Hummmmm..... I lost my board (well, someone picked it up for me while I was looking for it).

Too bad and too frustrating. (That was a nice F-1 TT174 board).

As I'll have to get back shopping, it struck me that I have almost no idea what are the great new models out there. I certianly like the design of wipika's eclipse, or fone's new TT boards, but how well do they surf? good upwind? good when overpowered?

Please .. all advices/hints on what are the hot picks this year are welcome.

Thanks pals.
Jido.

PS: my weight 73kg, "intermediate+"

Hi Jido,
my advice: go directional !
Everybody needs direction in their life.
Waves makes a little 160m beauty, I have ordered two.
Regards Nico

hey Nico, what happend to you?
go directional? it is 2002, so go small an waky!

always different opinions, but this is good!

Go for a twintip 140-150, you don't need more, IMO.

What about a Naish 4'11 Mutant?
Is it not a good compromise between the TTand the directional?

Hi Toby,
yes go small, yes go waky, but try it in directional, it works wonders for me.
At the moment I am using a connelly fantom wakeboard(140) in three footstrap configuration, to which I have added two side tracker fins on the tail.
Should you ever be around here I would gladly let you test it.
Regards.
Nico

Nico, where are you from?

I have tried the Eclipse 159, and it is a nice board.
There has happened a lot since the Olry, The rails are sharp and it rockets upwind -it gets going just as fast as the olry 175- it's very easy to load for jumping and best of all - it's the easiest board to sail switchstance on I have ever tried...

I am looking forward to try the mystery twin 150 though...

Thomas

Hey Toby,
I am the Mauritian connection.
Drop me a line should come to this part of the world.
Regards
Nico

Nico, I already thought about Mauritius. I have been in the maldives 1.5 years ago and I had a great time.
Perfect spot, couldn't ask for more.
But I guess Mauritius will be the same - paradise!

What are the most kind of boards used in your area? And how is the level of the riders?

Thx
Toby

Hi Toby,
level of riders (+- 30) getting better by the minute, boards used are various and no specific trend being followed.
Not too many twintips in circulation though, I supose because of our surfing and windsurfing backgrounds.
We have already had contact with my report on kitespots here in Mauritius (page 12). Remember?
Regards
Nico