Anyone have or used a BWS 5'9 Drifter or one of the other boards they sell or any other board out there for riding waves from any of the other kite brands.
Interested to hear thoughts and advice as I want to buy one ASAP. Cheers
Are you for real? Maybe have a look in the buy & sells, you don't sound too fussy, why not just get the 1st one you see.
Col
i just returned from Fiji where I had a couple of nice sessions, one of which was on a 5" 9' Drifter. It was only a short session but I was mighty impressed with the performance. A super loose one to ride. Worth checking out for sure. I normally ride a Mulcoy 5" 10' and a Firewire 6'. Any of these boards will do the trick, I reckon.
I love my 5" 9' Drifter - I posted a review earlier this year if you want to look it up.
I'm 85 kg, ride x on conditions, my drifter and 5'10 Mulcoy are great, wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Mike
Mike,
do you jump them how much and how are they holding on? And of course we are talking about strapless stuff =)
Yeah i do, but i'm no Ian alldredge, so not massive. i try to be really light footed and absord with my knees. If in doubt about a landing ibailout first. the Mulcoy has heel dents, the Drifter not really and both holding up Ok . If you're worried i think there's an insert version of the mulcoy with some extra glass.
I have a kitesurf firewire 5'11 which is strong, if I want to go big on the jumps, but that could just be psychological on my part.
mike
I have the 5'10" mulcoy and the 5'11" TDZ.
The mulcoy is loose and lively, and I don't mind paddle surfing it. It's a great shape but is super lightweight and hence mine requires constant repairs. I would buy this shape again, but in the heavier glassed option.
I caught a few hundred waves recently on holiday on the new TDZ. This is a heavier board with solid stringer. For me it surfs longer than the mulcoy... more gun like at my weight, and can handle a solid wave. You can surf the mulcoy more from the middle of the board. The TDZ works best with more weight back further on the tail. TDZ wasn't my choice for paddle surfing... but it was solid and I have a killer paddle short board atm.
A lot depends on your weight and surfing style. (I'm 72kg) I haven't surfed the drifter; the dimensions are a little wider than what I would normally ride. I think BWS has great shapes. Amongst the best available, with a variety of riders, that have had lots of boards to refine what they like. I just wish they were Australian made to improve quality control, or at least offered that option of a machine shaped local blank, so you could pick your own finish.
5'10" Mulcoy (lightweight)
shape- 9/10
performance- 9/10
durability- 5/10
finish, quality control 7/10
5'11" TDZ
shape- 8.5/10
performance- 8/10
durability- 8/10
finish/quality control- 7/10
Mate reviews on BWS web site very good.
I'm a fan does all its said to do.
Bottom concave, board shape and area all work for low to mid range wind and surf conditions suits my 72kgs.
Board is built to last only complaint a bit heavy, has inserts but is horrible with straps.
Paddles and surfs fine but I like lighter and more volume in my surfboards.
If I was spending my choice would be the new 6'1" Rawson...........
Been riding the drifter for 6 months. Just the board I was after. Holds its rail, goes upwind well and loose when you need it. Few heel dings but that helps gripping with your feet. Glass job is a little light but it can take a bit of punishment. Took the board surfing in Maldives and performed well. I am 82 kg and fly noise kites, mostly 8m at 16 knots and up. Get a drifter. Don't get an over priced board from an offshore kite brand.
