Extreme Kites Kiteboarding

Have any of you tried both the Spleene Rip 137 HT and the Flyradical L?

I tried the 2009 Rip 137 HT but I am curious how the concave on the Flyradical feels compared to the channels on the Rip.

The boards are both light weight but they went different directions on the shape of the base.

Hey nwkiter!
Did you get anywhere with your query and what are your thoughts on riding the RIPHT 137?? I'm interested in the same comparison before I test ride, just wondering what to look out for.

Cheers
Karlos

call the shop and talk to Daryl. He has ridden the RIP.

Karlos

I hope this helps.

I tried the Rip 137 and the Flyradical M which I believe is 134 x 39.5. I didn’t have a chance to try the Flyradical L which would have been a better comparison for sizes.

I was looking for a board to use in light winds that wasn’t too heavy, fast with at least a slightly skatey feel and something that would be fun in small waves.

The most important thing I wanted was for the board to move when my kite pulled me instead of feeling like it was dragging a net behind. I kite mostly in 10-14 knots. I think in that low of wind range the ability of the board to be quick to plane is important.

The Rip 137 is really light. It jumps to a plane very quickly no draggy feeling at all. I tried several other light wind boards in this size range but the Rip 137 was by far the most fun for me and for what I wanted out of a board in this size range. The 137 has a skatey feel that some might not appreciate. It doesn’t have a concave base. It has something like rails near the edges. I’m not sure what they call it.

Everybody has their preferences. I’d say try as many boards as possible but put the 137 in the mix. Give it a 20 minute demo at least. Some people have a hard time getting used to how skatey it feels. Pressure your heel a little harder than you would with a concave base board and it will grip just fine. When you get used to it, you will not need to pressure the heel side anymore than a concave base board. The Rip goes upwind very well.

The Rip 137 isn’t really stiff but it’s just about right for me at around 178 lbs.

A few differences between the Rip 137 and the Flyradical M are:
The Rip is way lighter.
The Flyradical is stiffer and seems flatter.
The Flyradical feels smoother.
The Rip feels more skatey.

Hi, am a beginner in kiteboarding, but would hope to be able to progress on to unhooked and wakestyle soon.

I'm going to be purchasing my gear soon, for these conditions:

sub 10 knots average on low wind days
75 kg

I'm getting myself either a 15m or 19m Flysurfer Speed3 Deluxe, due to the light winds we have.

Now I'm at a point where I have to decide to get a 2009 Flyradical L or a 2009 HT-RIP 139.

Based on the above, what is best?
-sub 10 knots
-FS Speed3 Deluxe 15m/19m
-wakestyle enthusiast

From the above post, it says that the HT-RIP is "way lighter", this should be very good for my config, no? How would you guys advice? Thanks!

sub 10 knots??? If so, then the answer is stick to the boat and go wakeboarding. You won't be kiting in sub 10 knots. The only chance would be if you were at some sort of inlet with current running strong against the wind....even then, it wouldn't be that much fun.... also, check out some inflatable kites...especially if you are going to be doing wakeboard style tricks...you want your stuff to float and get out of the water really easy..