Some directionals do, but I wouldn't say all... probably the best bet for you, would be the Underground Freewave board. It has flex like a TT, very durable, good low end, and works in the waves. But, I know they aren't cheap....

looks like the new ZONE don't exist, as in sold as soon as it's made. so my thinking has changed. i want a good, FAST diirectional for learning: to surf, gybe, toe side, general wave play. the largest 'production' board i've found is 6'0" but what i've read directs to to a 6''2 or 6'4. But I need a FAST board because of the kites i fly--changing kites is not an option.

So what happens when you dump one of those foils in the surf anyways? Seems like it would just be a game ender.

My thoughts would be to either go with the Caution 6'0 or an Underground. Jimmy has a 6'4" Underground and he seems pretty pleased with it.

nothing happens. it floats over the top . my chicken line broke a few weeks ago by the pier and i had to swim it in. it floated over then and had no water in it--after a 30 minute swim in.

The low end on the 5'5 caution is amazing...can't imagine what the 6'0 caution is like. I'd check that one out. I wouldn't pay so much attention to length of the board. The rocker is what is most important(for low end)...

Whats the rocker like (i.e. how much lift on the tail) on the smaller caution.

Reason I ask is just got a custom from another santa cruz shaper, stretch, and it has a much flatter tail rocker than any kitesurf board I have seen.

and even though it is a small board 5'8" by 17 wide and not much over 1" thick it really does work ok in without much kite power... it just continues to go fast and glide, and goes to windward well despite being small. I noticed it rides with it nose lower than my previous board which was a gk surf 5'8" which had much more tail rocker. the gk was easier to crank out a tighter turn though..but not nearly as smooth in longer fast carves

The caution is pretty flat under the tail as well. Sounds pretty similiar to te board you have. It just gets going really fast, cranks upwind, etc.. I think these guys have figured it out. Too many others make boards with normal surfboard rocker, and it doesn't work as well.

yes agree fully... the idea that kiteboard should have a surf board rocker probably not the way to go.

the flatter rocker rides so much nicer though chop than any of my older boards. they would ride on the tail with with the nose high and bounce pretty badly as all that board out of the water slaps against chop. The new one sits lower and cuts right through it

Here is what I like for a small board



its only 16.5" wide and 5"10. I have a 6.0 that is 18" - size is similar to a traditional competition shortboard for surfing and its a good light wind board but way to big when it gets to 20k.

I shaped this board and others. Long story short, the subject of rocker is complex and there are plenty of guys who make boards that do not even understand it. A kiteboard may have 2" of tail rocker the breaks from the mid point. It will be fast but a poor turing board (it will turn like a jon boat). you can have 2" of tail the breaks over the last 18" -- much like a traditional surfboard - it will turn very well, but may bog down and stall at the end of a turn. Find the guy who knows (shaper, not rider) and tell them what you want the board to do. Turst them to make a board that does that.

Cheers

Shiner