Best Kiteboarding Spark Plug V2 136 x 41cm 2014
Reviews / Twin Tips
55,300
At A Glance
The Spark Plug was launched last year as a new all round freeride model to the Best Kiteboarding twin tip line up. The new model for this year has undergone some tweaks and now builds on what was a very popular model last year. The goal for this year was to reduce the weight and to improve the ride in terms of comfort. At the heart of the board is the Wood Flex Core which has been combined with the lay up and Basalt Fibre Tec to offer forgiving flex that will maintain a smooth ride through chop. The top sheet is different from last year too and the new material is up to 200 grams lighter than last years. The design is simple and effective rather than fancy, a smooth concave features on the underside with a flat finish on the top deck. It is available in three sizes this year, a smaller 132 x 40 for lighter riders, a 136 x 41 and also a larger 142 x 42 for the heavier riders out there, or those looking for better light wind performance.
On The Water
The Spark Plug is a very easy board to ride, well suited to advancing beginners and intermediates looking for a board that will make them look good and offer a smooth ride through rough conditions. The simple shape works well and the board glides upwind with ease. The slightly tucked tips promote rail to rail carving and the board has plenty of grip for ripping big turns both on the flat water and in the waves. The flex pattern is on the soft side, which helps to make the board so smooth and forgiving. Pop is good and while not comparable to a full on freestyle beast it still has plenty to offer and when ridden aggressively delivers plenty of performance. Landings are smooth, especially with the softer flex and slight concave helping to break the surface tension of the water. Foot straps and pads on the Best twin tips this year are excellent and offer almost limitless stance options, the pads are really comfortable as well.
Overall
If you want a smooth ride through chop, and a board that is going to be really forgiving and easy to ride, you’d do well to take the Spark Plug for a spin. It’s not fancy, but it has curves and shape in all the right places and delivers on its promise of being a great all round freeride machine.
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This review was in Issue 45 of IKSURFMAG.
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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!
