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Rider: Weight,Level (beginner,intermediate,advanced)
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My Comments:
Hi All.
Just been reading about light wind kiting.
Im a newbie, had lessons, currently use a F-one Bandit 11m and im not yet up on the board and joining in all the fun I see out in the water.
I am mad keen to get out and practice and have no problems with winter weather (well, mostly). But as very much a begginer I find the winter weather ALL or NOTHING!!. Very much use caution with my minimal skill levels.
My question is, would a large 17m kite or similar be OK for a begginer to get some more practice miles in on those days when the weather is kind for us newbies 10-14 nots? Seems to be so many of them compared to the 25-35 not blasts with squals, and wind shifts that may have me end up anywhere from Sellicks, to KI ...... I usually start around the Wall area....( you get my drift).
Any thoughts?
Im about 85 kilos, with maybe a kilo or two of winter padding.

Any info would be appreciated..... I REALLY WANT TO BE OUT THERE HAVING FUN!!!!!! And so want to be practicing.

Cheers Bandit50

hey man,
I would try and stick it out with the 11m for a while. dont get me wrong i love 17m kites, but with limited experience, especially through winter you would be asking for trouble.
get a few more months under your belt.
2 main problems...
if you dont have great kite and board control and really know how to ride out the big gusts that winter can bring, you will find yourself in BIG trouble.
i think you would be better off getting a big twin tip at least 144x45. that will give you much better low end and when you finally get the 17m you will be cruising in 10kn with the big board

and

(assuming) You wont be fully aware of fronts coming and how to read the conditions well and get caught out. Which goes back to the middle size kite and big board. Much safer at the beginning.

I agree with kitcho207. Light wind kiting is great fun but its not just a case of simply getting a larger kite and or board. If you are still a beginner changeable winter conditions could be problematic. If the wind really drops to low so will the kite- with no possibility of relaunch. If you have a steady, predictable 12 knts or better then I would say give it a go, but those steady predictable conditions (at least in WA) only really start in the lead up and taper off off the season, which is only a few weeks off anyway.

Hey bandit,
forget the big kite for this time of year , too dangerous with all of those fronts coming through. Big kite for summer seabreezes is another story.
safer and more enjoyable option is find a buddy and do down winders.
Alot less walks of shame while your trying to get up and going on your board.

Be patient, this winter has been the worst we have seen in SA for a few years. Very true with your all or nothing statement which is frustrating for beginners. Only three months to go before the wind starts getting a little more consistent and you'll be on your 11 60% of the time then wishing you had a 9m for the strong seabreeze. Maybe look at a light wind board.

I agree with others. A big 17m in winder is dangerous as hell for beginners.

Hold out for spring or get a big light wind door. That will get out out almost as low as the big kite. If teh wind picks up just jump back on to you normal sized TT.

Ps your probably better off thinking about a 8m for the windy days.

11m bandits have loads of bottom end, I used a 11m bandit with a 132 fone acid with a runout tide and I can get out in 10knots

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kemp90 said..
11m bandits have loads of bottom end, I used a 11m bandit with a 132 fone acid with a runout tide and I can get out in 10knots

Hi bandit! i can really understand your excitement and impatience to get out there as I was exactly in the same position as you a short time ago. I was lucky enough to have kind of kited all of summer and had the basics downpacked on my 11m and 8m kite. I went and bought a zephyr for the winter. i absolutely loved it. but it all depends on how confident you are. everyone is 100% right with regards to big kites. its fkn scarey and i have even been caught out a couple of times where a big 20knot gust come through! especially if you dont know what your doing.

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kitcho207 said..
i think you would be better off getting a big twin tip at least 144x45. that will give you much better low end and when you finally get the 17m you will be cruising in 10kn with the big board

this is great advice!!

from my experience i need at least 12-13knot (i weigh the same) on my tiny 135x41 board to actually be able to have fun without always having to make up ground. its probably cheaper to just buy a massive board (i still need to, to get the most out of the light winds). sure you'll have your days where you might not be able to get out, but if you get the right kind of board you should be able to get out there in 14-15knots.

Hey Guys....
THANKS FOR THE GREAT RESPONSES.....

Yep, patience is not one of my better qualities even with age I still just love to get into the things I really enjoy.

Will take it all on and keep dreaming of getting up and away with you experienced guys soon.

I did start very late in the summer with my schooling, leaving little time to get some quality training time in before WINTER weather.

Thanks again for the great advice....

Happy and safe kiting to you all.

Cheers Bandit50