Looking to buy a bow, will be kiteing from Brighton area probably as far as Rye and Point Leo but not sure if I should get a 9m or 12m probably crossbow or waroo best both 2006. Any opinions, O and I have a friend who is a biginner who is looking at the same thing we are all around 80kg and will have the one kite for most of the season.
Have a chat with the guys from kiterepublic.com.au based at st kilda beach. They are doing an all in package that I think is unbeatable for a beginner.
For Melbourne you would be best off with a 12m for sure for a one kite quiver.
definitely a 12m kite. given your weight you probably want something around 130-140cm and you should have something that will hold you through most wind.
Nothing wrong with bows. Some of the 06 models weren't suited for beginners (turbo diesel and halo) but most of the guys I saw on bows progressed far quicker than those on C's.
My first kite was a 12 Switchblade and is still my main kite. I only attained upwind abilities in July and had never been on a C. Had a chance to Demo a 10mtr 07 Naish Torch at Point Henry 2 weeks ago. I don’t have the experience or knowledge to comment on the technical side of things and don’t really care for the bow/C debate crap, but the Torch rocked, upwind, it was like a rocket. I haven't started boosts as yet, but this thing was just begging me to, so I was, be it all so small, it just felt so clean, it was not what I expected. I don’t like to cruise that much and this kite was telling me to come and play.
Like I said in the previous post: Do yourself a favour before you buy anything and demo a 07 Naish Torch
The Monkey Griffin 12meter flat kite is a one kite quiver. No bull, no motives, no bias... Im 68kgs and Ive used this in 13-30knots. I've used c kites till 2 months ago, tried a few other bows, and didn't like the way they felt. This rides like a C, but with all the power and depower benefits of this new design.
It's half the price of the big brand kites and I think (and others too) that it performs better.
Any bow about 12m is the ideal Melbourne one kite quiver.
I live in Melbourne. I weigh 83kg. I use a Sonic 11m. I kite in anything from 12-30+ knots.
The sweet spot for the Sonic 11 (and any 12m bow) is just under 15 knots up to just over 25 knots.
With one kite you might miss half a dozen sessions a year when the wind pushes well over 30 knots. You can ride a Sonic 11 in 35+ knots but it is not much fun.
You would do better with two boards. Something around 130x38-39cm and a light wind board around 47cm wide and flat. If you can only go for one board look at the larger size Underground FLX. You can ride the big sizes of them without being overpowered.
Thanks for all the free info. I can't believe how willing people are to give great advice, I have found that is the one thing I love more and more about this sport.
You all rock, and I have used your advice to buy a waroo Best 12m that comes with a 138 LTD liquid force drop board and a nash style harness all 06 gea. Got the deal for 1500 off a realy cool dude.
