Weight: 62kg
Kite: 9m Switchblade
Board: 135x40

Finding many frustrating days of 13-15 knots where I'm struggling to keep upwind and it's hard work (and boring) just keeping my kite up in the air. Don't get me wrong, love the 9m Switchy but it really performs from 16kts upwards and I'm considering adding a light wind kite. At my weight I think the 17m Zephur would be unmanageable if it starts gusting 16+ so looking at alternatives. Was thinking the 12m Liquid Force "Solo" because I'm pretty sure I can buy "kite only" and fly it on my 2017 Cab bar with fireball link. Both seem to have low V and single line flagging.
I'd welcome any "constructive" advise and input from others on kite choice or whether a light wind board would be a better option. I was thinking kite since the reviews I've read said the Solo would fly in 10 knots whereas the Switchy won't.

The short answer is: get a 12m kite.

The first step to extending your wind range is to get at least 2 kites, preferably 3.

Your biggest asset, by far, is your body weight, meaning that you should be comfortably powered on a normal size TT in 13-15 knots with a 12m kite, whereas 80 kg + guys would be underpowered on a TT. I was watching a friend of mine who is 50 kg Kite in 10 knots with a 12m kite and long lines on a 143cm TT, going upwind! The kite was barely staying up in the air... No chance I could pull that off with the same gear at my weight. However, I was well powered on the hydrofoil in the same wind.



It took me many years to understand that but below 15 knots, the type of board you use and your skill level are far more important than the size of the kite. Being around 85 kg myself, I used to swear that having a 17m kite was a must for enjoying light wind sessions, only to notice that below 15 knots it was really hard work and not much fun on a TT. My biggest kite is now a 12m and I no longer bother riding TT below 15 knots even if it's sometimes possible. Below 15 knots a light wind twin tip definitely helps, but you're really only going to mow the lawn anyhow.

Don't focus too much on which 12m kite to get, as long as it's powerful and has a very good low end, that's all you care about. Single strut kites are only an advantage when flown in marginal conditions i.e. 10 knots or less. In those winds, at your weight, you would need a very large twin tip to even think about going kiting with a 12m kite.

Just get a regular 12m and you'll be happy kiting in the 13-18 knots range with the same board you have. Below 13 knots, then I'd recommend you get into hydrofoiling! Believe it or not but I recently figured I only needed about 12 knots to get going on the foil board with a 5m Kite and long lines, where other guys next to me with kites as big as 18m are struggling on Twin tips...

Christian

I agree and can vouch for what cbulota says. I have been the kiter on the 18 (or 21m foil kite) watching him ride with me on his 12 with 35m lines, and more recently I've been riding his 5m on the same length lines having a blast in 12-14 knots. It took practise more than anything, but with a 9m and TT as your only options you are really limiting yourself in terms of what you are capable of as a kiter.

Kind of depends on what your budget and intentions are. You could add some 10-15m extensions for a few hundred dollars and get a bit more more range out of your 9. You could spend $1100-1500 on a second hand hydrofoil and persist with the same kite and open up a whole new set of skills and experiences, or spend a bit less and get a nice 12-13m kite and stick with the same board. Or buy a big ole door (or make one) and see if that's your thing. Check out what guys are doing with Alaia's - very simple shape and very efficient to ride.

That's the best thing about this sport - so many different ways to go about it.

Enjoy the ride !!

Good comments but depends what you want to do,
big boards on a smaller kite are very limiting unless your just looking for run out
a larger kite on your standard board has always ticked my box,
ive owned a few zephyrs
the first edition could get really heavy at the bar in its upper ranges, the latter editions are a very refined kite with a massive wind range, it came alive for me at 13 knts and was still manageable into mid 20s
at your weight you'd be knocking a few knts off the upper limits for sure, also depends on your ability and what you want to do

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..
Good comments but depends what you want to do,
big boards on a smaller kite are very limiting unless your just looking for run out
a larger kite on your standard board has always ticked my box,
ive owned a few zephyrs
the first edition could get really heavy at the bar in its upper ranges, the latter editions are a very refined kite with a massive wind range, it came alive for me at 13 knts and was still manageable into mid 20s
at your weight you'd be knocking a few knts off the upper limits for sure, also depends on your ability and what you want to do

Agree with Cauncy here. I have a 2016 Zeph and it is my go to in light winds. Love that kite. At 90kg i'm out there in 12-13kn using my standard TT and doing more than just mowing the lawn. Has a huge wind range too. I can hold it down easily even when others are parking up other brand light wind models and changing down cause they're overpowered.

In saying that, my other half who weighs in at 60kg is out on the 12m Evo on a 130cm board in the same conditions....

At your weight, you have a heap of options but don't go past the Zephyr till you've tried it.

Unless you have glorious waves ultimately sub 15 is bat**** boring on traditional boards.

If you can entertain yourself with low level jumps or some strapless style trickery maybe you can milk sub 15 a bit longer before loosing interest.

The actual answer for powered to all hell upwind charging big air boosting sub 15 is a hydrofoil.

Sell the 9, buy a 10 and a 7. Then also do not underestimate the power and fun you gain in low winds by getting a strapless board. Consider learning strapless and getting a supercheap surfboard to learn on. That will get you going a few knots earlier once you learn how to ride it efficiently, and then you can also use it powered up in some waves. Or get a nugget type board and get even move low end. And alaia-style boards are also a lot of fun in low wind and flat water, and are a supercheap option as well. Plenty of options, high or low budget!

I weigh 67kgs.
My light wind set up is a ocean rodeo flite 14.5m and shinn king gee 146x46 board.
I can stay up wind from 9knts. Do kite loop back rolls from 12knts. And boost big from 15knts.
and I tap out at 20knts.
Very happy with my current set up.

Thank you all for the really good advice and perspective. I think the next step for me is 12m kite that works well in low winds and then I'm going to look at a surf board as my 2nd board once I've improved my low wind technique on the TT. I also have a 5m kite I bought for my son to start learning on so got the higher wind ranges covered. Foil board will be step 3 and a little way off but definitely on the cards in the future. Thanks again everyone ??

Yeh cubes is right at your weight you'd have some fun at 13-15 on a 12m. If you were heavier I'd say even at those winds you'd be wasting yOur time even with a 12m, but you are a flyweight dude. Then consider a surfboard (even somehting like a nugget) to extend the bottom end range of both kites and also add another skill set to put your mind and body to. If you want to go all out then the next logical step is the foilboard.

im not so sure a 17m or even a bigger kite than a 12m is the answer for someone your weight. I think the heavy fellas don't really know what's it like not having that weight to push a big kite to the edge of the window if the wind picks up or you get a big gust. Nor the little peg arms to try and steer the damn thing around lol.

ps I'm 75kg and run one kite only, 10m....

Yep, forget the 17m. It's hard to imagine that 20 kg + can make such a big difference but it does. Since the majority of kiters weigh 75kg + it's normal that most would recommend that you get a 17m kite for that 13-15 knots range, but in your case, it makes no sense.