Hello,

As you can see I am new to this forum and to kitesurfing in general. However I want to learn and I am really passionate about it. I am at the level that I can easily get on the board but I still can't go upwind. I need some practice and stronger winds. I only had about 10 hours on the beach.

I bought a Flexifoil ION4 8.5m but I realized that it's not big enough for the winds (8-14) that we usually have here in Cyprus. I listed this kite for sale on eBay BTW if anyone is interested because I need the money to buy a bigger kite that will suit my needs. Here is the eBay auction: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flexifoil-ION4-Kitesurfing-Kite-ONLY-USED-ONCE-Brand-new-condition-/251148200324?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a79996984
If I am not allowed to post this here please someone let me know so I can remove it.

I currently use a friends 12.5m ION to kitesurf but I have to get my own kite. I was looking at Griffin kites because they are cheap and the re-launch is stupid easy. I want a kite that it's easy to launch it on your own and re-launch it if it fells on the water. We don't have very big waves here. I am 65kg and I have an F-one trax gold edition board (135*39). What kite would you recommend me buying so I can go kitesurf on almost any given condition?

I also have a flexifoil all in one bar and I was wondering if Griffin kites fly well with this bar. Or do I have to get the Griffin bar?

Sorry for all those questions. I would really appreciate some help.

Thanks a lot
-Otto

A 12m should work at 14knots with 65KG however after that its a slippery slope.

At 8 knots you'll need a 17 and probably a big board.

Do you think that the 11.5m Griffin Argo would be good for me? The wind range for it is 12-26knots. I am only 65kg so I guess that I could get going even on 10knots.. no??

Depends on your definition of 'get going'?

If you mean comfortably riding upwind then with your current board I would say very unlikely.

A very experienced kiter with a massive board then maybe but I wouldn't put money on it.

10kts is very light.

Think about this........

there's a 20% increase in windspeed between 10-12kts, most peoples kite quivers jump in about 25% increments.

The difference isn't just 2kts when you are down that low....if you know what I mean.

I understand.. but what if I get the 13.5m argo? I believe that with my weight I could (with practice of course) do jumps and all that fancy stuff in 10+ knots. Or would the 13.5m be too big for me? I would also like to know if my flexifoil all in one bar could work well with the Griffin kite. Sorry for all those question. I am just trying to learn everything before I put my money on it because I didn't put much thought when I bought the ION4 and I can't fly now. I don't want this to happen again...

I often use a 13.5 Argo good power range and very good depower, I'm 81 kg and find 12 knots to be ok but better with 14-15, the problem is one man/womans idea of the wind strength is different to the next. Your lighter so you will get going long before me with the weight advantage , the Argo will give lots of boost/lift so you can do some nice airs as you improve, its a well mannered kite and well built so should last you years. Relaunch is sweet no problem, self take off and landing very easy (get some one to show you how first time) using the flagging line on the Griffin bar set up not sure with the ion bar. Great kite hard to beat at the price!

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I also have a flexifoil all in one bar and I was wondering if Griffin kites fly well with this bar. Or do I have to get the Griffin bar?

I don't know about the flexifoil bar setup, but different bars can make a kite fly and feel different across different brands, and may or may not work with other brands. You could check that:

1) The griffin bars are designed with equal line lengths ( all lines end at the same point when the bar is fully powered up )

2) The griffin bars have cook proof line connection

3) Argo is designed for 21m line lengths

I cant guarantee if other bars will work, different bars have different setups and some have different line lengths, connections, etc. I know of a few people using other bars with the ARGOS with out issue.

About your weight 65kg an board 135x39 and 8-14knots and relaunch.
All Argos have supper easy relaunch. Weight and board size make a large change to wind ranges you can kite in.

a 11.5 ( 12m ) would get you going from 9,10 ish knots and up and would be a good choice for you and lighter winds days, you could go a 13.5 but you may get overpowered with your weight and large board in 17+ knots.

We have 75kg riders in Sydney going upwind on surfboards on 9m Argos when other 85kg+ riders are on 12m and 14m.

All the best with your choice, PM me if you have any questions.

This is what I got from flexifoil website:
"With our All-In-One bar we've also aimed to make a product that's as versatile as possible, so this bar is retro-fittable onto our own kites and can also be used on any other kite that is set up with all lines the same length at full power."

So, I guess that I won't have any problems with my flexifoil bar, right? I am currently on a tight budget that's why I want to use my flexifoil bar that I already own. Otherwise I would have got the Griffin bar.

Being able to speak with the kite designer before I buy its great. Thank you for the support Chris, I will send you a PM...

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GriffinKites said...

a 11.5 ( 12m ) would get you going from 9,10 ish knots and up and would be a good choice for you and lighter winds days, you could go a 13.5 but you may get overpowered with your weight and large board in 17+ knots.

We have 75kg riders in Sydney going upwind on surfboards on 9m Argos when other 85kg+ riders are on 12m and 14m.

GriffinKites,
Do you know when the 2013 Argo's will be available? What will be the size range?