I know we 've talked about it before but i'd like some thoughts here.
Lately i've been wondering about useing a surfboard -and i mean a normal poly or epoxy surfboard- for kitesurfing.
Some say it's fine and there would not be a problem because ustraped you ride slower and you don't stress the board so much and in fact it would feel better because a normal surfboard gives a better feeling over the stiff kitesurf boards. I even read somewhere about some guys putting inserts and straps on them and they still riding nice and holding fine.
On the other hand there the ones saying that a kitesurfing board is better because the normal surfboard doesn't have enough reinforcement/glassing under your feet and doesn't hold up to the stress of kitesurfing, especialy in the upwind tack and in chop and breaks fast.
Lets not start the: I suppose and i know someone, but lets hear it from someone with actually personal experience. What have you used, for how long, did it break or is it still riding?

I use a surfboard for kiting alot, hasnt broken in 2 seasons, normal fibreglass surfboard made in Trinidad by Alan Davis
Got some heel dents in it and some dings from coral heads but works just fine, doesnt look like breaking any time soon.

I've got a 6'2" board I bought off ebay which has seen a good bit of use over the last year or so, got some heel dents and stuff but the only serious damage it sustained was when it got thrown into the back of a van and had stuff piled on top of it

You have to treat them a bit more carefully cause I reckon repeated hard landings and my feet would go through the top surface, but for actual riding in chop/waves I haven't ridden a kitesurf board which I liked as much as my ebay special

I've had several poly board...all buckled after short use. Unless you get a heavy glass job they will not hold for long.
I've used several different types of epoxies. Some seems to hold up better than others.
The notion that a regular surfboard gives better feel than kite-surf board I think is kind of weak. The only real difference you notice (outside of shape) might be weight, which can make a difference, but you can argue for either side of that scale (lighter board lighter on your feet, heavier board works better when there is chop...it seems to sit better on the water..IMO once you have the board on your feet, there is not too much difference, even if you ride strapless). So really what it comes down tom is the shape.

Personally I like the boards made for kite surfing...and here goes why: most of the kite-surf-shapers in the kiteboarding industry are either surfboard shapers or avid surfers. They make shapes that are made for the more specific type of riding we do, which is different from regular surfing.

In any case many epoxy board will hold just fine for quite some time. You can add strength by adding some carbon or glass, but then you'll end up with an unsaleable board that is just as heavy as a retail kite-surf board.

The advantage of opening the non-kite-surf-board door is that your board selection increases, but you've gotta be better at selecting IMO.

I've heard that some people are riding SURFTECH (tuflite) Strech and they hold up really well for kiting.

after trying half a dozen brands and some custom my vote goes for the aviso boards...even it the price disavantage

I found the tuflites to be the strongest(and lightest). I personally would not use one for free surfing(little to corky for my taste), but for kiting they seem to work fine(and inexpensive ). I prefer the firewire surfboards for kiting, although I have a Rusty tuflite that's a close second. Unlike the tuflites, the firewires do get heel dents, but so do regular surfboards. I've beat the crap out of my first one and it still water tight(little delam on the deck now). Epoxy boards will last longer than P.U. if you go the surfboard route. If you live in a town like mine, there's tons on craiglist for less than 300. I have not found a kite directional I've liked except for the Liquid Force Rawson although it still too heavy for my taste. I would love to try more however.

I would also love to try an Aviso board because I've heard a few on this forum rave about them. But, a grand for a surfboard? How long do they last? I just can't see forkin out that much for something that could break.

Well I've had surftechs, boardworks, NSP..all hold up decently, but definitely they all can go bad.. Btw. Obviously don't take the lighter surftech constructions.

It does seem to me that the heel dents come earlier on the surfboard epoxies than the kite-surf shapes that I have ridden. Note that there are also individual differences between kite-brands too...some will hold up better than others....even differences on the strength of boards in the same brand from year to year. It is not easy.

In terms of the Aviso..though I've seen some of the their shapes are really nice, they are definitely not bullet proof. My buddy has an aviso that buckled. Not saying they are not good boards..just saying they can also buckle.

I've been kiting on a regular twin-tip board for about three years now. I converted from regular surfing so I own a regular surfboard as well. In the past few month, I started using my surfboard to kite. I've been doing it strapless, and it feels very natural since I am used to the surfboard from my surfing days.

It is really not that hard if you have experience riding on a surfboard. If you don't, converting from a twin-tip to a surfboard may be a little more challenging and you may need the assistance of foot straps.

I love riding the surfboard....

I hope this helps...

I personally like regular surfboards. I've tried epoxy and kitesurfboards. The reason why I like PU boards is the flex.

Try riding a wave and use the drive of the board to get you pass a section on a PU board and bust that lip. Then, do the same thing with the other types and see what feels better...IMO that's the only way to tell what you will personally dig.

I feel that epoxy boards will give but won't push back as well. Plus, they tend to talk smack when it gets choppy.

Kitesurfboards are just too stiff. If you want to boost and go speed demon with it, then its awesome. But if you like to mix it up, for me...no way.

Surfboards are very personal, it's like choosing your kites. Some work better for your needs and some do terrible.

BTW, my boards are fully custom...blue foam and 4oz. Average riders will probably want 6oz. And at $400 fully custom....you can't go wrong. Hit me up if you want one made.