Hi
I'm about your size, 6'1" and 105kg, my main kite is a 12m (Switch Method) for the surf (on a 6'1"x18.5"x 2 and a bit, rounded pin tail), I'm fine on this from about 15kts to just over 20 (in truth I could cope a bit longer but I have/had a 9m to change to at just below 20) so sizing is basically ok. As a learner in the surf I'd go for a 4 line kite rather than the 5 line Rebel (but this is basically a personal choice) as if you drop your kite with the 5th line and invert the kite it'll bow tie where as the 4 line will invert and still fly, the goal obviously is not to do this but while learning it's bound to happen and with the 4 line you'll be able to re-launch with the kite inverted and drag yourself in. The recommendation is basically good in my opinion it's just a matter of what compromises you want to make, the Rebel is a good kite but there are many others out there that are also good and as a learner in the surf are possibly simpler.

That's my 2c for what it's worth.

Im a beginner 95kg using a 11m 2013 rebel. The fifth line tangle issue is a real concern for us beginners. It has cost me a very long trip back to shore after having to self recover. That being said im starting to work out ways to stop it from happening, i.e. try and keep tension on the lines if you crash your kite, give the middle lines a good pull to hot launch if it lands on the trailing edge etc.

I also find myself wishing i had of got the 12 a lot of the time but over in WA you get better winds from the all the gloating I see in the forums Also Ive ended up ordering a much bigger board, which you might want to consider as well.

Good luck mate and welcome to poverty

... teehee, Centurion club (100kg),,, thats funny, I like that!

Big bloke kiting, thats me!!!!!!!

I fit the criteria as heavy and the heavier you are the more stable the kite needs to be when put under high loads. When you get more experienced and more efficient at flying kites you can afford to get smaller less stable kites or rather, you can get away with a lot more so therefore a surf orientated kite. Basically when your good enough the choices are opened up!

There are lots a great kites out there and the Rebel is one that can hold its own, especially under me, a super weight (120 - 125 kg). From 2010 onwards the Rebels with the loaded 5th line are super stable when stressed, even when under-inflated (4 - 5 psi). When stable they still steer and behave and this makes learning easier, increasing the learning curve. Important in my opinion!

Recommending sizes is hard as local conditions and board selection effects thing alot. I can't say for sure what sizes you should have but a 12m is a good start. You may limit your low end while learning but as you get experienced, the 12m becomes your high wind kite and you can get yourself a light wind kite and then a higher wind kite. If you were here in the sh!t wind capital of Australia, definetely 14m minimum, and with a nice big board.

At your stage, trying different boards won't yield much except if you try a big monster board you'll get up and going soon but like most you'll out grow it. Maybe try to borrow a beginners twin tip for the very beginning then when you get your kite flying skills up, then look for a more appropriate board. If you get a couple of sessions under your belt then the right board is easier to choose.

Have fun and good luck!

cheers,

Robbie

I'm a little confused I have had rebels for a year now and use them in the surf all the time and have never had an issue with a fifth line wrap. I have dropped it, crashed it, and been rolled by some pretty decent waves this winter never had a problem with the fifth line wrap, I just release my safety and let the wave take me (worst case) if this happens you will not get your kite back in the air, you will need to reset on the beach. From my experience it is better to let your kite go with the wave than ressist it ,once it is in the wash invert or not the wave will f#$k your kite if you struggle against it. In saying that there has been many a time the speedy relaunch the fifth line provides which has saved me and my kite. The most important thing if you get dumped by a wave is to try and keep your kite in the air with tension in your lines and continue flying your kite, I tend to use my kite to pull me out of the wash. I think you couldn't go wrong on a rebel to start with, north build some nice kites and so do lots of other company's shi thouse there are so many good entry level kites out there talk to your local shop they will sort you out.

shi thouse said...
Cheers fellow big lads. Sounds like Eppo is on the right track for this one. From my understanding a nice stable kite - nothing too big to start out with, with decent bottom end. Sounds like the board is the key to get going. Will starting out on a big twin tip be the preferred method then once this is sorted move onto a surf board?

hey mate if you are a poleboarder you should just jump straight onto a surfboard. you can already gybe and ride both directions. if you want to ride waves i wouldn't worry about a twintip at all- it just adds difficulty. a surfboard will get going sooner than a big twintip.

OK...will PM peutz

Details of kiting...Eppo
- yep come from a poleboarding background
- sailing anywhere from south of Bunbury to Exmouth but focus is the Bunners region which will range from Estuary to surf around Binningup. Eppo don't get what the TT acronym bit but is but if it means cruising around and doing the odd tea bagging bit from time to time then sure why not. By primarily I want to play in the waves.

Peutz I will send you a pm to get a bit more info of you.

learn to ride a twin tip first[biggest tip] its too hard to learn on a directional board!!!!you'll get too frustrated and give up!!!

I found it heaps easier to learn on a surfboard. Lots of other kiterd too - especially if surfed before

Ello's onto it. A board somewhere around 6' (Personally I wouldn't go longer than 6'2"/3") and 19' wide, get something that carries a bit of width from the wide point back (have a look at the outline on the stretch Mulcoy model as an example). Learning on a SB won't be a problem, if you intend to ride a TT then I guess learning on one makes sense but if you have no interest in that side then the SB isn't going to slow you down so why bother. I wouldn't stress about learning to gybe either, it's not that important, you can always just ride toe side anyway.

kitebored said...

vader said...
learn to ride a twin tip first[biggest tip]... you'll get too frustrated and give up!!!

I was the same and found TT much easier and I surfed a fair bit when I started kiting. IMHO TT sticks to your feet better which can be useful when stacking it and getting going again in the moving water in the surf. You'll have enough on your plate learning to turn without moving your feet.

Go with whatever your head says and if it's difficult after a few sessions try a mates board.

Tips
1. Get out on the water
2. Whatever board you choose get a large size
3. Get out on the water!

... good points!

Having plenty of power helps heaps and you get that from either a smaller kite and lots of movement or a bigger kite moved slowly. A smaller one will teach you kite skills but can be frustrating in the early days so as mentioned, get a big twin tip also.

3. (a) get lots of time on the water!

cheers,

Robbie