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Originally posted by Ian Grose

Steve you are dead right when you say:-
"In light winds use the longest lines you can and use the biggest board that you can find, work the kite, but do not over sheet it, always give the kite plenty of front line tension, pull the strap in a bit which speeds the kite up, faster kites in lighter winds work better, so high AR is a must for a good light wind machine. Extracting the best performance from a big kite in light winds is a real mind game, and the more you understand how you kite flies, the better you experience in light winds will be."

I'll also add it is super important to have the right length bar, too short can take quite a few knots off the bottom end. So many guys don'y fly big kites correctly. Make sure you set it up right and fly it right for maximum bottom end.

At the Airborne Carpark Clearance on Saturday we have heaps of 15 - 20 kites new and second hand, 2002 to 2005. New 20m's from $299.

www.airbornekitesurfing.com.au

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Originally posted by KiteAgain

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so high AR is a must for a good light wind machine.

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This is not always true, it may be true for lighter riders. But for a heavier rider, A lower aspect kite thats going to sit back a bit in the window and not rush to the edge to easily is often more successful, otherwise you find yourself constantly working the kite just to keep it in the power (what little there is in light wind).

One thing people never talk about any more is riding in a fixed loop in lightwind, it make the kite so much more efficient... consider with a trim line every time your bar moves the kites angle to the wind changes, this is not efficient in these light winds, your best to trim the kite right in a fixed loop so its at max power and ride it from there, if you happen to get over done, just unhook, sheet out a little and truck upwind...

Just my thoughts on kites in lightwind (95kg + rider kiting in sydney for over last 5 years ought to know something by now...)

As far as boards go, yep, the widest,longest,flattest thing you can feel comfortable on is the go, surfboards are good if you have any chop to contend with...

Cheers

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Originally posted by sarc


I have the same experience testing a Psycho 26m in 5 knots and zooming upwind...

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Originally posted by sarc

You are right 26m may be too much , that's why I demoed the kite but did not buy. BUT WHAT A RUSH!
P.S. Hi Steve if you are going 20kn on a 8kn wind then hats off, I'll sign up for some lessons with you at Dolls.

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Originally posted by Kitepower Australia

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Originally posted by sarc

You are right 26m may be too much , that's why I demoed the kite but did not buy. BUT WHAT A RUSH!
P.S. Hi Steve if you are going 20kn on a 8kn wind then hats off, I'll sign up for some lessons with you at Dolls.

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Ask some others that were out, that saw me? I said the wind was averaging around 8 - 10 knots. It is easy to double the wind speed on a kiteboard, its just a matter of having the right gear, and not fighting to point too high into the wind.
If you want a lesson on how to ride fast come and see me, its free.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

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