I've had a quick look back through the forum but couldn't find anyhting so i hope this hasn't been asked too much before.

I'm considering buying a kite and was after some help with getting the right size. I weigh 70 kg and want to use it in about 12-15 knots (once i get over the newby stage). I'm confident with stunt kites and a very experienced windsurfer. Currently i was thinking about getting something around 12metres with a pretty low aspect ratio. Would this be safe enough to learn on provided i knew how to use the safety systems and went out in light seabreezes on empty beaches?

Also how much effect does kite size have on safety while first learning. Is it ok to go out on a bigger kite, just in lighter winds? This is of course in a steady seabreeze, nothing gusty.

Finally does anyone have any impressions on challenger mantha kites as i can get a pretty good price on one. I'm not after all out performance, just something robust and fun to fly. Thanks a lot for any help.

Yo Davo,

A 12m lower aspect kite is a good starting point. Anything smaller and they become too quick and not powerful enough so you tend to ride in stronger winds to compensate which promotes problems.

A larger kite is slower but more powerful, as long as they are used in light winds there is little problem with using a bigger kite. You will however, find it harder to relaunch bigger kites in the light winds and this will be your biggest problem if you chose this route.

Stick with the 12m and get a lesson or two, either from myself (Australian kiteboarding school)(Pinnaroo) or Choicey South of Freo or thru S.O.S. or Ian Young (river), Rob Galvin (Mullaloo), or Pelican Point (river). All of these schools use IKO qualified instructors that will speed your entry into the sport safely.

Cheers and have fun.

OzKiteSchoool
0407 012 220

G'day Davo

Something around 11/12/13M would be ideal for your weight and the winds you want to use it in. A kite that size will have a good range for you, of between 12 and 20 knots (more as you get experienced).
Never heard of the Challenger kites in Oz?
My advice would be to stick to better known brands and deal with Australian business's, kites that I know will suit you well would be Best Yarga, Naish Boxer, Airush Flow, Slingshot Diesel, North Vega, etc.
Saving a few $$ now might prove to be very expensive if you cannot get spares or service.

Even though you have experience with steerable kites like stunt kites, you will still need to get a lesson or two, the safety systems of kitesurfing kites are all different, and you need to learn how to re-launch and self rescue, as well as how to rig your kite and never make a mistake. The only way to learn this is from an experienced instructor, there are plenty all around Oz.

It is far better to learn on bigger kites, just don't fly them on land, launch and then get in the water and away from land as soon as possible - don't jump on land with large kitesurfing kites.

Check out the used kites lists, seabreeze has a great section, and there is a lot on www.kitepower.com.au, there are some real bargains around.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

Save time learning & money on equipment & get lessons.
The 'starting out' kite size for you is also going to depend on what size board your planning to use.
Keep in mind..........
I use a 122x36 board and weight 68kg (i learnt on this size board with no probs)
- I need at least a 15m and 13+ knots (minimum)to get me going, & can just stay upwind & do small jumps etc. Generally i use the 15m in 13-18knots
- I use an 11m (which i learnt on) in winds around the 16-22kn
- And a 9m in winds 22knots+
- if its around 10+knots but no more than 15knots, i usually use a mates Rhino2 20m and steel a bigger board off someone.

IMHO- i would of said that a 14,15,16m would suit you more for the wind range you want. Though a 11,12,13m would be a better kite size to learn with, you really need to use them in a range of 15-20+kn.
I think you will struggle to get enought power in your wind range unless your planning to use a huge board.

Thanks for all the replies, really impressed with the help. Windshack near Freo had the challenger kites but have stopped stocking them, just some left overs going cheap. I'll look at the possibility of getting spares in. Is the main problem just the bladder needing to be replaced? I imagine everything else could just be fixed locally or replaced by other brands parts? I'll have some lessons so i can trash the instructors kite and not mine, and hopefully go to a bigger kite to better suit my wind range.

Gidday Davo.

SOS has a special going on all kiting gear. I don't remember the exact % off but its lots. Definately be able to get one for less than 1G. SOS has naish, gaastra, rrd, wipika and airush kites and underground, addiction, airush and wipika boards. Go talk to Andy and he'll help you out. # is 9430 7050.
Make sure you read reviews on the kites before you buy em. I don't want to bag challenger kites its just one of my mates flew one and didn't like it.
Ps. Don't sell that WS gear just yet, there's som sik geeries sessions coming up again!