Hi all,
Am heading to Hawaii late August. I am pretty new to Kiteboarding and am after some gear advice. What size kite is most appropriate for the conditions that time of year??
What locations are recommended for a relatively inexperienced rider? I am getting as much practice in as I can, and 2 weeks there should help the riding no end (if it is windy!)
Cheers for the help
Cal
If you're going to Maui then you'll need a 7m, maybe something smaller for the ballistic days. My favourite place to kite there is upwind of kite beach at the canoe club. It's far less intimidating however the water is not so flat on the inside. There's plenty of shade too when you're off the water.
Will be in Maui late August myself, kiting before lunch and windsurfing in the arvo's. The way the aussie peso is at the moment you can't afford not to go!
If you're on Oahu I think Kailua is the best bet, not that I've ever kited there. It's not so windy as Maui so maybe 12m and 9m would be the go.
hey robo im going to wikiki at Hawaii in mid April wat kite do u suggest i should use there?
7meter u kinda scaring me! how windy is it there?
i got 2x 12 meters a 14meter and a 9meter.. and i no i will get jibed with useing the 12 cause my friend wont be able to hold a 12 if its windy
sooo... i really dont want to buy a new kite just for the 10 days im there.... any places u can hire a 7meter LOL cause once i get back home it will never be used again so waste of money
I went to Hawaii and stayed at Kailua beach in August 2006. Rather than carry gear i elected to get a lesson ..so i could use their gear , and also i was not that experienced then. The lesson i had was fairly expensive....US$150 for 2 hrs . The day i went out the breeze was light and i ended up on a huge kite ..18m. However the previous post about Kailua was pretty accurate... winds around 15 knots the usual. Kite ...12m . There were political issues regarding kiting launch areas. Do a bit of research before you go so you do the right thing. Kailua beach can be a beautiful place, and a great kite . Good luck.
Hi Cal,
I spent two summers there kiting and working as an instructor on Oahu. I've also kited and windsurfed Maui on several occasions.
if you are a learner, go to Kailua Bay. It is about a 2o minute drive from the airport. Lots of holiday rentals if you google it. Winds to expect in August in Kailua are around 15-18 knots from sun up until around 11am, then the winds die down for about two to three hours so you can have lunch then they pick up again from around 2 until sunset with the hour of power (hour before sunset) giving the strongest winds.
Most Oahu kiters use 15/16 and 11/12 combos for the windier days. Take a light wind board or hire one when you are there.
North shore of Oahu, Mokulaiea is around 20-25 knots most days but is not suitable for a beginner. Kites to use are 11/12 or 9/10.
Maui is usually very windy and very gusty. Take an 11/12 and a 7/8
Hey Undage, April is before the windy trade wind season, so take a surfboard and catch the last of the winter swells. Not much wind around at that time of year. Their season starts in May, where they get the odd few dasy until the trades start blowing. You could get anything in that month so a full quiver from 15 to 7 will be required if you wanna get out at all costs. I'd rent if I were you, it'll be easier than carting bulk kites especially if you dont need to use them.
Good winds,
Great info guys, many thanks! I will definitely be at Kailua Bay, my bro lives there!
I have been told gear is very cheap in Hawaii, any feedback on that one??
