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NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 9:24 pm
by ulx
hi there,

i couldn´t find actual and sufficient information about small nsp boards. i am very happy with my 2013 celeritas 5´8 but am tempted to try the cheap and robust nsp boards. specifically the fish in 5´6 and/or the shortboard in 6´0 or 6´2. i guess the weight shouldn´t be a problem compared to kitespecific surfboards? and nowadays they even have fcs fin-boxes.

i know they are cheap, so no big risk to buy and try. but maybe it´s just not worth the hassle? it would be great to hear about those boards from people who have tried them. oh, just in case, i am 1,80 m and 80 kg. i use my surfboards strapless for everything. flat, choppy, small mushy waves and rarely nice powerful 2-3 meter waves (this with strong winds is where the celeritas is at its boundaries for me).

best regards

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 12:06 pm
by tautologies
Depends a little on which version. They were stronger but also heavier. I do not enjoy the larger ones but same sizes as you're riding now could work...however the ones I have ridden have had too much toe in on the fins Imo...if I could mess with the fins maybe ride it twin I might be tempted..

Just also know they are not indestructable. My buddy used to take out one every 3 months...and that was the old and stronger ones.


Now hes had a skater for a full year..though ridden a little less than before...

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 3:08 pm
by lbatbeach
I bought the NSP 5'6 fish. It was being sold dirt cheap at the end of the season so I felt like I could not go wrong. First thing I did was change the fin set up. I installed some nice twin fins. Huge difference. I ride it in the summer in Delaware in usually sub 20mph small, mushy surf. The board rides just fine. I have had it 3 seasons now and no dings or dents. Its kind of slow but it still fun to smack around with in small surf.

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:31 pm
by kitepilot
After riding the 6' for awhile I ended up hating it. It's slow and the fins were the worst part, super toed in and cheap plastic and way too much volume for me.
I put straps on a 5'10" and it was way better but still the fins just killed it performance wise. I swapped to FCS with their cheap fin adapter but they broke after 2 sessions. I also buckled that board twice but it didn't break.
I would say do yourself a favor and spend more on a quality board. In the end you will probably come out even on money and way ahead on enjoyment.

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:39 pm
by ulx
thanks very much for your input. doesn´t sound like worth the trouble. although as i said, the new ones have fcs-boxes. so no problem to put different fins on the board.

anyone else?

@ kitepolot: the mentioned 6´0, was it fish or shortboard? i can´t find any 5´10?

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:04 pm
by tautologies
ulx wrote:thanks very much for your input. doesn´t sound like worth the trouble. although as i said, the new ones have fcs-boxes. so no problem to put different fins on the board.

anyone else?

@ kitepolot: the mentioned 6´0, was it fish or shortboard? i can´t find any 5´10?

I'm not saying it is not worth the trouble, but I do think they are not made for kiting but surfing slower waves. :-) Most of the ones I have tried was the older gen. so maybe they did some updates when they changed the construction to something lighter?

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 3:14 am
by kitepilot
both the 6' and the 5'10'' were shortboards and older boards. I know that they come with FCS fins now and that's a big improvement. But check the fin angle, it's still probably pointing a lot toward the nose of the board, that inward or toe in angle will really slow the board down and cause a high speed shimmy when going fast. As kiters we go faster than paddle in surfers sometimes and that is when the board doesn't respond as well. Compare the fin angles to newer kiteboards or tow in boards and you will see big difference. If you don't ride as powered up or kite as fast than no sweat the board will work for what you want.
I see a lot of guys shredding on grom surfboards off of craigslist so I think it's more about the kiters ability than the equipment some times.
I on the other hand need as much help as I can get, so I'm a little particular nowadays.
But it's all good!
Aloha KP

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:59 pm
by cruzekiter
Hi to all,

i know i is an ancient old topic but don't want to open a new one just for on question.

Lighter guys seems to choose 5'10 for choppy waters. What about heavier guys around 215lbs/98kgs? Is a 6'6 or a 6'4 NSP shortboard suitable for a heavy guy or the rocker is changing and a big board will be slow to plane and go upwind. For a fish I am affraid that it will be to nervous for choppy water and strapless.

I have in mind to comfortably ride upwind and ride the chop(or waves on open water-no brakers) on a way downwind and again and again The chop can be up to one and a half meter with winds from 15-30kts.

Re: NSP surfboards for kiting?

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2014 10:42 pm
by windyway
Don't buy it until you ride it. Here's why.

Surfboards are not designed for plane-ing and reaching.
They are light and flexible and a bit fragile.
They are shaped to slow down and stay in the pocket.
Surfboards often have major tail rocker and significant toe-in.
You can't really see how much without a trained eye and a long straight edge.

For example, the Firewire Taj was not kite-a-ble due to ample big wave rocker.
The Flexfire model only works well with strong wind and waves.
But the Hell Razor, Hell Fire, QuadFlex and Dominator are excellent for kites,
due to very little tail rocker.

Consider a made-for-kiting surfboard like the Slingshot Celeritas 5-11.
It planes up quickly because of very little tail rocker, and very little toe in on the fins.
Plus not much nose scoop. Heavy and stiff so as to be durable.
Its a great kiteboard, its versatile and fun, and you would probably like it.
But no match for a real surfboard on the wave.