I prefer the second board for the simple reason that if the wind picks up, its easier to switch than to pump a new kite.

I carry two board (134x40 and 140x43) and a 12/8 combo and that covers me for 99% of the wind in Melbourne. If the wind is light, I'll throw both on the beach and come back and fetch the smaller one if it picks up. I'd only get a specialised light wind kite if I had money to blow.

Also bare in mind that this season has been terrible. Its not normal to have this much light wind.

yea looks great but whats with the music ???

KIT33R said...

Not wishing to highjack the thread but nice to see newbees not afraid to post their movies. Looking forward to the next instalment when skills improve and the stoke continues to grow.

.... about three months later with somewhat improved skills... (and music too):

montoya said...

Hi guys,

I'd like to get out in lighter winds. E.g. 11-16 knots around Melb

I'm new to kiteboarding (first season). Have two kites. 10.5m and 12m Naish Cults. Nobile 555 board (132x41). I weigh 70kg.

Should I sell my 12mt kite and get a bigger one (e.g. 13m low profile kite) or get a bigger/ light wind board? I'd appreciate you thougts

Monty.

Monty, at 70kg's and a 12m kite, you should be able to kite in that range easily with the right board, and not a boat either.

The problem with light wind kiting is that larger kites have rapidly diminishing returns. Larger is heavier and turns slower. It also becomes problematic relaunching.

I am pushing 100kg's and the biggest kite I would ever go is something like a 13m Lithium LW. This kite paired with an Airush Sector or similar would have me going at 10kts. possibly less.

At your weight a 12 should get you going pretty early, as you get more proficient you are able to get going in less wind. Get youself a surf or skim for lighter days.
You dont have much range between your kites though I am guessing at your weight you would not be kiting in anything over 25 (maybe less). I would get rid of your 10.5 and get a 9 (unless your planning three kites) as this will keep you kiting longer once the wind gets stronger.

Definitely a bigger board, but more importantly, the board has to be flat. Rocker is slow. My light wind board is a 135x48cm twintip. It has minimal rocker. The prototype was a plywood board with no rocker at all. It was great but heavy.

Don't be tempted to go for a surfboard. The big fins and rocker make them slow and not at all good in light winds. Also, the added difficulty of gybing them makes them not good when you are struggling to keep your kite up and go upwind.

Similarly, avoid race boards. Too big. Too expensive. Too fragile. Too hard to ride. The do get you going upwind early but they don't really get you out in lighter wind.

I don't know about your Naish kites. I have had Switchblades in the past and I could be riding upwind and jumping while North Rebels of the same size could not get off the beach. I guess the kite can make a difference but I don't know how to measure it.

The other important thing is to learn how to trim your kite. Riding in lighter wind is an acquired skill. Most people ride with their kites half stalled and that is very inefficient.