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Rider: Weight (85kg) (intermediate to advanced )
Style: Freeriding, Surf
Weather: 11 to 15 knots
Board cardboard wave

My Comments:

Always dangerous doing these posts but my knowledge of light wind kites has slipped in th last few years.

We get to many marginal days here, 11 to 15, just not enough to justify putting up my 11m rebel. It is always 5 knots or less than say rocks and Perth, due to the effect of the estuary.

So, I need some options that will suite these marginal days because at least two months either side of the season I have sat at the beach going, just need that little bit more.

I used to own a 17m core light wind, but I found it too slow still a great kite though . Not looking for something that big Surely there is something in the 14m give or take size that will B a little more exciting and the kites of this size nowadays do turn quicker now. something that still allows some pop for a few kite loops etc.

I would go a bigger rebel but the turning of the 11m, is about as slow as I can take, so a bigger size rebel is not the answer.

Anyone else in this boat and what do you use and why.

Of course another board is also an option, but this would be added to another larger kite. Maybe an sb or something.

But stick to kites if you could. Cheers

Eppi

Ps now that I think I of it, probably more like 3 months worth down here.

I saw the 14m griffin trx at my local the other day. It is unbelievably quick for a 14m, looked more like a 10 speed wise, but I talked to the guy riding it, and although he thought it was a sweet kite he thought it lacked a little grunt compared to his normal ride.

Yeh I thought someone might mention the griffin. What would the wind range be of the 14m under my conditions...or what was he riding in/on/wind and weight?

Actually Radman might know...will email him, cheers mate.

a bit of taboo here
but have you considered the switch nitro 14

ps. not a team rider just like my nitro

Is this a cabrina?? Not familiar with this kite ?? Would it meet the wind requirements?? What's your weight, board, wind you use it in?? Style of kite??

put it this way eppo i bought a sector 60 v2 and at 105kg can go out in 11 knots on my 13.5 rrd obsession mk3 .

on saturday morning when it was blowing about 13-16 i was out on my 10.5 and having a ball .


tbh i would look at purchasing something like a sector at half the cost of a bigger kite .

Good point dusta. As you can see I'm looking for a specific wind range more like 12 to 15 really. Anything less than that I'd rather watch paint dry. So this is not the ultimate light wind kite question.

I'm looking for a very specific wind range, those damn just just below par days which we get too many. Even a few whitecaps, but not just not enough to be bothered. Hard to explain maybe.

Yo eppo grab a edge 15 for a demo, or a zephyr,they are great fun at 15knts on a standard twinny, around 10 knts they get you going but id rather leave them in the bag,light winds just don't make me tick

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cauncy said...

Yo eppo grab a edge 15 for a demo, or a zephyr,they are great fun at 15knts on a standard twinny, around 10 knts they get you going but id rather leave them in the bag,light winds just don't make me tick

I dunno where you would demo a 15 Edge, not sure anyone would have one for a demo.

I bought a 2012 15m Edge and I love it on those days you describe Eppo.

I put 5m line extensions on it recently and it helped its bottom end big time. The 15m Edge will get going in about 10 knots with the Zephyr going a couple of knots earlier. The day I was out on my 15m Edge recently with another rider on a Zephyr we both came in at the same time at about 20 knots.

If the wind drops from 10 knots to 8 or so the Edge is a mission to relaunch if it ends up in the drink. It's shape combined with it's wet weight and marginal wind usually means a swim. Best to keep the apparent wind in to it at all times in uber light conditions.

Hey Eppo,

Your quiver may be getting a bit schizoid by the sounds of it! Surely the smart thing would be to get consistent feel and safety systems across the range? K.I.S.S. And as you've already raved about the C4s, then I'd suggest 15m, 11m, 8m to cover you easily from 11-12 knots up to 35. You've got enough experience to relaunch the 15 in marginal stuff, and the turning performance and apparent wind utilisation will keep you interested when a big delta may get a bit boring.

But from another perspective, when I notice myself putting a lot of energy into kite discussions I sometimes ask if it's a sign of authentic passion for kiting, or if it may be a way of distracting myself from from something else? These possibilities are not mutually exclusive, but for myself, I know I enjoy it most when kiting/discussion is a complement to rather than a distraction from other stuff.

Happy quiver building,

dojo

Thanks for that. yes you are right on all accounts. I can read between the lines on your energy input as well, thanks for that.

Have you tried the 15m C4 - just concerned on turning ability.

and yes, once I determine the correct kite, it will be one brand, one type of kite.

Just finding my style is changing and developing very quickly at the moment and the kites I have/had are getting limited. The C hybrid is the next step.

Thanks again, your information is always well thought out and intelligent.

Chris

Hey Eppo,

I've not ridden the 15m myself (I'm only 78kg, and in Melbourne it's generally on or off, not so many marginal days) but the guys from Kitepower in Sydney get to ride it a lot. I know what they like in a kite and how they describe it relative to the 12m (a common reference point) so based on their descriptions I'm confident it would meet your specs for a marginal (rather than ultralight) wind kite.

PM Steve for his first-hand description, or maybe he'll throw his 2c in here too.