G'day all
I'm brand new to kitesurfing and brand new to the forum. Have spent hours sifting through all the advise left by members and it is encouraging to see there is so much support for new comers to the game.
I took a couple of lessons in kitesurfing a week ago and it didn't take much to get me hooked. I intend to take a few more lessons but I'm also on the lookout to get a bit of my own gear. I figured I will start with getting a kite or two first and leave the board until I have a chance to trial a few or at least know what I'm after. I'm based in Qld central coast at the moment so will be looking at kiteing in 15/30knts. I weigh 80kgs and was thinking a 10m kite might be a good start. In the lesson I had the instructor put me on a 2011 10m Fone Bandit which I felt a little privileged to be on I must admit. Thought he would at least start me of on something with a bit of age on it. I managed to get up on the board and had a few good runs which gave me that instant addiction. Wind was up around 30knts which a few lads thought was a bit much for a begginer but as the instructor pointed out, better to have wind than the kite dropping out of the sky. Anyway as this is the only kite I have surfed on it's hard to make any kind of comparison. I was looking at a 2010 10m LF Envy but noticed a few negative comments through the forum on there build quality. Also was wondering if a 12m kite would make a good pair with the 10m for a broad wind range. Any advice will be much appreciated.

Lol...
>Wind was up around 30knts
>2011 10m Fone Bandit
>I weigh 80kgs
>thought was a bit much for a begginer
>instructor pointed out, better to have wind than the kite dropping out of the sky


I call shenanigans...

Clintos said...

Lol...
>Wind was up around 30knts
>2011 10m Fone Bandit
>I weigh 80kgs
>thought was a bit much for a begginer
>instructor pointed out, better to have wind than the kite dropping out of the sky


I call shenanigans...

22kn with gusts towards 30kn maybe. Solid 30 knots, not likely.
Pornstar's advice is solid. Don't believe everything you read or see.
For an 80kg rider your going to want an ~11-12m kite for the 15~25kn range. Most beginner/intermediate kites from 2008-2011 will do just fine. Learn how to use the safety systems properly and progress safely.

Harty said...

Clintos,
You call shenanigans, I called Kitesurf 1770. Highly recommend.

Mate, I wouldn't be getting lessons from anyone taking out an 80kg total newbie in 30 knots on a 10m Delta kite...
Methinks you were overestimating the wind a little... It's ok, we all felt like the wind was stronger than it actually was when learning...

Thanks Fellas,
Like I said, all advice is much appreciated, pos or neg it's all good.
I certainly wasn't intending to brag by stating the kite or the wind speed. As this is my only experience to date I thought it was important to note. It is after all pretty daunting trying to work out what gear you are going to purchase with almost no experience. I just want to avoid spending 1000's of $ on kite/kites to end up sitting on the beach either over or under powered.
I didn't estimate the wind speed, we checked the local BOM weather observations once we returned to the kite school. (the following 2 days were 34-40knts and the instructor was intending to hit the water with his mates and his favourite 7m.) This is why I figured a 10m would be suitable for my weight up to 30knts. I am the first to admit, I'm a TOTAL newb and the last thing I want to do is go out reckless and overpowered. With the help from you blokes I'm beginning to lean toward maybe a 9m and a 12m quiver. I also think it will be some time before I'm out in wind up to 30knts without an instructor holding onto my harness.
I also need to say that at no time did I feel the instructor was being reckless. I had 4hrs worth of one on one lessons over 2 days and I felt very comfortable with his instruction and safety stance. The only time he let go of my harness was in the last half hr of the 2nd session when he was happy that I could ride the board and stop.

Paradox said...

I would suggest that any normal size guy in Qld would have a primary kite of 11-12m.

This will get you on the water the most number of days. There will be a lot more days of 14-18kts then 25-30kts. If you can afford a second kite then you are set and can use a 7/8/9m kite and hit that upper end.

Smaller guys and the lasses under 70kgs might be looking at a 10m as the primary.

good advice for u harty. like's been said, u prob could consider buying your first kite 11/12m and gaining a little experience in appropriate wind ranges (which should be reasonbly common) first and then later on getting a smaller size for the strong days.
-even with a smaller kite, things happen a lot quicker when its hooting.

it will take over your life, good descision

i(80kgs) can ride on my 9m from 16-25 comfortable on a twin tip anything gusting over 25 not that much fun need to go down a size or two

when i was learning didnt think being thrown around in 25knots was of any real benefit anyway, buy a 9to10.5 for a 1 kite set up, solid couple of months and you will know unuf about what you need to move fwd

good luck, dont read to much its confusing, alot of the kite write ups are written by affiliates of the brand etc, just get out there and get on with it at every opportunity you'll work it out fast