Hi guys,
hope you all are doing well!
I'm about to buy my first kite this week and I'm a bit confused about the size. A few kite schools have told me to go for a 11m but looking at a few charts it looks like I would be overpowered (first time kiter!)
I'm 167cm and 62-63kg. I will be kitting around Melbourne area (St Kilda, Brightong, etc) which should be around 15 - 25 knots during summer. At the moment I have got quotes for:
2014 Cabrinha Vector 11m
2014 Best Kahoona+ v6 10.5m
2014 North Evo 11m
Do you reckon 11m is alright or I should be looking at 10m or even 9m?
Thanks!
Andy T is right I would say 9m , I use 10 m and I am 76 klg and kite at Brighton /melbourne But if you are learning you may need the 11 until you are efficient with the kite and it may be better to purchase second hand 1st and when you are efficient go for new kite
Thanks guys!
What do you mean though by getting an 11m till I get efficient?
Can't wait to get the new gear!
He means it is easier to learn with a bit of grunt.
As your skills improve you will need less kite.
62kg is pretty light though not knowing the area but
I reckon you would have more fun more often on the 9m.
Ask around a few of the shops.
Good luck.
In vic i would lean towards a 10 or 11m depending on brand. Will depend on what size board you get as well. How often do you get a brease over 25kts? You could back it up with a 7m later.
If you are unsure it may pay to hold of on purchasing and do some demo riding.
Again, thank you all!
I'm a bit confused though, different opinions going from a 9m to an 11m. I will talk to the shops again tomorrow and see what they reckon.
Board I will start with something around 140 and then I will move to a 133 I guess...
Definitely a 9m. (10m Max)
At 65kg you will be over powered on an 11m from @ 20 knots.
The north kite runs a 4 line set called a 4 line mini 5th system which pulls both front line.with 5th line capable.not good for learning in 4line as there no safety until the kite has flagged out.and this will only happen with the 5line setup. Or unless you climb up the lines to the v on the lift lines a flag one of them they do also rap the kite with the 5th line sometime.this is a wakestyle kite and the bar is designed to run suicide when unhook.you need a kite that uses the re ride system.single front line flagging. Safety is key to anything.
I'd go the 9m, I'm 86kgs and kite where you're going and am fine on my 10m most days.
There is one issue with going for a 9m... Although a 9m kite may be your 'perfect' size for a 1 kite quiver, people often shoot themselves in the foot by going for this option. It is very likely that you will become addicted to this sport and although a 9m kite might get you out in 60-70% of windy days, you will soon start seeing guys out when it's too windy for you, or be pining for just a few extra knots. This is where a 9m is annoying because you now need 2 extra kites to cover the extra 10-15% of days on either side of your 9. (i.e. 7/9/12)
I think it would be better to aim for a kite you could use in a 2 kite quiver. i.e. an 8/11m or 7/10m depending on how windy it is in your area.
This time of year, at least in WA, the breezes aren't as strong so I'd say go for an 11m and then treat yourself to an 8m for xmas and you'll be laughing.
Select to expand quotesenki said..
The north kite runs a 4 line set called a 4 line mini 5th system which pulls both front line.with 5th line capable.not good for learning in 4line as there no safety until the kite has flagged out.and this will only happen with the 5line setup. Or unless you climb up the lines to the v on the lift lines a flag one of them they do also rap the kite with the 5th line sometime.this is a wakestyle kite and the bar is designed to run suicide when unhook.you need a kite that uses the re ride system.single front line flagging. Safety is key to anything.
This is true, but you should also note that:
-The new 2015 4-line North Bar has single line flagging system
-4-line North kites have 5th line attachments so the 5th line can be easily added
-pre-2015 4-line north kites flag out very well especially in moderate/strong winds, they sometimes don't in lighter winds like most other dual front line safety systems.
pKtito,
It's never an easy decision for your first kite especially if don't plan on buying a second or third kite anytime soon. 15 to 25 knots is too big of wind range to cover for any beginner regardless of the kite size you buy. You will need to stick to the wind range dictated by your body weight/kite size/skill level.
A lot of accidents happen when beginners that decided to go ''bigger'' with their kite size chose to go out in 25 knots + !
In short, if you go for an 11m kite at 62 kg, you'll be asking for trouble in any days when the wind goes beyond 20-22 knots.
A 9m kite makes a lot more sense and should get you going in anything above 18 knots (but maybe not 15 knots) and get you up to a maximum of 25 knots without too much trouble, depending on your skills. But around 25 knots you'd be wishing you had a 7m kite.
You also need to consider that not all kites deliver the same power output for the same size. As an example, a 9m Evo IMO delivers the same power output as a Kahoona 10.5m, this is due to the kite's design and shape.
I should also add that choosing an appropriate kite size rather than going too big will encourage you to develop the correct technique and will make you much more efficient with your board and kite skills. But yes, it will be more challenging and take more time and effort to learn this way.
So many beginners get used to always being fully powered and as a result have inefficient technique and poor stances on their boards. As I tell my students: in the long run, it takes more time and effort to break bad habits than to learn the right ones from the start.
hope this helps,
Christian
Thank you to all of you!!
I'm looking at a few options at the moment as I said and I will probably take a decision this week. I will let you know how it goes!
Thank you again 
Kite Republic have a North demo today at st kilda, you may get to fly a evo or rebel?
I'm nothing to do with the shop just thought it may be a easy way for you to fly a few kites.
9m definitely as a single kite solution, in that wind range. 9m was my first kite, but I weigh 83kg and in Perth can be out on that in nearly anything over ~19 knots (which is often!). It did me for a full first season.
But it's not the last kite you'll ever buy.
Given your weight, an 8 and 11 would likely better suit that wind range in my opinion. But that's next seasons decision!
Hi guys,
just bought my first kite! YAY! Finally I'm getting a brand new 2014 Best Kahoona+ v6 9.5m :)
If I get addicted to this amazing sport, I will probably get a second one 11.5m by December/January.
I reckon as a first kite this one will be more than enough and price wise, it's more affordable than other brands. Hopefully in a year or so I'm able to differentiate a kite from another and I can get one that fits my style.
I really appreciate all your help and advice! I will see you out there!!
