Wainman Gambler Analyze This Board Review
The Gambler features a very wide outline, double to single concave bottom with molded channels, and a single bump swallow tail. For a wide 5’10”, it’s a lightweight board.
The Gambler features a very wide outline, double to single concave bottom with molded channels, and a single bump swallow tail. For a wide 5’10”, it’s a lightweight board.
We continue to be impressed with the attention to detail on products from Wainman HI. Boards come with all hardware, a board bag, and even a screwdriver to put everything together.
Once up and riding, the F-One Trax is a fast board that feels light and responsive underfoot. As you edge harder, the Trax feels like it locks in and never gave us any signs that the edge was about to slip or chatter.
We tested the big boy of the 2011 Litewave Wings, the 161. This is a light wind specific board and it stands out when compared to other twin tips. The board features wide tips, a reverse sidecut outline, and a very deep tip to tip single concave. There are two fins on the heel edge and two near the tips of the board close to the centerline. This board has more rocker than last year’s model and is fairly flexible.
The first thing our testers noticed was how easily driven the NHP is. It takes little power to get going and shoots upwind almost effortlessly.
The middle of the bottom of the board is actually convex in the middle (like a bubble) and flows into a double concave out the tips.
The LF Kite Fish is very easily driven and takes hardly any power to get up and going. Once on a plane, it became immediately clear that this board is very loose.
The Momentum gets up on a plane quickly and seems to hold its speed really well through gusts and lulls. The good amount of flex through the board really smooths out the chop.
The Scud is a skim board, and it rides like one. Even with the center fin, the Scud is loose. If you try to ride this board like you would ride a twin tip or surfboard, be prepared to slide around all over the place.
First off, the Wainman Hawaii Blunts ship with a board bag and everything you need to set it up without going to your tool box. The 130 Blunt has attention getting graphics, a nice thin profile with soft rails all around the board and some mad concave.
Quads have made a comeback in the surf world for good reason. They’re fun and provide a skatier feel than a normal thruster set up.
At first glance, you see all those fins and wonder how it’s going to ride, but don’t be fooled.
We were very curious about this board due to its unique shape and got a chance to test it strapless in 12 to 16 knot winds with a 14m kite in small, sloppy surf.
The Kiteboarder Magazine had the chance to talk with Underground Kiteboards during the AWSI 2009 demo event in Hood River, OR. Check it out! www.undergroundkiteboards.com
The Kiteboarder Magazine had the chance to talk with Slingshot during the AWSI 2009 demo event in Hood River, OR. Check it out! www.slingshotsports.com
The Kiteboarder Magazine was on hand for the AWSI Demo in Hood River, OR to bring you a sneak peek at the latest gear from the leading companies in the kiteboarding industry. TKB talks with the leading manufactures on their newest gear, upgraded features, and straight up tech talk. PART 1 PART 2