Hi all,
just wondering what would be a good step down from a 7m RPM when its averaging 35 knots.
Im about 75 pies and like the wild weather but dont like flying a kite thats sheeted out to the max.
What are other people flying in 30-40.
Cheers.

Hi Stray,

You should consider getting a 5m kite for those conditions. It also really depends what you want to do in those winds i.e. your preferred style of kiting ?

Pro's who compete for big air will go out on 9m kites in as much as 45 knots. Personally at 85kg I find that on a Twin tip, a 7m kite is a great size for up to 35-40 knots for boosting big airs. Yes that would be slightly overpowered, but when boosting big airs, that is what you need.

When on a surfboard in more than 25 knots, a 5m kite works best for me.

With a good technique you could easily fly a 3m or 4m kite in anything at or above 30 knots. Here is a 3.5m in about 30 knots:

So, if you are not looking at boosting big airs and just cruise around, then a 5m kite (or less) would work best for you in 30 knots +.
If you want to try boosting with a 5m kite you may find it difficult at first as they are very fast and landings can be pretty tricky with less hangtime.

You also want check you line tuning and make sure your kite isn't oversheeting which would make a big difference in strong winds.

Christian

Thanks Christian,
mostly im riding fairly conservative due to a couple of injuries so not going for big air, just poping off the odd wave on the way out and a bit of carving on the way in. Mostly on a tt in stormy mush.
Whats the best style kite once you get down to a 5 thats not too twitchy if its gusty.

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stray said..
Thanks Christian,
mostly im riding fairly conservative due to a couple of injuries so not going for big air, just poping off the odd wave on the way out and a bit of carving on the way in. Mostly on a tt in stormy mush.
Whats the best style kite once you get down to a 5 thats not too twitchy if its gusty.

Personal choice, but I love my 5m neo, it is my go to kite on a solid summer day or winter fronts.

I have a Switch Element 5m, which is excellent for foiling or riding the surfboard in strong winds. I weigh 75kg. It would be fine in the 30-40 knot range. They're really good kites, and very good value, which is important for a kite you're not going to use every day.

On a TT I'm not sure I would be so interested in anything much under 7m. If you've got the skills to ride in 30-40 knots then you should be able to handle a 7m in those winds.

A smaller kite is not necessarily safer in strong winds. You lose control of a small kite in big winds then you're going to get spanked no matter what size it is.

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Gorgo said..


On a TT I'm not sure I would be so interested in anything much under 7m. If you've got the skills to ride in 30-40 knots then you should be able to handle a 7m in those winds.

Yeah i sort of figured the same. I thought maybe a more delta shaped kite might be less punchy in the gusts than the rpm. I dont have heaps of kiting experience but have been sailing for over 30 years so have a good feel for trimming a kite.
id rather have to keep a smaller kite powered up than fly one thats fully depowered and flagging most of the time.
Guess i'll do more research and try a few things out.

Yeah, Next one down from the 7 would be a 5. Buy one and roost. Stupid wind kiting is so much fun. But you have to back yourself and fly wind confidence. Mistakes are punished hard and fast in those winds.

Lake Illawarra today, 23-48 kt westerly. Flew the 5m all day and rode, changing boards as needed..

Yeah the lake was on fire today... squirrel done well with some tricky teather lauches and landings ...

I had an 8m set up with high rocker board.....


You could go down a board size and may find your 7m still ok.

You will have more line tension though.

Depending on how it feels for you... it may be an option to consider.

8m rebel from Duotone. Go big.

Hi Peeps,

30-40 knots is pro level riding wind speeds. For any newbies to our sport, I would suggest sitting out the 30+ knot days. There is no perfect kite for 30+ knots until you have had several years experience of regular riding. Anything smaller than a 7m is twitchy. Twitchy means fast and super responsive, this is why it shouldn't be on your radar until you have several seasons of experience under your belt. Many inexperienced riders I speak to are afraid of the power of an 18m kite in 15 knots and think that a 5m kite in 30+ knots will be less scary, after all, it's a tiny kite right?

Tiny kites, flown across the wind window in 30+ knots generate as much power as a huge kite in 12 knots, the difference is how quickly it happens. In less than 2 second you could find yourself on the receiving end of a looping 5m kite flying through the air with your back turned to the impact on the water. I've never slown a tiny kite in those conditions and had a good time. Smallest I've flown is a 5m and I am 95k.

For experienced riders, a 7m for a twin tip is fine, but definitely with 5 struts to give canopy stability ie Rebel, XR5 etc. Surfers on surfboards? The chop will be so bad, the surf so blown out and the wind under your board so fierce that surfing is not going to be fun in almost all cases unless your wave is in cross off conditions and the faces are clean. Even twin tips in 30+ knots are not a lot of fun unless riding a spit in offshore conditions. No strut, single strut and even three strut kites do not work at their optimum when they are flown at the top of their stated wind range. A 7m with 5 struts is best IMHO. You won't believe the difference in a 7m, 3 strut kite compared to a 7m, 5 strut kite, it's all about canopy stability and reliability.

Gusts are bullety and instantaneous with huge holes in the wind and chop is generally like a washing machine. After kiting almost 20 years, I sit out the 30+ knot days these days (and no, my knees and body are fine), I just don't find it that enjoyable anymore. I do understand the thrill if you haven't been kiting that long to get amongst it in any conditions, as did I years ago, but reckon the risk needs to be less that the reward and I find the reward, not very rewarding these days. I think the answer is buying a Rebel or XR5. Try and get a demo or ask for reviews of these ktes from the big air freaks.

FWIW,

DM

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ActionSportsWA said..
Hi Peeps,

30-40 knots is pro level riding wind speeds. For any newbies to our sport, I would suggest sitting out the 30+ knot days. There is no perfect kite for 30+ knots until you have had several years experience of regular riding. Anything smaller than a 7m is twitchy. Twitchy means fast and super responsive, this is why it shouldn't be on your radar until you have several seasons of experience under your belt. Many inexperienced riders I speak to are afraid of the power of an 18m kite in 15 knots and think that a 5m kite in 30+ knots will be less scary, after all, it's a tiny kite right?

Tiny kites, flown across the wind window in 30+ knots generate as much power as a huge kite in 12 knots, the difference is how quickly it happens. In less than 2 second you could find yourself on the receiving end of a looping 5m kite flying through the air with your back turned to the impact on the water. I've never slown a tiny kite in those conditions and had a good time. Smallest I've flown is a 5m and I am 95k.

For experienced riders, a 7m for a twin tip is fine, but definitely with 5 struts to give canopy stability ie Rebel, XR5 etc. Surfers on surfboards? The chop will be so bad, the surf so blown out and the wind under your board so fierce that surfing is not going to be fun in almost all cases unless your wave is in cross off conditions and the faces are clean. Even twin tips in 30+ knots are not a lot of fun unless riding a spit in offshore conditions. No strut, single strut and even three strut kites do not work at their optimum when they are flown at the top of their stated wind range. A 7m with 5 struts is best IMHO. You won't believe the difference in a 7m, 3 strut kite compared to a 7m, 5 strut kite, it's all about canopy stability and reliability.

Gusts are bullety and instantaneous with huge holes in the wind and chop is generally like a washing machine. After kiting almost 20 years, I sit out the 30+ knot days these days (and no, my knees and body are fine), I just don't find it that enjoyable anymore. I do understand the thrill if you haven't been kiting that long to get amongst it in any conditions, as did I years ago, but reckon the risk needs to be less that the reward and I find the reward, not very rewarding these days. I think the answer is buying a Rebel or XR5. Try and get a demo or ask for reviews of these ktes from the big air freaks.

FWIW,

DM

As last some sanity. 35knot gusts are totally different to wind averaging 35knots in a 10 min period.

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TheSquirrel said..
Lake Illawarra today, 23-48 kt westerly. Flew the 5m all day and rode, changing boards as needed..

Found a pic from the weekend of TheSquirrel AKA N#24 kitted out with bbtalkin .... music while kiting.
Im sure he was fitted with fresh batteries .... was like watching the energizer bunny.lol

And heres a pic of Integral Energy having to replace the power lines (after a kite ripped the lines off the pole ) at Primbee Lake Illawarra after all the kiters went home yesterday . Yeah Lake Illawarra was on fire haha. Classic case of newbie standing too far upwind launching another newbie in 35 to 40 knot westerly kite drifts back to nearly straight downwind and then rips the guy across the grass for 15 feet he just clips the copper logs goes over another 15 ft of very rough bitumen then the kite goes over the power lines and rips the wires off the pole . Dude is so lucky that the wires snapped otherwise he was getting lofted up 9 metres over the lines. BTW this wasn't TheSquirrel. Sorry for the slight hijack of this thread "stray" but the reason I have posted this is some locals around my area talk it up how good it is to kite in 40 knots with no mention of the **** that can happen and it happens so quick in those winds. Me personally ill windsurf when it gets over 30 knots .I agree with everything Action SportsWA has stated , very good advice from Darren.

I really like kiting in 30 to 40 knots! I agree experience is necessary (been kiting for more than 10 years but certainly not pro), and probably a level of conservatibility on what one does (ie probably not the time to learn new tricks), and I'd want to have had a few recent sessions first to be sharp, but with the right gear its heaps of fun (I have a shinn monk and 2012 7m C4, a 5 strut kite... Perfect combo for high winds at 85kg). Conditions also count, I generally won't go out in high winds if its gusting on average more than 10 knots or so... That's not so fun. I'd also recommend going with a buddy in high winds in case of trouble. If no one is out at all there's probably a reason!

As per previous post biggest danger is always getting in and out... Generally always good practice but particularly in high winds I always take extra care to double check my gear and lines, run thru safety scenarios in head (ie go over/check quick release etc), and make sure there's nothing too dangerous downwind. And launch with a buddy if possible.

9m evo on trust bar or Vegas 9/10 ****ing machines at my 90kg. It's Like underoath licking choclate of ****ehouzesssss nipples kiting in 30 to 40 pure bliss. Rule in our house for them jackpot days is unless it's a funeral I can get out of whatever's on to go BIG!!! I live for them days.

Maybe instructors need to make sure newbies are totally comfortable with hitting the safety and flagging a kite before they get to water starts. I think we talked about it during my lessons but never actually did it. I did plenty of flag out landings when i was first learning coz i would do a bit of a downwinder along the beach and not always have help landing. I learned how to self land pretty quick but also became comfortable with punching out too. Stuff like landing your kite toward the water rather than toward a carpark or building etc. is another easy way to lower the risk levels.

Remember the safest way to launch and land in high & gusty wind is using a leash/teather. Then hit the water..

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westozwind said..

ActionSportsWA said..
Hi Peeps,

30-40 knots is pro level riding wind speeds. For any newbies to our sport, I would suggest sitting out the 30+ knot days. There is no perfect kite for 30+ knots until you have had several years experience of regular riding. Anything smaller than a 7m is twitchy. Twitchy means fast and super responsive, this is why it shouldn't be on your radar until you have several seasons of experience under your belt. Many inexperienced riders I speak to are afraid of the power of an 18m kite in 15 knots and think that a 5m kite in 30+ knots will be less scary, after all, it's a tiny kite right?

Tiny kites, flown across the wind window in 30+ knots generate as much power as a huge kite in 12 knots, the difference is how quickly it happens. In less than 2 second you could find yourself on the receiving end of a looping 5m kite flying through the air with your back turned to the impact on the water. I've never slown a tiny kite in those conditions and had a good time. Smallest I've flown is a 5m and I am 95k.

For experienced riders, a 7m for a twin tip is fine, but definitely with 5 struts to give canopy stability ie Rebel, XR5 etc. Surfers on surfboards? The chop will be so bad, the surf so blown out and the wind under your board so fierce that surfing is not going to be fun in almost all cases unless your wave is in cross off conditions and the faces are clean. Even twin tips in 30+ knots are not a lot of fun unless riding a spit in offshore conditions. No strut, single strut and even three strut kites do not work at their optimum when they are flown at the top of their stated wind range. A 7m with 5 struts is best IMHO. You won't believe the difference in a 7m, 3 strut kite compared to a 7m, 5 strut kite, it's all about canopy stability and reliability.

Gusts are bullety and instantaneous with huge holes in the wind and chop is generally like a washing machine. After kiting almost 20 years, I sit out the 30+ knot days these days (and no, my knees and body are fine), I just don't find it that enjoyable anymore. I do understand the thrill if you haven't been kiting that long to get amongst it in any conditions, as did I years ago, but reckon the risk needs to be less that the reward and I find the reward, not very rewarding these days. I think the answer is buying a Rebel or XR5. Try and get a demo or ask for reviews of these ktes from the big air freaks.

FWIW,

DM

As last some sanity. 35knot gusts are totally different to wind averaging 35knots in a 10 min period.

That is just what I thought as I read through this... at last a reasoned responce from responsible source.
Maybe I'm a pussy but I pack up if it pushes above a constant 28 knots .... it just seems all the conditions go to sh!t and the chances of getting badly hurt increased markedly. In WA we have so many days of ideal conditions in the on season there seems no reason to risk broken ribs or worse when the following day will often be perfect, especially if you can time your session to coincide with your preferred wind strengths. But each to their own.... break a leg.

Ah call me a Duotone wimp but above 30
knots... all kites behaviour (even the 5 strut stable ones) are crap. Just rather not ....

What sensible people should do looking out the car window

i.pinimg.com/originals/32/cf/8c/32cf8c4da2e0aaeaec8f77dcc8e9b858.jpg' />&imgrefurl=www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/51087777002974819/&docid=q0kz6pmVBTgFDM&tbnid=X3e1LL7pUtQHZM:&vet=1&w=500&h=281&source=sh/x/im

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SaveTheWhales said..
What sensible people should do looking out the car window

i.pinimg.com/originals/32/cf/8c/32cf8c4da2e0aaeaec8f77dcc8e9b858.jpg' />&imgrefurl=www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/51087777002974819/&docid=q0kz6pmVBTgFDM&tbnid=X3e1LL7pUtQHZM:&vet=1&w=500&h=281&source=sh/x/im

Hot drinks in the car might be a bit risky.

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TheSquirrel said..
Remember the safest way to launch and land in high & gusty wind is using a leash/teather. Then hit the water..

Cant say that I agree with you, I saw some of the teather'd launch's and landing you were doing when on the central coast. Think yr kite rolled into the power zone at least three time, in trees at least twice.

You were safe (agreed), but many around you weren't feeling it and not sure how yr kite survived!

There was plenty there that day that could of landed yr kite for you happily. I think that's a technique best left in an lsolated area where there isn't much general public or other kite activity

Josh from Slingshot Australia has 2017 5m wave sst kites on a run out. Message him he will sort you out.

Spot on replys on a kite with increased struts, not that important in constant 35 knts
your atandard 3 strut copes good enough , I've found in frontals that a five line kite handles it much better than four, soaks up gusts and little flapping of canopy, I used to fly my 9 Vegas in 35 standard seabreeze, I wouldn't fly a 9 in a four line 3 strut , I'd be on an 8 enduro or 7 at your weight, frontal winds can change 10 to 15 knts even more at times, so choosing a kite that can still perform during those lulls and feel safely in control during big spikes is the difficult one, best kite I've owned for that has been the edges, great top and great bottom end, old rebel is also similar

A 2013 5m vector which I bought to teach my kids on. The kite is 3 strut flies around the window super fast but doesn't sit stable (what kite is in 40-45kn gusts?), but I think shorter lines would help, oh and maybe a small bar too.

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cauncy said..
Spot on replys on a kite with increased struts, not that important in constant 35 knts
your atandard 3 strut copes good enough , I've found in frontals that a five line kite handles it much better than four, soaks up gusts and little flapping of canopy, I used to fly my 9 Vegas in 35 standard seabreeze, I wouldn't fly a 9 in a four line 3 strut , I'd be on an 8 enduro or 7 at your weight, frontal winds can change 10 to 15 knts even more at times, so choosing a kite that can still perform during those lulls and feel safely in control during big spikes is the difficult one, best kite I've owned for that has been the edges, great top and great bottom end, old rebel is also similar

Sounds like I'll have to ditch north a tone and jump on these edges for a spin. We always rig for the Luls that's the key for fronty days ??????????

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cauncy said..
Spot on replys on a kite with increased struts, not that important in constant 35 knts
your atandard 3 strut copes good enough , I've found in frontals that a five line kite handles it much better than four, soaks up gusts and little flapping of canopy, I used to fly my 9 Vegas in 35 standard seabreeze, I wouldn't fly a 9 in a four line 3 strut , I'd be on an 8 enduro or 7 at your weight, frontal winds can change 10 to 15 knts even more at times, so choosing a kite that can still perform during those lulls and feel safely in control during big spikes is the difficult one, best kite I've owned for that has been the edges, great top and great bottom end, old rebel is also similar

Is the edge a five line kite, thought it was a 4 line?

Select to expand quote

Richoa said..

cauncy said..
Spot on replys on a kite with increased struts, not that important in constant 35 knts
your atandard 3 strut copes good enough , I've found in frontals that a five line kite handles it much better than four, soaks up gusts and little flapping of canopy, I used to fly my 9 Vegas in 35 standard seabreeze, I wouldn't fly a 9 in a four line 3 strut , I'd be on an 8 enduro or 7 at your weight, frontal winds can change 10 to 15 knts even more at times, so choosing a kite that can still perform during those lulls and feel safely in control during big spikes is the difficult one, best kite I've owned for that has been the edges, great top and great bottom end, old rebel is also similar

Is the edge a five line kite, thought it was a 4 line?

4 line, always has been, imho the earlier models I thought were the bette in their upper ranges, had a rebel and Vegas 7 also which were great in their maximum ranges but frustrating when winds dropped out as is normal in our winter frontals,

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snalberski said..

westozwind said..

ActionSportsWA said..
Hi Peeps,

30-40 knots is pro level riding wind speeds. For any newbies to our sport, I would suggest sitting out the 30+ knot days. There is no perfect kite for 30+ knots until you have had several years experience of regular riding. Anything smaller than a 7m is twitchy. Twitchy means fast and super responsive, this is why it shouldn't be on your radar until you have several seasons of experience under your belt. Many inexperienced riders I speak to are afraid of the power of an 18m kite in 15 knots and think that a 5m kite in 30+ knots will be less scary, after all, it's a tiny kite right?

Tiny kites, flown across the wind window in 30+ knots generate as much power as a huge kite in 12 knots, the difference is how quickly it happens. In less than 2 second you could find yourself on the receiving end of a looping 5m kite flying through the air with your back turned to the impact on the water. I've never slown a tiny kite in those conditions and had a good time. Smallest I've flown is a 5m and I am 95k.

For experienced riders, a 7m for a twin tip is fine, but definitely with 5 struts to give canopy stability ie Rebel, XR5 etc. Surfers on surfboards? The chop will be so bad, the surf so blown out and the wind under your board so fierce that surfing is not going to be fun in almost all cases unless your wave is in cross off conditions and the faces are clean. Even twin tips in 30+ knots are not a lot of fun unless riding a spit in offshore conditions. No strut, single strut and even three strut kites do not work at their optimum when they are flown at the top of their stated wind range. A 7m with 5 struts is best IMHO. You won't believe the difference in a 7m, 3 strut kite compared to a 7m, 5 strut kite, it's all about canopy stability and reliability.

Gusts are bullety and instantaneous with huge holes in the wind and chop is generally like a washing machine. After kiting almost 20 years, I sit out the 30+ knot days these days (and no, my knees and body are fine), I just don't find it that enjoyable anymore. I do understand the thrill if you haven't been kiting that long to get amongst it in any conditions, as did I years ago, but reckon the risk needs to be less that the reward and I find the reward, not very rewarding these days. I think the answer is buying a Rebel or XR5. Try and get a demo or ask for reviews of these ktes from the big air freaks.

FWIW,

DM

As last some sanity. 35knot gusts are totally different to wind averaging 35knots in a 10 min period.

That is just what I thought as I read through this... at last a reasoned responce from responsible source.
Maybe I'm a pussy but I pack up if it pushes above a constant 28 knots .... it just seems all the conditions go to sh!t and the chances of getting badly hurt increased markedly. In WA we have so many days of ideal conditions in the on season there seems no reason to risk broken ribs or worse when the following day will often be perfect, especially if you can time your session to coincide with your preferred wind strengths. But each to their own.... break a leg.

Not me. I love 30 + knots. It's a freaking blast. You know your alive above 30.

8m for boosting to 35 maybe 40 gusts. It's literally insane. But incredibly fun. Feel the gust building and boooooooost.

Down size to 6m for waves 30-40. 6m gets all floaty around 40 knots. Start boosting on the 6. That's and exercise it precise kite control. Gusts pushing to 45 trim the 6 and survive. Crank out the 4m, up to 35 on the hydrofoil, ride waves in the mutant 35-50 knots. Easy peasy.... By that time I'm the last man standing.

Small kites are so much fun. Stupid sea conditions are even better. Combine the two and it's fantastic.

Yep I'm a storm kiter and love it.