How to Choose a Kiteboard

Kiteboards may look like a wakeboard at first glance, but that is where the similarities stop. Kiteboards are designed specifically for the demands of kiteboarding and offer many technical advantages that make kiteboarding both easier and more fun! Kitty Hawk Kites has selected certain kiteboards only after testing hundreds of boards themselves to find the best possible selection of boards for you. We have the best selection of kiteboards online.

Step One - Plan your Quiver Before Buying
It is best to get two kiteboards, first one large kiteboard and then next a smaller board. This is way better than purchasing one mid sized kiteboard. Here is why.

Big kiteboards are way easier to learn on as you can use less kite power and you stay afloat longer so you can make mistakes with the kites placement without immediately sinking.

Big kiteboards allow you to go out in lighter winds so you will always need a large kiteboard for lighter summer winds. Larger kiteboards get you off the beach and in the water!

Two kiteboards will dramatically increase the wind range of your kite(s). Kiteboards are cheaper than kites and so therefore make a solid investment. Light wind & learnng = big board. High wind and jumping = small board.

Smaller boards are better for jumping, performing spins, inverts, rotations, and simply holding down more kite power.

Watch my video below on How to Choose a Kiteboard!





Beginners should get a larger kiteboard and a smaller kite.

125lbs to 150lbs - 134x41cm size kiteboard.

150lbs to 180lbs - 140x43cm size kiteboard.

180lbs to 210lbs - 142x45cm size kiteboard.

210lbs and up - 146x46cm size kiteboard.

Larger boards have more volume and can keep you from immediately sinking, this allows you to use a smaller kite, which is more manageable! Larger kiteboards are also necessary for low wind riding.

The best kiteboard for a beginner is the Placebo Kiteboards by RRD or the Crazy Fly All Around 145cm kiteboard. They are the best kiteboards for planning early and staying on top of the water even when making big mistakes with the kite placement.

The Placebo kiteboard comes ready to ride with the footpads, the footstaps, the fins, and a center handle for your convenience.



The Placebo Kiteboard is built with the same construction as boards almost twice this price, it is the best value on the market! The Placebo is shaped to plane early and enhance lower wind riding and riding with less kite power.

Smaller Kiteboards
Smaller kiteboards are specifically designed to allow you to hold down more kite power! This is not for the cruiser kiteboarder, but rather for the kiteboarder who is looking to jump as high as possible ride powered up! Smaller kiteboards are for higher wind riding and should be your second kiteboard purchase.

Our top pick for smaller kiteboard performance is the new Spartan Kiteboard by Epic Kites!

We also recommend the smaller Crazy Fly Raptor kiteboard.

One Kiteboard Quiver
If you must only have one kiteboard, you will want to compromise on the size, not too large, not too small. You will never get the performance and wind range coverage of a two kite quiver, but you will save some money!

Medium Sized Kitebards
Medium sized kiteboards are not quite as large as beginner kiteboards so it isn't as easy to learn.

Our top pick for a medium sized kiteboard is the Crazy Fly Allround Kiteboards.

We also stock a complete line of footpads and footstraps if you want to upgrade your equipment.

More questions?

Contact our pro, Chris Moore at 252-207-1639 or by email chris@4kiteboarding.comto guide you in your selection of the finest kiteboards available!