I'm a beginner at this and can ride for top 15 seconds when I finally get up on a board, just so you know where I'm coming from (nowhere LOL). This being said, I'm 130lbs and my board is the crazyfly allround (135x40). Finally, I have a Bandit3 9m.
Considering tha I mostly go to a spot where there is usually flatwater (aint near the sea), what would be the minimum wind needed to get up and going? (that I can at least hope to considering my level of expertise)?
At about 60kg as a beginner i guess you would be wanting about 15 knots minimum. I know i found it easier with a stronger wind like 20 knots of clean (not gusty) wind when i started out. The better you get, the better you will be able to use a lighter wind and get the most out of your kite but i wouldnt bother with anything under 15.
hi whiterabbit i weigh 67kg (~150lbs), and was recently on the water in an 18kn wind, with a 130*39cm board and 9m kite. The first water start i totally misjudged the strength of the wind and went flying 10m over the top of the board and then swallowed heaps of saltwater (at least your fresh water won't taste too bad!). With a bigger board and less weight, you should easily get up in 15kn. 17-19kn should be perfect for you, just watch out for the gusty winds inland.
Was also wondering if, since id be considered lightweight, I could fool the equipment and go riding at 10/12-15 knots or if it would be too hard(and lotsa work wih the kite)?
Gusty wind is going to make learning a bit more difficult and tedious. A smooth solid wind means the kite is going to be smooth and predictable in the sky, whilst a gusty day will make the kite jump around, power surges and possibly even fall out of the sky.
When choosing which kite to rig (easy if you've only got 1!), you need to pick a kite that will be safe for the gusts and learn to ride through the lulls. It's a much better idea to be underpowered and safe than overpowered and getting dragged towards a solid object.
As for the low end wind range - it's much MUCH more difficult to kite in lower winds, so as a beginner you really shouldn't get your hopes up too much. You'll find that attempting to get up and riding in light winds is far more frustrating and exhausting than having a few more knots (15-18kn).
^^^^ I agree with Koma. Safe and underpowered is better than overpowered as a beginner. As a beginner, certainly try and avoid being overpowered as much as possible. Confidence should never exceed ability in this sport. As you are learning, try and wait as much as you can for the least gusty winds. This will make learning much easier and more enjoyable. Good luck with the kiting.
and then swallowed heaps of saltwater (at least your fresh water won't taste too bad!). With a bigger board and less weight, you should easily get up in 15kn. 17-19kn should be perfect for you, just watch out for the gusty winds inland.
