Kiteboards: Flat Vs Rocker - Versus Ep09 - MACkiteboarding.com
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- This week, we’re going to break down the difference between flat boards and rockered kiteboards.
If you're looking at picking up a new kiteboard or even your first kiteboard, you’ve probably noticed there are a lot of options out there and every board seems to have some sort of advantage over the others. One of the main points to consider when picking a board is how much rocker does it have.
So when I’m referring to rocker line it’s simply how rounded out the bottom of the board is from nose to tail. For you wakeboarders out there, in case you're wondering, Kiteboards only come in continuous rocker.
Being a sailing vessel, where you are resisting the pull of the kite, rather than riding nose forward at a boat. Kiteboards, even the high rocker boards tend to be flatter than your average wakeboard. We have no use for a three stage rocker as we’re not jumping wake.
So, what does rocker do, Why would you want it? What are the benefits of opting for a flat board vs a rockered board?
Let’s start with flat boards. So in kiteboarding, speed is the name of the game. Really, everything related to tricks and jumping comes down to board speed. Even when using a pull and go kite that does most of the work for you, if you have good speed, your going to get more air and more pop. Typically, the flatter the board, the more speed you can generate. Now there are other factors like how stiff or flexible the board is and we’ll cover that in next week's video regarding construction materials. But to give you perspective, the stiffer the board, the more pop you are going to get and the harder the landings.
So what are the trade offs for opting for a flatter board? Well, to start the landings can be a bit rougher and while they might pop better in the chop, you’re going to feel everything a whole lot more. This is why you often see performance freestyle boards that are extremely stiff and extremely flat, They are built for maximum pop, maximum upwind ability and not much else. I recommend opting for something between all out performance and a softer ride.
So on the other end of the spectrum, we have rockered boards. Now these are characterized by slower speeds, less pop and softer landings. And for this reason, like I mentioned in last weeks video if you’re going for a rockered board, opt for a couple cm bigger than you normally ride. You’ll be glad that you did.
Now, you’re probably thinking wow, rockered boards don’t sound that much fun and you would be wrong. While they don’t have as much pop as their flatter counterparts, they are much more playful in the water. Often they have a faster turning radius and they feel so much better riding in the chop or landing powered.
For this reason you see riders who opt for boots usually are riding a more rockered board. This is to keep the board on their feet and to soften the impacts. Also wakeboarders who want one board for the cable park and kiteboarding often opt for boards like this. The slingshot refraction or the cabrinha CBL work great in both sports granted if you were to ask me, I would tell you to have a board for kiteboarding and a separate board for wakeboarding. Use the right tools for the job.
So what’s the takeaway here? Well, for most people, I would recommend opting for a board in the middle of the road. No need to go for the flattest board out there or the most rockered one either. On the other hand, if you are after maximum performance, opt for a performance board, if you want to mimic wakeboarding, go for a rockered board. Like I always say, at the end of the day it’s all about having fun so pick a board that suits your needs or give us a call and we can walk you through it.
Next week, we’ll break down construction materials
Special thanks to Angel & Yuckite for the extra footage
yuckite.com/home/
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I learned more from your 2 videos about size and rocker than all others be shop owners or company website over my years of kiting.
I hope you realize how many kiters you enlightened and influenced.
Keep up the good work.
That is awesome Serge. Thanks for sharing that my friend. You just made my day. -Rygo
After testing *many* boards I finally settled with a Shinn Ronson which is a mild rockerline board and is perfectly suited to my riding style which is about 20% unhooking, 30% hooked-in freestyle and 40% boosting as high as possible. I chose a 136x41, and might increase that a little next time it needs renewing, probably going for a 138x42, being in the 75-80kg range.
Thanks for these videos they're fun to watch!
Thanks for the comment. It sounds like you've found your flow. I've recently started to really enjoy hooked in free style myself. So much fun. Cheers! - Rygo
Of course. Its probably the best board that was ever made... for kick ass rider
what about the fins? Bigger fins will carv more.
I’m riding my 70+- kilos at PLKB Capital V2 137x42cm. Rocker is medium and stiffness is super high. She pops very easy and goes upwind very well so also suitable for freeride. The only condition she don’t like is irregular chop. Sometimes when I go to open sea I want more rocker and softer board. For flat or regular waves she is ideal.
Good video Rygo. Rode a buddies Slingshot Glide last week and was blown away at how much it helped in lightwind. I have a LF Overdrive and its a decent LW board. But the Glide was far superior in its upwind capability and low wind riding. I can ride my 12m Solo down to about 12 knots with the Glide. If I had to advise anyone wanting to ride in lightwind is to buy a dedicated LW board first. And DEMO, DEMO, DEMO. I've ridden the big door style boards and didn't love them. But lots of guys do. The Glide just fit me perfectly. Its longer and skinnier which is a bit different from most LW boards(wide AND long).
Michael Bradley cheers, thanks for the great comment! The Overdrive is one of my favorite boards we usually recommended to riders over 200 lbs as a regular board as it rides more like an normal twintip. You're correct the flatter larger boards are more efficient for pure light wind. The Overdrive a less efficient light wind board but is very fun to ride. - Rygo
Good videos dude. Seen a couple and quite thorough.
ste guez cheers! - Rygo
A small mistake - there are at least a few brands that make kiteboards with 3 stage rocker ;)
Tadas Rudnickas thanks for the comment. A few people have filled me in on this. Cheers! - Rygo
Yep .
Nice video! I’m 140lbs and have not found that perfect fit. I’m an ocean rider, lots of surf, currently on an old Naish Hero 145x 43. I rattle around on it on the surf, but do get upwind. I’ve been on a 150 OR Mako and has a tough time getting upwind. Someone told me it had just a little too much rocker for our choppy conditions. Honestly I don’t know. I’d love a recommendation. Could you also say something about the size of the board, why it might make a difference? Most of the women kiters I know are opting for larger than usual recommendations. Ex: 132-135 for my weight, but the most common size used is 140cm. Would love to hear your thoughts.
It would be useful to show a table of a few different brands and models of boards, with their rocker category. Not many retailers will give you a straight story of what is what
Great idea, Mike. 🤙🏽 Rocker is always so hard to compare from a distance. I'll add that to our list for future video content. -Aaron
Hi there, nice videos indeed and nice work thst u have Thst said quick question: a flat board will send me to the moon right but a rocker will make my landings softer... so for big air i need both that is why at the middle would be thr best ? But a big rocker will help me on hot landings right
Fabiano Santos A flat board will help with board speed. The more speed the higher you will go. The more rocker, the slower you go and the softer the landings. There are other variables like the stiffness or how well the board tracks. Nothing is a deal breaker. Find something comfortable and fun. Something in between is a great way to go! - Rygo
Nice video! What would be the best characteristics for a twintip intended to race in choppy waters, knowing that it gets faster the more it gets flat and stiff, but, at the same time, excessive flatness negatively affects performance in choppy conditions?
Joao Guilherme Great question. Every twin tip is going to have different deign, construction and features with different benefits. I'm not sure I fully understand your question. Are you looking to race with a twin tip? Or are you looking for the best performance all around? A good example of a high end board that does well in chop would be the North Jaime Textreme. It's light, flat & stiff yet it gets softer in the tip and the tail and that helps soften up the beating you would take from the chop. Another example of a board taking a different route would be the Cabrinha Tronic. This board is shaped to be playful in the chop and waves. You would want to size up a little though, as the shape compromises upwind ability. Does this help? - Rygo
In regards to flat boards and chop, the boards perform great. You just feel everything more.
Ok Rygo! Thats exactly my question. You made an example of a board the mixes flat and stiff features with some adaptations at the tips to improve riding in chops. Thats what I'm looking for.Thank you for your answer!
Never Heard you talk about Core Kites. Could you?!
We don't cary Core so I don't have many opportunities to test them. About 2 years ago, a friend who rides for core had some demos and I tried the line up. I thought they were high quality and I was impressed. That said, I certainly haven't put in them time on that brand to have any insights that would be helpful. Cheers! - Rygo
We don't cary Core so I don't have many opportunities to test them. About 2 years ago, a friend who rides for core had some demos and I tried the line up. I thought they were high quality and I was impressed. That said, I certainly haven't put in them time on that brand to have any insights that would be helpful. Cheers! - Rygo
MACkiteboarding thanks! Waiting for next video!
So you say that Boards with a lot of Rocker have less Pop? Sure? I thought Wakestyle-Boards are known for its insane pop?
I understand that freestyle boards should be stiff and flat, then they'll be fast and poppy which will make them jump over the moon. What I don't understand is that wakestyle boards have high rocker.. Why would you want a slower, less upwind focussed board, that'll only perform better on hard landings? In this trade off, I'd always go for a flat or medium rocker board.. Also, I think that a flat board pops better?
Maybe my interpretation on what exactly is freestyle (I think: old school tricks, jumping high, board off's) and what is wakestyle (unhooked new school, technical stuff, handle passes, what you see on the World Kiteboarding League) is off.. Maybe high rocker boards perform better on obstacles as kickers and sliders? (how many kiters have ever gone over a kicker/slider?? I've never even seen one, in the Netherlands..)
Might be nice to a video with a discussion on what you think is freestyle and what is wakestyle...
Bastiaan that will be a fun video that I can do very soon. Keep an eye out for it in the next month. Thanks for the epic idea! - Rygo
yes I don't understand the comment about wakestyle board having higher rocker, like slingshot refraction is pretty flat so other like CBL will have more rocker
Have you ever had a heavy unhooked landing on a flat carbon board like the North select? OMG my knees! Rockered boards make the same landing feel like youre on a cloud. Also i think mine gives me a more carvy pop rather than a snappy pop of a flatter board. I've hit rails before on a rockered board in boots and it 'feels' like it makes you less likely to catch an edge on landing - but just my experience
Also Rygo im about 90Kg and I like a big board. What is the biggest board for wakestyle size wise you know of? Width is very important as I've size 12 feet and my boots tend catch the water no matter how far toeside I mount them if the board is less than 42cm wide. Currently have a best profanity 142 x42. ta
With flat rocker you get much more water spraying in your face with flat rocker if you ride choppy water and popping with rockered board is much more like "carved scoop" instead of a short and snappy pop - just like kiterJ said (y) Also, if you want to use an incoming wave like a kicker, then a rockered board helps a lot ;)
slingshot refraction 2017 for cable and kitesurf
John Doe that's a good idea. I have a friend who did that for the season. Check out the slingshot whip. I'm pretty sure the refraction is based off that board. Anyway, it's a fun board I would use it for both as I usually ride a board with more rocker.
I’m 60 kg and just got 136 Cabrinha custom. Should I have bought bigger size? Cuz it’s got more rocker?
peruperu 0516 that will be a great size for your weight. What size kites do you have? Nice choice, we ride the same board. - Rygo
MACkiteboarding thanks! I only have 8m right now.
Ace 134 booted up is magic I’m 13 and 45kg
I’m 13 and I’m 45kg I use a 134
Where exactly were you riding in Yucatán
Progreso, are you familiar Jon?
-Rygo
MACkiteboarding not familiar, but always looking for spots
I really enjoyed it. We'll be doing a spot guide on it later this spring. That said, you can learn more about the spot here. yuckite.com/home/
The kiteboarding is good, It's laid back but with no shortage of outdoor activities. - Rygo
MACkiteboarding Thanks so much. Looks wonderful
MACkiteboarding Sorry. One more question. We’ve found that bringing our own equipment has gotten pricey. Do you bring your own boards and kites?
Whaaaaaat?
High wake style forgiven ?
Lol easy on the knees, ?
Nope 🙅🏻it
This video is really old so I’m not sure what you are referring to? 😛 if I recall, I probably said something along the lines of wakestyle boards are easy on the knees because high rocker boards have softer landings. 147 is so soft 🤙🏻 - Rygo
Unless your playing in the park. Rockerd board is useless..actually its a fad more than anything