Hey guys,
My son has been learning to kiteboard since last August and he's now able to ride upwind a bit (although not reliably yet :-)).
He currently uses a 3sqm RRD Passion kite which works perfectly with his weight (a little less than 40kgs) from approx. 12 knots above.
This year, we're going back to our favorite spot in Greece with pretty steady - but weak - thermal winds. On an average day, it would be somewhere between 8 and 10 knots. Since his 3m kite does not work in a low winds like these, I would like to get a bigger one.
I am currently deciding between a Mono 5, Mono 7 and Neo 6. Any experience with flying these kites in low winds like these? Will they even stay in the air?
A few weeks ago, we experimented with a 9m Neo (I guess that the wind was around 10 knots) - it stayed in the air pretty well even powered down, but it was just too lazy (and too powerful for his weight).
Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.
Select to expand quotesnalberski said..
8-10 knots is a bit of an ask but the Ultra would be one to demo
Thanks for the tip! I suppose that you mean Airush Ultra? If yes, any idea if Airush kites work fine with North bars?
8-10 knots...that's a big call for your son to manage a kite in such light winds no matter what the kite size.
It can test even the most experienced kiter in those winds...
my son is only 32kg and he would struggle on his 8m 2011 catalyst in those winds.
So let's call this a 6m neo in power for arguments sake. Still not enough ..unless he's on a big board with very good kite control and no currents.
Your sure your aimis 8-10knots?
so even if you did get a 7m mono or ultra ...your son would need to be a pretty competent flyer...or be on a foil board.
power difference equals the square of the wind velocity (or something like that) Which means there is fck all power at 8-10knots compared to even 12 knots.
awesome to see your little dude out there, that is really fantastic. But as others mentioned, 8 to 10 is hard work and kites drop pretty quick and relaunch is difficult in those conditions. Saying that, I think the 7 mono would be a good candidate. Nimble enough and light, and enough grunt to get him going.
Select to expand quoteCharlykX said..snalberski said..
8-10 knots is a bit of an ask but the Ultra would be one to demo
Thanks for the tip! I suppose that you mean Airush Ultra? If yes, any idea if Airush kites work fine with North bars?
I find as your picture shows the north bars arnt that great with kids, little chance of achieving full throw and very fiddle reaching the depower trim, I'm teaching one of my kids ATM and find this pretty apparent , 8/10 knts good luck especially at relaunch, great work though with the young bloke
My son struggled with with the depower throw on the ozone bar (same as the north to be honest), reaching for the cleat. But he's all good now and he's a pretty short little fella. Which is why he's called Antman.
To add the lightest kite possible is what you need.
Pretty sure inread somewhere ages ago the ozone reo 6m is actually lighter than the north 6m mono.
So mabey even a small reo might work. North kites have a heavier build which is why mine is on the old catalyst because it stayed in the air in lighter winds. Now he takes his 6m in 18-23 knots at 32kg... obsessed with power lol.
Ha, I would have gone for the 6 Reo as well, (what an awesome kite), but he didn't list those as a choice. Eppo, it sounds is though your kid is in mighty good hands. Keep up the good work.
Have a look at the Ozone Uno range too, they come in 6, 4 and 2.5M. They are purpose designed for teaching and kids, they fly off a normal Ozone bar but you can fit an Ozone C4 main line and a kids size chicken loop really easily (or any dealer can organise this)
There's a local youngster in WA Nate Pizzuto who learned on them from age 5 from, now Nate flys Enduros, I think his main kite is still a 6M (but used to be the 4M Uno)? Apologies for the Ozone frothing! 
Another kite to consider is an Airush union. Really light built (yet very strong frame) and can stay up in really light winds.
My my son also learnt on a uno 4 but your son is beyond the learning stage by the sounds of it. Young nate also used a small wainmen for a while before the enduro.
Select to expand quoteOzone Kites Aus said..
Apologies for the Ozone frothing!
Pffft. I site sponsor, with obvious interests, apologising here for frothing!? Now I've heard it all.
Select to expand quote
Thanks for the tip! I suppose that you mean Airush Ultra? If yes, any idea if Airush kites work fine with North bars?
Airush kites are designed to fly off a low Y line system, as are the RRD's and the Ozones. So none of them will fly right on the high Y design used by North. What's wrong with using the bar he has with the RRD.
Hey guys, thank you all for your input.
In the end, I ordered a North Mono 7m. We'll see what's gonna happen in low wind. Worst case scenario, he'll have a chance to practice his kite handling skills :-). Plus, it will also serve as a second kite for myself (in addition to a 12m Neo) when we're traveling by air and can't haul all the gear we normally do in the car :-).
@IanR, @cauncy: He has been using the North Quad Control bar with the 3m RRD Passion without any trouble. Yes, it's kind of hard for him to reach the depower but other than that, he seems to be fine using it.
@Ozone Kites Aus: The Uno was one of the kites I was seriously considering as his first kite but then I got a good offer for the 3m RRD and it's been working like a charm. The main reasons for my decision to go with North are - beside the fact that I kind of like the brand, without being a North fanatic, though :-) - that the Mono received good reviews and also the fact that I have good relations with my local North dealer and the prices are hard to beat.
