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INTRO - A 2010 wave board buyer's guide
 WHY RIDE A SURFBOARD?The benefits are many when actually riding waves. Unlike twin-tips, they have been designed to carry more float, requiring less power in the kite to perform, allowing you to ride the wave with more of a surfing feel and freedom. They get you going in lighter winds and keep your momentum up between turns or wave sections, but above all, turn like a dream. Rounded rails, pulled in tails and swept back fins all contribute to incredible levels of grip and assurances when you dig that rail in. You can be confident that you're going to make it round nice and tightly - but not only that; with good technique emerge from the turn charging like a bull out the gate into the next section. Try doing the same on a twin-tip with its thin, straight rails and lack of buoyancy and you'll do well to make it round a turn without having had your back foot skipping out all over the place and having turned with a smaller radius than the M25.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR / WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU?
Finding the right surfboard is no easy task. Surfers have been trying to do it for decades, but the quest is all part of the wonderful journey. Although most surfboards used for kiting are very similar to performance shortboard shapes in regular surfing, there are some subtle differences when applied to kiting. By all means use your old stick that you've had gathering dust in the garage to start with to get your bearings on a surfboard, but in general kite-specific surfboards will be much stronger and most will already have inserts for foot straps to save you hours with the drill and then repair putty. They also have reinforcement in areas of high stress. Kiters put their boards under so much more pressure than surfers as we spend all our time riding them, and none of it just paddling about.
There is so much that goes into a single board, from the depth and number of concaves, rail shape, rocker, outline, number of fins, lengths widths and more. It's a hotly debated topic, but the bottom line is there are no absolutes. Ride as many boards as you can, don't get too bogged down in the technicalities, listen to what your feet are telling you and when you find a good one, make a note of its measurements and when you snap it from riding too hard, you'll be able to replace it.
We could go on for pages here on the subtleties of surfboard design and did so last year in the surfboard buyer's guide in issue #37 – find it online now at: www.kiteworldmag.com/stringer-theory/ For now, welcome to the 2010 KW surfboard showroom.
  
The third generation Choptop combines the wave abilities of a small wave surfboard with onshore performance and compact manoeuvrability. Incredible light wind performance comes from the wide tail and flat rocker entry, while 'over the board' rider geometry provides great high-wind control. As well as an option for foot straps, sky hooks can be easily positioned for personal preference or removed completely for strapless riding. The 5'3 features a concave deck with a low centre of drive improving strapless performance, and transitions are nice and easy thanks to the wide platform and outer buoyancy. The 5'8 is perfect for light wind conditions and heavier riders, providing enough buoyancy for regular paddle-in surfing for an 85 kilo rider in small surf. At the back end the Surfinz system is a unique box that allows for 16mm of fin adjustment, enabling you to stiffen or loosen the ride. The design of the inserts and extended wall box offer increased durability.
CHOPTOP SIZES: 5'8'' x 20¼ '' and 5'3'' x 19''
The ever-popular Converse range comes in a four size line-up, offering performance models for riders of every weight class and ability. The smooth outline and progressive tail kick hold the secret to the Converse shape, suiting the high speeds generated by the kite’s power or in hollow and powerful waves. Ride more vertically and with more snap than before. The kite-specific construction offers significant reinforcement around the foot strap, top deck and fins to handle the increased speed and abuse thrown at it from kiting. Biotech Wood sandwich maintains a lightweight and responsive feel and, ompared to last year's range, the 2010 boards feature a deeper single concave in the body area. This increases the drive in low wind conditions and the new Surfinz system, working together with the AR5 fin set, improves overall fin efficiency.
CONVERSE SIZES: 6'4'' x 17¾'', 6'2'' x 18¼'', 6'0'' x 18'' and 5'10'' x 17¼''
www.airush.com
 For 2010 John Amundson has added a dedicated strapless surf design to his line up. The rocker line, which was inspired by his customer feedback and need for a dedicated strapless board, keeps the board very stable to make strapless riding easier. The X-Rocker series and S-Rocker series have also been developed for 2010. The X-Rocker series is the latest in John's high-performance surf designs that has an increased tail rocker, allowing for tighter turns but still giving you a stable board for the upwind reach. The S-Rocker is a much lower rocker that lends itself to more overall stability and a more drawn out turning radius. Both rocker configurations, as well as many other aspects of the design, can be discussed with John personally to make sure the board meets your particular needs. Pictured model: X-Rocker with optional custom paint.
www.amundsoncustoms.com
Best's all-new tri-fin 5'11'' Spackraft and 5'6 Shortstick waveboards are designed to work in a variety of conditions and are both shaped with a subtle bottom concave to help balance fin drive and rail bite, allowing you to maximize edge-to-edge control for harder, tighter carving. Both come with tactical glass patches to protect all the high stress and contact points, providing high ding resistance on the rail and a firm deck feel underfoot without adding undue weight and stiffness to your board.
5'11'' SPACECRAFT From heavy waves to reef breaks and barrelling beach breaks, the 5’11 Spacekraft excels in all conditions. A fuller more progressive rail comes from adding more volume underfoot, providing great appeal for heavier riders who want a lighter wind board, however the rails are still thin enough to allow for an edgy feel with a lot of bite and plenty of drive down-the-line. Lightweight construction and a mini gun shape which flows into a rounded pin-tail are proven success stories and a tri-fin thruster set-up provides control for serious carves, without having to trade stability at speed.
5'6'' SHORTSTICK
The 5’6 Shortstick is an all-round board for everyday sloppy-choppy conditions thanks to its thinner progressive rail helping reduce bounce. The swallow tail is designed for waves up to head high and, thanks to extraordinary stability and low wind ability, you'll find yourself being able to ride a smaller more responsive kite in below par conditions. Surf deck inserts allow the board to be ridden either fully strapped or with a front strap and back pad, or completely strapless with a back pad and waxed deck.
www.bestkiteboarding.com
  If it ain't broke, don't fix it! F-One continue last year's successful board range into 2010. By using super strong and lightweight bamboo instead of oak the boards are stable and elastic, giving you heaps of control and response. You'll find four models on offer: The Fish allows you to enjoy any type of wave, even the small and weak. A rounded outline allows for tight turns and for the rail to maintain contact with the wave. Fantastic upwind and early planing ability come thanks to its width and flat scoop. Impressive float allows you to use a kite one size smaller than usual; thus gaining steering and directional control.
FISH SIZE: 5'2'' x 18.89'' The Signature Series is ideal for strapped or unstrapped wave riding. Surprisingly easy, it naturally holds a carve and goes where you want, when you want, with little effort. From tight turns to long drawn out carves this is a great all-round board. A fairly wide tail means the board retains speed and momentum on the way to the next lip.   SIGNATURE SIZE: 5'10'' x 17¾'', 5'8'' x 17¾'' and 5'6'' x 17¾'' The Surf SL 6'0” is more suited to strapless riding than the 5'6” and is slightly longer for greater control. Very at home tearing up the waves, the extra buoyancy and width make it easy to gybe, as well as providing a great base for cruising in light winds. Various strap insert positions come as standard.
SURF SL SIZE: 6'0'' x 19¼'' The 6'9” Gun is in a category of its own. Huge length provides stability, it's super quick onto the plane and is outstanding over long distances due to an incredible upwind ability and amazing speed potential. Cutting through chop with ease, this is a comfy ride for all levels, but throw in a big swell and the gun will return to its wave riding roots in no time.
GUN SIZE: 6'9'' x 18.11''
 The focus from Jochum and Nestler for their 2010 range of surfboards has been on aggression and response. The Opium comes in two sizes, each with 30% better flex than standard polystyrene core boards. Bamboo on the top and bottom provide great durability, and a progressive tail rocker and generous nose flip mean you can come off-the-lip at high speed and continue through a bottom turn, or wherever you want to get to on the wave, with ease. A bottom concave positioned between your feet and a balanced width-to-length ratio make the board lively and quick while the thruster set-up allows for manoeuvrability. All-in-all, a set-up that allows you to make rapid progress upwind and enjoy one of the purest wave riding experiences, strapped or unstrapped.
OPIUM SIZES: 6'0'' x 18½'' and 5'8'' x 17¾'' The Jib is fun and reliable, but its biggest asset is the responsiveness you'll feel on the wave. It'll hold ground on grunty bottom turns helped by the quad fin set-up and light single concave between your feet giving good float. The deck volume along the stringer is carried out towards the tight rails, allowing you to really drive through your turns with shed loads of grip. If you're looking for a skateboard styled surfboard for some hip flickery jib jibery, then this looks a good bet.
JIB SIZE: 5'8'' x 19''
www.jn-kites.com
 The 2010 Quad-Surf 5'8'' features a pulled-in bat-tail outline and faster-gun style rocker, allowing for really driving turns, holding speed on seriously tight bottom turns. Incredible grip for snappy off-the-lip rides is thanks to the quad-fin configuration that also makes for a wave board with limitless top end speed. Further quad fin benefits include more bite and responsiveness over slower thruster configurations. Built to withstand abuse, a machined EPS core wrapped with wood-veneer/glass/epoxy composite laminate provides impact resistance and optimum strength-to-weight ratio. Quality G-10 fins come as standard along with an interchangeable smaller nine centimetre fin set, giving you the option to customise your set-up.
QUAD SURF SIZE: 5'8'' x 18½''
 All 2010 boards from Liquid Force feature their exclusive EPS epoxy FLX sandwich construction, allowing more flex and acceleration when coming out of turns, helping to provide unparalleled durability while maintaining their light weight and top-end performance. All Liquid Force Rawson's come complete with FCS Fusion pre-lam fin box fin systems and FCS fins.
QUAD The combination of a slightly flatter rocker and quad fin set-up make the Rawson Quad a board for all conditions with great light wind performance as well. Bring on the stronger wind conditions and huge surf and a new swallow tail design for 2010 makes it easier to hold an edge through powerful bottom turns and vertical snaps in the critical sections of the wave. SIZES: 6'2'' x 18 ¾”, 6'0'' x 18 5/8'' and 5'10'' x 18 ½''
SKATE
The Rawson Skate features a time tested rocker and slightly curvier outline setting it apart from other boards in the line. Although it will perform above par in all conditions, and especially when ridden in the pocket, the Skate is the board of choice for hollower surf. The round tail shape comes standard with a '3 plus 2' fin set-up so it can be ridden as a classic thruster and also as a quad.
SIZES: 6'2'' x 18 5/8'' and 5'11'' x 18 ¼''
6ER
Inspired by Mauricio Abreu the Rawson 6ER successfully integrates the speed, control and turning characteristics of a Bonzer style surfboard. This results in a twin-fin set-up with Bonzer side fins that paves the way for incredible speed and the ability to turn on a dime.
SIZES: 6'1'' x 18 5/8cm
www.liquidforcekites.com The Custom Wave Series offers high performance shapes, p  remium construction technology and a comprehensive selection of rides to cater for all, so finding your perfect board is only a matter of time. With the Global boards being more snappy, the Fish range offering buttery-smooth fun and incredible speed coming out of the Gun series, the possibilities are monstrous.
GLOBAL    SERIESFive boards of similar characteristics but each with their different feels. The 5'0” is insanely lively and responsive, the 5'4” gives you a solid edge and is great for turns, the 5'7” is comfortable, versatile and snappy, the 6'0” offers great drive and ample flotation and the 6'2” rounds things off allowing you to snap your bottom turns thanks to its radical shaping.
SIZES: 6'2'' x 18 1/4'', 6'0'' x 18'', 5'7'' x 17 3/8'', 5'4'' x16 3/4'' and 5'0'' x 16”
FISH SERIES
Three boards offering great versatility for different riding styles. The 5'4” is compact, easily balanced and super fun, the 5'8” is easy to handle and is great for smooth carving, and the 6'0” comfortably dominates lighter wind and smaller surf with extra surface area and volume.
SIZES: 6'0'' x 19'', 5'8'' x 18 1/4'' and 5'4'' x 17.5”
GUNHuge waves have met their match with the incredible gun series. Both boards in this range are the absolute business; designed purely for charging head on into the biggest waves, maintaining great speeds and coping with strong winds.
SIZES: 6'2'' x 17'' and 5'10'' x 17'' www.naishkites.com    The 2010 surfboard range is North's biggest and most versatile yet. All feature high quality fibreglass fins, deck pads, new adjustable surfspecific foot straps and Future fin boxes. Constructed to be as strong as an ox while still feeling light, lively and predictable, the glossy finish is the icing on the cake for each of these performance surfboards. The Freestyle Fish returns with sleek new looks, new outline, grab rails and a balanced directional feel. Designed to help you make the most out of any conditions, it's a perfect entry-level wave board with plenty of volume to get you up and away in no time. Strapped or strapless it's easy to use and planes in the lightest airs. FREESTYLE FISH SIZE: 5'2'' x 19¼'' The Kontact series continues as an uncompromising stick designed for solid, pumping surf. The rounded pin-tail, gunny outline and low tail rocker scream hardcore wave riding performance for serious carves and high speed. Holding a rail in the most choppy and extreme conditions, it's the weapon of choice for team riders, Sky Solbach and Dreu Beavis. Sky reckons: “When it starts getting really windy or the surf gets over six feet, I get the Kontact out. It's got such a solid feel and accelerates more the harder you push it. Great for strapped riding, feels nice and lively and gives me all the control I need at high speed.” KONTACT SIZES: 6'3" x 17 7/8", 6'0" x 17½" and 5'9" x 17 1/8"
The Wam replaces the Bullet as the all-round high performance surfboard, ideal for quick rail-to-rail acceleration, snappiness off-the-top with massive amounts of grip and control. A relatively low-entry rocker and width give you a large planing surface, while a full single concave provides plenty of carry when the kite power drops. This board is set to annihilate any small waves you put in front of it with its super-tight turning radius, pleasing strapped and strapless riders alike.
WAM SIZES: 6'0" x 18¼", 5'10" x 18" and 5'8" x 17¾"
  Ocean Rodeo's handmade custom uses time-tested manufacturing techniques and materials from the surfboard industry and has been specifically produced for kitesurfing. The board features a hybrid speed/wave rocker delivering insane upwind performance and speed with tucked rails to hold your edge during hard carves, giving you maximum control and support while the outline, rocker and volume distribution deliver a smooth ride in choppy conditions. A traditional thruster fin set-up comes as standard, however a quad-fin and other customised options are available to make sure your ride is exactly how you want it. SIZES: 5'8” - 6'4'' x 18 ¾''
 The Love Machine has been built from a  surfer's point of view, pro surfer and Triple Crown competitor, Love Hodel, to be exact. Hodel brought a whole surfing perspective to this design, ensuring that surfing performance remains the main focus. This isn't a kiteboard/surfboard that pretends to make turns on a wave, it's a true surfboard that Love would and does surf. Featuring a practical Future fin system, if you're into surf you can pack this 6'2 in your bag safe in the knowledge that windy or just glassy waves, you'll have a blast. LOVE MACHINE SIZE: 6'2'' x 18½ ''  Resin8 surfboards are hand-shaped, hand-glassed, hand-sanded, and hand-finished by a dedicated crew of 16 craftsmen. Kitesurfers are raving about them for their wave performance, surf-ability and durability.
 TOKORO SQUASHWade Tokoro has made sticks for Jamie O'Brien, Bruce Irons, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and more. The 6'0'' is an all-round high-performance short board. With less area in the outline it is made for all-round surf, enabling you to whip the turns quicker. The rocker has more curve and a single-to-double deep concave running through it creating lift and squirt. The 5'10'' does what needs to be done to catch waves in less than perfect conditions, thanks to fullish tucked rails and single-to-double concave leading to a single in the tail. SIZES: 6'0'' x 18 ¼'' and 5'10'' x 18 3/8''
SAM EGAN SWALLOW SERIES
The swallow series can be used by a range of riders in all sorts of conditions. Wide outlines, fuller rails, medium rockers and single / single-to-double concaves allow these boards to grovel in the mush as well as perform well in good, medium-sized surf. Heavier riders can step up to the 6'5'' with plenty of width through the centre and tail and a medium-to-flat rocker, helping it plane through lulls and flat sections. The 6'5'', 6'1'' and 5'11'' are available as a quad setup, subject to availability.
SIZES: 6'5'' x 19 5/6'', 6'1'' x 19 5/6'', 6'0'' x 18 13/16 and 5'11'' x 19 1/8''
SAM EGAN SQUASH SERIESThere are eight boards featured in this line, consisting of everything from the 5'10'' grommet's dream board, through the pro model 6'1'' and 6'2'' to the biggest sizes with more rocker and single concave for larger riders or average intermediate surfers. The 5'8'' is Davey Blair's personal favourite.
SIZES: 6'7'' x 19 3/8'', 6'6'' x 19'', 6'4'' x 18 ¾'', 6'3'' x 18 7/8'', 6'2'' x 18 3/8'', 6'1'' x 18 5/6'', 6'1'' x 18 ¼'' and 5'10'' x 17½'' www.resin8.com.auwww.resin8usa.com  A new quad-fin set-up improving edge-holding ability during bottom turns is the significant improvement on last year's Zone wave board. The 2010 model rides faster and with more grip and control. A notable improvement has also been the increased length, from 5'2'' to 5'8” thus making it feel less nervous, cutting through chop with ease. The snowboard-style construction is still in effect providing extreme levels of durability compared to standard surfboard manufacture. The introduction of a full-wood core is another significant leap forward, making the board tough as nails and able to absorb chop vibrations far better than before. A simple two bolt fin fitting system makes the requirement of special fin boxes a thing of the past.
ZONE SIZES: 5'8 ½ x 17 1/3''
www.spleene.com
The Fatal Wave range takes things further with three sizes to suit all comers. It’s equipped with five Future fin boxes that can be switched from quad to a tri-fin set-up. For kiters used to twin-tips, the 5'3'' and 5'6'' will work in light to medium conditions, or in heavy conditions for kiters used to surfboards. The 5'9” is thinner for that real surfboard feel, combining the characteristics of a pro model surfboard with a bullet-proof kiteboard construction in order to be durable and suitable for use with a kite in your hands.
FATAL WAVE SIZES: 5'9” x 18”, 5'6” x 16.9” and 5'3” x 16½”
Back for its fourth year, the Toxic Wave collection oozes reliability and performance. It’s perfectly balanced for onshore conditions with a full rounded rail and lifted nose, which maintains the board's balance in tricky conditions and, as it's bi-directional, can be ridden both ways, eliminating the need to gybe. The Toxic Wave 2 features a completely new outline and rocker line, allowing for radical performance even in light winds and small surf. A solid sign of proven performance with a new concept built-in.
TOXIC WAVE SIZE: 4'8” x 16½ ”
TOXIC WAVE 2 SIZE: 5'2” x 17”
www.robertoriccidesigns.com   Martin Vari introduces three new board models in the 2010 range. The 5'8'' four fin set-up and outline allows the board some serious snap and solid manoeuvrability, giving you a feeling of complete control. Constant speed is maintained even when the kite lines slacken off.
QUAD SIZE: 5'8'' x 18½''
The 6'1'' Custom has been shaped to work as a great light wind machine as well as being able to rip into the waves and ruffle some feathers. The thruster fin set-up lets you enjoy a true surf feeling right away even if it's your first session on the board.
CUSTOM SIZE: 6'1'' x 18 1/16''
The Martin Pro 6'0'' produces a bit of everything in all the right places which makes it the perfect all-round board. A unique quad-fin set-up allows for the board to perform in a multitude of conditions, from the side-shore waves of Indonesia to side-off barrels in Tahiti. The narrow tail lets you dig the rail when getting pulled by the kite and there's enough speed produced by the quad fins to have you flying off your bottom turn, attacking the lip and snapping in the pocket whilst keeping huge amounts of control and maintaining a grin that will light up the beach. Martin Vari has something for everyone nailed in 2010.
MARTIN PRO SIZE: 6'0'' x 18 1/16'' www.varikites.com
 Based in Maui, it's no surprise that WH's range of kite surfboards is impressive. Offering two versatile and extensive product lines they provide every rider with a ride that will match their skill levels, surf requirements and enjoyment factor. Each board is stiff, responsive and designed to be used strapped or strapless. The Wide Surf Series are quick to plane with immense stability, designed wide to be optimal in slower waves, gusty and lighter winds for all skill levels. Very user-friendly they are perfect for a rider getting to grips with kiting on a surfboard.
WIDE SURF SERIES SIZES: 6'0'' x 17½'', 5'8'' x 18½'' and 6'0'' x 20''
The Surf Series is a higher performance line that is slightly narrower, designed for faster waves and a rider with a more aggressive style of wave riding. These boards may appear daunting to many on first sight, but the unique design provides an ideal surfboard for riders of all size and skill levels committed to taking their wave riding to the next level.
SURF SERIES SIZES: 6'5'' x 19¼'', 6'3'' x 18¼'', 6'1'' x 18¼'' and 5'9'' x 17¾''
Distinctive colours and exceptional graphic combos make for easy size recognition. WH surfboards are hand-made using custom technology - a super-light styrofoam core coated with multiple layers of devinicell foam that is then epoxy laminated with custom, hand-crafted technology. The result is a lightweight yet durable performance board with great planing and responsive attributes. Each board comes with three fins, EVA ready-to-stick pads, two symmetrical straps, a multi-functional screwdriver and a high-quality custom surfboard bag. Sweet!
www.wainmanhawaii.com
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