Epic do a lot of bragging for sure

To be honest I would doubt there would be a lei kite on the market that would be of any use in 6-8 knots unless you were mini me riding a SUP def not a kite that would be any use in the surf,this orig discussion was aimed at 8-12 knots basically that's a 10 knot average with a few 8-9 knot lulls and 11-12 knot puffs riding an average light wind TT ,there have been numerous claims over the last few years from diff companies stating things like ride in 6-8 knots while everyone else watches ,it's bull***t the only scenario that it will work in is in a river mouth with a strong outgoing tide of at least 4-5 knots.
Basically there are a lot of good big kites out there these days as it seems to have been more of a focus from kite manufacturers over the last few years and also a lot of very efficient smaller kites in the 13-15 m range that suit lighter riders better so go and demo as much as poss.

Hey Radman, do the mod then we will chat. I have been out riding waves without a whitecap in sight. 8 to 10 knots. Very tricky riding downwind on the waves, but no problem riding upwind. Not claiming this kite to be the be end all kite, just reporting my experience. At 6 to 8 I am just cruising, which is fine when I get home from work and want some chill time on the water. Smooth water kiting with no one around is a very nice experience for me. I just like being in the water....or I should say, on top...

Agreed!

Agree with radman regarding the LEI kites and light wind, seems there's a lot of guys quoting super-low wind speeds and great times on LEI's. Unfortunately as they are rigid and unable to flex and change shape to corresponding variations in angle of attack due light and variable wind conditions they tend to stall and fall out of the sky. Obviously if you are to keep them moving and under the influence of apparent wind then it's a different story, hence the guys on race boards with their forward speed managing to keep them flying. I currently weigh in at about 70kg and have no problem taking my 22.5m PeterLynn foil up to 18kts, anything from 15kts on though and I'll probably be on my 12m Catalyst. My PL charger will happily fly by itself in about 4kts, and once dived into the window will generate plenty of pull and apparent wind... It can relaunch from the water in about 6kts...

I've just uploaded a youtube vid of a recent session at Happy Valley in 6 to 12 kts, edited accordingly to remove the footage from in the channel so as to keep you guys from saying the tide was giving me an extra 5 kts of wind...

Anyways... here's the vid, watch it in HD as it's heaps better

Nice video mate I know where your coming from as have been a Peter Lynn dealer for the last 10 years and have spent a lot of time flying the twin skins ,but you just blew me away with how quickly that 22.5m turns,i haven't flown one now for a few years they have come a long way,I got a new 13 2014 Fury a couple of weeks ago and was also floored by it as have had it out to test the low end in 9-12 and been able to rip offshore in the surf on it,my mate was blown away as he was riding the previous model fury 15 light and the new 13 was quicker on speed runs ,they have redesigned it for 2014 and it develops a heap of apparent wind,so have just ordered in a new 17 m fury light as the low end is supposed to be around 8 knots so will keep an open mind and give it a go.
The closest thing I've ridden to your kite over the years was a 21m Flysurfer and yes I was riding in 6-7 knots,it pulled like a Mack truck on steroids but was so slow to turn I had to use both hands on one side of the bar to loop it,it was an old model though I think a Titan ok for cruising but that's about it, you might of just sparked off a shift back to Twinskins

A 13 m ozone edge will be a good light wind kite for you .goes up wind better that a zephyr.I weigh 83 pies and I need a 17m,but for you a 13 m would be perfect.Edges go up wind so well which is essential for light wind kiting.There are only few kites on the market that go up wind as good as and edge and there usually a copied design from the edge.

I have witness experienced race guys on edges in 6 knots on race boards having a ball and being powered.On my sector 52 and 17 m edge I am alive at 8 knots and mowing the lawn.At 10 knots I am cruising and can back roll,but 14 knots is the sweetspot .love the gliding and hangtime of the big kites

Theres some good reviews on the real hatteres website, of 15m and 17m best ts lightwind kites and the slingshot turbine 17m . thought i'd add that as no one mentioned these bad boys

Ok Thanks to "in the loop " I got the royal xtera 15 meter for a demo . What can I say wooohooo got out on it yesterday . But for a 15 meter it trucks along and steering is as quick as my 11 meter . The wind was 9 kn gust 10-11 but it averaged 9 and hung there for about an hour( no cheeting eppo) . It did pick up later in the run to 11 so I gave my mate a go on my board 138x40 and he weighs in at 95 kegs he said I don't think I will get up even , i need at least 13 kns to kite . I said give it a go you will be surprised . He got up and that was the last I seen of him for an hour . When he came back he said that he could not of been told but it was prof that it did have the grunt a full review on the review section coming . It also is very nice float , its is not an edge but I got up not really that high but the time off the water was sweet it floated and floated I actually had to rethink the next jumps so I had room down wind of me . Check out my review and get this kite and test for yourself . Now to the next demos bring it on . I cant get a hold of griffen kites dose any one know who is the east coast dealer is .

I picked up the Naish Fly for some use in FNQ in the light wind, it is true this kite flies in next to nothing - it's super light and the canopy catches a lot of wind, it actually looks bigger than 15m sitting on the beach. I was definitely the first one riding.

I was in the same boat as you, I'm 67kg so I didn't want to go for a kite that was built for larger riders -ie 14m etc - you have all that extra weight in the air, I figured I needed a light kite and a big board. This is the ultimate combo.

IMO Don't be tempted to go for a 17m etc, if you put that sucker in the water you'll never get it back in the air once wet, in 8kn good luck.

As someone mentioned earlier the race kites really need apparent wind to get going, not ideal for doing much else than riding round a course.

The only downside with the Naish fly is it pulls like a truck, I've found it a little tricky to ride upwind with it, although I think that is due to my board/boots set up and not my light wind board I had at the time. I think once I match those together I'm going to be smiling all the way.

So my key points:
Get a light wind kite, not necessarily a bigger kite as a bigger kite will have the weight to contend with.
The board setup make's a huge difference, sounds like you have that sorted.
Technique - I'm still coming to grips with light wind riding after riding powered for many years, it takes a little adjusting.

I was flying a 12m switchblade and it's amazing how I'd be the first one out on that as soon at it hit 12kn, things get tricky as soon as you want to fly under 12kn IMO.

I now have North Vegas's and I needed to fill the 10-14kn gap hence the fly.

Good luck and I'll see you out there.

One word for you "CLOUD"!!

Boardriding Maui has a killer 13m that will blitz anything in 8 to 10 knots. Takes a bit of getting used to but WOW!!