You would be fine on a nine....and a bit better on a 10. Better to be over than under so i would probably edge for the 10

weigh 84kgs and never felt comfortable on a switchblade/crossbow when unhooking. One thing North states is they rate their kite sizes on actual surface area Note: surface area does not necessarily indicate power. My new 12m kite has superb light wind performance. To get technical, I believe it is probably due to reduced strut diameter and the faster flying profile, which will reduce drag and therefore when used correctly and flown fast, give you more apparent wind speed. the 10 or 9 wont make much difference as already stated. What is your real question? If it is something along the lines of waves are your thing and you dont want to sacrifice power for turning ability of the kite for downwind wave riding, I can promise you this will not be a factor going from a pulleyed bar system to a 1:1 ratio as a 12m rebel turns faster than a 9m switchy/crossbow. You'll love the change, just remember to fly it lower than what your used to.
If you dont like it I'll buy it off you!

thanks dudes and danes, will get the 10 going off turning speed comments and its depower! Cant wait!!!!!

And dave my real question was.. I want a single kite that does everything and makes me look good doing it .

Wind density makes a big big difference hey, even though Perth wind is brilliant (think yesterday had my best sesh this season) I am finding it hasn’t got the grunt like esperance wind seems too... yesterday was a prime example 22 knots peaked with 30 knot gusts and no worries with the power on my kite where on occasions in the colder westerly in Esperance I am battling to hold on sometimes in just 18 knots to 25 knot gusts on the same kite. This is what can make kite size selection so tricky when buying!!!! Arggg maybe i should go for the 9?

If your in same area as em well then just ignore my ignorant but valid point and you two can debate the merits and claims of whatever you want!

As poor relative said and most experienced riders would agree I imagine one would rather be overpowered than underpowered any day... I know I do – and I am not even experienced!

Mattressbuster

"60kg rider, 12 m Flat kite in 35 knots - hmmmmm....35 knots is 35 knots anywhere - i knopw crew that would be using a 4 in that sort of wind.."

No, 35 knots are NOT 35 knots anywhere...
Back in Egypt, where the air was dreadfully dry and hot, we couldn't keep a kite up in the air under 15 knots... People shouldn't rely on their windmeter to choose their kite size....
The QUALITY of the air changes it all. The more humid the air is, the colder it is, the more powerful it gets. Air density does affect the punch of your wind heaps... Ask people who kitesurfed in England! :-)
So definitely no, 35 knots in Sydney are not 35 knots in WA... (Based on what I've read on the forum (haven't been there) you guys get a way more powerful wind than we do over here....)
I wouldn't call the Rebel a flat kite.... (it's NOT a bow...) And I did acknowledge the fact that I'm a nutcase and that it isn't advisable... But you eventually got to check what's the top end of the kite, no? :-)

"most of the good riders are actually avoiding going out lit like crazy (...)It seems to be the beginner - intermediates that enjoy experimenting with how lit they can go out."

Never said I was any good... I'm not!
I have a dodgy knee that likes to let me down every so and then, lower back problems and a stupidly breakable body, thanks to 5 years of calcium deficiency when I was a kid, that make that I can't go hardcore on tricks (or I end up looking like a puzzle and giving up my entire season:no point...).
In my particular situation, big air is the way around...
I wish I could do unhooked tricks and more hardcore moves, ride my surfboard longer than 40 minutes without being in pain, but I can't... So I look at the bright side of the situation, and just enjoy going up, up, and higher up...
Hope this possibly explains you why I like to ride overpowered: I'm not saying at all it is the right thing to do, it's just how I get my thrill... :-)

Everyone has said it already but just to confirm.

The rebel 10 meter is one sweet f*&king kite!

Also got a great deal at wsp - thanks reg!