¾'' FISH SIZES: 6'2 x 20'', 5'7 x 19 3/8'' and 5'2 x 17 ½'' GUN SIZES: 5'9 x 17 ¼'' www.naishkites.com  
CRAZYFLY
The 6'2 and 5'5 Thunder boards from Crazy Fly are constructed with a high density EPS core and reinforced with wood on the deck area. Lightweight but also durable, this construction helps give them more float, providing increased stability and enabling the rider to use a smaller kite as well as having the advantage of faster and more aggressive turns. Real surf rails tucked under the edge make it easy to hold arves; short and sharp or long and wide. The flat rocker and concave bottom generate impressively controlled glide and speed. The 6'2 is aimed at the heavier rider while the more agile and responsive 5'5 is for the lightweights. Both sizes come with a one piece EVA pro foot pad with heel step, symmetrical straps, and three mini-tuttle carbon fins. SIZES: 6'2 and 5'5 www.crazy-fly.com
ROYAL 
The Royal Love Machine is designed by and named after pro surfer and Triple Crown competitor, Love Hodel, who has brought a huge surfing perspective to this sandwich construction design to ensure that surfing performance is the main focus. Not just a kiteboard that pretends to make turns on a wave, but a true surfboard that Love would and does surf. Windy or glassy, you'll always have a board to have a blast on. Comes with inserts but not straps or pads. LOVE
MACHINE SIZE: 6'2 x 18 ½'' The High Five is designed for riders wanting a true all-around shape to maximize their time and fun on the water. With a bomber sandwich construction, the multiple foot-strap and FCS fin inserts can take you from wave, skim, race, or twin-tip configurations and performance in the twist of a screwdriver. Here's the deal: chuck your foot-straps all the way back with the three fin thruster configuration for the most 'surfy' set-up; straps forward with two fins on the tail and two on the nose for a more twin-tip flavour. Other configurations will see you skimming, boosting, racing...what more could you need? Comes with straps and five FCS fins, sized small and standard. HIGH FIVE SIZE: 5'0 x 19'' www.royalkiteboarding.com   RRD
The Fatal Wave comes in four sizes. The 5'3, 5'6 and 5'9 are constructed in EPS high-density full wood sandwich top and bottom. The smallest two are made for serious conditions and take into account the latest in quad fin surfboard designs set within a pure surfing kiteboard. Both can be used in light-to-medium conditions for those kiters more used to twin-tips and for heavy-duty conditions for kiters used to surfboards... The 5'9 is a real surfboard with less thickness; simple as that. Its genetics come directly from the RRD surfboard collection, combining characteristics of a fully tested pro model surfboard with a bullet proof kiteboard construction, durable and suitable for use with a kite in your hands.
The 6'1 Fatal is the perfect shape for light wind days or for heavyweight surfers. Built in a full PVC/full sandwich technology, it is equipped with a tri-fin future box system. FATAL WAVE SIZES: 6'1 x 18 1/3'', 5'9 x 17 ¾'', 5'6 x 17'' and 5'3 x 16 ½'' www.robertoriccidesigns.com 
JN JN have produced two surfboards for 09 – a 5'11 and 5'5. The 5'11 is aclassic Clark foam/polyester construction with a quad fin set-up. The straight rockerline gets it up and going quickly and the flex keeps the performance levels high in medium to bigger waves. Control at speed is the key. The 5'5 is the tool for the smaller waves. Glassed with an X48 core, this is a kite-specific shape, built to handle the power of a kite and to perform well in the necessary lumps, bumps and high winds. Lighter riders will barely notice this board on their feet. SIZES: 5'11 x 18'' and 5'5 x 17 ½'' www.jn-kites.com 
NORTH The North 2009 surfboard range has seen the benefit of Martin Littlewood's 30+ years of shaping experience poured into the shapes with the input of pro riders, Sky Solbach and Dreu Beavis. Constructed with a custom epoxy / EPS / wood sandwich derived from windsurfing boards gives it good strength-to-weight ratio and great resistance to dents and perforations. This year North put strong focus on optimizing the flex and dampening properties, bringing the feeling and performance close to that of a traditional Clark foam / polyester custom board. The Kontact has the overall look and feel of a bigger semi-gun, scaled down to around 6'0 for kiting. Excels in good conditions where speed and control are key, but has enough direct response and snappiness to push your limits in smaller surf. See our Kontact 6'1 test last issue. KONTACT SIZE: 6'1 x 17 ½'', 5'10 x 17''and 5'8 x 16 ½''  The Bullet is a quad fin, more all-round surf design aimed at carving new lines in small to medium surf. Utilising the short, wide compact nature of a fish in combination with the drive and grip of a quad, it generates blazing speed in smallish surf where tight carves are required. Squared off nose and batwing tail provide striking looks. Bullets and Kontacts comes with dual density pads, straps and future fin system.
BULLET SIZES: 5' 10 x 17¾'' and 5'7 x 18½'' The Freestyle fish has been given a more 'surfy' twist without losing the ease-of-use, and the range now includes two boards, which will please bigger riders and light wind fans. Onshore mush, wind swell and generally crap conditions are where these boards excel. Both boards can be ridden with or without straps, are constructed with the custom epoxy wood sandwich, come with sky hook pads -for grip in the air when riding strapless - and future fin systems.
FREESTYLE FISH SIZE S: 5'3 x 19 ¼'' and 5'0 x 19'' www.northkites.com
 AMUNDSON CUSTOMS John Amundson has been cooking up some exciting new designs. First is the 'XRocker', a concept he's gradually been prototyping for the last year, giving the design a tighter turn radius, increasing overall manoeuvrability and which has proved itself on the pro model 5'6 through 6'2. John has also been working hard on light wind / big guy wave designs, particularly focusing on riders around the 91 – 104kg / 200 – 230 pound mark. Ranging from 5'10 to 6'2 in length, feedback has been brilliant and for the lightwind performance, too. A custom colour graphics page is available on his website – choose an old classic or create your dream paint job! www.amundsoncustoms.com 
WAINMAN HAWAII Based in Hawaii, Wainman felt they couldn't exactly front up with a new brand and no surfboard shapes in the line up. Designed in Maui and tested on all different waves around the world, the 'Surf' family includes a wide variety of sizes, from 5'2 to 6'5, matching the needs of all riders wanting to enjoy the surf side of the sport. These squash tailed thrusters are made with custom epoxy technology and the finest materials to ensure light weight, correct stiffness and the necessary strength for kitesurfing. Customised dimensions allow for different skills, body proportions and conditions. Performances in the range include super smooth carving with a good snap and enough volume to ride waves with or without the kite – working as a regular paddle surfboard, too. www.wainmanhawaii.com F-ONE 
F-One have five lines in their surfboard range for 2009. Loyal to wood which forms the core of all their twin-tip boards, their research led them to bamboo. The result is a lightweight structure that's super strong and absorbs all the pressures that a kitesurfboard is put under. The extremely dense cellular structure of the bamboo surpasses oak in stability and elasticity and is superior to wood in terms of durability and rigidity. Environmentally, bamboo benefits from an astonishing growth rate – the 'giant bamboo' will grow 30 – 50cm per day to reach 15 – 30 metres. Every year the mother plant generates several shoots, and after five years the shoots can be harvested without reducing the size of the forest. SIZES: GUN SERIES: 6'9 x 18.11''; SURF SL SERIES: 6'4 x 19 ¼'', 6'2 x 18 ½''; SURF SERIES: 6'0 x 18.11; SIGNATURE SERIES: 5'10 x 17 ¾'', 5'8 x 17 ¾'', 5'6 x 17 ¾'';
FISH SERIES: 5'2 x 18.89'' and 5'2 x 18.11'' www.fonekites.com
Click here to read the Stringer Theory article from issue #37 looking at surfboard shaping
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