1st directional board

[peter19ue]

So I am interested in purchasing my first directional board. I am just getting comfortable on a twin tip and want to pick up a directional board. They are having close out sales on 2014 Slingshot Tyrant and T Rex boards and also Jimmy Lewis Shack boards. Any suggestions as to which board would be better for a first directional that will be used at Sherman and 3rd. Thanks for any input

I just found out that they are blowing the t rex out for $349 so that may be the way to go since it's so much less expensive than the other boards

[jjm]

Board choice is a very personal thing.

For a first board and focusing on Sherman/3rd that $350 T-Rex sounds good to get you going, learn gybing etc. After awhile you'll have a better feeling for the characteristics of the board and what does/doesn't work for you. I still have my first directional and rode (and damaged :( ) it this weekend. It isn't exactly what I want in a board but it served me well.

Just make sure you get an appropriately sized board (factoring in cut-off noses, etc).

I think I'd steer away from the Tyrant for Sherman/3rd from what I remember of the board. I demoed a T-Rex or the current Screamer and it wasn't really my thing but I have friends who are stoked on them.

See if you could borrow any directional board from a friend and get general feel for water starts, riding, carving and gybing and then maybe demo a few different boards where you want to ride them. I'd be willing to loan you one of mine if I'm at Sherman.

The Axis New Wave and LIghtwave DV8 are generally available for demo out at Sherman (L2K trailer or contact Lightwave Dave), maybe add them to your list to check out?

[etxxz]

WIDTH for stability will facilitate learning maneuvers. I'd even consider actual surfboards with fish'ish / full shapes if strapless if what you're going for - which are a dime a dozen on craigslist. Buy used, sell it when you've over it for just as much ; | Once you get your feet dialed in buy a narrower board.

At ~18.xx" wide, that T-Rex will be a handful to learn on. Demo / borrow something similar if you can.

My friend bought a 6' Slingshot Dialer. Its 20.5" wide. Eeeeasy to walk all over it, switch stance etc. Its still plenty playful to edge rail to rail and not have drive it over the fins.

....also depends on your experience surfing and how athletically gifted you are. Man we're all different. That's my 0.02.


edit: who's having the sale, i'm looking for boards right now : )

[peter19ue]

Thanks for the reply. Maybe it's best to stick with the twin tip until I can demo or borrow a board at some time. Don't want to end up with a board that I'll be struggling on. Thanks for the offer Jim. Mac kiteboarding is selling the Trex for $349.

[Yoda]

The Axis New Wave and LIghtwave DV8 are generally available for demo out at Sherman (L2K trailer or contact Lightwave Dave), maybe add them to your list to check out?

+1
I learned on an older version of the NuWave called the Underground FreeWave. The NuWave and the DV8 are both perfect for learning on due to their unique design. They have a recessed deck that offers amazing stability over a traditional surfboard. Both boards are on the the wider side too (18.5"+) which is ideal for learning to jibe. They also flex unlike a traditional surfboard which makes them smoother in the chop (Sherman & 3rd) and adds to their stability when learning.
Smaller to average sized person = NuWave 5'4 (quad) or DV8 5'7 (thruster)
Above average size = NuWave 5'8 or DV8 6'1 (both thrusters)
Note: The NuWave has a cut off/rounded nose, so it's sizing is almost identical to the DV8 when taken into account.

[peter19ue]

I am 6'1 and 175-180lbs. Would that be smaller to average or above average?

[Aloha]

As mentioned - I think volume matters most for the feet switch learning curve. Once you understand how to use the kite to unweight yourself and switch feet you can literally ride a wooden plank.

My advice is get something highest volume you can, used - and then once you're dialed start demo'ing before you select something a bit more permanent that you feel fits your style

[Xor]

Afair Chris from Kitenaked was blowing out 2014 Shinn Shinnster at 275$ it is unbelievable good first directional, which is what I learned on and will not sell, while I'm looking for fun bigger wave board at the moment, paipo (shinnster is paipo from BRM but made in EU) will stay as lightwind and up to chest high board.

And no, with enough surface you do not need volume with kite. But traditional shape surfboard in small volume would be difficult to master.

[sflinux]

The BRM Shinnster is a nice board. I'd visit your local surf shop as you can find good used surfboards. I'd lean towards boards in the 5'10" to 6'10"' range depending on your height (you can go shorter for a choptop/noseless board). Choose epoxy over polyester. Fish boards are great for learning to jibe. For me the beauty of a directional is riding strapless with a surf style. Skimboards are fun too. Hydrofoils are awesome as well.

[yojimbo]

I learned on the slingshot tyrant. It is wide where your front foot is, and is "floaty, both things you will need to make learning to ride a directional easier.

I also ride a firewire vanguard, the board that the t-rex is based on. if the t-rex is anything like the vanguard, I don't recommend it for learning to ride a directional.

So basically it's gonna be about learning how to gybe, and in order to do that you will need a big, stable platform on which to learn how to perfect your switch stance. The Tyrant has that, the t-rex
most likely doesn't. I still am working on my switch stance technique on my Vanguard, cause it's tippy up front-from side to side.

The other benefit of the Tyrant is that not only is the construction bomb proof, but you will never outgrow it . The board is designed for riding big waves, it is fast and tracks beautifully.

I have a 5'11" tyrant. I'm 6'0, 175 lbs.