Dakine Surf Board
Kitesurfing Gear Basics
Kitesurfing has been become very popular over the past few years. Very understandable after you watch some of these kitesurfers ripping across the water. It is also called kiteboarding, and if your one of those French that had to be different, flysurfing. Kitesurfing gear you need includes a traction kite, control bar, harness, flying lines, and of course, a kiteboard.
Kiteboard: Be sure to find a kiteboard designed for kiteboarding. Large kiteboards work better in gentle wind while small kiteboards manuever faster. Weight and skill other factors when considering size. The rider is attached to the board with a leash.
Kite: Kiteboarding kites are designed for two or four lines. Four line kites tend to be more manueverable. Kites with inflatable bladders can be more easily launched from the water but are not as efficient. Experienced kiteboarders usually use ram-air kites.
Harness: The harness is used so the sometimes heavy pull will be distributed to the whole body. Otherwise your arms would quickly turn into rubber.
Flying lines: Flying lines are usually made of a thin, strong material called Spectra Fiber. Kites have a recommended length but the average is about 120ft.
Kiteboard Control Bar: The control bar is what you hold to control the kite. The bars are specific to the two or four line kites.
DaKine, Naish, Cabrinha, Wipika, and Slingshot are common kiteboarding brands. Always take a lesson and start out slowly. Kitesurfing gear can be difficult to set up and use when your not used to it. Always know your limits in the water.
About the Author
Chris runs Surfing Gear, an online surf guide and surf shop.
Surfers…?
Which surfboard bag is better, the FCS “Dayrunner:
http://www.amazon.com/FCS-Dayrunner-Surfboard-Bag-Funboard/dp/B000AM91CG/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1197403273&sr=8-1
or the Dakine Daylight:
http://www.amazon.com/Dakine-Daylight-Surf-Thruster-Board/dp/B0006BE9FK/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1197403273&sr=8-2
I have a budget of $55 or so, my brother said dakine is a better brand, but it looks to me like the FCS may be a better choice for the price – any opinions?
Interesting remark from the answer about the zipper. I have 7-8 bags and like the FCS but have had issues with FCS zippers. They loose a tooth when they get weathered, usually just beyond the replacement date, and then you need a new one. FCS bags also get hot inside and the wax melting causes the board to stick to the inside material better for some reason. My Dakine bags never seem to have any problems. Go with the Dakine.
Get Dakine Surfboard Travel Bags at CheapSurfBags.com