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1. •  
     CommentAuthorhowea
   • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2010

    
   Hi all,
   
   I'm keen to get a board that you can surf (without kite) and kitesurf, like the one board fits all travel quiver.
   
   I'd be keen to get your views.
   
   I'm 85Kg's, 6'0, been surfing for all my life (39yrs), been kiting for 5-6 yrs, standard all rounder is a fiberglass 6'0 x 18' 3/4 x 2'5/16, surf/kitesurf.
   
   Questions are:
   
   Will the 5'11 Firewire be to small for me (for surfing)?
   Will the 6'2 & 6'0 quad be to buoyant fo kiting?
   
   I mostly ride reef breaks (kite and surf) at home but when I'm traveling, I'll ride anything.
   
   I'd demo one if I could, but I'm stuck on an Island and its not an option, please help before I fork out $$$ on something that may not work for me!
2. •  
     CommentAuthornofootbelts
   • CommentTimeFeb 9th 2010

    
   I would go with the 6'0" quad. It is what I ride 90% of the time strapless kiting. It has a lot of float, but is VERY loose and snappy off the top. It is so far my favorite board in the new FW quiver. I am 6'4" 215 lbs and it floats me easy...and I can surf on it as well.
   
   I typically ride reefs and beachbreaks as well.
   
   Enjoy.
3. •  
     CommentAuthorhowea
   • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2010

    
   Thanks for that.
   
   I typically ride in 15-25 knots.
   
   I noticed your comments in another post, saying that once the wind and waves get over a certian height and strength the 6'0 tail want's to slide out and thats when you want a thruster, say the 6'2.
   
   Do you still think thats the case?
   
   Should I just get the 5'11 for kiting and use my normal board for surfing, or will the 6'2 be the one for both?
   
   Thanks for all you knowledge, its exactly what I'm after. Be great to hear what Felix thinks.
4. •  
     CommentAuthornofootbelts
   • CommentTimeFeb 10th 2010

    
   Ask anything you need. You are right on the tail sliding out. I live in a light wind area, thus the quad works great for these conditions. I still ride the quad in heavier conditions, but will switch to a thruster setup when I am too powered. The tail likes to lock in a bottom turn when you throw your kite across the window to hit the lip.
   
   6 2 has mroe float, but is still a narrow board and works well powered. 5 11 is a little skateboard on the water. It is really a tough call. Maybe Felix can zero in on this topic.
   
   If you like a snapier and VERY responsive board, go with the 5 11. If you still want a loose and snapy board but a baord that works well in light wind, get the quad. 6 2 I haven't ridden too much to justify the best conditions.
   
   for 15-25 though...I would say the quad. If it hits upper 20's and low 30's, 5 11 for sure. GET THE QUIVER! :)
5. •  
     CommentAuthorfelix
   • CommentTimeFeb 14th 2010

    
   admin
   Howea,
   If you want a travel board for surfing and kiting and you ride in 15-25 knots you can either go for the quad or 6'2'' depending on the feel you like from a board.
   The 6'2'' is a step up from the 5'1'1'' it has a really crazy top turn with a real fast feel.
   Its has ample volume for some your size to paddle surf.
   Hope this helps a little.
   Felix
6. •  
     CommentAuthorhowea
   • CommentTimeFeb 15th 2010

    
   Thanks Felix, great to hear from you.
   
   A friend of mine has the standard Firewire 6'0 quad surfboard with similar dimentions to the kiteboards so I went and checked it out yesterday. I reckon its the board for me. Still plenty of volume to surf on yet small enough to kite.
   
   I'm going to see if Nev and the boys at the Aussie HQ will do a bonzer (5 fin for me), I don't know if this is possible, but it would be great to have the option of a thruster when surfing, we'll see?
   
   Thanks for all your tips, I'm frothing on getting one now.
   
   Cheers.
7. •  
     CommentAuthorfelix
   • CommentTimeFeb 15th 2010

    
   admin
   I think it really depends on the feel you want when you ride.
   Both 6'2'' or quad will work.
   Just depends if you like the quad feel or thruster.
   Both great boards.
   Felix
8. •  
     CommentAuthorhowea
   • CommentTimeFeb 15th 2010

    
   OK,
   
   All my boards are thrusters, I'm riding mostly reef breaks.
   Is the 6'2 really bouyant compared to the 6'0 quad?
   
   I'm thinking for the conditions I ride in (steep, punchy waves), the thrusters going to hold into the face a lot more than the quad when kiting and cranking off the top.
   
   Hopefully I'm narrowing it down, if I could afford both at the moment I'd do it, but for the time being it's one now and one at the end of the year.
   
   Am I on the right track?
9. •  
     CommentAuthorfelix
   • CommentTimeFeb 15th 2010

    
   admin
   For sure you are on the right track.
   Spot on.
   
   I would go 6'2'' if you have suckie bowls to smash
   Hope it helps
   Felix
   Just got this from a friend of mine in a mail
   
   "
   For me the 602 has been a sweet lighter wind option and a great all rounder in all wave sizes. It has helped my switch strapless riding heaps as the bottom turn is so reliable and the top turn is a solid. When it gets a bit windier the 511 is even better, it is so loose and fast and my favorite"
10. •  
      CommentAuthorhowea
    • CommentTimeFeb 15th 2010

     
    Good-on-you Felix, legend.
    
    I'll get the 6'2, reckon I can't go wrong with that.
    Then I'll check my options later on in the year, hopefully I'll have the whole quiver by the end of it, Ha!
    
    Thanks for all your help guys, much appreciated.
    
    I'll post a review after a few sessions on it, I'm heading to NZ in April, so I'll post around then.
11. •  
      CommentAuthorDLT
    • CommentTimeFeb 18th 2010

     
    I am looking to buy a board that I can use both for surfing and kitesurfing. I am an intermediate surfer and advanced kiter, 1.75 mtrs tall, about 70 Kg (150 lbs) and now have a 6' 1'' surfboard and a 5' 5'' kitesurfboard. I want to go smaller on the surfboard and bigger on the kitesurf board. I ride with straps now but want to start riding strapless. The conditions I mostly ride in are 3 to 6 ft waves with onshore wind. I normally use a 10 sq. m. kite for anything between 13 to 20 knots but could go smaller if the board is bigger. Point and beach breaks for surfing, mostly beach breaks for kiting. My questions:
    
    1. Are the kitesurfing boards good for surfing vs the regular surfing boards, are they much heavier because of the strap inserts, are the shapes a bit different?
    
    2. What size do you recommend for the surf/kite board?
    
    3. Is it possible to have the board shipped with straps and what kind would they be?
    
    Thanks!
12. •  
      CommentAuthoriggy
    • CommentTimeFeb 18th 2010

     
    The KQF600S is the board to go,very maneuverable, an all rounder from the kite lineup,a very polivalent board
13. •  
      CommentAuthorDLT
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2010

     
    Iggy, thanks for your answer. Are the kitesurfing boards good for surfing vs the regular surfing boards, are they much heavier because of the strap inserts, are the shapes a bit different? Is it possible to have the board shipped with straps and what kind would they be?
14. •  
      CommentAuthoriggy
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2010

     
    Hey DLT,just for reference I'm 165cms and 80kgs.I have the KQF600S and since everything uphere is frozen (I live in Montreal,Canada) I haven't had the chance to kite the board yet.I have tried the board on solid 4-6ft waves and the board surfs incredibly.Very responsive and loose,this board with the proper set fins allows you to draw tight arcs..this board is very good for surf and extremely good for kiting!!!
    As far as construciton goes,it's exactely the same design as the regular surfboard but beefed up to withstand the abuse from kiting.
    The whole idea is if you're going to surf a wave???why reinvent the wheel???the only variable added is the traction provided bu the kite but essentuially when you're carving the wave or doing snaps etc the kite is just sitting there and yuo're basically surfing.
    As far as the straps goes I think firewire don't provide straps with their boards to decrease price and to allow you to "customize" it.Foot straps are a delicate thing,it's like shoes for women,some have wider foot than others so in order for you not to get suck with something you might not use.they rather not charge you that money so you can get one you're used to
    As far as weight goes the are a bit heavier but honestly is barely noticeable.
    You'll have a blast surfing this board with or without a kite
    As far as fins goes...well that's another story,so many choices and combinations to choose from...the ones I have and like are: SF4,H2 medium,and now I have just bought the Goods that I'm eager to try in combination with the back SF4
15. •  
      CommentAuthorDLT
    • CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2010

     
    Ok, thanks for the feedback. Another question. What about footpads? I like to surf and kitesurf with a footpad on the back of the board as I am sure most of you do as well. If I want to kite with straps, I assume I have to customize the footpad (make some holes in it basically) in order to insert the screws? How much depth do the board inserts have? I guess the screw size I'll have to get will depend on the thickness of my footstraps and my footpad and the depth of the insert. Any recommendations on screw type, length and width (would not want to perforate the board). HAs anyone tried DaKine footstraps on their boards by any chance?
    
    Cheers.
16. •  
      CommentAuthorhyper1
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010

     
    DLT,
    
    I just got the 5'11 and plan to use it strapped most of the time. I ordered the Surf Pad System from NSI. Then I just drilled it out where the FW inserts are located. Works perfect. Much thicker and better quality than regular surfboard traction. Plus, you can also get heel dent protectors in the traction. Not cheap pads, but worth it IMO. Have seen a lot of other kite surfboards delam right under the front heelside foot. Then I used the new Dakine Surf footstraps (very, very nice). Used 1.25" self tapping stainless screws and they worked well, but definitely measure yourself to verify. Hope this helps. Full 5'11 board review coming soon.
    
    Scott
17. •  
      CommentAuthorDLT
    • CommentTimeFeb 24th 2010

     
    Scott, thanks for your answer. I checked out the NSI page. The Surf Pad System looks good if you plan to use the board for kiting only. I want to use the board for surfing as well and don´t like to surf with front pads as I think they add unneeded weight (and they don´t look good IMO). I checked out the DaKine web page and might end up just getting a normal deckpad for the back foot and the Boost Deckpad for the front one. It seems to offer a lot of protection (you are right, I have had the delam problem under the front foot heel) and apparently it is designed to be used with or without glue so if I need to take the whole thing off for surfing, I can. Which straps did you get, the X-lace Wave footstraps?
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Dirk
18. •  
      CommentAuthorhyper1
    • CommentTimeFeb 25th 2010

     
    Dirk,
    
    I got the X-Lace footstraps, very nice and easily adjustable. I hear ya, the NSI pads will most likely be too thick and heavy for surfing use. I would not want to paddle with the front pad on. WAY too thick and bulky.
    
    I have separate surfboards, so I use this FW for kiting only. If you are looking for a good deal on traction pads, I just bought a OAM front and back pad for another board for $9.99 each on www.surfersurplus.com. Ask them to combine shipping and you can get the set for $30.00 with shipping! The front pad I got is pretty thin and you could definitely surf with it. It is actually made for surfing, not kiting. I agree though, front pads look kind of lame on surfboards. Hope this helps you out.
    
    Scott