Mike Birt

Sadly with the state of the economy shops stocks have never been so light. It's understandable when things get tight, and most retailers rely on the fact that we importers keep things on the shelf, yet for us there is a huge financial burden to hold stock for the whole industry. That said there are some retailers working in newer ways, hopefully strengthening the industry as a whole, so I think you will find things improve over the coming years. The Sector situation took everyone by surprise. Like all far east goods, it takes 4 months from point of order to delivery, but a month before you asked I had already been all round the world looking for these things, as had many other countries.. Yet the good news is that the uk had a shipment arrive yesterday in the docks, so those with back order will soon be on the water. There is another batch leaving china now... Glad to hear you used it a lot, I have to admit we have one up here and it is probably the most used bit of kit between the posse... and I must get you to try the 60 - it's a much better board (I think) for 75kg +... As someone who works in the industry I would say the moral is, talk to the shop on the phone and get them to assure you that if they have not got in in stock they can get it in a few days... If you are really concerned and on a timetable, mail the importer to double check ;-)

you are clicking on the link, right? no just the single picture? here is the link here; click me and here are the main videos on viemo.. enjoy! http://vimeo.com/14030931

did you not see the play button in the middle of each pic? :-( it's there on mine... :-S waterbird is one of my favs too.. the lad has a knack for that board, it has to be said...

Hi All, Some entertainment for you, courtesy of shinn... Shinnema http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=861

couple more shots for you and some info on the tip mouldings - part of the reason for the popfest.. http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=854 http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=855 http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=853

It is indeed... perhaps a little more teenage in character, actually a little squarer in the tips, so size for size feels a little bigger. The 130x40 monk can feel a little small for my 81kg in lightwinds but the 40 wide SS does not... Whilst it feels like a powerball when compressed the Monk still has the uncanny ability to laugh in the face of any and all aggression you can throw at it... they are different in that.

tape measure... sounds like a front line problem Measure all bridles (each is compartmentalised into component sections) on the kite against the opposite pair on the other side. They should be no more than 10mm out in comparison to each other. Measure your bar and lines - all should be even on full power as a general rule. If it drifts on depower then it is likely the front lines.. Back lines that are out will just result in a cock eyed bar, but the kite should still handle ok... even if the bar is cock eyed (much like an off centre steering wheel) If all lines are equal then is is either; twisted front bladder - remove and refit - I have seen this quite a few times - it's wrecks the handling of the kite! warped kite - problem check this by putting the kite on the ground nose first to see if it lies symmetrical. I have seen many who's rear end to the le sits way proud.. Please also bear in mind that many kites will not stay at the zenith (auto zenith) and fall to either side evenly. When you are riding in a straight line, many kites will fall continuously towards the sea... you have to constantly hold them straight (same on both tacks) but the rule is as long as they do this evenly on both sides then they are at least even..

There is a thread discussing them here - some good riders who have been testing them... kiteboarder

Hi All, Introducing the SUPERshinn... http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=847 This is the first step beyond the highly successful Monk released a year ago. Whilst it is not a replacement for the Monk it sits along side as the dedicated freestyle board in the range. By comparison, it is vastly superior in freestyle capability to any other board we have ever tested, yet has 95% of the Monk's DNA, making it as relevant to the mainstream market as the original Monk was. I have personally tested this board, and it gets my emphatic seal of approval, just as the original constant curve rocker Shinn boards did this time last year. Whilst a godsend to a seasoned pro I could honestly say that, just like it's siblings, a first time rider would find it incredibly easy to use. To that end I would seriously advise anyone intent on tackling any aspect of freestyle now or in the future NOT to buy a new board until they have tried one of these. What makes it so unique, aside it's Monk-ness, is it's pop. Put simply, it has new tech that makes it spring from the water like nothing we have ridden before, with or without the help of the kite. For new-school unhooked freestyle and old-school pop it is in a different league. More height, more time, and ultimately less pull from the kite. More than this, unlike the contest style pro rider boards that we have brought to market so far, the SUPERshinn is every bit as relevant to every day conditions and riders as the mainstream Shinn range. Like it's three siblings; Monk, Gin and Luigi, it's smooth, spray free, comfortable, balanced, capable of riding long distance at crazy speeds, hard carving, eats chop, has the same wind range and feel good feelings that have been the brand's greatest asset over the last 12 months. The four things that are radically new to what you know of the current Shinn range are; - Hyrdro-flo tip channeling; a water channeling and stiffening section in the very tip of the board. - New 43mm Fins; channels allow a smaller fin to be used for the same grip level. - New Sneaker S footstrap - pad combos; more deck adhesion, footstrap comfort and integrated look. - two colour choices, Black deck or Blue deck, both sharing the same colour base. Size + Stance 134x40 + 46-51 135x41 + 46-51 136x42 + 46-51 137x44 + 46-51 RRP £575 with the news Shinn-S bindings. http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=848

yip it's coming - looks like the jet stream has tracked back down, let's hope it lasts :-)

also, at 10 stone try to pick something that is fairly efficient as a thick foiled kite's torque is not needed for 10st.. you will get far more fun out of something efficient - you are a very good weight for kiteboarding, hope you get on well...

I just tried it and they recommended a 39, 41 and 46 for the same weight and category! :-S I think that 39 would be your ideal size long term, but maybe 41 would be an easy bet for the first summer. Perhaps pick up a good deal on a 41 now, you would not loose too much money on it, then shop for your perfect style 29 in the season to come.. That would be the best way to maximise your progression...

Snt Bees, works in s / s/e, but sw is a no no because of the cliffs.. it holds a good swell for this area. Allonby always windy, and some other secret local spots.. :-)

Well done both of you! That's serious stuff...

Just to say... The Monk is one in three boards which share the same rocker tech.. Monk £549, Luigi II £549 and Gintronic £449. The Gintronic is the closest in tech to the monk, sharing the same deck moulding too.. it's better upwind, earlier planing - just not quite as stable at high sp[eed and lacking some of the aggressive pop, but for freeride; This is the mail I just had from a Gin customer that has just returned from his maiden voyage (I'm sure he would not mind me posting :-* )

ha ha ha, I spent 3 years pumping my kites up with these! If you offered me the new high volume pump I'd have paid £300! It also looks a tad perverse when you are whacking away on the beach, kite in lap....

The straps and pads are fitted fine.. to be honest Mark does have a tendency to have a very duck stance, and trimmed back to they are as parallel as possible they do not create any problems.. Really if you are trying the board for the first time - I would put your fins, straps and pads on.. it's the only way you can tell what the main hull is like. You can put and extra drill hole in the base pad to make them even more parallel if the get on your nerves. The pads are also memory foam, it take 4-8 hrs of riding for the foam to complress to your stance - so if you are going to shift the pads I would suggest doing it before the memory foam beds in! (not too much issue on a demo board though!). Have fun!

all washers in the post.. now that a few of you have had the monk for a few months, how are you getting on? choppy session getting better? how's your riding changed?

yeah, right! v1 was a generic piece and cracked too frequently v2 was a stopgap v3 was a bespoke custom mould made by us, and it is indestructible there is no way we are changing it for a good few seasons.. making tooling moulds is a very expensive business!! we can make a different colour if you like but the clear ones look so nice :-) ;-)

There are actually 3 sets of washers, - first were clear and cracked, so while bespoke washers were being tooled some were shipped with; - the second option which were flat headed screws with individual nylon washers, but shortly after, - the third bespoke 'foxes mint' washers were released and these will be current for the foreseeable future Any riders that have one of the first two washers are welcome to pm me me their address and serial number - I will post them some foxes washers straight away foc... :-)

Mike B.... that's me... :-) There is a national Shinn demo program - you provide me with some details and I ship you a board to try for a week or two.. I pay for the carriage to you, you pay for the carriage back... All invited. Spray in your face is an odd one.. Over the years I have seen boards that were unridable to some riders and others had no problem. It's nothing to do with standard of rider either. Shinn himself does not suffer much from spray, whereas I do.. In the old days some of his boards would wash out the backs of my eyeballs (old Player and 666 for example) but the new CC rocker seems to deliver nigh on the same efficiency, but with far more stability, comfort, grip and fun factor with zero spray.. Pads and straps... when ever I send a board out on demo I advise that for the first few runs you put your old straps and fins on the board. Sounds odd, but it's the best way to test something new. Pads, straps and fins can be changed, and like the spray issue, what's right for one person may be completely unsuitable for the next.. Plus, you can change and tune the pads and straps, you can't change the board! This CC rockerline is found in; Monk - aggressive freeride/freestyle Luigi II - high performance freeride Gintronic - more rounded freeride There has been a great reception to these boards this year - It's good to see Mark truly back on top of his game. Although he does not spend as much time in the UK as he used to, it's good to see a brit standing proud in the industry. If you get a chance, read his column in the new Kiteworld issue '52. Interesting read on board design technique and findings.

Cracking day today - everything out from early doors to 5pm.. knackered! hoping for more of the same tomorrow - come on down of you are in the area... http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=833

yeah, the width does have more say on how the board rides, and the rail is the boss of such a short length.. plus the power it holds is generally more than a twin of similar range so if you unweight the rail it will teatray.. Here is a shot of one mid carve, full weight.. http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/download/file.php?id=832

this will also be there.. if you are looking for a lightwind option, then I suggest you have a crack on this. As a board that is going as early as the raceboards I never thought that it would go round corners. You can try it, but good luck and trying to get it out of my van on a permanent basis ;-)

there is also a demo for them this weekend at hayling New Hayling Kitebeach