Naish RPT | Wood Freeride Twintip

The Naish RPT is a twintip kiteboard built for riders who are learning or building confidence — a proper everyday freeride board that won't punish mistakes but will genuinely help you improve. If you're working on your water starts, chasing your first upwind run, or just want a board you can blast around on without thinking too hard, this is the one.

Built on a wood core with a clean, natural aesthetic, the RPT sits at the approachable end of Naish's range without cutting corners on construction. The technology under the deck is real — borrowed from higher-end Naish boards and tuned for riders who value feel and forgiveness over all-out performance.

Who It's For

• Discipline: All-round freeride, flatwater and light chop
• Level: Beginner through improver — ideal if you're working through your first season or into your second
• Best for: Water start practice, learning to ride upwind, weekend sessions, kite school hire fleets, anyone who wants a reliable, no-drama board

Key Features

• Keel Lock Spine – A structural spine running the length of the board (130–145cm sizes) that stiffens the edge and stops the board washing sideways. Makes upwind edging much more predictable and softens hard landings by dispersing impact through the whole board rather than one spot.
• Deep 6mm Single Concave Bottom – Channels water under the board for early lift and positive edge grip. You feel it most when you're trying to get upwind — the board bites and holds rather than skipping across the surface.
• Lower Rocker Profile – Flatter nose-to-tail curve means the board gets on the plane quickly and maintains speed through turns. Useful in lighter winds and essential for beginners who need all the help they can get to stay riding.
• Centred Inserts – The binding insert positions are symmetrical around the board's centre, meaning you can flip your stance and ride the opposite rail once the original one shows wear. A practical touch that genuinely extends the life of the board.
• 5.0cm IXEF Fins – IXEF (a glass-reinforced polymer) is stiffer and lighter than standard glass fins. Good grip without being grabby — the right choice for a board aimed at riders still finding their edge angles.
• Torsion Laminate in Key Areas – Reinforcing laminate is placed strategically rather than everywhere, giving the board a controlled flex pattern — responsive under your feet without being stiff to the point of being harsh.
• Tapered Rails – Rails thin out towards the tips, reducing swing weight and making the board feel lighter and more manoeuvrable than the dimensions might suggest.
• Rounded Tips – Softer tip shape reduces the chance of catching an edge on a bad landing and helps the board float through chop more smoothly.
• Wood Core Construction – Natural wood gives a lively, responsive feel underfoot with good vibration damping. The transparent deck finish shows the core off — it genuinely looks the part.

Real-World Feel

The RPT rides bigger than its length suggests. The low rocker and single concave work together to get the board skating across the water early — you won't be frustrated waiting for it to plane. The Keel Lock Spine (on the 130–145cm sizes) makes the biggest difference when you're learning to go upwind: the board feels planted and directional rather than slippery, and you get honest feedback about your edge angle without being punished for getting it slightly wrong. The wood core keeps things lively without the harsh clatter you sometimes get from cheaper constructions. In chop, the rounded tips and overall shape absorb a lot of the mess rather than transmitting it straight up through your knees. One underrated practical point: the centred inserts mean you can flip your bindings to the opposite rail once you've worn one side in. On a beginner board that's going to take some stick, that's a useful extra month or two of life without buying new kit.

Setup and Fit

The RPT runs standard channel inserts. Most riders set up with bindings centred (equal distance from each tip) for a balanced, symmetrical feel — good for learning. If you find you're riding more toeside or heelside in one direction, a small offset of 1–2cm towards your front foot can help. Stance width is personal, but most riders 5'7"–6'0" find 50–55cm comfortable. The centred insert layout means you can reverse the binding position entirely once you've worn the heelside rail in — just flip the board end for end and mount back up. The standard 5cm fins are supplied and suit most conditions; if you're riding in heavy chop or shallow water, swapping to smaller fins is easy.

Materials

Wood core with fibreglass laminate construction. Torsion laminate reinforcement placed in key flex zones for controlled response. IXEF glass-reinforced polymer fins (5.0cm). The deck uses a transparent finish that shows the natural wood grain — functional and honest construction, no filler cosmetics.

Size Guide

Note: The 152 and 162 have asymmetric shaping and no Keel Lock Spine — they are dedicated light wind boards, not a simple size-up from the 145.

Pairs Well With

Set the RPT up properly with comfortable kite pads and straps — the right binding setup makes a real difference to how quickly you progress, especially on a board designed for learning.

Why We Stock It

We're a rider-owned shop on the Wirral, and we see a lot of people coming through the door looking for a first or second board that won't let them down. The RPT is genuinely one of the better options at this price point — it's properly built (wood core, real laminate work, quality fins), it's honest about what it is, and it does its job well. We stock it because we'd recommend it to a friend, which is the only reason we stock anything.

FAQs

Is the Naish RPT good for beginners?

Yes, it's one of the more beginner-friendly boards in the Naish range. The low rocker helps you get on the plane quickly, the Keel Lock Spine (on sizes 130–145cm) gives the board a planted, directional feel that makes learning to go upwind much easier, and the overall shape is forgiving on landings and in choppy conditions. It's not a toy board — it's properly made and will carry you well beyond your first season.

What size Naish RPT do I need?

As a rough guide: under 60kg, look at the 130; 60–70kg, the 135; 65–80kg, the 140 (the most popular size); 75–90kg, the 145. The 152 and 162 are light wind specialist sizes with asymmetric shaping — they're not simply a size-up for heavier riders but are specifically for low-wind days. If in doubt, err towards slightly larger — a bigger board is more forgiving when learning.

What's the difference between the Naish RPT 130–145 and the 152/162?

The 130–145 sizes share the same core design: Keel Lock Spine, symmetric shape, standard freeride construction. The 152 and 162 are different boards in the same range — they have asymmetric shaping optimised for light wind performance and no Keel Lock Spine. If you're buying for general learning and riding, stick to the 130–145 range. The 152/162 are for experienced riders who specifically need light wind performance.

Can I use the Naish RPT for jumping and freestyle?

It's not designed for it, but it won't stop you. The RPT is built for freeride — upwind riding, smooth turns, comfortable cruising. You can pop off small waves and practice basic jumps without issue. If jumping and unhooked riding is your primary goal, you'd eventually want to look at something like the Naish Traverse or a more dedicated freestyle board. But for most riders through their first year or two, the RPT handles everything they'll realistically be doing.

How long will the Naish RPT last?

With normal use and basic care (rinse with fresh water after every session, store out of direct sunlight, don't drop it on concrete), a wood core board like the RPT should give you several solid seasons. The centred insert design is a practical bonus — when the heelside rail shows wear from repeated edge loads, you can flip the binding position to the opposite end and effectively get a fresh rail. That's a genuinely useful feature on a beginner board that takes more abuse than most.

Does the Naish RPT come with fins and bindings?

The RPT comes supplied with 5.0cm IXEF fins. Bindings (pads and straps) are sold separately — check our pads and straps range for compatible options. If you're buying your first complete setup, give us a shout and we can advise on what works well together.