A 15m slingshot Link filled with helium and rigged with 40 metre line extensions using a 2.4mtr bar so you can still turn it

then ride a sup board with outriggers attached

(or move from pensioner town hervey bay)

The gruntiest light wind kite we've flown are the 19m Flysurfers... But in the 17m Inflatables we've flown all the big ones, and heres what I think.

The one with MOST low end is the Core XR 17m Light wind. It turns slower than the others but is easy to fly as well. It has the worst top end though, 17 knots and you'll be hanging on for dear life due to the short (SUPER short) bar throw.
I Don't know your weight, but say you're 80kgs, This will get you going comfortably with little jumps in 10 knots. RRP: $2257

The 2011 Ozone Zephyr is much faster to fly, as well as turn and is the easiest to relaunch of the lot. It's great fun and i've loved flying our the last few weeks.
You'll be riding back and forward, but not jumping in 10 knots. RRP: $2299

The Best Tabou is almost exactly the same as the 2010 Zephyr. Flys quite slow through the window and suffers from a short bar throw. You'll need 11 or 12 knots to be comfy. RRP: $2248

The 2010 Zephyr is the same as the Tabou above - flys slow through the window and needs a longer bar throw. (Which they've fixed along with everything else in 2011) Like the Tabou - you need 11 or 12 knots to be comfy @ 80kgs on a normal board. RRP: $2199 - but can be found used now for between $1000 and $1500

Got the 17m core xr. Works well in 13-14kts in the surf on a 5'7". I'm 90kg and was hoping for it to get me out in a bit liter. That price is way over the top. Ring around.

Mate forget the rest and go for the best,17m Griffin Argo,got one in the other week and it pulls like a mack truck on steroids,and it loops like a dream, prob beats the comp on price by a country mile ,give your local Griffin dealer a yell and get a demo,its one sweet ride,i was out on it in 10 knots rockin on my 130 tt no worries.

Actually the 19mtr Speed 2 is better, by about 1-2 knots at the low end. Seems to be why they brought out a 21 mtr as they lost a bit of the bottom end with the 3 but gained top end.

radman4 said...

Have ridden the 011 zeph nice kite but i found it a little soft and slow to loop,the 17 Argo is also a Delta so fast easy relaunch and quicker in the loops,havent tested the top end yet though,but tons of bar throw and miles of depower.

I didn't know the argo even came in a 17m. That must pull like a truck!.I would have thought that a 17m argo would only be for big barstards 95kg + . At 80kg I am able to kite upwind with a slingshot glide in about 12knots on my 10m. I am still amazed at the bottom end on it. I think for most average sized kiters with a light wind board the 13m would be all you would need.

Argo 17m, can kite loop it, easy relaunch, and a decent price, can head out, smack a wave kite loop and land on the same wave, and un hook, I am using this from 10 knots, also decent top end and good bar travel for de power and under $1600.

Thats my fav light wind kite, I got tired of the crap Northern Beaches wind so wanted a fast turning 17m wave kite. No info online yet but ready to order. Demo on the Northern Beaches.

Will get some vid

thanks for the input. I'm pretty heavy about 98kg's at the moment. Mind you I fly the same size kites in same conditions as guys 20 kg's lighter than me - I think my underground 142 has a lot to do with it.

Gee that best tabau sounds good - I flew a best a year ago and it flew nice although I think it didn't have enough bar throw. That's one thing I love about the naish's you've got as much throw as you like.

Wonder how the best tabau would fly with a naish bar and lines as I have one spare. Are they 1:1 on the bar?

you tossers who red thumbed me know I'm right

you tossers who think there is such a thing as lightwind kitesurfing....


...HAHAHAHAHA, you bunch of tossers

(17mtr kites are for fatties who can't get going on 12s' in 20kts)

Again, I have to say the BWS Noise, doesn't matter which size, they all pull like a train and turn like a butterfly. The bar is epic too, so well made. Whilst kiting I looked at my bar and had a multiple orgasm; This actually hindered my kiting performance but increased my enjoyment.

Light wind kiting is soooooooooo boring.

Learn another sport FFS!

Meerkat, I understand your oppinion, because I must recognise that I thougt the same since I tried kite-racing with proper kite and board and take part in some racing courses. Now I'm a kite-racing addict, trying everyday to get more upwind angle, more speed, kiting in lower end and making every time longer trips (10-15 km upwind to return later in donwind).

Try it with some kite mates having a goal and all will change.

Otherway, all of us prefer better wind conditions, but I prefer kiting to other sports, even in low wind.

In all cases, ... you decide, ... you could seat on the sand or doing anything else in light wind... or being in the water. It's up to you.