What do you weigh? Makes a huge difference, as does the gear.

There's a guy here who rides a 14m SB as his light wind kite... but he weighs 65kg.

And of course you just can't get around the fact that light wind is crap.

Hey. Get a light wind board. It makes a world of difference.
Not too big like a door, but something around 146x46. Big enough to keep you planing through the luls and not too big to be boring in the air.
Also bar out when sining up and bar in on the downstroke.
Try flattening the board more when riding upwind

need a LW board... as we know, how big depends on your weight. Something with minimal rocker and full tips. When it's light at our local , anyone that sets up with a standard size, medium/high rocker board just does not get going. Shape, especially rocker makes a huge difference.

Light wind requires more front foot weight, you want to get the maximum waterline length for your board which results in a flat board, less drag. When you start there is a really fine line on how far you point down wind to build speed, too little and you don't have board speed, too much and you loose apparent wind over the kite.

Yeah, too much rocker will kill you in light wind.

I have these 2 boards in my garage as an example:
LF LFX 142 x 43 – Mid rocker, double concave
LF full contact 146 x 44- low rocker, single concave
The difference in these is enormous. Overall board size is not much but the LFX has 2 concaves and double the rocker (~2.2 vs 4.5cm). The LFX requires heaps more power to get going & up wind, and I have changed boards mid-session when I’ve been struggling and just rode off upwind on the Full Contact as easy as anything. But the LFX is so much easier to ride when the wind is up, easier to turn, control speed ect… I couldn’t believe how much difference the bottom shape makes.

The outline is what will give you plenty of edge. wide tips and close to parallel edge line. combine with low to no rocker is what makes the specific light wind boards work

Mate is your weight and usually rides a 134 LFX, he says there is less difference between his 134 and my 142 (same board just longer) than there is between the 142 and 146 with low rocker. I’m too fat for his 134 & I now have a Litewave for the really light stuff, he steals my 146.

bigtone667 said...
For really light wind (10knots) I use Blade Fat Lady 17m and Slingshot Scud Skim Board or above 10knots, a Blade Fat Lady 17m and North Nugget.

100kg+ and I can generally stay upwind without too many dramas.

Awesome tip! Thanks

Seriously though - if you want lightwind you HAVE TO go either bigger, flatter, softer board OR bigger kite. &/or both if you really want light wind to work.

Spleene monster door with Shinn sneaker-x footpads amarzing. Goes upwind like a demon even in light onshore conditions. Def wouldn't go over 27m lines when you're using a smaller kite, i.e < 17m as you depend on quick movement sine for your apparent wind. I sometimes use an 11m with 24-27m llines in 10-12 knots, its much easier with a 17m though.

Brohan said...
Swapping boards will get you going in less knots, when you dive your kite pull in on the bar and point your board down wind then turn it hard back up at the same time as letting the bar up, I do that until i'm planing and then I'm normally good to go!

Got it!

Only problem is you lose a lot of downwind distance to the beach. Suddenly I am already on the sand (anyone invented a kite board with wheels? A kite surfing "hovercraft" ). Upwind from the moment go is almost impossible.

Nugget is an impressive board for sure...

I get a tiny, tiny bit more low end in light wind (8 to 10 knots) with Slingshot Dialer over the Flydoor XL but enjoy it more as I can practice gybes etc when the TT will just be mowing the lawn.

Technique, flat water helps a lot, as does current... all that comes into play, but you can't get around the need for a big kite and board.

Loftywinds said...

A kite surfing "hovercraft" ). Upwind from the moment go is almost impossible.

Well yes... its called a foilboard

Or just don't bother and do a million other things, I have a 2013 zephyr, but wouldn't bother pumping up bellow 13-14 knots, and takes me to 17-18

ste said...
Or just don't bother and do a million other things, I have a 2013 zephyr, but wouldn't bother pumping up bellow 13-14 knots, and takes me to 17-18

Which is why I was about >><< that close to buying one but nah.. decided I need something that really pulls my cock in light winds. Chrono I think is the go.

I am noob and can't help u alot, all i can say i was, with my 2010 12m switchy, on about 12-13 (18-22 gusts) knots waterstarting and it pulled me well out of water (problem is i still cant stand on the water long but that's another issue) on a 142 tt, i am lighter (69 kg) and bigger board so thats probably it but i had good pull. Just wanted to say to calibrate the bar (owner before me had it depowered 13-14 cm-s) if u didn't, it will make huge difference. Some1 on forum pointed me at it saying it may seem like beginner mistake but is actually a "technical problem". I hope that is your problem because u will solve it in 15 min's. If u need tutorial, u will find it fast on youtube. (cabrinha bar tuning or smthn like that)Cheers

Just2807 said...
I am noob and can't help u alot, all i can say i was, with my 2010 12m switchy, on about 12-13 (18-22 gusts) knots waterstarting and it pulled me well out of water (problem is i still cant stand on the water long but that's another issue) on a 142 tt, i am lighter (69 kg) and bigger board so thats probably it but i had good pull. Just wanted to say to calibrate the bar (owner before me had it depowered 13-14 cm-s) if u didn't, it will make huge difference. Some1 on forum pointed me at it saying it may seem like beginner mistake but is actually a "technical problem". I hope that is your problem because u will solve it in 15 min's. If u need tutorial, u will find it fast on youtube. (cabrinha bar tuning or smthn like that)Cheers

Thanks Justin. You could be right. I found out the other day when I was tuning the lines, that one line kept "shrinking" on one side. I pulled it of course, but after an hour it would shrink back, leaving the bar un-parrallel to the lines. I found out it was the depower straps where not aligned and was pulling on the swivel base to one side. Took it all apart and re-adjusted. Now it's perfect.

that is a sick board kit33r dam you now I got to buy another board . I say it would be a good board but I don't think it would be any good for a beginner .I wonder who sells it in queensland got to get me one .