I'm finding that my 10m ozone catalyst just isn't cutting it for the weather I get in the sunny coast. In my area, I usually get between 7 - 13 knots, my catalyst doesn't like anything below 15.
So I'm looking for a kite that would fly in those conditions, especially considering that winter won't be far away.
I'm somewhere between beginner and intermediate (can't jump yet) and I weigh 65kg. I was considering something around 12-14m, hopefully something that can get up in about 9 or 10 knots onwards.
Does anyone have recommendations for brands/models that might suit my purposes? Preferably something to suit a beginner with potential for later.
Thanks mate, obviously I didn't do very well at searching. Consensus of that conversation seems to be that a 17m Flite rules. Anyone else got anything to add to that?
Your 65 kg.... Get a 12 meter ! And use a light wind board. In 8 to 10 kts you will not be doing tricks no matter the kite size as there is not any line pressure to jump with, just back and forward slowly. Unless you get a foilboard or formula race board. 12 is around my cutoff for freestyle, below that you can either foil or race board, but both can be done on 12 s
Get a 2nd hand\ cheap landboard. Light wind kiting is a marginal gains thing. If you haven't the skills yet you will find it frustrating with light wind kit. Much easier to strap something that doesn't sink to your feet and roll around the field building your skills instead.
YMMV
At 65kg and a beginner I'd go no bigger than 13m. If it's so light you need bigger than that you'll probably not yet have the skills to relaunch it.
A 12m Cat would give you a bit more grunt. A 13m Edge will blow you away for efficient low-end but takes a tiny bit more skill to get the most from. Either will run fine on the bar from your 10m Cat.
My biggest worry is actually launching the kite. My dads 13m edge will only work after 13 knots, although a bigger board might help. The ability to do tricks is a moot point if I never have enough wind to ever get to that point. I'm definitely considering the OR Flite 14.5m, maybe the 17m, the reviews I'm seeing all speak glowing praise about those kites
Ride your old mans 13 edge and see how it feels. I'll admit they are one of the hardest lei's to launch in light wind. But it can be done.
14M Ozone Catalyst, at your weight you really don't need a 17M kite, a bigger board and a 14M Cat will get you out in 10-12 knots, below 10 requires very specialised gear and the capacity to fly it and the willingness to swim it in when the winds drops or you screw up and ditch the kite, relaunching is tough under 10 knots and virtually impossible under 5/6 knots. So you have to ask yourself is it worth chasing under 10 knots with massive expensive kites?
I see guys using the foil board at my local, and it just looks boring in the light wind in my opinion, when the wind is light I can do many other things, it's just not the same sport when the wind is crap, you get addicted to how good the sport is when the winds really on to even bother when it's light, but just my opinion.
if your a beginner, kiting in light wing takes skill. im 80kg and have a fun time in 10knots with a 13m razor, but only with a run out tide. if your at the sunny coast just jump in the river mouths with the run out!
Select to expand quoteTerryMcTool said..
14M Ozone Catalyst, at your weight you really don't need a 17M kite, a bigger board and a 14M Cat will get you out in 10-12 knots, below 10 requires very specialised gear and the capacity to fly it and the willingness to swim it in when the winds drops or you screw up and ditch the kite, relaunching is tough under 10 knots and virtually impossible under 5/6 knots. So you have to ask yourself is it worth chasing under 10 knots with massive expensive kites?
really, light wind is my jam. 13-17 knots is awesome. with a huge runout tide and just enough wind to keep the kite from falling, the amount of slack you get is unbelievable. super easy tho throw passes!
Select to expand quoteBukinnear said..
Thanks mate, obviously I didn't do very well at searching. Consensus of that conversation seems to be that a 17m Flite rules. Anyone else got anything to add to that?
17 Flite does rule, however they make a 14.5 which might be better for your weight. I'm 90kg on the 17.
If the wind is really that bad you should probably just get a huge foil kite and a fatboy twin tip. I think there's one called "the door" which should get you on a plane with very little power.
It's what all the euros use for kiting their crappy lake breezes in 10 knots
14m is a great all round size for light winds.
I use a 17m but a little scary if the wind picks up.
14m can be controlled in decent wind if you have to but i cant go under 10kn and im 85donuts
+ you need a big board every body i see under boards no idea why....
So here is my idea. A lot of people agree that light winds are tricky for a novice. So I definitely won't go for a massive kite, but that wasn't really my plan in the first place, what I really need is a kite that will fill the gaps that my 10 can't. Most people have recommended a 12 or 14 for my weight.
So the that end, I can meet you half way and get a 14.5m Flite. I have concerns that a 12 won't be as useful since I like to learn on a lake (reasonably light wind) the reviews of the kite all speak wonders for its handling and light wind capability .
Lastly, I would really like to try a different kite, my old man's edge is powerful, but it moves like a tractor and I live away from them now. If I don't try new things I will always be a beginner. What I'm hoping is that this kite will get me out on the water often enough for me to finally get better. A steady 15 knots of wind is something I've seen about 8 times in the last year >.>
Select to expand quoteste said..
I see guys using the foil board at my local, and it just looks boring in the light wind in my opinion, when the wind is light I can do many other things, it's just not the same sport when the wind is crap, you get addicted to how good the sport is when the winds really on to even bother when it's light, but just my opinion.
big deal , you don't see the point of foiling in light winds . The things you do when it is light other people no doubt see as pointless . Each to their own .
Got a 15m Naish Fly last year...best buy of 2014. Northern Beaches Syd NE wind struggles but this season was out when most guys were still on the beach. Pretty slow moving kite but good depower which gives you time to get in when it starts blowing.
The bigger the kite, the slower it moves, there us no such thing as a fast 15 or 17 meter, they are all trucks compared to your 10
mate, at 65kg, all you need is a Chrono 12 or 15mt and a largish board around 142cm. You will be lit in anything from 8knots
Select to expand quoteLoftywinds said..
mate, at 65kg, all you need is a Chrono 12 or 15mt and a largish board around 142cm. You will be lit in anything from 8knots
I watched a dude playing with his 21 metres of chrono in skittish winds on sunday ..... It was painful. I will stick with 19m of LEI.
I'm still considering this, a few recommendations for foil kites here, I can probably keep it out of the water, but on the off chance that I fail, those things don't relaunch, do they? I'll probably stay away from that, i need a second kite that can fly in 10+ knots, not a 100% light weather kite.
Never mind the light weather, what would you guys recommend in the 12/14m range as a general all rounder kite.
Select to expand quoteBukinnear said..
I'm still considering this, a few recommendations for foil kites here, I can probably keep it out of the water, but on the off chance that I fail, those things don't relaunch, do they? I'll probably stay away from that, i need a second kite that can fly in 10+ knots, not a 100% light weather kite.
Never mind the light weather, what would you guys recommend in the 12/14m range as a general all rounder kite.
A second hand 14 Cab Vector. Cheap, reliable.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~tfnvg/2013-Cabrinha-Vector-14-metre.aspx?search=yxrOHND3sv7WR1X!up0NMOE5$H9Eivtk
Plus one for 14 m vector.
Not the ultimate light wind machine but they're cheap and easy.
They will stay in the air in really light winds so you have to make big mistakes to drop it.
I found mine was useless with a normal twin tip (barely any more bottom end than an 11m switchblade) but paired with a light wind board (nugget for me) I'm cruising at around the 10 knot mark, the 11 switchy would be falling from the sky in 10 knts. I'm 70kgs.
P.S there a lot to be said for the board in the light wind equation
Select to expand quoteBukinnear said...
I'm still considering this, a few recommendations for foil kites here, I can probably keep it out of the water, but on the off chance that I fail, those things don't relaunch, do they? I'll probably stay away from that, i need a second kite that can fly in 10+ knots, not a 100% light weather kite.
Never mind the light weather, what would you guys recommend in the 12/14m range as a general all rounder kite.
Foil kites relaunch easily, and much easier in light wind than LEI's in my experience because you relaunch them from directly downwind - ie no steering to the side then rotating off the water and up. The technique is different that's all. In terms of filling up with water - you've probably got 20-30 min of messing around before that's a problem, but if you really abuse them you can pump water into them quicker via the intake vents if you try.
Another advantage for light winds is that foils are at their most stable position at 12 o clock directly above your head. It's nigh impossible to crash one from that position - if you get the chance, yank the front lines and try to run directly downwind under the kite. You'll be amazed how they simply drift backwards no matter how hard you try. The point is that in light wind, you are less likely to drop the kite in the first instance.
the Speed 4 15 is a fantastic, easy, stable kite if you are open to them. InTheLoop are in Qld and may be able to arrange a demo for you.
The flydoors come in 2 sizes - a 160 and 170cm version. Ideally you'd match a big kite with a big board the maximise the potential, but needless to say that would be a fair $ commitment.
Select to expand quotekitingtopher said..
what is a semi >> light wind.?
14-16knots?
Select to expand quotePlummet said..kitingtopher said..
what is a semi >> light wind.?
14-16knots?
Sorry, I think I dun Goofed. My definition of light wind is 4-9 knots.
semi light wind is 10-15.
For anyone who regularly gets real wind, I am looking for a light wind kite :P
So I have a recommendation for a 14 Cab Vector. I'll take a look at that as well. The guy at my local shop suggested a 12m evo, what's your guys' take on that?
The difference between 4 - 9 knots is massive in real terms - like significantly different equipment is required at the low end of that range. You also need to think about the current at your intended location - 10 knots with a 5 knot current in the same direction = 5 knots of wind speed once you jump in. Surf or shorebreak will also have a large impact.
If you are game, a foilboard will work well, or you need to start thinking >17m kites. Add the larger Edges and 18m foils to your demo list.
