Boards for intermediates and freeridersNaish Kailua 160 on test

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 05.09.2023

The Naish Kailua is a typical intermediate and family board.
Photo: Stephan Gölnitz
The Naish Kailua 160 comes with a full-length EVA deck and a folding centreboard in the best upright configuration. Does it fulfil all the requirements for relaxed freeriding?

With a built-in centreboard, the Naish Kailua outperforms the competition in this round. On the one hand, with a length of 2.67 metres and the large daggerboard, it is unassailably superior in light winds: It is stable in the water, the high-curved bow pushes well over smaller waves in the very fast displacement ride and it runs effortlessly and significantly better upwind than boards with only a fin in the stern. On the other hand, the additional weight, the smaller fin and the not exactly flow-optimising centreboard box are always noticeable in planing winds.

Nevertheless, the Kailua glides very smoothly without particularly sensitive loading and quickly gives the first impression of fast planing surfing. Controlled half planing is also possible on the board. The continuous pad on the deck is very comfortable, especially for intermediates and children who climb up frequently. The straps can be mounted in positions for absolute beginners or for comfortable planing. However, the relaxed gliding in the lower speed range lacks the rapid acceleration of weightless freeride shapes with longer fins.

Surf summary of the Naish Kailua

A very good beginner's and intermediate board, but one that does not grow as long with increasing riding ability as weightless freeride boards. But a recommendation for intermediates who windsurf permanently even in light winds below the planing limit.

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Light wind suitability, deck pad, for kids

Limited freeride potential

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Technical data Naish Kailua

  • Price: 1899 Euro
  • Weight: 12.6 kg
  • Fin: Naish 32 cm, Powerbox
  • More info at naishsails.com
Available sizes Naish KailuaAvailable sizes Naish Kailua

Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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