There are many benefits to a big twintip kiteboard. Are they the most fun board to ride? Not necessarily, but they do allow you to ride when you otherwise couldn’t ride. If you’re new to kiteboarding then chances are your kite control is still developing. A big twintip kiteboard provides many benefits to new kiteboarders.
Benefits of a Big TwinTip Kiteboard for New Riders
Every new rider should own a big twintip kiteboard. There are economic reasons and practical reasons. When you’re new there are simple mistakes you make with the kite like not holding the proper amount of power to ride. A big twintip board provides the rider with a greater margin of error to make mistakes. For example, the rider can commit to a smaller powerstroke on a waterstart and a big twintip board will provide the surface area to ride. Another example is while riding, the rider may push out too much on the control bar. In this situation on a small board, the rider will most likely sink. A big twintip will allow the rider more time to make the adjustment in the bar.
A big twintip kiteboard is less expensive than a big kite. Kiteboarders can increase their wind range by investing in a big twintip kiteboard. For example, a 12m kite and a 140cm board may get a 160lb rider kiteboarding in 13 kts. A 160cm board can get that rider kiteboarding in as little as 9 kts with the same sized kite.
A big twintip kiteboard makes it possible to ride with a smaller kite. Using a smaller kite is safer for new riders than being overpowered on a big kite and a small board. A smaller kite is easier to control and manage. This has been our theory for teaching and over the years we’ve had fantastic results. Riders also feel more comfortable with a slightly smaller kite and larger board for learning.
Benefits of a Big TwinTip Kiteboard for More Advanced Riders
Can you do tricks on a big kiteboard? It may not be as easy as with a smaller kiteboard but yes. It is possible to do a variation of different tricks from a beginner to advanced level of riding. Sometimes the wind is not as strong as the forecast calls for and rather than 13 kts, it’s blowing 10 kts. A 140cm board may not be big enough to stay upwind, but a 160cm will work. A big twintip will also help a kiteboarder develop more speed in less wind. This creates more apparent wind, which makes it possible to jump higher and easier with a big board in lightwinds.
Lightwinds are safer for learning new tricks. It’s a lot more difficult to hurt yourself in 10 kts of wind than 20 kts. A big board may be more difficult to rotate than a small board. The big board presents the opportunity to kiteboard in less wind, which is more forgiving.
