Just quickly, I am flying a 12m kite and weight bout 95kgs. What windspeed approx should I be thinking twice about weather or not to put it up. I have only this kite so don't have the luxury (yet) of setting out on a smaller kite.

I know this probably comes down to experience but I'd prefer to learn from somebody elses error in judgement rather than sending myself skyward.

I only ask because last season.. when I was just starting out... I was setting my 12m up on the beach ready to go out before a friendly fellow came up and, after asking me how long I had been kiting for...
said with his hands on his hips and staring out into the ocean...
"I wouldn't be putting that 12 up in this If I was you!"

Needless to say I thanked him for the advice and proceeded to pack up my gear before buggering off with my tail between my legs.

Kiting is a sport which does exhibit certain riskd, but if I could get some idea on the wind range I should be looking at... I'd be happy to reduce somewhat the risk to my wellbeing.

Cheers

Im 88kgs - my 12 starts getting fun at 18, is perfect from 20-25, and is getting maxed out above 27.

will depend on your kite also, some kites have better high end/low end than others. my 12 is an 04 caution spitfire.

you should be able to "hang on" to a 12 in 30 knots of wind or maybe even a little more. you probably won't be having much fun though.

my old 12 used to be ok up to about 30 knots (80kgs and small twin tip) but around 22-25 was far more fun.

are you on a tank of a board?

Hi Barron,
I think you were going to get a switch 142 from memory? Anyway it depends upon the board and the kite a lot. For me I'm 100KG and ride the switch 142 up to 20 kt with a 18 or 15. At 20kts 18 Rhino 4 is maxed out and 15 Flexifoil storm3 perfect. Above 20kt I change to a switch 135 and the 15 takes me to 23/24 knots then I'm on a 12 Airblast. For me, on a 12 and 142 its hard to get going at all in less than 17 knots. I need at least 20 on a 142 to make it upwind and get a little air. About 24 is when the 12 gets fun (with no de-power). At 28-30 (fully de-powered)its OK to hold the power but it tends to get so gusty that its hard work and beyond my comfort zone for trying new stuff.

Yep. Type and brand of Kite, Board Size and Rider weight all come into the equation.

Was out this arvo on the Gold Coast between 2pm and 4pm in 28 to 34 knots.

Most riders were on 8m and 9m's and struggling a bit in the gusts.

I was able to comfortably ride a WindWing 12m Rapture with a 132X39 TT. Great Sesh.

I weigh 72 Kg's

Fitzy Gold Coast OZ