First and foremost, just because a board is classified as a good ‘beginner’ board, that does not mean it’s only good for beginners. It simply means it has a shape and performance that are favorable to user-friendly progression such as early planning, plenty of grip and upwind ability, mild rocker and a medium or soft flex for more a forgiving feel in the chop. Depending on your riding style, local wind and water conditions and personal preferences, that may be the best combination of features no matter how experienced of a rider you are.
Beginner-friendly boards feature:
Ӣ Mild rocker line: More stable, easier upwind ability
Ӣ Medium or softer flex: More forgiving, better in chop
Ӣ Plenty of grip: Easier to steer, edge and carve upwind
Ӣ Wider outline: Easier for planning, better in light winds or with smaller kite/less power
Ӣ Rounded tip/tail: Good surf/carve performance, good for cutting up wind
Ӣ Lightweight: Easier to control, softer flex, more feel underfoot
Slingshot recommends their Misfit or Crisis twin-tip boards for easiest progression.
This article originally appeared on Slingshot’s blog here: https://blog.slingshotsports.com/2018/03/16/how-to-choose-the-best-kiteboard-for-beginners-2018/s