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Hi, I live near the shore in Holland. My favorite place to ride is on sea. The surf in Holland a fun place to be in. However, I am trying to figure out what the ideal twin tip is for rough sea conditions with breakers everywhere. I assume a very short board with a sharp edge would not be ideal.
Has anyone some suggestions?

Thanx.
Henk

Hello Henk,

I may be a throwback, but for such conditions I prefer a directional board. We have had 2 m or better surf over a 150 m width in the last week and for me, the directional definitely helps in wave riding. Failing that I have had fairly good performance with an Orly 175 twin tip in slightly less rough conditions. It could be that I just need to spend more time out with the twin tip in rougher conditions.

Rick Iossi

I'm not an experienced kiter, but what I've seen and read so far, the ideal board would be a thin TT with a lot of flex.

For example Undergroud Wavetray or Slingshot Skateseries.

I'm riding the Slingshot Drake 147 and for the couple of times I used it it's great in the surf. Very good control and very nice for waveriding(lots of rocker and flexy tail)

BTW I live in the Netherlands also(Zeeland to be more specific) and mostly kite at sea.

Hi Henk,

I have been kiting in 2 to 2.5 meter waves for sometime, and have tried a number of different boards in waves of this size. Personally, I have found riding a 150 TT directional to be my favourite. Should you decide to go with a directional board, my only advise to you would be to make sure it has plenty of rocker and very hard (thin) rails.

In case you're look for a recommendation, i'm currently using a 2002 e-board "flirt" 147 tt direction and have to say that i have found it to be an extremely good performer and well made.

See ya,

I didn't try different boards in waves, sinceI was in waves only 2 times.
Yes, I'm a "flat water pilot"
Anyway, I would assume that if you go out with a thin TT or wakestyle you should put bigger fins on it. This will make a big difference. A board can be absolutely loose with 1.0 fins and with 1.75 it has grip like hell. Give it a try!

Toby

good point toby. i do on occations use my wake board in the surf but i always use larger fins such as those found on directional boards. By using the larger fins on a wake board i found that i didn't have to ride the wake board on its rails so much. which in waves, suits my style of riding better.

i should point out that i find riding wake boards in smaller surf (1 meter to 1.5 meter waves) to be a lot of fun. But when you start getting out in bigger waves (2 meter to 3 meter waves) i prefer riding my tt directional.

the Brunotti Lord of Hellfire is a brilliant board for rough conditions. I have a costum replica, as the original is more expensive than a 2kg costum.

the dimensions of the board is 155*34 and the outline is assymetrical, the toeside edge has a stronger curve than the heelside. The edges are as sharp as on a wakeboard. The board goes superfast and remains in control, it's very easy to land even big air powerdiving the kite, due to the narrow shape.

actually i have a pic of my friend Dirk using the "banana" on rio yasica, Cabarete. The pics are all from flatwater, but it is excellent in surf and has a good grip for cutbacks and topturns...several pro's use this board..(luciano gonzales, wilson tavares etc...)

http://www.amagerkollegiet.dk/~alsbirk/ ... rkpics.htm

I thought he lost a fin, but no! It only has three fins!

haha, he got the board the same days I took the pics of him, and he had only 2 good fins and one crap fin. There is holes for 2 fins in each end (heelside+ toeside) and holes for at centre fin. All finholes are wakestyle...

I have got a banana as well and it totally rips

Hi,

did you (or Dirk) get your custom from the designer Eric Hertsens ?? Or from somebody else ??

Thanks,
Dènis

P.S. I'll be making one of these babys myself soon