I have been on a trainer kite for the last season and ready to move up for this new season. However in my experience of sitting back and watching, I have seen most put up their kites and then find themselves over powered or in the poo. There seems to be about a couple handful of guys who know what they are doing and these other ding bats seem to cause these dudes hell. I have watched these dudes shake their heads multiple, mutiple times.

So my question is, How do I choose the right kite size for my quiver? I am a small woman and I can't just look at what the rest of the guy's are flying cause then I will be a dingbat over powered and in the poo. Are there rules to follow in choosing a quiver or does this all just come with trial and experience?

My 2.5 rodeo trainer is fast and powerful in 20+ kn. Even had a 90kg guy give it a whirl who couldn't believe it's pull power, he even got it to boost him a little off the water. But it turns really, really quick in high winds. I have had a really good run on it but it's time to upgrade!

Any suggestions on kite brands for my new quiver?

how heavy are you?
and avg wind speeds where you will mostly ride?

It all depends on the brand you buy as well
Not all 6m are the same

for eg An Ozone Reo is very small for it size eg a 8m reo is about the same size as a 6 from most other brands

Go get lessons, speak to your local kite store...

Stay on the trainer kite. Could be good with a surf board. Not sure about water relaunch though?

Go and have lessons all will be answered, you will learn with the appropriate size kite for the wind(hopefully) at the time and bingo question answered.

Peterc150 said...

Here is some information on selecting kites sizes for blokes. For a lighter female, you will need to reduce the kite size relative to wind speed. Different kite brands have different power characteristics for a given size too - e.g. all 10m kites do not have the same power. You need to check the manufacturers wind/weight range.

And when learning go for a smaller kite size rather than larger.

If you weigh 50kg your quiver could be a 6, 8 & 10. In WA with the stronger winds you may not need the 10.

kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/choosing-the-right-kite-size

Here is an interactive calculator. Enter your weight and it creates a curve which shows the kite size for a particular wind speed. There is also a board size tab.

Changing boards is a much less expensive way to increase the wind range of your kite

jimbodouglass.blogspot.com/2011/01/interactive-kiteboarding-calculator.html

waveslave said...

Rider's weight (kgs) divided by the windspeed (knots) then multiply by 2.2 equals the kite size in metres squared.

that is awesome. Where did you get that? I ran several wind speeds through and it was pretty much spot on every time

waveslave said...

Rider's weight (kgs) divided by the windspeed (knots) then multiply by 2.2 equals the kite size in metres squared.

Good approximation, but in practice the choice of kite size will be highly influenced by board size and board type as well.

deXtrous said...

That equasion didn't quite work for me... 65kg.. 20knot wind.. I ride a 10m and I'm perfectly powered up. Couldn't get much sweeter, but the equasion recommends a 7m kite.

Same here, 65kg on a twin tip in 15 knots recommends a 9.5 metre kite. I was on an 11m all last season and underpowered most of the time, got a 12m this year and already feels a lot better...

Maybe it works better for heavier guys? (and ones using surfboards like ezza)

Been looking at this kitechoice app some more. Had time to really check it out and also compare it to what you boys are talking about. Researched the beaufort wind scale 11-15kn is considered moderate breeze. So if I plug in moderate breeze into kitechoice (which shows as 11kn), 65kg for weight, it advises for an advanced rider a 10m as min, 11m as ideal and a 12m for max. that seems pretty accurate to what you guys are all saying.

I like this app, I am gonna test it a few more times but last weeks sessions it was accurate for my friends and I while we were out. My question is how did they figure the equation? Who sit's there trying to figure this stuff out in maths formula's. Not complaining it seems to do the job but it boggles my brain. Kiting is obviously an art.

I am after a good brand kite for freestyle riding and boosting. Anyone used a C4? I'm giving them a serious look on the net.