What would you consider the best size kite for a directional in Perth. I would say a 8m for a kiter around 80kg's. A 7m to small (which is what I'm ciurrrently on) and 9m to slow for the cross on waves in Perth. What does everyone else fly 80% of the time on a surfboard?
thanks for your reply which I find very surprising 7m at 90 for perth. i realy have to work my 7m hard most of the time to keep going. goes to show it is not the kite but the rider
I wouldn't be to sure about that, there is lots of factors tha can allow a heavier rider to use a smaller kite. Brand of kite, shape and size of board, strapped/unstrapped, switch/toeside, location Mullaloo/Lieghton, wether you like to ride more powered up for boosting etc.
If I was riding you typical strapped board and not switching stance I would then prefer an 8 or 9.
Also I know of a few other brands of kite that I would probably use a metre or two bigger size, there is nothing wrong with the kites but that is just the way they are, they haven't got the lowdown grunt. Reo's and Drifters come to mind and both are excellent kites. They usually have a way better top end so you can stay out in stronger wind.
Anyone else care to add what size kite they use most on a directional in Perth?
The board counts alot, I am 92kg on a 7m and if I use my chunkier board (thanks Tighty) I gain a couple of knots compare to my smaller thinner board.
The chunkier board is more of a paddle surf board and the smaller is more of a strong wind board that has more control in higher winds.
Its all down to float, rocker, surface area and fin toe-in. Some standard surfboards feel quite draggy when kiting them and I feel it is mainly due to the fin toe-in and more tail kick that makes it feel like that.
I find wave riding pretty difficult since I am used to more cross shore. I hope to be getting a drifter in the near future which will hopefully some extend sort out my problem of slack lines riding left in the SW.
