BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Any advice/opinion out there on the two boards? - i'm ~215 kiting in So Cal and am looking for a lightwind board.
thanks

MG

The Glide will definately get you out in lighter winds than the WLF. The WLF on the otherhand will perform better in higher winds and has pop rather than flex... The Glide has flex, which allows you to bend in rocker when you need it, but won't have the pop of the WLF... That said, I can do raileys on a Glide in winds that I couldn't even ride the WLF...

Ps... I have been out in 20mph+ on the Glide and had a great time....

I know that Marin just bought a Glide... maybe he will have some feedback

I would only compare the Glide to the Underground FLX 152x45 or the latest version of the FLX 2006-7 152x44cm. The new FLX 152x44 has a particularly flat rocker which makes it the killer light wind board (better than anything else)

Oh yeah - I forgot:

last year's FLX $625.
The latest version 2006-2007 - $688!

Hey Andy,

I have a WLF and am trying to decide if a glide is worth it. How much lower does a glide get you than a WLF?

I'd say 4-5 mph less.... For example if it takes you 15 mph to get going on the WLF or similar board (on a 12m), you could probably get going in 10-11... maybe even less if the water is flat...

The Glide makes the biggest difference with bigger guys who are able to bend in the rocker when needed.... and can appreciate that getting 180lbs+ going in light wind is difficult...

I would say save your money and make a glide. Just buy foot pads, grab handle and fins and wood and varnish for about 150. You can get all the demensions from slingshot. Super easy. Mine is just about dry at this point.

Pipe,

I'd be curious to try yours out when you have it ready. I am in total support of home brewed gear, but the problem I have heard from the wood ones is that to be strong enough, they lose flex and are heavy, and to have flex and be light, they break easily.

No problem. I have my first prototype about ready but I am not sure it is long enough. I may be recutting another one that is longer. I tried a homemade one yesterday that worked really well made out of pine but it needed sidecut because the tip would dig into the water but it worked quite well. Pretty amaizing and light.

P.S. I got the idea after demoing your Glide Andy. I just thought it would be fun to try and make one out of old parts.