FireWire vanguard ?

[felixp]

Is there an easy way to identify the kiteboard edition from the regular surfboard edition? How was the kiteboard edition reinforced?

Please check out details here.
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/kites ... echid=tech

[windtzu]

2015 North Whip - Firewire Vanguard counterpart?

A friend was trying out the 2015 North Whip (don't know which size). I got to ride it on a couple runs. The conditions were 18-25 mph, onshore winds with lots of shore break and three foot mushy waves.

Immediate impression, it planed up quickly, was stable, and very smooth through some wash-machine like conditions, very smooth. It has a "corky" feel and had the impression it could get big for me (154 lbs / 70 kg) if I were really lit on the 9 m (Airush Wave).

Con, and this perhaps a matter of technique, it wasn't what I'd call a slashy board or easy to turn. It seemed to prefer drawn out wide turns. This is compared to my Naish Global 5'7 and Airush Cypher 5'6. I didn't get a chance to ride any decent waves with it, just wasn't that kind of day but it does seem like it has potential - less the surfy-slashy thing. Maybe it's more akin to riding a surf longboard; but I more time on the water to get a better feel on it.

Seems like an interesting board. I'd like to spend more time on it, and or demo the Firewire Vanguard.

[sckitesurf]

I took a whip for a spin and agree about the corky feel. It planed fairly well but felt like a boat in comparison to the vanguard. Had to ride the board almost completely off the front foot if to get it to turn. When I weighted the back foot the board wouldn't get on a rail so you end up throwing the board at the lip instead of carving off the bottom and squaring up off the top. Sticking with the vanguard, haven't found anything that rides even close to it yet.

[bebo]

can someone tell me the lowend of tha vanguard 5.2 for 73 kg with a 9 mt kite ( more or less )
how about the vanguard in freeride choppy conditions ?
and were can I find some good video of the vanguard in waves ?
thanks

[topmick]

Im 75 kg & have only had my 5'2 out twice now - low end for me on my 9m Wave i think would be around 13-14 knots. The feeling i have from my VG so far is that it has a good low end but an even better top end.
I,m keeping my 5'0 Nugget, for now but the VG is an amazing board.

[topmick]

Sorry for the double post but forgot to mention that i had a demo of the 2015 North Whip (5'4 i think). Conditions were very average but i just did not connect with the Whip. The only advantage I can see the Whip has over the VG is that you can ride it strapped.
I only ride strapless.

[mr moon]

great board!

[ElbowRoom]

can someone tell me the lowend of tha vanguard 5.2 for 73 kg with a 9 mt kite ( more or less )
how about the vanguard in freeride choppy conditions ?
and were can I find some good video of the vanguard in waves ?
thanks

to give you an idea, i am about 72kg and have a 5.0 VG. just got it and have only had 3 sessions on it, all on inland lakes unfortunately. with my 10.5 wainman my low end is about 13-14 kts.....when it drops below that its still doable but not nearly as fun as the shinnster i am riding.

the VG is hyper nimble and given 15kts of wind it tanks upwind. for choppy free ride its ok, not great. the nugget/sweet potato was better for that type of riding for me. the VG just begs to be taken hard into corners, so if the wind and swell is up on the lake it's pretty fun. cant wait to get to the coast with this thing.

[Billy25]

Would this board be a good choice for river surfing?

[ElbowRoom]

Would this board be a good choice for river surfing?

call big winds at the gorge. seems to be the preferred weapon out there.