11m or 12m Kite

Hi Guys


I have been kiting for the last few seasons and I would categorise my ability as intermediate, I am starting to tailor my riding to freestyle. I am at the stage where I am practising Popping off the flat water and can get a few meters popping of little waves. I am about 5'7 in height and weight about 65 Kgs.

I own two kites, a 7m and 9m Ozone C4. What I have been noticing is that the 9m losses its power/pull when the wind is under 18knts. It seems these kites needs the wind to fly beautifully, which sucks because the winds around Melbourne loves to sit around 15-18 knots by the bay.

I would like to get another freestyle Kite but having a hard time deciding between 11 or 12m. I am leaning towards a 12m. That way I should have a wind window range around 14knts to 18knts.

I am looking at perhaps getting a second hand kite in a NORTH vegas or something similar to the C4.

I live on the bay now so I will be heading out on the water when ever the wind is blowing. I like to think I can pick things up relativity easy. I am looking at finding a good instructor for freestyle lessons as well as i have some goals I would like to hit this year

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

John

For what it's worth get a 12m and stick with your C4s. It's what you are used to. Although I personally I'd go a 15m C4 and be done with it. The more down the freestyle rabbit hole you go, the more power you will want!


Yeh master classes, been thinking about that. I know I'd pay to go to a master class or two...!! It's something you don't see much off but it could new good money earner and a benefit to a lot of riders..

Thoughts??

Just get the 12

7,9,11 &13m for me. Need to cover all bases.

Too many beginners getting around on oversized kites. Often I'll be out in the 9m and the usual flock of noobs riding 12m rebels will be keeping their kites high

Thanks for the advice guys it looks like the 12m it is, now to look for a good second hand one.
I need to get some intermediate lessons to getmore performance out of the kite, I feel its minor things that are holding me back to progress. i would like to be able to do a unhooked 3 by the end of April. First I have to master the back and front rolls. Just need to ride ride ride and get this 12m kite so I can be on the water more

@eppo and @ruggers

Stick to the same kite? i am just wondering if the 12m will have the same reaction as the 9 but in lower wind, I guess they all loose their power when the wind is blew the wind range for the kite. as long as i can move around 15 knts i will be happy if I can make it at 14knts too just to cruize.

@Plummet
the board I have is probably medium size for my height, i had at a guy at a kite shop try to buy my board off me because he wanted it for a chick who was at a high level and needed aboard like mine. I ride an underground 132 x 39.

@juggler i am with you, you need to have the right size for the conditions.

@big eeezeee I use to ride down at Altona a little and still do, I have moved to south Melbourne so I now ride around port Melbourne down at sandridge life saving club, I like playing in the swell and there is not many people there, so i can try jumping with out worry too much about other people. occasionally i ride in Torquay when friends are windsurfing down there.