It’s perfect to say that the kitesurf board is the most important part of your equipment in kiteboarding.

You will definitely find out that there are different types of Kitesurf Board available in the market.

Well, we all should know that the best kiteboards are the ones that are easy on your budget while delivering a good performance in all-weather conditions.

To help you find the right kiteboard, we dedicated so much hours into putting together this guide making it a success.

The guide lists some of the best kiteboarding boards available in the market today and also with their pros and cons.

It then goes on to provide a general guideline on the important factors you should consider when buying a kitesurf board.

Whether you are a beginner or a longtime kiteboarder, this guide will help you make an informed decision towards finding a quality kiteboard.

At the end of the guide, we hope you can reach that decision yourself. We definitely assure you, that you get the best.

Top Rated Kitesurf Board Used in 2019.

DUOTONE 2019 Pace	Foil	VIEW PRICE
Ocean Rodeo Sports Mako	Twin Tip	VIEW PRICE
DUOTONE 2019 Jaime Board	Twin Tip	VIEW PRICE
Slingshot Sports 2019 Slingshot Vision	Twin Tip	VIEW PRICE
Naish 2019 Orbit	Twin Tip	VIEW PRICE
Ocean Rodeo Origin 3.0	Twin Tip	VIEW PRICE
2019 Slingshot Tyrant 6-0	Kitesurf Board	VIEW PRICE
Slingshot Kiteboarding Converter	Foil	VIEW PRICE
Slingshot Sports 2019 Crisis	Twin Tip	VIEW PRICE

Best Kitesurf Board Reviews in 2019

DUOTONE 2019 Pace

Ocean Rodeo Sports Mako

The Mako, Ocean Rodeo’s renowned signature board, has recently undergone a revamp and we were excited to be able to test it out.

Presented as a surf-orientated twin tip, the Mako doesn’t look like a modern-day kiteboard, in fact, you may think it’s from a different era.

A continuously curved rail from the center to the very rounded tips combined with the largest concave you have ever seen in a kiteboard, let alone a twin tip. Fins: two. Nope you’re not missing anything from the box, it’s a twin fin set up, centered at each tip.

DUOTONE 2019 Jaime Board

Slingshot Sports 2019 Slingshot Vision

The 2019 Vision is a medium-rocker crossover designed for intermediate to advanced riders who wants one board they can use confidently in any condition.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THE 2019 VISION

• A fan-favorite, all-conditions, crossover board
• Great with boots or foot straps
• “Happy-medium” rocker profile great for freestyle without sacrificing open-water performance
• Vertically laminated wood core has a lively, dynamic feel unlike any other core
• Laser-cut NACA channels provide added grip, speed and pop

Naish 2019 Orbit

For 2019, the Orbit is back as Naish’s light wind machine. If you are looking to be the first one on the water and the last one off, this is the kitesurf board to help you maximize those sessions and be the only one out there riding while everyone else is standing on the beach with envy.

The Orbit is not just a large board but features a double concave bottom, and an asymmetric design to provide a smooth and forgiving ride with great upwind ability when the conditions are far less than ideal.

Key Features

• Medium Flex = Dynamic, all-around handling
• Light Wind Rocker = Low drag early planing + balanced riding
• Framework Deck = Lightweight + adds rigidity
• FTC 2.0 (Flex Torsion Control) = Optimized stiffness in both the axial & torsional axis + superior control.

Ocean Rodeo Origin 3.0

Ocean Rodeo 2019 Origin Twin Tip Kiteboard 142 X 47  Great beginner board or for those not-light wind but not nukin’ days.

The Origin is an agile, practical twinny built around a superior shape with swept 33cm tips giving it a prime progression template.

Recognizing that many riders rack up a lot of kiteboarding hours in choppy water, we developed the Origin to track, grip, go easy on the knees, shoot upwind and load up for a big boost in ‘real world’ conditions.

key features:

• Excellent versatile kiteboard for all levels
• Great first board, easy water starts and turning
• Cruise and pop features
• Go-joe compatible

2019 Slingshot Tyrant 6-0

Slingshot Kiteboarding Converter

Slingshot Sports 2019 Crisis

How to Choose Kitesurf Board

1) Difference between Kiteboard and Wakeboard

Kiteboards and wakeboards may look similar but there are key differences between the two. For a start, wakeboards have a more pronounced rocker than kiteboards.

This is because wakeboards attain greater speeds and are more geared at tricks. This creates the need to make sure the wakeboards are safer, so the deeper rocker prevents wipeouts.

Also another notable difference between in the two types of kitesurf board is the fins. Kiteboards feature fins to ensure greater grip and control whereas wakeboards have no fins.

2) 3 Common types of Kitesurf Board

The Twin-Tip Kiteboards

Twin-tip kiteboards are the most popular and commonly used type of kiteboards. This is simply because they offered the greatest range of ease and versatility.

This makes them perfect for beginners but also quite suitable for more experienced riders.

Twin-tip boards, as their name suggests, are symmetrical so that the tail and tip are the same. So you can ride them in any direction. They are particularly well suited for free-riding and wake-style riding.

Twin-tip kitesurf board come with pads and foot straps for added stability and control.

Most of them also feature a concave bottom and channels to increase the speed of the board by driving the water.

They offer great air time and let you have a lot of fun in most kiteboarding styles.

kitesurf board size

Kitesurf boards are quite similar to the regular boards used in surfing. Their outline looks the same as conventional surfboards although there are vital modifications to their design in comparison.

In general, a kitesurf board has a narrower and smaller profile compared to a regular surfboard.

Most kitesurf boards feature an epoxy core. They are mostly available in an oval design, with more recent models featuring diamond-shaped tips and tails.

If you want to ride the big waves and have fun in the open waters with generous air times, the kitesurf board is for you.

The Foil Boards

Foil boards are the preferred type of kiteboards for most riders who participate in course race boarding.

This is simply because they offer an exceptional degree of speed, agility and control. Foil boards are designed with hydrodynamical wing.

This design features ensures that the board is able to literally float above the choppy waters without catching an edge. This effectively removes the drag from the board’s ride and gives you an exceptional degree of speed even in light wind conditions.

At the same time, riding a foil board requires less effort and energy. You get to maintain better control over the board’s position and maneuver it around at an extraordinary rate. This makes this type of the boards the perfect choice for professional racers.

3) The conditions affect to Your choice

• Wind

You will experience a variety of wind conditions during kiteboarding. As a beginner, you will very probably ride in low wind conditions. In such a case, you should go for kitesurf board that are larger and wide.

Such boards will give you the ability to achieve good speed and movement even when the wind is bare.

However, a smaller kiteboard in comparison will give you good control although it will not give as much speed in low wind conditions.

In high wind speeds, both wide and narrow kiteboards will work depending on your particular style.

If you are wakestyling, for instance, you may choose a wider board even when riding in good upwind conditions.

In general, narrower and smaller boards will deliver a very effective performance in high wind speeds.

In fact, most riders choose high wind conditions to bring out their smaller kitesurf board.

• Wave

Riding conditions, including wave profiles, may also differ significantly from one kiteboarding spot to another.

In general, if you are riding upwind in choppy conditions, you need a kiteboard that can gather up speed quickly while riding the chop successfully. You also need good maneuverability in chopping conditions.

On the other hand, if the waves are calmer and the water relatively flat, you can make do with different kitesurf board choices.

You can also achieve speed more easily in flat water with good wind, and so a board with a good degree of pop will be a great choice in such conditions.

• Your weight

Your weight is an important consideration when it comes to finding the right kitesurf board.

In general, the heavier and taller you are, the larger is the kiteboard that is right for you.

In contrast, for people who are lighter and smaller, narrower kiteboards with smaller lengths are more suitable.

Following is a chart with general estimates of the corresponding kiteboard length and width for different weight profiles.

These are estimates, so you should combine this information with your own homework.

• Your Style Of Riding

Freeride

Freeride refers to a style of riding in which you basically want to have a smooth ride with comfortable landings and good airtime.

At the same time, boards that are meant for freeride riders do not offer many technical elements.

If you prefer freeride, you should choose a kiteboard with larger fins. Large fins will give you better control and grip.

You should also look for other qualities such as a medium flex and a relatively shallow rocker.

The medium flex will let you perform all the basic maneuvers while retaining good kitesurf board control. It will also help you with the landings.

The shallow rocker also adds to the grip of the board and lets you deal with moderate chop without any difficulty.

Freestyle

Freestyle riding is similar to the freeride style but with some advanced features added.

So if you prefer freestyle riding, you should look for a kiteboard that delivers a more all-around performance.

A kitesurf board that is well-suited to freestyle riding will typically come with good performance flex.

This is simply because you want the kitesurf board to offer a good degree of pop in order to do your tricks and moves effectively.

At the same time, you need the board to have channels at the bottom. These channels allow your board to track better.

A good freestyle board should also have wider tips as they let you load more effectively for the pop. If you have a good degree of experience, you may also want to choose a board with smaller fins.

Although smaller fins will require more skill, they will let you achieve a smoother release from the water.

Light wind

Light wind kiteboards, as the name suggests, are meant for riding in light wind conditions.

They are specifically designed to allow easy flotation even in low wind thanks to exceptionally long and wide design. In many cases, these boards are perfectly suited for the beginners who start learning the sport in light wind conditions.

Light wind boards come with little to no rocker as you are not likely to face chopping conditions under a light wind.

These boards also come with very small channels at the bottom or no channels at all.

This is because the need for channels is offset by the larger design of the board which provides ample grip when you are edging.

Wake style

Wakestyle is a very popular style of kiteboarding. This particular style comprises of doing a lot of unhooked tricks by utilizing boards which offer an exceptional degree of vertical pop.

For greater control and feel, wakestyle boards typically come with a stiff feel which also allows a good upwind movement without losing on the pop.

If you prefer wakestyle riding, you should go with a kiteboard that has a high rocker.

This will let you edge hard while retaining excellent control of the board and staying ready for the pop all the while. A good wakestyle board must also feature well-defined channels to enable smooth digging.

Most wakestyle boards come with small or fins. This is because the wider tips of the board let you do the edging without the need for the fins.

4) Option when Buying

• Only board

A quality kiteboard is a significant investment. However, the board itself is only a part of the whole equation.

You need other equipment such as harness, bar, footstraps, fins and handle to complete the gear. But the question is, when you should choose getting only the board.

In general, if you already have the rest of the gear, you can get the board and then adapt the gear to it. In some cases, you may be able to get the gear off rental services on a beach, in which case you don’t need to buy it.

This makes for a more affordable choice but it works only when you plan to kiteboard very occasionally.

• Full board (including: board, fins, foodtraps, Handle)

If you are serious about kiteboarding and genuinely wish to learn and enjoy it, you must prefer full board purchase over board-only.

This is because a full board comes with the complete set of gear and accessories that you need for good kiteboarding.

A full board purchase ensures that the rest of the gear is compatible with your board, which is also why you should purchase a full board with all accessories from the same brand.

You may choose different gear from different brands but that may pose compatibility issues and you should do so only when you have some experience with the gear and brands.

Do You Really Need Kitesurfing Lessons?

Newcomers to the sport wonder if they really need kitesurfing lessons or if it’s something they can pick up on their own.

While there are some aspects that you can practice by yourself, like getting a trainer kite and learning how to handle it on the shore, this is a sport better learned with professional instruction.

There are serious risks involved when people get on the water without assistance, and not just for you but others around you as well.

Learning how to kitesurf with a professional teacher means you reduce these risks and learn the basics on safety while also mastering the technique of the kite as well.

So it’s something you shouldn’t be without.

Not only are professional lessons required for your own safety, but it can be counterproductive to try and teach yourself how to kiteboard.

This sport requires an understanding of handling and steering, control, wind and surf conditions, mastering the various equipment, and knowing what to do when something goes wrong, and these can’t be taught by yourself.

How Much Do Kitesurfing Lessons Cost?

Kitesurfing is a sport better learned with professional instructors and this is a cost that you’ll have to factor into your total spending before you can get out onto the water.

The price for these lessons can vary dramatically and with some smart shopping, you’ll be able to get yourself a good deal.

As a general rule, you should spend between 10 – 12 hours taking professional kitesurfing lessons but how you do this can differ.

To cut costs, consider visiting a school or instructor offseason when there’s less chance of holidaymakers or people wanting warmer weather to learn the sport.

Another way to save money is enrolling in group classes instead of solo lessons because you can dramatically reduce the price.

A single hour-long lesson in a group setting will usually cost $30 – $60 with an average price of $300 – $600 for enough lessons to get you started.

For private instruction, the cost is a lot higher, and you can expect to pay around $70 – $100 for a single lesson if you want to do it alone.

If you need to hire gear for your lessons, this will add another couple of hundred to the total unless you can find a school that supplies this as part of the cost.

It’s always better to use rental gear when you first start before jumping in and getting some yourself, as you have no idea what’s going to be right for you and need to learn the basics first to see if you are ready to commit to the sport.

CONCLUSION

Kiteboarding is a lifestyle, not just a hobby or an occasional pastime. If you want to simply dabble in it once in a blue moon or even more rarely, you can easily get kiteboard rentals and indulge.

But this way, you will not learn the sport nor enjoy the passion.

On the other hand, if you are genuinely passionate about kiteboarding, you need to be passionate about the board as well.

The right board will go a long way towards helping you master the sport quickly and enjoy it fully.

As elaborate in the guide above, the right kiteboard depends on a number of factors such as your weight, height, preferred style, the conditions you ride in and your experience level.

You must carefully consider all these factors before you purchase a board, as it is going to be a significant investment.

Ultimately, the best kiteboards are the ones that suit a rider perfectly. A board that suits another rider may not be the right fit for you. check yourself well, don’t follow your friend. Make your own pick.

So you have to experiment, take risks and give it some time so that you can lock in on the right kiteboard in the end.

Related Questions

Kitesurfing can be an expensive hobby to get into but it’s one with many rewards.

To gain a clearer picture of the costs, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions to help you get a basic understanding of the requirements.

CAN YOU USE A WAKEBOARD FOR KITESURFING?

There may be some pieces of equipment you can use from other water sports to kitesurf, and a wakeboard is one of them.

However, riding a wakeboard instead of a kiteboard comes with limitations and should only ever be used if you have no other options on that day.

HOW LONG DOES A KITESURFING KITE LAST?

For a rider on the water every weekend and someone who alternates between two kites, a quality kite should last around three years.

The standard warranty on these products is 12 months though, so it’s up to the owner to care for them properly.