Why dont you pop by the local shop Kitepower. Those guys should be able to offer you some good advice..

Yeah I ride at Botany too and use a 10m mostly. Wish I had a 14m at times but when its light I don't really bother.

I reckon having 2 kites is sweet but if you really need one:
with a 10m (you'll enjoy the 20-25 knot days but not the 10 knot days)

with a 12 you'll enjoy 15-20knots so its your call.

probably go 138-140 for a board.

lebaz said...

Thanks for such a speedy answer !

I know stopping at the shop is good, but I am a bit uneasy with wasting their time, since I am sure that I am going to buy s/h (not very rich in the moment)

Since I am a beginner, I am thinking s/h for sure (I WILL trash my first kite). Do you think that IDS is a good value ? By talking (I sure talk a lot to kitesurfers when I am out for windsurfing), it appears that the IDS had some problems in its 2009 version (it tangles a lot). So a beginner like me can either go for more (?) control in theory or buy an older kite like the 2008 version (and save a few bucks )

We have quite a bit of used gear in stock, and I am fairly sure we have a used 10m 2009 IDS for $1100, plus several 12M kites.
If you are just starting out, get a larger board and a 10M, or a smaller board and a 12M, the wind range will be similar.
Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

LeBaz, my advice to you is threefold;

1) Go to your local beach and wonder why so many kitesurfers are flying on kites that aren't Cabrinha, even though they may pay as much or even more for them. Cabrinhas make good kites but so do many other brands, don't limit your choice at this stage.
2) Talk to your instructor about which kite would suit you. If you haven't had lessons, go book some. Now. Before you do anything else.
3) Go to Kitepower, they are very friendly and will be happy to talk to you. They can show you some kiting gear and talk to you about the spots in your area, at the very least they are a useful contact point about local hazards. At best you may get the deal of a lifetime with a shop backing the gear and helping you with future potential repairs or problems.

You have had some lessons, haven't you?

Haha, Switchblade the best, love it.

Just because they are the most popular, does not mean they are the best. I learned on a 12 meter Switchblade 2 years ago at Botany (I'm 75 kg). I really liked the kite, but there are many others that are just as good, if not better. Yes, even for learning. To a name a few:

Best Waroo
Ozone Sport
Slingshot Rev
Cabrinha Crossbow
North Rebel....the list goes on.

I would not limit your options to a Switchblade because there are many many kites that you will learn on just as well. Saying that, if you find a good deal on a Switchy, by all means go for it, you can't go wrong.

In regards to size, if you were kiting in Sydney last year, you would not have been able to ride a 12 meter past 4 pm, as December/January, ALL the NE'rs (typical summer wind) were absolute howlers. I took out my 9 meter 90% of the time.

However, on the other hand - the previous year, you would have been underpowered on your 10 meter, maybe been able to go out on 10% of NE'r. I used my 12 meter I think every day there was wind except a couple.

Your guess is as good as mine (or probably anyone else's) how this year is going to pan out. I have only been kiting for 2 years, but I was under the impression (and still am) that a 12m is the most used kite in the Bay.

My main advice is similar to the other posters. 1) get lessons if you haven't already, and 2) speak to Kitepower. They are super friendly, never push me into buying anything and I probably would still be dicking around if it wasn't for their help.

Good luck

Tom

Thanks you guys for all these advices.

Can t wait to go on the water !

PS : The smileys that I wanted would involve a little figure and a kite.

monkey said...

lebaz said...

Hi monkey (not insult there, but it is your pseudo )

Yes, I ve taken a lesson, which was quite good by the way with Neil from kitepower. I am now standing on the board, and I think at some stage I will just need to go in the water.

Speaking of neil, he said 10m OR 12m. Which triggers some existantial chosing problem.

And yeah, I will definitively have a look at kitepower.

Hope to see you soon on the water (but don t come too close to me though, I will be learning)

huh?

Replied to my post but talking to you. Shrug

Yep
Too late, I bought a kite. the 2009 SB IDS 12m was selling 1600AUD new but I got it second hand for 1100AUD. I could have gone for 10m, but I figured that if the wind is too strong for the kite I ll keep it to windsurfing.
138cm sounds good. I heard anywhere between 135 and 142 is good
CU on the water
OZ