The end result is a fantastic looking board which offers a super fast and responsive ride utilising the Bamboo's natural flex to enhance performance.
Comes complete with foot straps.
| 5' 8" Kite Surfboard MEDIUM |
| Length |
5ft 8inches |
| Width |
17¾" |
| Depth |
2¼" |
| Tail Shape |
Round Pin |
| Bottom Contour |
Single Concave |
| Construction |
Epoxy Resin Fibreglass and Vinyl (PVC) reinforcing |
| Fin Setup |
Thruster 3-Fin |
| Shaper |
Jeff Townsley |
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6'ft Kite Surfboard LARGE
|
| Length |
6ft |
| Width |
19" |
| Depth |
2¼" |
| Tail Shape |
Diamond Tail |
| Bottom Contour |
Single Concave |
| Construction |
Epoxy Resin Fibreglass and Vinyl (PVC) reinforcing |
| Fin Setup |
Thruster 3 Fin |
| Shaper |
Jeff Townsley |
|
6'3" Kite Surfboard EXTRA LARGE
|
| Length |
6ft 3inches |
| Width |
19" |
| Depth |
2¼" |
| Tail Shape |
Swallow Tail |
| Bottom Contour |
Single Concave |
| Construction |
Epoxy Resin Fibreglass and Vinyl (PVC) reinforcing |
| Fin Setup |
Thruster 3 Fin |
| Shaper |
Jeff Townsley |
Circle One have been a major player in the surf industry since 1969 and they have a long pedigree. It is very exciting therefore to see a true surf brand recognise kiting as a market worthy of their presence. For years now kiters have been trying to get recognition from the huge surf industry and bit-by-bit it seems we are getting there. Circle One have developed 4 boards for this season, a 6’6” Quad Fin Square Tail, a 6’3” Swallow Tail, a 6’ Diamond Tail and finally the 5’8” Round Tail that we have here. In that range there should be something for everyone, if you are new to the kite SURFboard market then a good rule of thumb is to choose a board 2 inches shorter than yourself. This will allow you to have enough size and buoyancy to be able to gybe it, but also mean the board will be big enough to be able to surf the wave, rather than just kite along it.
Jeff Townsley who founded the company way back when has shaped the 5’8” and he is one of the more experienced shapers out there. The board is quite narrow at 17 and three quarters but there is a good amount of volume under the feet just where you need it. It utilises a lightweight construction with vinyl reinforcing and although as with all surfboards it will need looking after it certainly withstands the knocks of day-to-day riding. The fin set up is the classic thruster lay out and high quality honeycomb fins come as standard. The great thing is that although the fins aren’t FCS the fin boxes will take FCS fins, so should you find yourself hitting the reef in a far-flung location it shouldn’t prove too difficult to get a replacement! The overall finish and look of the board is excellent, the graphics are simple and the board looks like a surfboard should, not like some 9 year old has been let loose with a set of crayons…
On the Water
We waited quite a while for some great conditions to really get to grips with this board, we rode it on flat water as we couldn’t wait for the waves, then when the waves came we rode it in 2 to 3 foot and also on a monster 6 foot day. On every occasion it excited, the board is fast in a straight line and despite its small size eager to get going. For the larger rider out there something like the 6’3” or 6’6” would suit but on a high wind day the 5’8” works really well even if you are a bigger guy. The board comes with various placements for the straps, two settings at the back and 4 at the front, we found with the back foot strap setting the board was easy to stall on the wave. But once we moved the strap further forward the board became much more fluid through the turns. A lighter rider might not find this is the case however. Gybing the 5’8” is simple enough, not as forgiving as some boards on the market, but easy enough none the less. Where it really excels though is in driving powerful bottom turns, the board seems to maintain its speed and keep going right back up the wave. Helped no doubt by the rounded pintail shape. It is a very fun board to ride, with the straps on, aerials are within your grasp and you won’t ever really find yourself wanting for more performance.
For
Classic shape and styling, excellent in the waves for smaller riders, easy to gybe with quality fittings.
Against
Larger riders will find they need something bigger, does have a tendency to stall on the back foot if you are heavy and use the rear foot strap setting. If you are over 6 foot have a look at the bigger boards in the range.
Overall
The 5’8 is a true surfers surfboard, classic styling and a classic shape. A perfect all rounder for riders at 6 foot and below but also great as a high wind board for larger more skilled riders. Quality construction and fittings make it a great board at a very reasonable price; in the UK the RRP is just £414
