Windsurfing Equipment Tests - American Windsurfer

Boards: Kinetic @ Maui

Control Bump Speed Style King Surf

Kinetic Wave 8' 3"

The Wave 8’3” is a typical Jimmy Lewis shape with soft rails, a moderate outline and a fairly flat bottom. It’s a smooth sailing board with a comfortable ride and predictable turn that makes sailing in rough water seem almost easy. Some of our pro testers, ladies who sail at Ho’okipa regularly, judged it a little on the tame side, but then they don’t get too excited by half–mast high waves either. Less expert riders enjoyed this board’s combination of low weight - second lowest in the test - and controllability. Construction and components are good, except strap anti-twist is just adequate.

Power Rating 49
Length 8’3”
Width 20.6”
Volume 74 Liters
Weight 13.5 lbs.
Planing 4.0
Reaching 9.5
Upwind 4.0
Tight turns 9.5
Wide turns 7.0
Ding rating 12
Price $1,350
Includes: Straps, Pads

Recommended sail: Wave 3.5 to 5.0

Control Bump Speed Style King Surf

Kinetic El Nino 61

The second biggest and most powerful board in the test, El Nino is one big baby. At 105 liters and over 24” in width, it has a race board’s quickness to plane and the speed of a fast freeride board. It’s so wide it turns the usual dilemma of bump sailing on its head: Riders are usually looking for techniques to get air; with El Nino they’re practicing techniques for staying on the water. El Nino also turns beautifully, though not as effortlessly as your average freeride board, and maintains speed through a jibe like no other in the test. The weight and construction of this board impressed us, as did the components. Strap anti-twist is weak, but that’s the only complaint. Our expert testers enjoyed El Nino immensely, and some called it the perfect big board for medium to heavyweight riders in east coast conditions.

Power Rating 63
Length 8’8”
Width 24.1”
Volume 105 Liters
Weight 15.0 lbs.
Planing 8.0
Reaching 8.0
Upwind 8.5
Tight turns 8.5
Wide turns 8.5
Ding rating 8
Price $1,299
Includes: Straps, Pads

Recommended sail:
Wave & freeride 5.5 to 7.0

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