Your size kite depends alot on the size board you have. If you are riding a small twin tip you will need more power to plane. Considering you are learning on a 9.5m i wouldnt advise getting a kite smaller then what you have learnt on( its like taking a step back) you are only going to get better at edging and want a smaller board. Another point is that the newer kites have far more depower for example my gaastra 12m gxr has many different knot settings, by using these i can get planing in 12 knots and hold it in 25 (i weight apx67Kgs) Your style of riding also effects what kite size you need. If you want to do wake style you generally need less power then if you were going to do all the board offs and huge jumps. I would suggest you should get a 10m kite. As it has more room for you to grow into. If at first it is too much for you to handle you can always go out sooner when the seabreeze is lighter or go to the river were it is always 5knots lighter. If you are interested in a good second hand kite iam selling a 10m Gaastra 2003 GXR with bar for $1200

i also have one for sale its a current model globerider in as new conditon its a 8.8 and gets me going in about 16 knots with a 120cm board i also weigh 60kg have a look at the photos

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=467

I'm not ready to buy yet - but thanks for all the advice -much appreciated

JPurnell

I would go for about a 10-12m mid aspect ratio kite like a Naish Aero or Slingshot Fuel etc.
I started out on Naish Aero 10/12and16m and they were great for stability and low end grunt. I ride north now as I l o v e the lift and hang time.

Depends on your board alot too.

I learnt on a 9.4 airrush lift which is 11.9 to RRD, I got wooped many times until a mate hooked me up with a 10mt slingshot fuel 2002.
Great mid to high aspect with adjustment to ride from 12kn upto maxing 30. I too am a 60kg scrunter without fear of pain, but pain was never an issue ever since I down sized to a 10mt. I only recently upgrated to a 12mt 2003 with great powering and depowering capability. I have managed to comfortably cruise on12- 25knts with just an adjustment of my piggy tail. The 2002 compare to 2003 kites are huge in speed also. Good luck with Your purchase dude!

bonny