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my new rule with these boards is, if my 11m can stay in the air, i can go upwind. sure, riding a finless strapless tiny skimboard is challenging, but it's fun too. there are tons of tricks you can do, from Oles to Ollies to shuvits and surface passes...
if your knees hurt from riding that twintip, give these a shot. it's such a relaxing ride. you just stand on it and it goes upwind. no hard edging or pounding over the chop.
I just got the fish on Friday and it's really cool. enough rocker for chop and waves, but really flat for light wind. Ollies are a barrel of fun and jibes are stupid easy. super wide tail, and small 2" fins...built like a twintip (so basically indestructible as directionals are concerned)
anyway....i'm just really stoked about the lightwind potential out there, and thought you guys should check it out!
believe it or not, these boards are almost totally sold out, but i just found out that there are a few left at a shop up in the gorge (hence this post), so if you want one (and you really do), give the guys at 2nd wind a call http://2ndwind-sports.com/
anyway, here is a review from the folks at bellingham kiteboarding (copied from http://pskite.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5557):
I'd like to introduce the two latest boards from Liquid Force that I think will change lightwind kiteboarding.
What follows is a review of the Kitefish ( $349) and the TwinSkim ($299)
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Kite Fish Review
I am very very excited about the New Liquid Force Kite Fish, and was excited the first time I saw a preproduction version at the LaVentana Kite Expo early this year.
This kite specific wake surfer comes complete with fins, footstraps, and a deckpad for just $349.99. This is about half the cost of all other directional boards on the market, and will work better in most applications. Here is why....
The Kitefish is the perfect board for anyone thinking about getting into a directional because it is easy to ride, and easy to learn to jibe on. The width of this board is ample, and so learning how to get in and out of the footsraps is easier than almost any other board I have tried.
Another cool thing about this board, is that it can be ridden BACKWARDS. As the ideal beginner directional, being able to chicken jibe and get out of the way of a crashing wave is going to be something that almost all other directionals can not do. Sure, it doesn't ride as well going backwards as forwards, but it is able to get you out of a situation quickly without having to jibe or switch toe side. Actually, it goes upwind quite well while riding it backwards, which was a pleasant surprise.
For those you want to work on strapless riding, the straps come off in about 1 min with a screwdriver and you now have a fun toy to play with. This board ollies and spins like a skimboard. Even I have been working on shove-its, and I have only been riding it for a week. The deckpad is great with or without booties, and offers padding if you happen to come down on your board after a missed strapless landing. Super fun, and super versatile. If skim is your style, be sure to checkout the LF Twinskim as well.
The other great characteristic of this board is its lightwind ability. I know many people who have bought a surfboard because of the perceived light wind ability, just to be disappointed to find their twintip has the same or better light wind performance. This is because lightwind ability is totally dependent on the rocker line. Too much rocker kills light wind performance. The KiteFish is made with a minimal amount of rocker with a flip in the nose to help deal with chop. This gives the board a very good low end that will rival some of the traditional lightwind boards for light wind performance. As a plus, the fins are small and efficient, which means that you can ride this board in water only inches deep. Try that with a normal directional and you'll end up breaking your fin, or possibly your face:).
At this price, I think this board is going to be revolutionary. In our first week having this board, just about everyone who tried it, bought one. People who had bought normal surf boards or surf style directional kiteboards are selling their used boards for more than this board costs, and switching over because it suits their style more.
Unless you are frequently riding huge waves in a surf environment, and are already skilled at using a directional board, this is the board for you.
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TwinSkim Review
About a week ago, I was at our shallow water riding spot, and saw Gregg Tekko, the NW Liquid Force Rep cruising along in 1" of water, while I had trouble getting up on my normal twintip.
I knew what he was on, but couldn't believe how powered he was riding, since I was on the exact same time with a twintip. Of course I asked if I could try, and was soon skimming around on the Liquid Force Twinskim.
First, I was super surpised at how well it rode. I have tried other skims before, but none were able to go upwind as easy as this one. Visually it appears small, but it has the lightwind performance that will match or exceed any other lightwind board I have tried. Plus it can cruise in a half inch of water, which is important at my favorite riding spot.
Why is it called the TwinSkim? Well, it is bi-directional, however each of the tips is a little difference, giving you the option of what tail you'd like to use. Use the blunt tip as your tail for doing ollies, and use the more pointed tip for better steering and carving. For each tack, you have choice in how you want to ride it. The subtle difference won't be noticed in casual riding, however when you get to advanced skimming, it will make all the difference in the world.
One of the best things I have found about the twinskim is how it makes riding in lightwinds a blast. Surface passes can be as slow or fast as you want them to be, and learning new skim tricks like a shove-it give light wind riding some more appeal. Nobody is going to jump huge in 10kts of wind, so why try to ride on a board that is designed for loading and popping? Try a twinskim and get out there and push youself instead of mowing the lawn.
Attractively priced at $299 complete with a deck pad, this board deserves a spot in your board quiver. Pair it with your normal twintip, and switch off when the windspeed changes. If the wind completely drops off, you'll still have your skim to play with.
If you are having trouble deciding which one is best for you, do what I did... GET THEM BOTH! It will essentially cost you the same price as buying almost any other lightwind board on the market, and you'll have twice as much fun with two boards!
