I am looking at getting my first kite and I'm 70kg but I've been told by instructors to get a 9m... a 9.5m if I go the Kahoona.
I would be Kiting at places in Brissi, Gold Coast and Maroochi, 12 - 25 knts i guess.
Some shops have suggested a 12m but now im thinking thats to big.
I've heard good things about the Kahoona and its at a good price, just not sure about the size???
By the way how does it stack up against a slingshot rally or Airush lithium??

Basically a 9m is too small for your weight and experience in SE QLD.
I would look at the 10-11m range

+1

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BrisKites said...

Basically a 9m is too small for your weight and experience in SE QLD.
I would look at the 10-11m range

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Danial said...


I am looking at getting my first kite and I'm 70kg but I've been told by instructors to get a 9m... a 9.5m if I go the Kahoona.
I would be Kiting at places in Brissi, Gold Coast and Maroochi, 12 - 25 knts i guess.
Some shops have suggested a 12m but now im thinking thats to big.
I've heard good things about the Kahoona and its at a good price, just not sure about the size???
By the way how does it stack up against a slingshot rally or Airush lithium??

put more weight on what your instructor says rather than the forum. That said I think the kahoona would be an ideal 1st kite(wish I could have had a kite like that when I started). Being a delta shape the kahoona is very grunty. Unfortunatly they only come in 9.5 or 11.5. The 11.5 is too big for you in winds over 20knts. 9.5 to small in winds under 15knts. I would lean towards the kahoona in a 9.5 with a biggish board say 138 x 42. As your first kite I would seriously consider 2nd hand though.

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put more weight on what your instructor says rather than the forum. That said I think the kahoona would be an ideal 1st kite(wish I could have had a kite like that when I started). Being a delta shape the kahoona is very grunty. Unfortunatly they only come in 9.5 or 11.5. The 11.5 is too big for you in winds over 20knts. 9.5 to small in winds under 15knts. I would lean towards the kahoona in a 9.5 with a biggish board say 138 x 42. As your first kite I would seriously consider 2nd hand though.

My board is a 133 x 40 so given this would 11.5 be the goer?
Why do you say go second hand...am i going to destroy this kite learning?

your board size is good once you can ride upwind and are over the beginner stage. As a beginner a bigger board that gets planing earlier is better as less kite control is needed to keep yourself moving and afloat. At 70 kg a very grunty 11.5 delta like the kahoona is a big kite. Most people your size would use this size as a light wind kite(winds 10-17knots) from 20knots it would be too big for you to ride comfortably and safely. Once you get better you will be able to milk more range out of your kite. If you plan on buying two kites then the 11.5 is ok for lighter winds, but if you only wan't to buy one initially my opinion is you should go for something closer to a 10m.

I mentioned the second hand option because as a learner you will crash alot, and probably damage your kite. Buy new once you know what your doing.

They are all good kites. I fly kahoonas even after 9 years at this so don't be fooled by the beginners tag. Stable and heaps of power for easy planing for a beginner. They don't have the best top end, work really well in the bottom half of wind range but can be a handful at top end - especially for a beginner. Then again a beginner should not be out in heavy winds, especially at the top end of any kite. They are also inexpensive.

My opinion is though for your first kite try to go second hand, but from a dealer so they have some vested interest in not selling you a lemon. You will be hitting the beach and the water, your first kite will get a hammering - hopefully in a safe, instructor trained manner of course.

But the other kites mentioned are all good, and will do the job. remember a beginner will not get everything out of a kite anyhow. All true what they are saying about sizes. The 11.5m is a big kite, with a lot of power for a beginner. Go the 9.5m with a bigger board that is easier to plane on which is the ideal setup.

I weigh 85kg on an old fashioned wind hungry jimmy lewis lithuim TT and i'm cranking upwind in 18 knots plus on a 7.5m! They have enormous bottom end!

I ride a kahoona 7.5 with unstrapped surfboard, I weigh 75kgs and can keep upwind from around 15 knots!
I've got 09 11m waroo and haven't used it once this season for shear fact of the grunt the kahoonas make, I love them!

forget about the Rally, they are not a beginners kite.

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daggy said...

forget about the Rally, they are not a beginners kite.

The Rally is a great beginners kite, maybe you should try one

i would suggest the 9.5 Kahoona at your weight. Board size anything around the 135 is great really depending on your height, which will determine your stance width. this kite will definitely be sufficient from 12-23knots. That's the Qld average.

Joe Millen
Best Kiteboarding Australia

They are all good kites. Try the three of them and pick the one you like the most.

So I ended up going the 10m Rally with my 133x40 board and will premier it this Sat at Shear water park if the wind is ok. Thanks for the info fellas!

Cheers,
Dan

Gotta ask y did u choose the rally over kahuna?

It wont disappoint, they are an awesome kite.

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Danial said...

So I ended up going the 10m Rally with my 133x40 board and will premier it this Sat at Shear water park if the wind is ok. Thanks for the info fellas!

Cheers,
Dan