This year the Drive series of boards have been replaced by the Ouija line up. There are just two kiteboards this year in the Ouija range, a 129 x 39 and this 134 x 41.5. Last year one comment we had about the 131 Drive was that it was a bit small for the larger freestyle rider. Seeing a 134 is a very welcome thing, especially if you’re bigger than the average kiter!
The board is made using lightweight snowboard construction with an ABS rail; a gloss top sheet sets it apart from the rest in terms of finish. A CNC machined wood core sits inside and the top deck is simple and smooth, no cut outs or step caps here!
On the Water
The Ouija is the one of the widest kite boards in this recent test and this helps it to really get going early on. Even for the heavier riders out there the 134 will have you up and on the plane super quick in the lightest of airs.
The rocker line is fairly flat, although it is continuous. This again helps the board eagerly get going when the wind isn’t howling and helps it maintain its speed through the lulls. The outline of the board I fairly square with wide tips, this shape really lends itself to getting good pop off the water. You can really load up these tips and the edges to resist a serious amount of pull from the kite. Then when you release you really get thrown up into the air on the Ouija. The flex is fairly stiff with a little more flex in the tips and this again helps to launch the board and the rider. The super wide outline and size of the board make landing tricks really easy, there is just so much platform to come down on that you’ll be landing tricks you have been crashing for ages in no time.One of our favourite features of last year’s kiteboard was the speed and we are pleased to say the Ouija is still quick in a straight line. The flat rocker and sharp rails allow it to accelerate with some pace and when it is at speed the concave bottom help to give the rider a little more control. The board handles the chop well too, the sharp rails really cutting through the roughest of stuff. The width of the board doesn’t lend itself to rail-to-rail carving but there is the Spark line up that caters more for the freeride market.
The Ouija is definitely a freestyle beast and in the right conditions it will impress even the most hardcore of riders. Some of you out there are still riding small boards, and the size of the Ouija may seem off putting. But with modern style kites and the depower we now have you no longer need a small board and something this size will just allow you to pop harder and to land you tricks far easier. If you are a lightweight then perhaps go for the smaller model. But otherwise go big; you’ll definitely love it!
Fixtures and Fittings
The straps and fins are excellent and easy to fit onto the board. The foam pads are comfortable but are quite small. If you have big feet you may want to change them to save your toes or heels hanging off the edges!
Overall
A definite improvement over last years Drive 131, the extra size is very welcome indeed. The Ouija is definitely more suited to freestyle than freeride but it has a huge range being able to get going very early on and still hold down buckets of power. The speed and pop will be sure to excite.
For more information go to your local dealer or visit www.bestkiteboarding.com