I'm 95kg and looking to get a BWS Kite. Read great reviews and the price is right too. I am a begginer and still trying to stand up on the board. Can any one suggest a size of the BWS kite for my weight and skill kevel for kiteboarding at Botany Bay?
I wonder what size/kg other BWS owners have?
crashtest,
Check the BWS Web Site, info on kite sizing.
I've a noise 10m I'm 75kgs on a sb (my light wind kite) works for me (white capping just) works when most are on 12m.
The 10m will work fine for you as a 1x kite starter, I dont know Sydney conditions but the depower is pretty good and you'd use this kite between 15+ (Large twin tip or surfboard) and 24knts (maybe more at 95kgs) wind range.
You'll drown in the kite choices available at your level so if you've friends or crew suggesting the bws then do it.
Anoldman
You are right, I am drowning in choices. Everyone I speak to suggest something different. Some will contradict others. I know that kite types are realy a personal choice and most are suitable for all style riders and styles. BWS Noise seemed like a good choice for its good price, local kite schools teach using them and obviously recommend them.
Thank you for sharing.
the 10 should be ok for 16 - 22 knots at 95kg on a surfboard
not sure how windy botany bay is?
i find i need to go to an 8 at that wind at 75kg.
I have TT board 138x40. I am planing to kiteboard freestyle. Does that change the kite size suggestions?
All things considered - weight, board size, location and in particular as beginner I would be going the 12M.
Its easier to learn on a bigger kite = slower - in lighter winds = need bigger kite & gusts are not such an issue.
Hardly ever see a 12M over here in WA but I know several well experienced kiters on the east coast - even ones a lot lighter weight - that use their 12M BWS for a lot of the time.
And,as you are not riding a grossly oversize board, you will be needing power to get going and then keep powered.
IMO your only choice - at this stage at least.
I concur with most here the 10 is the go. You'll get more high range and for your light wind, which you WILL be looking out for soon, suss out a 14 or 15. There's plenty around at good prices. BWS is a good starter for a lot of reasons - one being they ARE made to take a beating. happy sailing
I am 95kg also and have a BWS 10 and a 6. I ride both surfboards and twin tip. For me, I ride the 10 from white caps to 20knts and the 6 for over 20knts on boith the surfboard and the twin tip. My flat water spot is tide assisted though.
If I were to have a one kite quiver it would be the 8 but it depends on what winds you want to get out in
I really do not understand why guys are saying to go for the 12. The 10 has about as much power as a 12 in other brands and the turning speed is more like a 12 in other brands. I have not flown the 12 but based on how the 10 flys and from what people who own 12's tell me is that the 12 has the power of a 14 and turns like a 14. I find the low end on these kites is great but they find their top end pretty quickly.
A beginner putting a BWS 12 up in 25 knts as suggested by dave would be very dangerous IMO. I have been kiting for a long time and 25knts would be the absolute top end on the 10 for me and like I said before I am 95kg.
Go for the 10
Robbyb, I actualy had a chance to try a BWS Noise 10m this week. Wind was strong in 25knts and I felt over powered, mind you I had the depowower at minimum - my mistake. I am looking forward to trying it again.
I ride a 10m noise and weigh 110 kegs, I'm good on a twinny from 18knts getting overpowered after 25knts or so.
Maybe you could consider a bigger board 145 or so as a first board if it's no so windy out your way.
Defo agree with etoh and robbyb,
big TT will see you having WAY more time on the water which is the main thing when you're starting out. YOu've found what the high range of the 10 is like, Imagine the 12?!
The 10 will be good to go for the lighter winds with the bigger TT, down to at least 14kts for your 95pies. As you found out the noise can be limited in it's wind range, specially the higher ones. 2 things you can do with this kite, (doesn't work for all makes or models) is extend out the back lines with extra pigtails scavenged up from wherever you can get them. The Noise 10 will have a much greater high range with these and will still fly ok. The other thing to do is to let off the depower rope stopper. (i never use these things), you're bar stopper ball should still work fine and you can pull in more rope.
Also b4 you go out release the depower rope out of it's cleat & reseat it. For some reason it always seems to work better once it's been freed up, they can get stuck preetty bad....
Oh an there's the mystery of the dissappearing donkey sticks with these kites, WTF's up with that? anyhow BWS is always happpy to send new ones out but what to do in the mean time?
My board size is 140 x 43. It should be the right size for my weight at least to start with.
I tend to agree that the 10m BWS will be a better choice.
I believe you should be targeting 2 kites in total for the first year or so....
1st option - you buy an 8mtr to begin with and then you will require a 2nd kite pretty soon after... So you might by a 6mtr to go with your 8mtr for Sydney..
When the wind lightens (or you travel to a light wind spot) your kites will struggle..(you then wish you had a 10) - this is ok if you want to add a 3rd kite to your quiver.. easy 6 + 8 + 10 for a great price.
MY SUGGESTION - Purchase a 10mtr for learning (under instruction of course) then when you gain confidence purchase a 6mtr pretty well straight away... these 2 kites will cover most wind ranges for you until your are 100% smashing things up..
I am 95 KG's and was told to go with this method -- So thankful I did.. now I own a 4mtr , 6mtr, 8mtr and a 10mtr..
Good luck and happy kiting C T OZ
I though that for light wind conditions the BWS 12m would be good for someone weighing 95kg?
Yes the 6m and 10m BWS make a great combo, there is some overlap but not too much. Flat water , regular TT, 80kg 10m gets me through 14kt-25kt, whilst the 6m generates great apparent wind and works 20kt -30kt +.
No one has really stated how easy these kites are to fly. Super stable and very powerful for the nominated size
