I know kite, board and body size factor into this, but, most beginners probably start with one kite. Mine is a 9m, I am 105kg on a 145cm board. How much wind do I need to get on the water. Is 14-16 knots the minimum? Forecast for today 12-13knots.

105 KG with a 9m Kite ?

I wonder where you are located ? Unless you live in a place that has 25-35 knots every day that kite is too small for you!

to be able to ride in 14-16 knots as a newbie at this weight you will need a 17m kite with a bigger board than what you already have.

If you want to kite 18-25 knots winds you will need a 12m Kite as your main kite. 17m Kite for sub 18 knots and 9m kite for 25+ Knots

Christian

Thanks for the reply. I have been thinking about a larger kite but my instructor recommends sticking with the 9m and focussing on technique. The idea being to work the kite more and edge better rather than relying on size/power. I live in Fremantle.

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englishmanbo said..
Thanks for the reply. I have been thinking about a larger kite but my instructor recommends sticking with the 9m and focussing on technique. The idea being to work the kite more and edge better rather than relying on size/power. I live in Fremantle.

englishmanbo, I'm a full time instructor currently on my 9th season here in Perth. For someone your weight, a 9m make little sense in anything under 25 knots.

I'm also recommending to my students that they work on their technique rather than relying on the power, but there is limit to what you will be able to achieve with a 9m kite at your body weight. It can take you many years of regular practice to develop enough efficiency to even enjoy a 9m in sub 20 knots at your body weight.

I'm sorry but you were given poor advice buying a 9m kite as a newbie at your weight in Perth.

Good news is we have a few very strong wind days ahead and you will be sweet on that kite in 25 knots. Anything under that, I strongly recommend you consider a bigger kiter unless you want to spend years struggling

Bad news is you won't have that many strong wind days after the end of this month.

Christian

Thanks appreciate it.

Might be easier to move




Always difficult imho with a one size reccomendation so wouldn't be too harsh on your instructor, if he'd reccomended
a 10/11 you'd miss out some days, also depends on your conditions. Flat water is more efficient than shoreline spots
Plus type of Kite, some models generate better power

Enough wind right now.
Nobody to launch me or keep an eye out. Rare occurance at woodman point newbies beach. Waiting patiently.

Waited 2 hours, nobody came.

Wow that sucks. There's been nobody but me in front of my house today too. I don't get it .

Should've just self launched it and figured out the landing after your session. Who sits on the beach and goes home empty handed after 2 hours?
Cranking wind today maybe a bit keen doing the sunrise mission on a Sunday when it's forecast for 20-30 knots all day .

I was too shy to admit I gave up being a sensible newbie and tried a self launch, kite got caught in a gust and blew over the dune. Couldn't relaunch it so just deployed the safety. I am not sure if I should have tried harder to fly it out, it was over the hill in the bushes. Sucked, dramatic suck, a few little rips. Thanks to Dave at Perth Kite repairs fixed same morning, took 1hr and $50 and had a great ride this afternoon. Happy days.

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Nathe said..
Should've just self launched it and figured out the landing after your session. Who sits on the beach and goes home empty handed after 2 hours?
Cranking wind today maybe a bit keen doing the sunrise mission on a Sunday when it's forecast for 20-30 knots all day .

Poor advice telling a complete newbie to self-launch in 30 knots

Big risks, big rewards

Big risk
Big hospital

Maybe instructors should spend some time with the new guys and show them how to self launch. Read old mates post he gave it a crack anyway and ended up in the bush. Your frothing as a newbie to get out there and you tube only teaches you so much until you get out and actually pull the trigger.

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Nathe said..
Maybe instructors should spend some time with the new guys and show them how to self launch. Read old mates post he gave it a crack anyway and ended up in the bush. Your frothing as a newbie to get out there and you tube only teaches you so much until you get out and actually pull the trigger.

The vast majority of students aren't nearly skilled enough during lessons to be ready to learn to self-launch, hence why we rarely get the opportunity to teach it.

I'm sure that englishmanbo wasn't aware that when you have 30 knots, there is FOUR TIMES the power in your kite compared to 15 knots. What he should also know is that he shouldn't be out kiting by himself, especially not in On-Shore winds and 30 knots with a super narrow beach and plenty of obstacles. Self-launching on beach like woodies beach 1 in those conditions is about as dangerous as it gets.

Lessons should teach you how to assess the location, conditions and assess the risks as well. That probably wasn't covered in his lessons and is the main issue here.

Learning to self-launch without an instructor is easy and safe in the right conditions (LOW winds (max 15 knots), side-shore winds, plenty of beach space, no obstacles, no people downwind)

Christian

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Nathe said..

Big risks, big rewards

At that stage of his progression?

Sure it's much harder to learn with a small kite but I put a 10m up in 20 knots yesterday and couldn't hang on...20 years on the water...and as a beginner 25kts with a 9 meter you going to get canned. Change your wind speed to kilometres??big kite lighter winds..they're slower through the air more time to think pull a bit harder...wait till you've got some water time before trying the smalluns

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cbulota said..

Nathe said..
Maybe instructors should spend some time with the new guys and show them how to self launch. Read old mates post he gave it a crack anyway and ended up in the bush. Your frothing as a newbie to get out there and you tube only teaches you so much until you get out and actually pull the trigger.

The vast majority of students aren't nearly skilled enough during lessons to be ready to learn to self-launch, hence why we rarely get the opportunity to teach it.

I'm sure that englishmanbo wasn't aware that when you have 30 knots, there is FOUR TIMES the power in your kite compared to 15 knots. What he should also know is that he shouldn't be out kiting by himself, especially not in On-Shore winds and 30 knots with a super narrow beach and plenty of obstacles. Self-launching on beach like woodies beach 1 in those conditions is about as dangerous as it gets.

Lessons should teach you how to assess the location, conditions and assess the risks as well. That probably wasn't covered in his lessons and is the main issue here.

Learning to self-launch without an instructor is easy and safe in the right conditions (LOW winds (max 15 knots), side-shore winds, plenty of beach space, no obstacles, no people downwind)

Christian

I find most arnt skilled enough with their spending
turning up with thousands of dollars worth of equipment on locals beaches, leaving locals to assist them with rescues and safety lessons,
ive seen this 6 times this season, f....g craps me tbh
a responsibility to release a student with supplied equipment at a safe level