Yeah I was out on my 18m "BFK" this arvo down at Safety Bay...

FAARKEN COOL RIDE...

It was 12 kts, I was riding my 130cm BESTPRO and I weigh 100kg's at present...

YES I managed to keep my ground when the wind was there...

Out of the bag this kite looks impressive. Extra large dump valves for rapid deflation, stopper valves for easy inflation, "ASS" bridal is already attached (I'd reconmend starting in the middle knots). New panel layout and much much more...

We had some realy good fun out there today jumping around and seeing what this kite can do. I rode it off the new KICK bar (45cm). I thought it was going to be a tough turner ? but I was so surprised when I whipped off a kiteloop without even trying.

This is a realy fun and easy kite to fly...

regards browneee

cough shuffle.

wonder why they make big kites at all really as we can all just get away with our 8's.

Hey BD,

Just mentioned it for a reaction! Felt particularly mischievious yesterday arvy. [}:)]

Point of the reply was that you are far better off with a slightly bigger board costing maybe $800-$1000 (or $400-$600 2nd Hand) rather than spending $1800 on any big kite that turns slow and jumps low.

Smaller kites are more fun, even in light winds when you have to work 'em.

To all the crew that own kites > 16m kites, not wanting to rain on ya parade or question your decisions. I know some of you ride in places where there aint much wind, but my observations lead me to believe guys hang onto big kites even when they can easily switch down with the help of a bigger board.

Being less mischievious this morning

One of my mates who rides an 18m BFK says he loves the kite, I ride an 18m Vision and love it (it kicks the BFK's ass IMO) and the same day we were out, me on a 118 Vision board, BFK mate on a rocketfish, and another mate on a 10m RRD Type Wave with a surfboard having just as much fun, if not more riding small waves in side-off wind. It was only around 10-12 knots I'd say. Though Darren was joking, I'm thinking he's got the right idea.

Some of these big kites must feel like you're driving a truck.....
slow-motion kitesurfing. These trucks pushing thru the air have so much drag-factor. Try using a smaller gruntier kite with a slightly larger board, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Also be more aerobic when you ride by working the kite a lot more. Apparent wind is the key to kiting in pus wind. Get a sweat happening.

Also ride 'light'. When I windsurfed I used small sails because I mastered the art of hanging off the boom and sailing 'light', instead of weighting up the board. Similar techniques can be applied to kiting, don't be a lazy rider and just hook-in, set your edge and plow!