Finding the right directional board depends on many factors. There are different types of directional boards that are suitable for different riding styles and kitesurfing conditions. Here we answer the most common questions about surfboards for kitesurfing that are frequently asked. Feel free to read the questions and answers below, but don't hesitate to contact us if you have more questions. Our English-speaking customer service is always available and we are happy to assist you with our expert knowledge!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What size should my kite directional board be?
- What surfboard for kitesurfing is best for beginners?
- What type of directional kite board is suitable for me?
- How do the outline, rocker, and rails change the riding characteristics of a kite surfboard?
- Which directional board is more suitable for the North Sea (small and choppy waves)?
- Which surfboard is most suitable for freestyle without straps?
- Should I use straps on my kite directional board?
- What fin setup should I choose for my kite surfboard - thruster or quad fins?
- What size fin should I choose for my directional kitesurf board?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of wax and surf pads for kite surfboards?
- What is a convertible kite table into foil?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of a kiteboard convertible to foil?
- What brands of kite directional boards does Surfoon sell?
What size should my kite directional board be?
The appropriate size of your directional kiteboard depends on several factors, such as your body weight and the conditions in which you primarily practice kite. A heavier person should always choose a larger board than a lighter person. If you often practice kitesurfing in strong winds, your directional board can be smaller. If you prefer to practice in small waves, your directional should be highly maneuverable and therefore smaller. For large waves, on the other hand, you need a larger directional board so that it can catch the speed of the wave and you gain more speed in a straight line.
What is the best surfboard for kitesurfing for beginners?
To start kitesurfing on waves and directional boards, it is good to choose a fairly stable wave board. A directional kite board gains stability through its width. Wave boards achieve width and, therefore, stability, for example, through a stubby nose and a square tail. Due to its width, the directional kite board gives you a little less speed, but much more stability. These features make it easier to find your balance and you can practice maneuvers much better.
What type of directional kite board is suitable for me?
Kite surfboards for waves can have different shapes, as you can find boards with and without a nose (nose-less) and a wide variety of tail shapes. A directional wave board without a nose offers more stability and buoyancy. This makes the board suitable for sessions with light wind, for starting with directional riding, and for kitesurfing in shallow waters or small waves. The nose (pointed) makes a directional board more performance-oriented. The board can achieve higher speeds and is more agile. Such a kite board for waves is therefore suitable for larger waves and quick turns, but it is less stable.
How do the outline, rocker, and rails change the riding characteristics of a kite surfboard?
The outline of a directional kite board can be more or less straight or rounded. The more rounded the outline, the more agile and easier to turn the wave board is. However, the kite board is limited in its speed.
The straighter outline makes the kite directional board more stable and able to reach higher speeds. However, these boards maneuver more slowly and turn in a larger radius.
Just like with twintips, the rocker of directional kiteboards impacts how much contact the directional board has with the water surface. A flat rocker makes the board fast, while a high rocker makes the kiteboard maneuverable and allows for dynamic turns.
The rails of directional kiteboards can be referred to as "sharp rails" or "soft rails." The sharper the rails, the more grip a board has when carving, during turns, and at high speeds. These properties are particularly important the larger the waves are. Directional boards with sharp rails require some experience in kitesurfing in waves.
If the rails are soft, the board has more buoyancy and is more forgiving, but you can edge it with less precision. A directional board with soft rails is especially suitable for small waves and for beginners in kitesurfing in waves.
Which directional board is more suitable for the North Sea (small and choppy waves)?
Given that the waves in the North Sea can vary greatly in size and are generally choppy, it is an advantage to choose a board that is very easy to turn so you can react quickly to the waves. Consequently, a smaller board with a more rounded outline is suitable. The nose and tail should not be too wide either.
Which surfboard is most suitable for freestyle without straps?
The directional boards, which have less rocker and a straighter outline, offer you plenty of edge to create decent pop for freestyle tricks. A wide or stubby nose gives the board a lot of surface area when you have to push the board against the wind while doing tricks, and the kite board is well balanced in the air thanks to an outline that is as parallel as possible.
Should I use straps on my kite directional board?
If you mount your directional with or without straps, it is mainly a matter of taste. It can be an advantage to start kitesurfing in waves, as the straps give you more grip on the directional board. Even in very large waves, advanced riders often use straps to maintain a firm position on their board. You can also carve harder with a wave board with straps than without them.
However, for many kiters, the feeling of freedom that is only obtained by riding strapless makes the appeal of directional riding. There are boards that can be ridden with and without straps. Therefore, if you are not sure whether you want to ride with or without straps, you should choose a board with strap inserts.
What fin setup should I choose for my kite surfboard - thruster or quad fins?
Fins offer you control but also drag, which means resistance in the water. Thruster fins (3 fins) provide more control, but they are also slower. For most kitesurfers, thruster fins are the right choice. A quad fin set (4 fins) feels looser, more agile, and faster. This setup is particularly suitable for strapless freestyle boards or for very high and steep waves. There is no right or wrong answer here, so feel free to contact us if you are unsure.
What size fins should I have for my directional kitesurf board?
The size of the fins depends on your weight. The rule is that the heavier you are, the larger fins you need. On the other hand, it essentially depends on what you want to do with your directional kiteboard. For tight turns, precise carving, and a more relaxed ride into the wind, you need more grip, so larger fins are more suitable. For freestyle without straps or for directional riding in shallow or choppy waters, a more playful board with smaller fins is an advantage.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wax and surf pads for kite surfboards?
If you prefer to use wax or a surf pad, it's a matter of taste. The advantage of wax is that it doesn't change the design of your directional board and gives you that "real surfing feel" and sometimes more grip. However, sand also sticks to the wax, so you have to reapply it from time to time and you need to be careful not to over-wax your car during transport. Pads are less complicated and offer similar performance for most kiters.
What is a kite board convertible to foil?
A convertible kite board into foil is a board that you can use both as a directional kite board and as a kitefoil board, as it has inserts to place a foil mast.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a kiteboard convertible to foil?
The advantage of a convertible kite board into a foil is that you have to carry less equipment with you if you want to be equipped for all disciplines and conditions. When traveling by plane, you have to check in less luggage, or you have more space for other things in your camper van. However, if you are a performance-oriented wave kiter and/or a foil kiter, you will realize that a board that combines both into one cannot offer you the same performance as a board specialized in foil or directional.
What brands of kite directional boards does Surfoon sell?
In the Surfoon online store, you can find kitesurfing boards from the following brands
