Hi Guys,

Can anyone give me some advice on what a suitable kite/board combo would be for sub 12knot days for a beginner. I weigh 100+ kg.

Thanks,
Chris

Hey Chris,

You must be really enthusiastic to want to get out in 12 knots! Great to see though

I am 52kgs, and in 13/14 knots with 15 knot gusts I ride a 16m Naish Aero with a 140 Labrat Board. If the wind is a consistant 12 knots, with around 14/15 knot gusts, you should be right going for a 20m or possibly a 22m kite.

Then the question remains, how much will you really ride in conditions like this? Are you better off spending the money on a smaller kite or an intermediate one where it will have more use? Tough question to ask I know

Goodwinds and happy kite hunting

Elizabeth - Wello Kiter

Do you kite in flat water? Im a beginner to and try to get out in anything I can. I only kite in the ocean though and waves play havoc with me and I find I need alot more wind to feel comfortable and get out easily.

try a surfboard? Im 25kg lighter but on a fairly flat day last week in 10-12kts on my 12m I had some fun on a 7'3 mini mal. went great until I was a fair way out and realised I had no idea how to gybe.

I agree with Tobes... The 2006 Cabrinha Contra comes in 16.5 and 19.5m and is by far dominating the market as far as low-wind kites are concerned. The contra is ultra-light weight and performs best in these light wind conditions you are looking to kite in! (7-12 knots) Ask your local store for a demo of this kite!

Look at the wind range for the Contra for a 75kg rider. Perfect!

The 2006 Cabrinha Contra link
http://www.cabrinhakites.com/products/contra.php



Along with the 2006 Cabrinha Contra, the 2006 Slingy Machine is made specifically for light-wind weather. Coming in the more large sizes of 17.5, 20.5 and 25.5m, these kites are stable, tough and just what you are looking for.

This is the wind range for the 2006 Slingy machine

The 2006 Slingy Machine link
slingshotkiteboarding.com.au/machine.htm

if your a heavy beginner in light wind luck isn't on your side!! Id say the largest size kite possible, like a 21m size or 19 in other brand sizes... and 150+ fat square board with small fins on the board to even have any chance of being powered up enough to jump or gain more experience as a beginner .... If you buy anything smaller than IMO as a beginnewr your wasting your cash as you 99% won't be aboe to get out of the water.... the board helps a bit, a lot if you buy a light wind board BUT they are generally large and un-manoeuverable . Im 77 kgs and experienced and if I had my choice of kites if i knew it was going to be 12kts or even 12-14 , I would get an 17/18mwith good depower from 5th line system also for good relaunch in light winds, or even 21m and ride my normal 122 board....it's easier to depower than to make the bottom end larger! if i rode a light wind board i would be more powered with the same kite size aswell.. I also have a friend who used to be on a 17m fuel who NEVER got going in 12 kts, maybe in 14/15, then the 1 day he did in 12kts he was on a 21 machine and light wind board cutting upwind harder than me......, so Id say atleast 21 for you, maybe with a surf board or lightr wind board if its under 12 kts, and if it's blowing harder, same kite on a smaller board, 120-140

on the light wind note i have been out on Thursday and today. the wind according to the graph 4km down wind was saying 10 and below but gusting to 13. my 12m airush pilot was getting pumped a lot but once your moving it was ok (122 sx slingshot board).
definitely not going up wind but loosing about 10 m 4 every 100m traveled (didnt worry me as i was doing a down winda).
only 1 out there 2
o ya im 72kg

im just rubbing it in that some of u out there missed out on some fun