How to Choose the Right Lieuwe Kiteboard

Whether you’re just getting started or pushing into bigger jumps and stronger winds, Lieuwe has a kiteboard that matches your level, style and goals. This guide walks you through the core models, what each one does best, and which board is likely to suit you right now.

Lieuwe boards are hand-built using premium materials, with a strong focus on performance, durability and style. They’re designed to feel smooth under your feet, deliver real pop when you need it, and support your progression from first sessions to full-send Big Air.

A Quick Guide to Lieuwe Boards

• Awesome: The go-to board for beginners and early intermediates. Super forgiving and confidence-building.
• Shotgun: A versatile all-rounder for riders progressing from intermediate into advanced.
• Falcon: A lightweight, high-performance carbon board for advanced Big Air riders.
• Oceana: Built for pros and expert riders, designed to perform in extreme conditions and competitions.

How the Boards Compare

Falcon vs Shotgun

• Falcon: If you want a high-performance board for Big Air, the Falcon is hard to beat. It’s incredibly light, super responsive, and built for control at high speeds. The stiff carbon construction gives huge pop and powerful energy return, perfect for higher jumps, board-offs and more aggressive riding. The trade-off is that it demands better technique, especially in heavy chop.
• Shotgun: The Shotgun is more forgiving and more comfortable for everyday use. It’s less stiff than the Falcon, which helps absorb impacts and makes it easier to control in mixed conditions. This makes it ideal for strong intermediates and advanced riders who still want a smooth ride rather than a full-on carbon weapon all the time.

In short: Choose the Falcon if you’re ready to go all out on performance. Choose the Shotgun if you want comfort, control and progression in all conditions.

Falcon vs Oceana

• Falcon: The Falcon is a lightweight Big Air board that feels lively and playful. Its carbon lay-up makes board-offs, spins and high jumps feel easy and controlled, with quick, direct feedback through the edge.
• Oceana: The Oceana is the more serious, extreme-performance option. It’s slightly heavier and more planted, with massive grip and stability. It is built to thrive in strong winds, rough water and competition-style riding, giving you confidence when you’re pushing the limits.

In short: The Falcon is your light and explosive Big Air board. The Oceana is your tank for extreme conditions and pro-level sessions.

Shotgun vs Oceana

• Shotgun: A true all-rounder, the Shotgun performs well in almost any condition. It handles chop beautifully, offers a comfortable ride, and still has plenty of grip and pop for jumps. It’s the perfect choice if you want one board that can do freeride, Big Air and some freestyle.
• Oceana: The Oceana really comes alive in strong wind, waves and open-ocean conditions. It locks in when you edge, launches confidently off kickers, and feels smooth and stable on hard, fast landings.

In short: The Shotgun is your everyday freeride and Big Air board. The Oceana is for advanced riders who regularly ride challenging, powerful conditions.

Shotgun vs Awesome

• Awesome: Designed to make life easy for beginners and intermediates. Its outline and flex pattern help with easy waterstarts, steady upwind riding and a smooth, predictable feel. It’s the board that lets you focus on learning, not fighting your edges.
• Shotgun: The next step once you’re riding confidently and starting to work on bigger jumps and more dynamic riding. It offers more grip, more pop and higher top speed, while still keeping that Lieuwe comfort underfoot.

In short: Start with the Awesome if you’re new to kiteboarding. When you’re ready to step things up, the Shotgun will carry you into your next level.

Oceana vs Oceana Teijin

• Oceana: A high-performance freestyle and Big Air board, built to handle tough, demanding sessions. It’s designed for maximum grip, power and control when you’re riding fast and landing hard.
• Oceana Teijin: The Teijin version upgrades the lay-up with Twaron® aramid fibres. This adds extra stiffness, more explosive pop and improved shock absorption. You get smoother landings and less impact on your knees and joints — ideal if you’re going big or riding long sessions.

In short: The Oceana is already a serious performance board. The Oceana Teijin takes it further for riders who want maximum control, comfort and durability at the highest level.

Why You Should Buy Your Lieuwe Board from Northern Watersports

Choosing the right board is easier when you buy from a shop that actually rides the gear. At Northern Watersports, we kite regularly at Wallasey Beach, West Kirby Marine Lake and around North Wales, so our advice is based on real sessions in real UK conditions.

• Authorised Lieuwe dealer: All boards are genuine, UK-supplied Lieuwe products.
• Rider-run shop: We know how each board feels on the water and can help match the Awesome, Shotgun, Falcon or Oceana to your level and style.
• Honest, practical advice: We’ll help you choose the right size, pads/straps and setup for local conditions, not just the most expensive option.
• Fast UK shipping & support: Quick delivery, easy communication and aftercare from a real UK-based team.

If you’re not sure which model is right for you, just ask. We can talk through your riding level, favourite spots and goals, and point you to the Lieuwe board that will genuinely help you progress.

Explore the full Lieuwe range at Northern Watersports

Pop into the shop for a chat or demo, or drop us a message if you’d like personalised advice before you order.