Kite Demos

We’ve expanded our kiteboard demo lineup. You’re allowed unlimited exchanges all day increasing your odds of finding that perfect fit. Here’s the latest list of what’s available. Just call us and ask for the rental department. They’ll get you hooked up in no time.

• Naish Sol 134
• Naish Thorn 132
• Naish Haze 136
• Naish Fish 5’2″
• North Jaime Pro 132
• North XRide 135
• North Kontact 5’7″
• North Freestyle Fish 5’0″
• North Pacific Tuna Fish 5’4″
• North Pacific Squash Quad 5’7

There are still some high flying deals in our kite closeout section.

Only Big Winds and one other unspeakable outfit has a special limited edition of the Naish 2009 Helix kite. 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the Naish brand. To commemorate this great achievement, Naish is releasing a Limited Edition Helix with the famous Skull logo that was hand drawn by Robby Naish himself back in the 80’s. They’re available only in 9m and 12m.

2008 Windsurf Board Prices

Over on the windsurfing front, the deals on new 2008 boards got a little sweeter yesterday. These boards got their stickers shaved $100 to $200. Crazy.

• Starboard
  • Evo XTV 70, 75, 80 Technora -$200 to $999
  • Evo XTV 62, 75, 80, 90 Wood -$200 to $1199
  • Futura 93, 101 Technora -$200 to $999
  • Futura 93, 101 Wood -$200 to $1199
  • Pure Acid 74 Technora -$200 to $999
  • Pure Acid 68 Wood -$200 to $1199
• Naish
  • Pro Wave US 1111 65, 75, 80, 85 -$100 to $1199
  • Global Wave 83, 87 -$100 to $999
  • All Terrain 95, 115 -$200 to $999
• Mistral
  • Syncro Move 104 -$100 to $799
  • Syncro Move 104 RD -$100 to $999
  • Screamer 104 RD -$100 to $999
  • Syncro Style 84 -$100 to $799
  • Syncro Style 84, 94 RD -$100 to $999
  • Wave 69, 86 RD -$200 to $999

Ladies SUPper Club

The ladies are spanking it pretty hard on Tuesday nights. We’ve posted a couple of slide shows, here and here on Flickr to prove it. Due to the overwhelming response, availability is limited so call Daryl as soon as you can to reserve a board. Or, if you have your own, roll it on down and join in the fun. It’s all free! Scope out the details.

New Virtual Shop Tours

Dr. Pete came in and shot up the store. Where we used to have three tours we now have eight. They’re bigger too. You can drop in virtually and check out all the new stuff for 2009.

Rider: Daryl
Gender: Female
Height: 5’2″
Weight: 120 lbs
Skill Level: Expert windsurfer, intermediate paddler

Rider: Andy
Gender: Male
Weight: 85 lbs
Age: 12
Skill Level: Intermediate windsurfer (working on his jibes), beginner paddler

Daryl is one of our most knowledgeable experts here at Big Winds, having been windsurfing for over twenty years. Lately she’s been doing a lot of stand up paddling, and has amassed quite a range of experience with the gear we carry. The two of us had a chance to chat, and these are her thoughts on the stand up gear she’s tested so far.

The Aquaglide Amundson: Durable and User-Friendly

Daryl was so stoked on the Aquaglide Amundson that she went ahead and purchased two, both of them the 11’3″ Duratec soft deck model, to use between herself, her sons, and her (and their) friends. She describes it as a super easy-to-use board that glides and tracks well, and is very stable and extremely durable.

The Amundson is great for kids and adults alike, and it’s a great board for her 12-year-old son Andy, who finds it very easy to paddle. Daryl is particularly fond of the rails of the board, which are wrapped in the same EVA material as the soft deck of the board. The wrapped rails help protect paddles, but they also protect the board when her sons use their paddles as weapons and try to attack each other.

Smaller Guys or Bigger Dudes: The Naish Stand Up Boards

Daryl also tested the shorter 10’6″ Naish Stand Up board, which she says would make good board for lightweight riders. It’s shorter and narrower than the Naish 11’6″ board and as result is easy to turn, but is also more tippy. At 85 lbs, Andy loves the 10’6″ and he does all sorts freestyle tricks on it. Daryl says the 10’6″ would be a fun board for surf, but with larger riders in flatwater conditions you’d probably want to go with a larger board.

The 11’6″ Naish Stand Up board is very nice, but Daryl found it to be more board than she needed. It tracks well in flat water and has some serious thickness that keeps you up and out of the water, and average-sized guys will likely be stoked with it.

Even with the board’s large size, Andy had no problem staying with the group when paddling on the Naish 11’6″, though he found that it was not as fun and maneuverable as he likes. He was able to hold a line and speed right along, but pivot turns and maneuvers just weren’t going to happen. That’s a lot of volume for a 12-year-old to try and throw around!

Paddles: Aluminum or Carbon?

The Naish Stand Up Paddle features an aluminum shaft and handle and a plastic blade, and it is one of the most durable paddles in our lineup. Daryl got the Naish paddle for her boys to share, and it’s held up incredibly well to their abuse. That said, the Naish is quite heavy when compared to the more expensive carbon paddles, and after Andy took a session using his mom’s paddle he told her, “Mom, I need to save up so I can get a carbon.”

Daryl bought a Werner Spanker carbon paddle for herself, and she absolutely loves it. She says it’s incredibly lightweight and comfortable, and with the ergonomically curved handle it’s easy to keep a solid grip and maintain a strong stroke. The Werner is significantly lighter than an aluminum paddle, and thus requires far less paddling effort from the rider.

Carbon paddles aren’t as durable as aluminum paddles, however, and Daryl will only let her most trusted friends and family members try her Werner. The boys have to sign a waiver promising never to use the Werner in an attack.

Related Posts:
Read David’s Review of the Aquaglide Amundson 11’3″
Read Dane’s Review of the Naish 11’6″