Naish Skater | Skatey Kite Surfboard

The 2026 Naish Skater is a performance directional kite surfboard built around a skate-inspired shape — wide tail, squarish nose, parallel rails, and a twin-tip-style square rail profile that gives riders from a twintip background an immediately familiar feel. Available in 5'0, 5'2, and 5'4, it covers everything from powered strapless freestyle to small-to-medium surf sessions.

The Skater is designed to work strapped or strapless. The wide outline planes early and tracks upwind with less effort than a narrow surf shape, while the sharp, thinned-out back rails give a positive edge and clean pop for airs and rotations. PVC sandwich construction with EPS core, carbon stringers, bamboo, and high-tensile fibreglass keeps the board light and dent-resistant. Fins are MFC Future-compatible in a thruster setup, with optional quad rear fins available separately.

Who It's For

Riders making the transition from twintip to directional riding, and those who want a strapless freestyle tool with enough volume and stability to ride confidently in a range of conditions. The Skater's parallel rails and wide tail make it more approachable than a narrower surf shape — you don't need to be a surfer to enjoy it. It also suits more experienced riders who want a go-to board for powered conditions and small surf that prioritises pop and control over pure wave carving.

Key Features

• Wide tail and squarish nose — parallel outline planes early, tracks upwind easily, and gives a stable platform for airs and rotations
• Square rails — maximise a twin-tip feel while keeping surf board roots; familiar and predictable for riders coming from a twintip background
• Thinned-out, sharp rear rails — give grip and controlled release on edge for clean pops and repeated tricks
• PVC sandwich deck construction — EPS core, carbon stringers, bamboo, high-density foam, and high-tensile fibreglass; prevents heel denting and offers stiffness where you need it
• MFC Future fin thruster setup — Naish collaborated with MFC on a fin range built for kitesurfing; thruster as standard with quad rear fin option available separately for more hold or release
• Groove Lock traction pad — three-piece pad optimised for traction without restricting foot positioning
• Strap insert compatible — ride strapped for powered conditions or when learning, strapless when the conditions and confidence allow
• Three sizes — 5'0 (19 L), 5'2 (23.5 L), 5'4 (26.5 L) to suit rider weight and conditions

Real-World Feel

On the water the Skater feels stable in a way that a pure surf shape doesn't — the parallel rails and wide tail give you something to stand on rather than constantly balancing on a rocker. Upwind is easy and it planes early, so you're not fighting for height in lighter winds. When you load up for a jump the wide tail gives you grip and the sharp back rails release cleanly, which is what makes the pop feel like a twintip rather than a mushy surfboard. In small surf it turns predictably — not as carvy as a dedicated wave board, but responsive enough to enjoy. The MFC fins in thruster setup give solid hold; swap in quad rear fins and you get a looser, more slidey feel. Overall it's an honest progression board that doesn't ask you to compromise your twintip habits to enjoy it.

Setup and Fit

The Skater comes with MFC Future fin thruster fins. Future fin boxes are compatible with the full MFC kiteboarding fin range and most third-party Future-compatible fins. Quad rear fin inserts allow a 2+1 or quad setup — rear quad fins are sold separately. Strap inserts are included; foot straps are not. For size, choose based on your weight and how you'll use the board: lighter riders and those prioritising manoeuvreability should go smaller; heavier riders or those wanting more stability and light-wind performance should size up.

Materials and Construction

Core: EPS with high-density foam insert. Stringers: carbon. Skin: bamboo and high-tensile fibreglass with PVC sandwich deck construction. This combination prevents heel dents and keeps the board stiff and light without being fragile. Rails: thinned at the tail with square profiling; softer through the nose for controlled flex. Fins: MFC Future-compatible thruster set included.

Size Guide

As a general rule: if you're between sizes, go smaller if you prioritise feel and manoeuvreability in powered conditions; go larger if you want earlier planing and more forgiveness in lighter winds or choppier water.

Pairs Well With

The Skater works well with a responsive all-round kite from our kites collection — a kite with good depower and predictable turning makes strapless riding much more manageable. For kite accessories including spare fins, pads, and straps, see our accessories range. If you're also running a twintip, the Skater makes a strong second board for surf and freestyle sessions.

Why We Stock It

We stock the Skater because it's a genuinely accessible directional that doesn't make twintip riders feel like they're starting from scratch. The skate-inspired parallel shape is honest about what it is — it's not trying to be a wave board, it's trying to be the easiest possible step into directional riding, with enough performance ceiling to keep experienced riders interested. The MFC fin collaboration is a nice touch; fins matter more than most people think, and Naish have put thought into the kiteboarding-specific tuning. At £879 it's competitive for a board at this quality level.

FAQs

Is the Naish Skater good for beginners to directional kite surfboards?

The Skater is one of the better options for riders making the transition from twintip to directional, but it's not a beginner kite board in the broad sense. You should be comfortable on a twintip with solid upwind riding before stepping onto a directional. Once you're there, the Skater's parallel shape and twin-tip-style rails make the adjustment significantly easier than a more curved surf shape.

What fins come with the Naish Skater 2026?

The Skater comes with an MFC Future fin thruster set — three fins in a 2+1 arrangement developed in partnership between Naish and MFC for kitesurfing. Quad rear fins are sold separately and can be added to change the board's handling from more hold (thruster) to more release and slide (quad).

Can I ride the Naish Skater strapless?

Yes. The Skater is designed for both strapped and strapless riding. The groove lock traction pad and stable wide outline make strapless riding approachable — the parallel rails give you a platform that doesn't slide out unpredictably. Most riders use straps when learning, then progress to strapless as their confidence grows.

What size Naish Skater should I get?

The 5'0 (19 L) suits lighter riders (under approximately 70 kg) who want a more responsive, manoeuvrable feel. The 5'2 (23.5 L) is the most versatile all-round size. The 5'4 (26.5 L) gives more volume for heavier riders (80 kg+), lighter wind conditions, or those who want the most stability. If in doubt, go for the 5'2.

How does the Naish Skater compare to the Naish Kokomo?

The Skater has a wider, more parallel outline with a stronger twin-tip influence — it's more stable and easier for riders coming from a twintip. The Kokomo is a more modern surf-influenced shape suited to riders with more directional experience who want to carve waves and surf the kite more actively. If you're unsure which suits you, come in and talk to us.

Is the Naish Skater 2026 a new shape?

The Skater has been part of Naish's range for several seasons. The 2026 version continues the established skate-inspired parallel rail concept with PVC sandwich construction and the MFC Future fin setup. It's a refined iteration rather than a complete redesign.