The old light wind argument, kite vs board who will win this time.

Lucky for you your a bit of a light weight and you would probably get away with a bigger board like a slingshot glide with the 9m kite should get going in just over 10kts, or there is the nobile skim board which is a lot easyer to ride than it looks, or grab a big old surfboard and get out there.

The problem with bigger kites in light conditions is they are heavier, turn slower and a lot of the time you would still need the bigger board. But a small kite can still turn fast in light conditions and generate more aparent wind and still get you going in the light condition on the bigger board.

it really depends on what your aim is, are you just looking at going out for a cruise or do you want a bit of power for tricks, jumps etc.

If its just crusing then grab a 12m kite and ride your current board but you may find you dont make your 10knts that you want to get out in. Or grab the big board and use your 9m and see how light you can ride.

If you still want to do tricks, jumps (little ones) you will deffinatly need the bigger kite and the bigger board. Last years 14m bandit dos was a great light wind kite, as was the 15m rev. Or you could lash out and go for the ultimate light wind kites like the flysurfer. All these kites will get you out in 10kts but will handle like a old rusty tractor turn slowly etc but will also pull like a tractor. Then board wise you would need a larger tt board than you would normally ride like the light wind NHP that nobile make.

Really i think light wind kiting is more about how deep your pockets are as the bigger kites cost a lot more, more expense on bigger boards, and for what a lot of the time you still only get a quick ride or get blown off the watter.

Best money i have ever spent on light wind gear is definatly the nobile skim.

Looking at your wind chart i would be sugest that you dont set your goals so low there is so much difference between 10kts and 13 kts and at 13 kts you would definatly get away with just the bigger kite.

I hope your confused as that is what light wind kitting is about, there is a lot of options and what suits one rider wont suit another. There is only one real solution that would 100% solve your problem,

MOVE SOMEWHERE MORE WINDY

Your board is a reasonably fast one Sillyman so a bigger one wont offer you much.
The "I'm a beginner" bit is most likely your biggest downfall in lighter winds, you will get much better in the light stuff with more experience.

I wouldn't go for too big a kite at your weight as you just wont need it. We have a local that rides his 9m Bandit from about 12knt and he is 5-7kg heavier than you.

If you really want a light wind kite the Ovando will beat them all size for size. The 11m will make more power than a 13-14m Bow.

Jas

I want to know why Steve's posting with Maximum's handle?????

Dude - I just got a second hand 16m 09 crossbow for those gutless days we seem to be getting more and more of in Sydney. Just go big my friend - the 09 and 2010 kites have great technology so even the big ones fly easy and turn OK - I'm heavier then you - 85kg - but if I were you I'd get at least a 14 or even a 15 metre. By the time you are too overpowered on that you'll definately be able to use your 9.

Too much power is never a bad thing dude - you will spew if you get a 12 m and you still can't get out

Go BIG dude

Firstly thanks for the replies!

kyron said...

...wait for summer to learn to kite, its too frustrating this time of year!...

Amen to that! Hence the want/need (which is it?) of a bigger kite. I agree i'd happy with having a one kite quiver BUT just look at that graph a whole lot more yellow than green. And after chatting to a local who luckily happened to be the same weight as me he said he sported a 13m and a 7m

I've have a 175 directional which I'm going to go fetch but i still don't really see that getting me up when its dropped below 14knts

Longers said...

...I just got a second hand 16m 09 crossbow for those gutless days we seem to be getting more and more of in Sydney. Just go big my friend - the 09 and 2010 kites have great technology so even the big ones fly easy and turn OK - I'm heavier then you - 85kg - but if I were you I'd get at least a 14 or even a 15 metre. By the time you are too overpowered on that you'll definately be able to use your 9.

To me I think 16m is a little too big, I'd rather be safe than sorry

I guess what i'm really asking is whats a 12-13m 09/10 model kite like for a small guy like me in marginal winds?

kyron said...

Mate, Im from Tassie originally, wait for summer to learn to kite, its too frustrating this time of year! light wind kites are more hassle than they are worth!

Same - Im originaly from Tassie and moved to Perth almost 4 years ago........and never looked back.......except for christmas this year (havent been home in 4 years and mum keeps complaining)

SammyJ said...

sillyman big kites are yukky. At your weight, if you can't get going with a 12m on a 130+ board it really won't be worth going out.

My biggest kite is a 10m. @ 95kg on my 138 TT board in 18 knots I'm lit, on my surfboard it's more like 15 knots just to give you some idea.

If you go for a real grunty kite like my Liquid Force Envy in a 12m 12-13 knots will be a joy.

Do yourself a favour, don't waste money on a kite bigger than a 12m @ your weight it will just pull you off down wind the minute the wind picks up slightly.

Just my 2c

Cheers Sammy! Being new to this and all and never having a tried a 12m kite, what does it meanmean when someone says 'grunty'? Does the kite have a jerky/slow yet powerful feel?

ashkiter said...

kyron said...

Mate, Im from Tassie originally, wait for summer to learn to kite, its too frustrating this time of year! light wind kites are more hassle than they are worth!

Same - Im originaly from Tassie and moved to Perth almost 4 years ago........and never looked back.......except for christmas this year (havent been home in 4 years and mum keeps complaining)

How does a tasmanian know when his sister's on her period?
His dad's dick tastes funny.

light winds are frustrating. if the breeze is from 8 knts to 15knots and inconsistent your kite will fall out of the sky no matter what for the exdeption of a foil kite. you need a widish surfboard with a fair bit of volume and around 6"3. a nine meter kite should be enough as i have found that the faster the kite the more short bursts of power i can generate and onm the right board cruise and stay upwind ok. but overall light wind kiting sucks and is only good for teaching how to fly a kite. i have learnt heaps on how to fly a kite in light winds.
if you have to get a mal and have a cruise

Yo Hicko,
Cheers for the heads up on the kite sizes, its good to know that someone my size is got a 9/12 combo, especially as I just got myself another Convert a 12m, so I should be rocking for those seabreezes
Yeah i reckon that kiter you saw was me, if it was the lonely guy WAY downwind of anyone else! I'm surprised that you couldn't spot the fluro though haha
I'll have to say hi next time there's some wind, fingers crossed its soon!