Light boards and heavy boards.

[FredBGG]

I went from heavy directional boards to light surfboards and just don't like heavy boards anymore.

There is a tenancy towards heavy boards when it comes to kitesurfing brands.

Strength is obviously an issue, but there is high tech stuff that is light and very strong.

I have noticed that many really good directional and strapless directional riders around here ride
lighter surfboards rather than directional kiteboards.

Anyone else there feel the same about lighter boards.

To me it just feels more lose and light rather than metaphorically speaking pushing a heavy log around.
(no offence intended).

Also do any surfers prefer heavy surfboards? I don't think so.

[tautologies]

I went from heavy directional boards to light surfboards and just don't like heavy boards anymore.

There is a tenancy towards heavy boards when it comes to kitesurfing brands.

Strength is obviously an issue, but there is high tech stuff that is light and very strong.

I have noticed that many really good directional and strapless directional riders around here ride
lighter surfboards rather than directional kiteboards.

Anyone else there feel the same about lighter boards.

To me it just feels more lose and light rather than metaphorically speaking pushing a heavy log around.
(no offence intended).

Also do any surfers prefer heavy surfboards? I don't think so.

There are definitely surfers that prefer weight on their board. Many people who does tow in will have boards that are much heavier than a kiteboard. In many respects our sport can easily be compared to tow in. A heavier board sits better on the water at high speeds and in choppy water. Riding some board fin / strapless for tricks you want some weight or the board will be messed up by the wind a lot of times.

Now when that is said, I've tried a lot of different boards, and I really do not feel that much of a difference in weight when I am riding. I think it might probably be more noticeable if I did a lot of strapless jumps, but I don't. Obviously this might say more about me than anything else, but so far I think shape has a bigger impact for me than a few pounds (also this is within reason).

In any case, there are definitely advantages to having as light of a board as possible too, I am just outlining a few trade offs

[WildDuke]

I try to buy the lightest boards I can 'cause I like to travel with my gear and it all helps in keeping by bag weight to a minimum. That's why I choose lighter over heavier boards.

[Dirk]

Strength for me is definitely a topic as I use my wave kiteboard the same way I used my windsurfing waveboards. Going out I want to blast and boost, going in I want to surf the waves.

I believe that most of the kitebrand surfboards have a a rather cheap and weak laminate structure. I ride a Naish Global (2010) and after little usage it is already soft under the front foot and I am only 75 kg.

Light and durable is doable in windsurf waveboards but as far as I understand for kite surfboards it is different as they are thinner and you want to have some flex characteristics (there is no flex in windsurf boards). And there is a pricing issue.

Consequence for me: get the board cheap in last season sale, ride it until it´s done, get a new one.