I would just go buy a skim board. I have always got one on the car just in case the wind dosn't get up. You will find as long as your kite can stay in the sky you should be able to keep upwind. Great for practicing strapless tricks, small wave riding and gybes.

I use a w18 speedball shinn, that goes great in the light stuff, more I use this board the more I enjoy it.

Maxiy said..

light wind board is the go, they are cheaper and will still get you going in light winds (you could go lighter with both a big kite and a light wind board)

i recently bought a AXIS Patrol, and love it. i was kiting the other week in 10-15 knots (its not super light winds but still pretty light) on my 12m Ozone Cat and my patrol, at times i had the 12 fully depowered and i was rocketing up wind. This was the first time i had used the board so i came in and grabbed my slingshot misfit to have a bit of a comparison. While i was fully depowered and riding straight upwind on the AXIS i had to fully power up and was really struggling on my misfit.

in conclusion, i chose the light wind option as it was cheaper at the time (got the board on sale) and i do not regret my decision i can get out in 10-15 knots now, while my mates sit on the beach :)

and what weight are you, and what size is the patrol to the misfit

If you're satisfied by mowing the grass, a bigger board may suffice in light winds. Generally light wind boards aren't very exciting.. If you want to kite like you do when powered in stronger winds and get decent pop..The only way is with a bigger kite.

Controversial I know, but have you considered wake boarding when the wind is light? You could probably bag a lot of time for the cost of a light wind kite/board.

I recently demo'd this odd looking board - Litewave Wing - www.litewavedesigns.com/products/kiteboards/2013-litewave-wing.html

I used my 12m kite in 12kn and @ 95kg I was up and going in no time, I've tried several LW boards and this is the only one that doesn't feel like a big board. Granted you know it is there but it carves and turns like a much smaller TT. I have now bought the 153cm version and with my 15m kite I can ride when there is no white caps. I am extremely time poor and like to go when I have a spare afternoon so I can't be too picky with the wind

On Tuesday this week I went out 12-14kn and there was 2 blokes at my local doing jumps and rolls on them, when we were packing up I realised that of the 10 kites out - 8 of the were using a wing...

And as mentioned, boards are cheaper and last a lot longer than kites, so for me it is a no brainer, get a LW board.

snalberski said..

I agree with the numerous posters who recommend a lightwind board. I have a 14m kite and a North Nugget and it works a treat in the low teens. The board is a huge part or the equation. A few guys at my local have Zephyrs but they never seem to have them out unless its super light (below 13knts). I can only assume they are too powerful for that wind range. I think with a 12m and a Nugget you should have no troubles in as low as 13knts

An average weight rider like me (76kg) can easily handle a Zephyr to 17/18 knots, and probably a bit more if the rider is experienced. However if the wind is blowing consistently above 15/16 knots, I'd definitely choose a smaller kite, unless the wind was holey or predicted to drop.

The biggest factor to light wind kiting is the board, I've got a Cabrinha Stylus 1.65 x 48 and it can keep me mowing from 8-10 knots on the Zephyr, and similar with a 12M Chrono foil, but the Zephyr is the easier and better kite for 90%+ of riders.

Recently, this week I've been out kiting with several others on various kites and board combos, none of the people on 12M inflatos and boards in the 1.35-1.45 range can stay upwind below 15 knots. The only riders actually staying upwind in 10-15 were people with 14M or larger inflatos/foils and larger boards.

The Cabrinha Stylus rides really well from sub 10 knots to well over 15 knots, while some very large "door" type boards are quite horrible to ride above 14/15knots, try to demo first, or talk to owners.

I can ride my 5'10' Cab skillet down to 10-12 knots with the zephyr or 12M Chrono, prefer minimum of 12 knots, but lulls to 10 are ok provided there is some periods of 12 to allow me to hold ground. Winds of 10 knots and lulls below, definitely require a 17-19M Lei or foil AND a large board. Directional semi-race boards also work very well for sub 10 knots, things like the Airush Sector 66 ( I have one) and Cab Stylus and race boards all go well under 10 knots, but you don't want to be crashing kites under 10 knots!!

snalberski said..

I agree with the numerous posters who recommend a lightwind board. I have a 14m kite and a North Nugget and it works a treat in the low teens. The board is a huge part or the equation. A few guys at my local have Zephyrs but they never seem to have them out unless its super light (below 13knts). I can only assume they are too powerful for that wind range. I think with a 12m and a Nugget you should have no troubles in as low as 13knts

maybe they a bit woosy, 13 knts is perfect for the zephyr at 90kgs, still very stable around 24knts just gets seriously heavy on the bar and legs

Get an older airush sector 52 for around 3 or 400 dollars.They are far superior up wind and are good for boosting in the light stuff compared to any light wind tt.

the original monster door by Spleene ;)

Race boards use longer fins which create lift and give insane angles up wind.The sector uses a combination of edging and medum to long fins.I have seen some of these home made boards which are fantastic in shallow water ,but no match to a race board for speed and performance..A free race board is great for jumping because you get extra speed which creates apparent wind which creates power through the kite.

Thanks everyone for the tips.

Sounds like a board it is.

Now to wait a few days for some light wind and demo a few of the specimens mentioned here.

Cheers.-

Yep I agree the landing is more difficult and rolling too on the sector.But when my w18 speed ball just wont give me the airtime i need in sub 12 knots the sector always saves a big air sesh!. get the light wind board first for sure and then keep your eyes out for some 17 m light wind kites on second hand on seabreeze.