Hey Cyber, Gateman and Peter are right that with your situation you are going to need a LW kite and probably a 155+ TT (steer away from the assymetricals is my advice) North, SS, Shinn all make great "performance" based TTs for LW. I'm not a big fan of the Ozone LW machines but apparently the 2013 zephyr is a better kite than the previous ones.
Plenty of brands make good LW kites. Core xr2s, Epic Infinity's, Blade Fat lady, Griffin TRX, Cab crossbows, are some of the newies about and their old models are good also. Some other older kites, pre 2009 that will also do the job are Cab Contras and Converts. in the 15+m range. Really strong kites but a hell of a lot of pumping up. They don't perform like the modern ones but the have TONS of power. Most of these back to 2007 even come with "one pump" which is a must with the big kites for me.
Morocco looks sick!
That kiter in your article looks like Andy Yates in a really old seat harness! Anyhow at least he got up and going. Massive TT he's riding by the look of it.

Sangas said..

Hi guys,


Not sure if it fits in with the current discussion but it certainly only fits the thread title.


I've bought all my gear and finished lessons but I haven't been able to get out there do months now. Everytime the winds up I'm either busy or have no one to go with and vice versa. Not really helped by the fact none of my friends kitesurf.


Does anyone else have the same problem? I'm totally frustrated sitting at home doing nothing during uni holidays when all I wanna do is get out there.

Hey Sangas, I know that feeling... the first time I went out 'solo' my instructor was kind enough to keep an eye on me. And after that, I had the confidence to go out by myself.

It helped that I was going out in winter when no sane person would be out at the same time.

There's no shame in speaking to your school and asking them if they'll keep an eye on you. Even if you pay 50 bucks or so just to keep an eye out.

Also, you're almost better to go out on a kite-friendly beach that's busy, than an empty beach bereft of kiters, as typically, there's a reason for this.

The problem you'll have is if the winds up, most kiters will want to be on the water. You could try hanging out at your kite beach, wait for someone to come back to shore who needs your help landing their kite, and explain to them the situation, that you're a new kiter, and you'd appreciate it if they can help you launch and land. I.e. ask them to give you a launch, and whilst they're packing down, get out on the water then come back to shore after 5mins and have the same guy/gal to land you.

Repeat this as and when you help other people and you'll get more confident quickly at launching and landing...

Good luck.

zarb said..

But of course in Salty's case, being from Melbourne CBD, it's hard to find a place to kite with less than 10 kiters out per square 100m

Amen to that.

And yes, it's a good point by Zarb. If you do give it a go, solo, before you try and launch just make sure you know how your quick release works and even better try it out on the beach before trying to launch the kite... Gives you that comfort.

zarb said..

Don't let lack of kite friends stop you. If your local is safe and has plenty of space, teach yourself how to self launch and land. It's easier than it looks (especially in light-moderate wind). Make sure you are confident with dealing with problems like self-rescue and relaunching, and just get out there.

Not every venue will have kiters out there to indicate a safe day. Depends on where you live. Especially some of the places in south NSW, I have had brilliant 20 knot sunny days with not another soul on the beach. I think if I stuck with the rule of "No kiters out = bad day", I would miss out on some epic days down here
But of course in Salty's case, being from Melbourne CBD, it's hard to find a place to kite with less than 10 kiters out per square 100m

You done any kiting around Batemans Bay zarb? It's my hometown but havent been there since I was a boy. Was thinking of doing a kiting trip down memory lane at some stage.

Dl33ta said..

zarb said..

Don't let lack of kite friends stop you. If your local is safe and has plenty of space, teach yourself how to self launch and land. It's easier than it looks (especially in light-moderate wind). Make sure you are confident with dealing with problems like self-rescue and relaunching, and just get out there.

Not every venue will have kiters out there to indicate a safe day. Depends on where you live. Especially some of the places in south NSW, I have had brilliant 20 knot sunny days with not another soul on the beach. I think if I stuck with the rule of "No kiters out = bad day", I would miss out on some epic days down here
But of course in Salty's case, being from Melbourne CBD, it's hard to find a place to kite with less than 10 kiters out per square 100m

You done any kiting around Batemans Bay zarb? It's my hometown but havent been there since I was a boy. Was thinking of doing a kiting trip down memory lane at some stage.

Hey Dl33ta,

I have done some surfing down around Batemans, but no kiting as of yet. Still early days for me kiting. I am planning on doing some big road trips this summer though.

Thanks for the advice. I think it's getting to the point where I just sit at my local (st kilda) on windy days teaching myself to self launch/land and wait for some others crazy enough to go out in the half frozen water.

Salty, are you a st kilda local?