Hi,
I'm new to the sport and just did my first lesson. Due to the fact that you can't hire gear I will buy my own soon to get on the water. I narrowed it down to four kites and was wondering what the community things might be the best to go for.
I would like a kite that will be good to learn on, but will still give me the performance as an intermediate rider. I think later I would like to go into cruising and jumping. I assume size 11-13 would be appropriate. Any opinion on size as well? I will surf in Brisbane area.
Me: 95kg and 195cm
Which do you think would fit best:
1. Slingshot T3 (11m2)
2. Cabrinha Switchblade (12m2)
3. Caution Mayhem (11m2)
4. Caution Zombie (12m2)
Any comment and advice welcome. Thanks.
i'm about the same size as you(from the waist up) and i have a cab switchy 3 12mtre..pulls me along nicely even on light days....look at the second hand section..you'll save a packet!
Stabber
lol Stabber -waist up 
Yep definetely 12 -13 with maybe 135-140 x 40-41 board will see you groovin nicely 
If you go second hand, regardless of year... tell them to pump it up and check carefully along ALL SEAMS on leading edge, struts & canopy. You wont have the advantage of a warranty but you just might save yourself a few hundred dollars if it is a 'freak' dud kite from the factory.
I own one & its a 2008 kite !! but flys like a dream after a reality cheque of $250 for the repair to the stitching. A couple of minutes verses a couple of hundred 
Have fun the winds comin 
I don't know your background, current skill level or local wind strengths, but.
Be aware that as a beginner you wont get the same range out of a kite as an experienced kiter. Someone with experience and the same weight/board will be able to get going in less and hold it together in more.
So if 12m is the right size for you, and you can afford it, consider getting a 10m and a 14m instead. You'll have a much bigger wind range.
Start with something like a secondhand 14m SB. They turn slower but I think that's great for beginners. Then after a few sessions if you're confident not to crash the kite too often go a new 10m.
I've been kiting nearly a year, have 2 kites and am just starting to jump and ride toeside. The good riders seem to get the same range out of 1 kite that I can get out of 2. Maybe by the end of my second summer I'll be there too....
As you 95kg and will be kiting around brisbane... (I assume you will be kiting at brighton/sandgate or wello?) I rekon either a 12m or 13m would be best anything smaller than a 12m and you will hardly ever use it. Im about 70kg and ride a 12m most of the time...
Switchblade 3 or T3!
Both excellent kites and a brand new T3 is around the $1200/1300 price compared to a 6m Switchblade being $1700, think of what a 12m will cost then!
ADEN.
At your weight and for Brisbane maximum opportunity kiting, go a grunty 12m kite or nice turning 13m. Look for a simple 4line bar setup without pulleys on the bar.
Couple it with a nice lightweight low rockered board around 138x41 and you'll have the perfect local setup. Then maybe grab a nice 10m to complement it when you get some experience.
If you are limiting yourself to those you have listed I'd be checking the mayhem as it looks the best out of that list. Not sure on the next size up from 11 though.
hi don`t buy a 14m as the guy above sugests. to big and slow.
i learnt on a 12m im similar weight and hieght to you.
go the switchblade 12 or t3 13 or rev 13.
i'm sure all of them fly good enough that you will have a new kite before you need to worry about slight naunces in performance - they will all be good and not limit you in your progression. You will be due for a new one before you outgrow it or have to worry that x fly's slightly better than y.
in that case I would purchase on one thing alone and that would be resale. In that case it would be the sb and then the t3. You can get a sb3 for a good price at the mo... have a look at the used prices on sebreeze to help make your decision. best to turn the kite over each year imho. also i hear the sb3 has more grunt than the ids......
