Hey folks first post, firstly a big shout out to the community!
Secondly would like to ask a quick couple of questions in regards to light wind boards. I am a very new rider (3 weeks) and absolutely loving it! Discovering the art of flight currently :D I weigh around 60-65kg depending on the water concentration of my garments. Would like to ask what the best lightwind board for someone of my level/weight would be. A friend has a '11 Underground Stella 144 and its unreal, absolutely love it... have had a go of a '09 nobile 666 136 (believe) as well, not as good but decent. Would like to be able to handle up to around 15ish knots on my 11m Bandit III in relative chop if possible and i know the stella was great for that. I know of a brand new stella can pick up cheap but its only 138x44 same width just not as long, does that make all the much difference in wind range?
The other question I have is if it worthwhile to hang onto a 12m '09 Naish Torch? Was lucky enough to pick up a quiver of kites including a 8 & 11m F-One Bandit 3's and the torch + couple of boards (132 U.G. Krypt and 130 F-one Acid)/harnesses really cheap before i started. Loving the Bandits and finding i can get around 10-high 20's wind range out of the 2 kites, definately dont need the 12. Is it worthwhile holding onto the torch for when I may be able to utilize it? Or just get rid of the death machine?
Cheers,
Josh Zuino
Hi mate, welcome to your new addiction!
The 138x44 Stella will be the biggest twintip you'll ever need at your weight (I used to ride a 144x46 and it was heaps for me at 78kg). Bottom end is largely a matter of skill in flying the kite with a light touch on the bar, and nimble loading of the board. So grab the smaller stella and you'll be fine.
As for the torch, I've never ridden one but it will sure handle differently to the B3s. May as well keep it to play with when you improve as you're unlikely to get that much for it.
Hi Gibilator
When it comes to light wind kiteing the board and kite are only 2 factors to take into account, one of the most important is the kiters skill and the only way to gain this skill is by practice.
If you have only been kiting for 3 weeks I would wait a while and see if you do really need a special light wind board. As you get better you will get better at generating the most power from your kite and using the board you have better.
The Torch is a fantastic kite very fast and extremely powerful, but it does not develop much static power, so just sheeting in and expecting the kite to pull you along wont happen well in light winds. Used correctly and you can use its speed to generate more apparent wind and more power.
Thanks for the responses, thats great to hear djdojo i'll see if they lets me demo with intention to buy, can't hurt to ask. The torch handles tremendously differently to the b3, have only had it out in 12ish knot winds and honestly struggled to keep it in the air, not knowing how to properly fly it was oversheeting for 1/4 second, was all it takes to drop from the sky in those conditions. But none the less definitely felt more grunty.
I shall hold onto the torch for a while, and most definitely understand what you are saying juicerider in regards to low wind flying, just frusting as the vast majority of wind we receive my way are on the lower end of the scale, and the best freeride board i have is a 130x39 acid that planes easy but sinks like a rock. I know that I can well and truely stay upwind in 10 knots and hold ground with 9 on my 11 b3 with that 144 stella, Pretty much have heart set on a larger board, just which to get... Cheers.
