Newbie question: wakeboard vs kiteboard

Hi,

I am a complete newbie to this sport, but would like to try it out. The main problem I face, though, is that I am living overseas now (Thailand) where kitesurfing doesn't exist yet. I can't find any kiteboards to buy here, so I would have to spend a fortune to import one here. On the other hand, it's easy to find wakeboards here in Thailand. Is it possible to use a wakeboard for kitesurfing? What are the main differences between the two types of boards, and what would be the drawbacks and disadvantages of using a wakeboard to go kitesurfing ? Also, how do I know what size I should get?

Thanks a lot,

I learned how to kiteboard on a Hyperlight wakeboard. Generally the main differences are that bi-directional kiteboards tend to have a flatter rocker (the curve on the bottom of the board), usually kiteboards are a little bigger than wakeboards, and frequently they have more fins. Many kiteboarders now prefer footstraps over wakeboard bindings. You need footstraps with the very large kiteboards.

The drawback to learning on a wakeboard is that it is generally more difficult to go upwind unless you are very powered up with the kite and some wakeboard designs just do not handle being overpowered well.

If you decide to get a wakeboard, look for a large one (150cm or even more is better for learning), look for one with a relatively straight rail outline (the curve you see looking down on the board from above), and most importantly look for one that does not have a great deal of rocker.

Many of the old wakeboard designs and a few of the newer ones fit the prefered rocker shape pretty well. frequently the outline is too curvy but adding a fin or two to the heelside rail will take care of that.

Most of the high-performance, modern wakeboards have lots of rocker so that the rider can get a good 'pop' jumping off of the boat wake. Lots of rocker gives more drag which makes the board slower - no problem when you are behind a half ton powerboat with 150 horsepower but it makes it hard to sail upwind behind a kite that weighs maybe 5 pounds and generates less power the more you point upwind.

If you are at all handy, You might be better off just making your own board out of plywood and epoxy. Do a search on 'plywood kiteboard' or check out the yahoo boardbuilding group. If you make your own board, you can make it larger than a wakeboard to make learning easier.

Is it possible to use a wakeboard for kitesurfing? What