Kiteboard Quick Guide

From beginner to pro, we’ve got you covered.

This article contains a quick guide on which type kiteboard and popular comparisons and is part of a series to help you choose the right kiteboard. Also check our size guide, where most questions related to which size kiteboard are answered. All other aspects of choosing the right kiteboard and its accessories are covered in the complete kiteboard buyers guide.

Whatever your level, style or taste, when going out to face the elements your board should be the right board for you. Building on years of imagination, curiosity and engineering insight we master-crafted a range of premium kiteboards that boost your performance and can be completely customised to match your style and character. This is why we offer a variety of board styles that help you progress at any level.

Common Lieuwe kiteboard comparisons

Choosing the right kiteboard can be…well…challenging. Here are some common comparisons to help you decide.

Usually, fresh beginners choose our Awesome (yep it is!), Intermediate to advanced freeriders say ‘Shotgun’. Going next level, advanced Big Air riders go huge with our comfortable Falcon carbon board and the pro’s who are always choose our Oceana for competition performance in extreme conditions.

Falcon vs Shotgun 

The Falcon is our ultra light carbon board for Big Air performance with great comfort and control. Compared to the Lieuwe Shotgun, the Lieuwe Falcon is stiffer and provides significantly more response and energy return, allowing for even easier takeoff during jumps and a more playful feel underfoot. Plus, the Falcon has a straighter outline which provides better control during extreme conditions and speeds which gives you all the confidence you need to go all out during your session. All this without the usual disadvantages of riding a typical stiff carbon board. When the conditions get very choppy, the stiffness of Falcon demands a little bit more of your technique and fitness.

The Shotgun is more suitable for less experienced kiters and people with high risk of injuries: it is less stiff and therefore offers more comfort and feels more stable on the water. When taking off for a jump, the Shotgun will absorb some of the energy, making you lose altitude. But, because of this absorption, you also have more control. Which in turn results in relatively better lift off with a lesser technique.

If you already have the technique under control, you will be able to jump higher with the Falcon. Because it converts a much larger portion of power into the actual jump. In one sentence, where the Shotgun ends in performance the Falcon takes it over filling the gap toward the Oceana.

Falcon vs Oceana

When comparing the Falcon to the Oceana, it's clear that both kiteboards are stiff and provide excellent grip. The major difference lies in their weight. The Oceana is heavier kiteboard compared to the Falcon. It has great grip, giving it an excellent high-end performance for most extreme conditions, like Cape Town. A board that locks to boost hard. The Falcon and Oceana share a similar outline and channeling giving it a lot of grip but due to the lightweight carbon construction it’s more all round, which makes it easy to ride and is your best friend during board offs.

In one sentence, the Falcon is more all round in the big air section where the Oceana is made for confidence in the most extreme conditions.

Shotgun vs Oceana

The Shotgun is our legendary jack of all trades. The Oceana is designed to go fast and boost big, especially in waves. The Shotgun has more comfort to offer due to its ability to handle chop in all conditions. The Oceana feels at home in strong wind conditions. Using the ocean’s kickers to send it, it keeps edge and feels like it has an auto-pilot for smooth landings. 

Shotgun vs. Awesome

The Shotgun is the perfect free-ride and big air board board. It is a good fit for beginners going to intermediates and even for the pro's. The Awesome on the other hand is the perfect board for beginners, and intermediates that like a comfortable ride. The Awesome's shape is build for swift waterstarts, it helps you to go upwind very easily, and rides very stable and comfortable. The Shotgun is simply a more advanced board with more features to bring you to the next level. If you are for instance already controlling your waterstarts, are able to ride upwind, and doing your first jumps and tricks already, then you can consider the transfer to a shotgun to get some more pop, grip and speed. 

Oceana vs Oceana Teijin

The Oceana is an extreme performance big air and freestyle kiteboard. It is a reliable board in the most extreme conditions, and will continue to be controlled no matter the weather. 

A custom Teijin Twaron®️ Aramide upgrade is available for the real connoisseurs to not only increase its stiffness and pop even further, but it will also improve the board by increasing dampening properties. It is created for more comfort for riders (and their knees..). The fibres make the board shock resistant and shock absorbing.

If you experience a large impact on your board, the board will be absorbing part of the shock, but the other part will hit into your knees and body. If you would add the Teijin fibre to the board, the shock of the landing will be absorbed by the board and its fibres, and the impact on your body will be reduced. Find more Information about the effect of Teijin fibres here.