Have been riding a 12m North Rebel in the waves for a short while now.I Do not have a lot of knowledge of kites and their wind ranges.The 08 Rebel is good from 12-28 knots.Today i was out in wind from 15-28,for about an hour but trying to wave ride & manouvre the kite effectively was hard to say the least.Skill level is 1 issue but another kiter came out with a 7m Airush, yeh the guy has more skill than me but i was truly suprised by it's power in same wind. Now that i have learnt to kite and loving it I obviously need another kite.Problem,budget really only allows 1 more.I am 95kg riding 6ft+ surfboards.Thinking that an 09,8m rebel might be the best bet? The 8m,09 is rated from 16-34 knots.
So I have a couple of questions- can I realistically get away with 2 kites.
- is the 8m the right choice.
I beleive12m is best in the lower range say 12-22 what would the sweet range be for an 8m.
Sorry for making it longwinded but look forward to your thoughts.
Cheers EB.

Hey EB,

The only thing I'm thinking is with an 8m in a new (08-09) kite you might get quite a bit of overlap in windrange with your 12, you might want to drop the size to a 7.

D

Too often you see guys out in strong conditions with their kites flying a 11 o'clock because they can't get them any lower. They crawl along barely able to keep their board on the water. It is obvious the kite is too big for the conditions, then a guy on a kite half the size will belt past them at twice the speed pulling all the moves.

If you aren't comfortable and constantly wrestling with your kite, fighting to keep an edge you're not in control but many of these heros will boast they can hold down a big kite, depowered to the max and still pull big moves. I don't think so.

Small kites rock! To answer the question - you can get away with 2 kites with maybe a 3-4m difference between them. Works for me, I fly 10m and 7m.

By the way I don't know how NT got to be on my profile I am in WA. Sorry for leading you astray skiddz but i don't suffer from a lack of wind or waves in Geraldton.D_MEREDITH79 yeh i was concerned off the overlap that is why i posed the question. I must say that I am not that keen on going when it is blowing over 30knots as the old knee tends to swell up & the waves are not pretty. I just checked the 7m wind range 17-36,8m 16-34 not much in it. I'm lovin the 12 but yesterday it was gusting to 25 and it was a hand full,when wave riding. Would have loved a smaller option. I'm still thinking the 8 would be the go comfortably in 18+ as I am new to kiting it is truly amazing the wind range of the kites.Nice.
Cheers EB.

Hi EB,
I recon your better off with a 9m if you're not into riding when its windy.
Im not sure about the smaller rebels... Have tried them, they are way too powerful for their size also reverse spin easily, but if thats what you're into, they are good.

Hi EB,
If you're keen on staying out in yesterdays afternoon wind go a 7 or a 6 rebel on a surfboard. I think they make a 6?

I used my 9 earlier but it would have just been enough wind for me on my 7 in the afternoon.

Basically look at what the poleboarders are riding and double the sail size. This is the right size for you. But the rebels are a bit powerful for their size maybe rig 1m smaller and close the depowerr strap.