Hi, i was wondering what the low end is like for the 10m kite. I weight 85kg and don't know whether 10m would be enough for say 13-14knots, or perhaps should go for the 12m.
I have read few reviews from riders hevier than me that appear to be happy just with a 10m, but don't know what wind range they get out of the kite.
I ride waves strapless here in spain, and don't know of anyone or any shop that has them...to test and see how they perform.
Anyone with a 12m? weight & windrange?
What windrange do u think I could cover with a 10m?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
My experience from customer feedback (BWS outlet in WA) is that you are sitting right on the fence there @ 85kg with 13/14kts.
Obviously you are on a surfboard so the 10M would cover for surfing in those conditions but your kiting back to position etc would be around the bottom end of the 10M.
The 12M Noise is a BIG kite for surfing. Not everyones choice for surfing but there are a few reports from guys kiting & surfing in amazingly low winds on the 12M.
IMO - if 13/14kts is the lowest end of the winds you kite in I'd go the 10M. If you are wanting to go any lower at all thenI'd be considering the 12M.
I am also 85kg and ride BWS resin8 6'1" strapped and BWS Drifter 5'9" strapless. I use the 8m and 10m Noise kites which cover wind ranges for me from 13knts to 28knts.
With the 10m in lighter winds and strapless it very much depends on the wind direction. For cross shore the kite works well parked while for a much more onshore wind where you need to move the kite around a lot better, if the wind is too light I have a bit of a struggle. It's better on the Drifter in lighter winds as the board has a flatter rocker and doesn't bog down.
Thanks a lot everyone for your replies!!
I always thought that 12m is too big for waves...but since the noise is a wavekite, i thought i´d better ask around...
My problem is with days where the wind is around 13-14knot, and still with my 12m Nobile 555 (i think is a hybrid) I struggle a lot..to get upwind after loosing all ground with a wave..you know.
I don´t expect the 10m noise to work miracles (or any kite for that matter) - I just wanted to know (since i have no way of testing it) more or less the low end for a guy a like me.
sunseeker: i also ride 6'1, weight 85kg and also considering the 10m and 8m quiver!!! i completely agree, that depending on wind direction the whole thing changes...onshore winds are probaly the worst scenario here, but i dont mind much since waves aren´t great. One question, do u have one or two bars? cash is an issue i´m afraid, if you had to go for one bar for both which one would be?
Thanks again for your help...I´ll do a bit more research :)
For any 2 kite quiver going for 1 bar would be a tough choice. The 8m is a lot faster than the 10m and the 10m is slower than other kites its size like the 11m REV for example. I would have to say the longer bar if you were really pushed but you would have to be careful flying the 8m with the longer bar - i.e. keep your hands in the middle of the bar esp. if you are unhooking.
Don't forget though that 2 bars give you longer life on lines etc.
hi sunseeker,
just a question...since you own a 8m an a 10m, you obviously know how big they are compare to other 8s or 10s right?
Do you reckon they are of a similar size to other 8s or 10s from a different brand?
The reason why I ask this, it is because the more i read on these kites, the more posts i find recommending a bws noise kite one size smaller than the kite you are currently using, so for examplo if your are on a 12m go gor a 10m.
I really worry about the size of my biggest kite....and cannot figure out how come a lot of users claim that they can kite on similar conditions with an smaller kite.
Before BWS I was using Slingshot REVs. I used the 11m most of the time and I find the 10m Noise to have the same power as the 11m REV and the 8m Noise the same pull as the 9m REV.
Before that I had Cabrinha Switchblades. From memory the 10m Switchblade has similar pull to the 10m Noise.
The thing with the Noise is that it's a bit slower than other kites so it's good to have a bit more low end power.
I've never seen a 12m Noise so I can't really comment. I don't go out kiting unless it's 14 knots minimum.
sunseeker, thanks for the info!! i used to have a cabrinha switchblade too, so i can relate to what you're saying...
from what i've read so far 12m is considered to be a big kite for surfing....perhaps is, but i have no choice i think if i want to kite in low winds 12-13 knots and being 85kg
