I want to start using directionals instead of "surfing" with bi's. I usually ride with 6feet waves, choppy water and high winds. I'd also like to do some jumps, so it should be strong enough.
I thought about a short and fat board with fish tail like naish skater, wainman gambler.....
I'm 80kg, but im not into tecnical surf, i only want to surf with the kite.........

If you really want to ride powered on a directional it sounds to me that you need something slimmer, and shorter.

The short and fat boards will be squirmy in fast / powered and choppy conditions. The skater does ok in chop, but since it is designed for surfing / strapless, I would not ride it super fast or super powered...however for the size surf it works great. For more powered, and riding in ultra chop, you could look at the global line.

The Global is easy to jump, both global and skater have good construction. Solid. I've landed hard on both no problem. I am thinking the pvc under the wood adds a lot to the strength without adding much weight. Now in terms of size, I would say it depends a little on your size and what type of riding..if you really like to boots and ride very powered, maybe go 5'5'' route. For such a small board it has reasonable low end, but if you are into surf a bigger board might be the ticket. The global cuts chop easy..only board that does that better would be the gun, but then you'd need bigger waves for it to excel. The whole global lineup has a wide pintail, which makes it smooth to ride...the wider pin really adds to the low end. You can also ride that board either quad or thruster.

Either way, check out the global too.

I'd definitely check out Underground Kipuna 5'6" (or older version - Freewave 5'8"). Very friendly board to newcomer to surfboards. Has very little volume and flex which takes-off some of the harshness in chop (typical epoxy kite surfboards with volume will feel bumpy in chop, especially at the beginning). Good from low to high winds. Robust, yet light. Full deck padding - good for strapped or strapless.

There are many good boards out there, but Kipuna is unique.

btw, I hardly ride mine anymore. In light wind I need more floatation, otherwise I'd keep using Kipuna

I see you have been kiting since 2007
I also see that you have Rebels 10 and 8
You need to look at North Kontact
It is made exactly for those conditions
It is my favorite board for my 10/ 8 &6 Rebels
The 5'9" is the size i ride (my weight 75kg)
Narrow board / thin (low volume) / tri-fin

Kills the chop.......tears up the waves......rocketship jumps

built very strong also !

Stumbled on this today. A vid aimed at helping choose the right directional.
http://www.realwatersports.com/news/kit ... oard-info/

With that said.....I have yet to ride a kite-specific directional that performs close to a surfboard. Most are too heavy and not as durable as you might expect(considering the weight). One of my favorite boards I have is an Al Merrick Flyer that I paid $75 for on craigslist. Sure, I probably go through by the end of this summer(PU, not epoxy). But, there are tons more on craigslist just like it. Plus, I have a couple firewires that are still water tight, one that's almost two years old and heavily ridden(really suprised how long it's lasted). Purchased both slightly used for under 300.00.
No need for straps either, they will just get in your way. There are probably some on this forum that will tell you otherwise. Just my opinion.

So, if you still want to pay 799.00 for a production board, go for it

BTW; I thought that North Contact was one of the worst of the bunch(2009?). Plus, you might need a bit more volume when you are learning to jibe.
Again, just one guys opinion.

Thanks!!!

Dunno about 2009 never tried
2010 was very good
2011 and 2012 models also very good

Jibing is no problem if it is windy enough
Besides the Toeside riding is effortless
You can go upwind Toeside like a rocket when the wind is blowing
It tracks through chop like it is on rails due to to it's gun shape

Hey Taut, what if i use the skater with straps? Is it possible?
Have you tried wainman gambler 5,7?

I have not tried the gambler. The Skater has inserts for straps, and it will definitely work with straps...it is just such a nice board for strapless.

If you do ride it with straps, I would put the front strap a little more towards the back on the insert holes. I've found that riding the board, I keep on moving my front foot a little back of the center of the board. My backfoot usually is right on top of the back fins unless I try for my lame strapless jumps. Also if I want to slide out the tail, I put my back foot a little further back.

It is a killer board for sure. Will ride head high waves fine...it begs to be ridden pretty tight on the wave.