Advance Alpha 134 x 44cm 2010
Reviews / Twin Tips
2,525
At a Glance
Is it a shield or is it a board? Well, it is definitely a board. This light wind beast from Advance is designed to get you up and riding in the lightest of airs. At 44cm wide it is an impressive bit of kit, underneath the funky graphics lays a full wood core with ABS and glass construction. The board is fairly stiff and has minimal rocker, the straps and pads are offset to favour the heelside edge and the fins are a reasonable size to help the board track through the water.
On the Water
This is a cracking bit of kit for those riders not interested in riding race boards or directionals when the wind is light. The huge width makes a large stable planing platform for the rider. The flat rocker helps to keep the board speed up and coupled with a big kite this can get going in 10 knots of wind, no problem. With the bias of the straps and pads to the heelside edge rail to rail carving is tricky, but this board does have some reasonable pop for a light wind craft, enabling the rider to practice their tricks even when the wind isn’t really playing ball. Upwind the board was good, although it did get a little bit hectic when the wind picked up, you’ll definitely be heading for your normal ride when the wind starts to pump through. The Alpha is great fun to ride when the wind is light; it isn’t going to set your world on fire in terms of performance, but it will see you riding while others are not…
For
Perfect light wind craft for people who don’t want to ride a directional board.
Against
Due to the nature of the beast it is going to get uncomfy when the wind and chop gets up.
Overall
Extend your riding time this year, get on an Alpha and enjoy riding a twin tip when others just can’t.
This review was in Issue 22 of IKSURFMAG.
For more information visit Advance KitesRelated
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
