Hi all, I'm sure it's been asked before and will be asked again.....
I'm in the process of doing a few lessons, and will most likely wait till after winter to buy gear unless a good deal comes along.
I'll be starting off in botany bay, but my final goal is to hit the surf at Cronulla.
At 100kg what size kites should I be looking at? And if I buy 2 kites (as many suggest) how far apart should the sizes be?
Also, when they list the wind range for a kite, what body weight are they calculating that from? Is there a standard formula to adjust it for big guys such as myself?
I've heard good things about cabrinha switchblade, looking at a second hand 2013 10m and 12m. Is that a good combo to start with?
Cheers,
Nik
Hi Nik,
Please feel free to come in and have a chat with us about gear selection as well. We're always very open and honest and can usually help narrow down some choices.
At your weight, we would suggest a 14m or 13m to begin with. This size kite would be suitable for you in the 14-20knot range as you progress.
Typically, you only want 2-3m size gap between kites, and that is a little dependant on local conditions and how many kites you think you may end up with.
Intended wind ranges are typically for 75-85kg riders on twintips. Some brands specify and others don't. Usually for every 10kg you can go up a full 1m per kite. For example if i'm 80kg and flying an 11m, you should be on a 13m in the same conditions.
Switchblades are an excellent kite and very user friendly with lots of low end power and good range. A 12/10m combo is alright to start with, but with your stated intention of getting into the surf, we might recommend some other models more suited to the job.
Stop by anytime to have a chat, i'm sure we can work out a good deal!
Select to expand quotenikmcc said..
I've heard good things about cabrinha switchblade, looking at a second hand 2013 10m and 12m. Is that a good combo to start with?
Hey Nik. Warning! You're going to love this sport! It's addictive.
But KP are correct the Switchy is a great kite and you won't regret it. I personally fly the 14mt switchy in anything over 14knots up to around 22knots. It has great boost, floats like a feather and great up wind traction. My only complaint about it is it's a bit slow in the turns, but for a beginner you'll love it. Welcome to kite surfing dude!
Select to expand quoteKPSS Used said......
Intended wind ranges are typically for 75-85kg riders on twintips. Some brands specify and others don't. Usually for every 10kg you can go up a full 1m per kite. For example if i'm 80kg and flying an 11m, you should be on a 13m in the same conditions.
Switchblades are an excellent kite and very user friendly with lots of low end power and good range. A 12/10m combo is alright to start with, but with your stated intention of getting into the surf, we might recommend some other models more suited to the job.
Sweet, that weight/size info is exactly what i was after, thanks. what characteristics make a kite more suited to surf? And do those traits then affect it's flat water performance?Select to expand quoteKazan said...
Hey Nik. Warning! You're going to love this sport! It's addictive.
But KP are correct the Switchy is a great kite and you won't regret it. I personally fly the 14mt switchy in anything over 14knots up to around 22knots. It has great boost, floats like a feather and great up wind traction. My only complaint about it is it's a bit slow in the turns, but for a beginner you'll love it. Welcome to kite surfing dude!
Cheers
Yeah really looking forward to getting into it! There's only so many summers one can sit around cursing the noreaster and blown out surf, cant beat it so might aswell join it right......
Nik,
The characteristics that make a good wave kite are: quick turning (pivoting on wingtip), fast relaunch, big range, and of course the drift. Drift is the ability for the kite to follow you down the line when your lines slack out or aren't actively flying the kite, without it falling out of the sky.
Wave kites make great beginner kites because they have all the traits that a beginner needs.
Flat water performance is a hard one to judge, because many people like to do different things in flat water. The only thing that wave kites aren't great at is unhooked wakestyle tricks.
At your stage and intended riding style, a wave kite would be perfectly suitable for your needs. Give us a call or stop in if you want to go over all the wave kite options or explore some all around options if you think this would suit you better.
Select to expand quoteKPSS Used said..
Nik,
The characteristics that make a good wave kite are: quick turning (pivoting on wingtip), fast relaunch, big range, and of course the drift. Drift is the ability for the kite to follow you down the line when your lines slack out or aren't actively flying the kite, without it falling out of the sky.
Wave kites make great beginner kites because they have all the traits that a beginner needs.
Flat water performance is a hard one to judge, because many people like to do different things in flat water. The only thing that wave kites aren't great at is unhooked wakestyle tricks.
At your stage and intended riding style, a wave kite would be perfectly suitable for your needs. Give us a call or stop in if you want to go over all the wave kite options or explore some all around options if you think this would suit you better.
That's a great write-up/overview....
Select to expand quoteKPSS Used said..
Nik,
The characteristics that make a good wave kite are: quick turning (pivoting on wingtip), fast relaunch, big range, and of course the drift. Drift is the ability for the kite to follow you down the line when your lines slack out or aren't actively flying the kite, without it falling out of the sky.
Wave kites make great beginner kites because they have all the traits that a beginner needs.
Flat water performance is a hard one to judge, because many people like to do different things in flat water. The only thing that wave kites aren't great at is unhooked wakestyle tricks.
At your stage and intended riding style, a wave kite would be perfectly suitable for your needs. Give us a call or stop in if you want to go over all the wave kite options or explore some all around options if you think this would suit you better.
Again, thanks 
Thats some really good info!
Unhooked wake moves are the one area of kitesurfing that doesn't interest me in the slightest, so it sounds like a surf kite is the way to go!
I was looking at your Cabrinha Drifter freeride/wave package online... Could very well be a goer I think
As long as the wind behaves, i'll be having a lesson with you guys sarvo. So that will help me decide if I do go thru with buying some gear.
Cheers for the advice
p.s. What is freeride?
Select to expand quotenikmcc said..
p.s. What is freeride?
Just riding around, jumping, playing in the waves, throwing a few tricks... nothing specialized.
one kite that seems to get missed especially for bigger guy is the wainman rabbit series
very stable kite to learn on but also wont grow out of it. they are also great in the waves.
If you can make it into the shop a bit earlier, we'd be happy to go over some options.
Just like the boys said above, freeriding is just doing a bit of everything, and typically doesn't incorporate unhooked moves.
Have a think about the percentage differences between surf and freeriding that you may do, as this will help us identify what type of kite to aim towards.
See you then!
Or continue on with lessons. You'll end up crashing your first kite a lot, so why not use someone else's.
Also, wait till after Easter to purchase, the market goes quiet as the summer season is over and there will be deals on runout kit as the 2015 models are on their way.
Most brands have their dealer conferences mid year to show off the new toys.
Select to expand quoteKPSS Used said..
If you can make it into the shop a bit earlier, we'd be happy to go over some options.
Just like the boys said above, freeriding is just doing a bit of everything, and typically doesn't incorporate unhooked moves.
Have a think about the percentage differences between surf and freeriding that you may do, as this will help us identify what type of kite to aim towards.
See you then!
Cheers, might do... I'll see how I go for timeSelect to expand quotewestozwind said..
Or continue on with lessons. You'll end up crashing your first kite a lot, so why not use someone else's.
Also, wait till after Easter to purchase, the market goes quiet as the summer season is over and there will be deals on runout kit as the 2015 models are on their way.
Most brands have their dealer conferences mid year to show off the new toys.
I don't have the cash now anyways, so maybe that's a good thing ;)
Select to expand quotenikmcc said..
I don't have the cash now anyways, so maybe that's a good thing ;)
Huh? So you're wasting everyone's time including Kitepower?
You could also consider a kite like the Zephyr as a first kite . Great for bigger guys and lighter winds to learn in while getting all your skills sorted out. You can still take the Zephyr safely to higher winds - say 22 knots and more as you progress.
I have the zephyr and a 12 and 9 m switchblade. I love them all and take to the water in a wide range of conditions.
I started with the 12m which is a great kite but would have had more fun earlier as a newby with a couple of kg's heavier than you on the zephyr.
The advice on surf kites seems good too. Several people I know went with the Drifter and love it and prefer it over the switchy if surf is your thing. I haven't tried the Drifter myself as I never felt any great deficiencies in the switchies.
Unless you buy junk, in the end whatever you choose you will learn to use well and enjoy. Then once you are used to your equipment you will probably prefer it because you have learnt on it!
good luck and have fun
Select to expand quoteKazan said..nikmcc said..
I don't have the cash now anyways, so maybe that's a good thing ;)
Huh? So you're wasting everyone's time including Kitepower?
Your time is so precious that you only give advice to people who are cashed up and ready to purchase right now? I don't get it!
Select to expand quoteKazan said..nikmcc said..
I don't have the cash now anyways, so maybe that's a good thing ;)
Huh? So you're wasting everyone's time including Kitepower?
Maybe you missed the part where Im only asking questions online at this stage as Im fully aware I wont be buying anything imediately.
Not that my finances are any of your business, But I know when I will have the money and would like to know what im gonna buy with it now so Im ready to go when the money comes in.
Select to expand quotewinwil said..
You could also consider a kite like the Zephyr as a first kite . Great for bigger guys and lighter winds to learn in while getting all your skills sorted out. You can still take the Zephyr safely to higher winds - say 22 knots and more as you progress.
I have the zephyr and a 12 and 9 m switchblade. I love them all and take to the water in a wide range of conditions.
I started with the 12m which is a great kite but would have had more fun earlier as a newby with a couple of kg's heavier than you on the zephyr.
The advice on surf kites seems good too. Several people I know went with the Drifter and love it and prefer it over the switchy if surf is your thing. I haven't tried the Drifter myself as I never felt any great deficiencies in the switchies.
Unless you buy junk, in the end whatever you choose you will learn to use well and enjoy. Then once you are used to your equipment you will probably prefer it because you have learnt on it!
good luck and have fun
Cheers
I'll look into the Zephyr too
I really think once im sorted in flat water, I'll be in the surf all the time
Nik,
If you get settled on some choices, we can always layby some gear for you with a 20% deposit.
You should be good for a lesson today!
Ok so this is probably gonna start an argument but I am going to plug the BWS kites on this one. I am 100kgs and have been riding consistently for about 8 months on an original model noise 8m and 12m ( the sizing is a bit off so really I would say they are a 9 and a 14)
They do from about 15 to 30 or so. I was on a pretty tight budget when I got them and they were cheap tough and stable. I found the low end grunt very helpful when first getting up and going and when learning transitions and jibes. If I was gonna stick with more flatwater stuff I would definitely switch them up but I am out in the surf a bit and looking to do that more so will stick with them for now. I have ridden a few other kites but I'm not really in a position to make any informed comparisons.
I am kinda in the same boat i have an 11m drifter but want a smaller kite say 9m and $$$$ is tight so it will be a second hand kite but im struggling to work out what i am leaning towards a BWS or an air rush , nash due more than anything not being in postion to out lay another $1200 or $1600 realisticly its gonna be $400 up
Select to expand quoteKazan said...nikmcc said..
I don't have the cash now anyways, so maybe that's a good thing ;)
Huh? So you're wasting everyone's time including Kitepower?
Hilarious..... I thought people checked seabreeze when they had time to waste 
