BALANCE MEDYSKY PRO REVIEW
OUT OF THE BOX: SIZE 138 X 40.5
OUTLINE AND CONSTRUCTION
There has been a trend in recent years to make boards wider. A lot of boards are 41, 42 or even 43cm wide (and not just lightwind boards either). Wider boards get planning early and give you solid landings but I find them more difficult to pop cleanly and I think that you lose a lot of the skateiness and outright speed that you can get with a slightly narrower board. This Medysky Pro Model is 40.5cm wide which in my opinion is the perfect complement to the 138cm length.
The Balance range of boards have such a clean, simple shape to them - a classic twin-tip outline with lightly tapered tips, medium rocker, no fancy cut-outs or grooves and just a simple single concave. You could say that the shape of these boards is quite un-radical as there’s nothing really new or different about them but I say that if it’s not broken don’t fix it! Shapes like this have been around for years and the outline reminds me very much of the shapes which the late Colin McCulloch (Lost Cause) used to make.
Whilst the shape of this board is very uncomplicated, the construction and materials are far from simple. Balance employs a mix of the latest high-tech materials available, some of which have never been used in kiteboards before – such as titanium! At 2.6Kg naked weight, the board is not the lightest board on the market but it’s not too heavy and it seems very robust and strong.
Balance kiteboards don’t come with pads and straps. You get fins and mounting hardware but as pads and straps are such a personal choice Balance leave it to the rider to decide. I like this philosophy and chose to mount a set of Liquid Force Luxury pads/straps. If you prefer riding boots the Balance will take these without a problem.
It’s worth mentioning that the insert placements on this board allow for the setup of a nice wide stance which (at 85Kg and 1.83m tall) suits my size and is something which surprisingly a lot of board manufacturers still don’t bother doing.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ON THE WATER
My first session on the water with this board was in 12-15kts on a 14m kite. I didn’t think I was going to get a good session as the wind was light but the Medysky got going so early that it took me by surprise and I actually felt well powered.
The water state was not especially flat so the first thing that struck me after getting over the shock of the low wind planing ability was the smoothness of the ride. The Medysky glides through the chop making it much easier to get pop without having to look for a completely flat section first.
Speaking of pop – I have to say, the pop from this board is really, really nice. Balance have got this just right and it gives you a very clean release from the water. I just love the way that this board pops! Landings too are really smooth and cushioned thanks to the size of the board and the flex pattern.
I landed all of my best moves in that first session and came off the water with a huge smile. It was then that I knew that I had found my ultimate kiteboard.
SUMMARY: LIVING WITH THE BALANCE MEDYSKY 138
I’ve had the medysky now for a couple of months and I am completely in-tune with this fantastic board. l have been out in every type of conditions on this board from light to crazy wind; from waves/chop to butter flat and the Balance takes it all in its stride. There is no way I would want to ride anything else now that I have experienced this kiteboard. It really is that good.
Usually, freestyle boards are all about compromise. For example, fast early planing boards are normally bone shakers which slap in choppy water and crunch knees with hard landings. This Balance board is different – it’s fast and early to plane, but at the same time the board is so smooth and easy on landings.
Although this board excels at freestyle, it’s so smooth that I think it would make a great freeride board for riders of all levels as well. If you’re between 75-105Kg and looking to progress your riding to the next level, this 138 is perfect. Otherwise, Balance also make other sized boards which are equally as good as this one.
Check out the website at www.balancekiteboards.com
