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The Designer

DK has been designing and riding kiteboards since 2000.  When getting into the sport he imagined riding a board similar to a wake board, rather than the 2m+ long directionals that were common.  He found his wakeboard did not work optimally and believed he knew how to make it work better.  So naturally, thanks to an engineering background, he set out to build his own rocker table and board.

Designing started out as trial and error, which all helped to form a database of design factors in DK's head.  This has been supplemented by the sharing of knowledge with other board builders - proffesional and recreational - to create a good understanding of what makes a great feeling ride.

 

The design location

In 2001 Decay Kiteboards was born in Christchurch with it's glassy smooth to short chop estuary, onshore and occasionally cross-shore wave riding and open-water on the freshwater lakes an hour away.

  This proved a great development ground in the summer months - however in winter the riding was slim.  


In 2005 Decay Kiteboards shifted north to Ruakaka in the North of the North Island. 

A location that has every wind direction covered within 15 minutes drive of the workshop;  Open-water in the harbour, flat water behind the sand bars, tide assisted riding in the estuaries and wave riding with options of cross shore from left or right and onshore or off shore conditions. 

This means testing can be done in real world conditions - like where you ride!




The Board design

Everything that is created should not only look good, but also function well.  How something functions is always a matter of opinion that depends on your point of view.


When it comes to kiteboards your point of view will be deternmined by your height, weight, kite quiver, where you ride and what you are trying to achieve.

The factors that can be varied on a kiteboard and the way a board feels are limitless.


Some design factors to consider:

Length

 Based mainly on the riders height, but also affected by riding ability.

Width

 Determined by the riders weight and the expected wind range the board needs to cover.

Outline

 Summarised - a straight edge board gives better tracking and light wind performance, where as more curve in the edge will allow the board to carve freely and handle better in choppy water.

Rocker

 Lower rocker is better in light wind conditions and for upwind ability.  Higher rocker - to a point - makes for a smoother ride in choppy water and higher powered conditions.

Rail shape

 Low and sharp promotes clean water release for fast planing and good upwind ability.  Thicker more rounded rails soften the ride and are more suitable for high wind or wave boards.
 Custom vs Production

Production boards are generally made for the average shaped person with average ability in an average location.  This makes it good for the job if you fall into the right weight and height range.


The word "Custom" can refer to anything from only a special graphic, to a board that is designed and manufactured specifically for your height, weight, riding location, ability, aims, kite quiver and graphic. 


It does not matter if you do not know what is right for you - you can speak to DK, try boards and together you can come up with a design that works,  normally at no extra cost.