First ever post!

I have just started getting into Kiting and haven't bought a kite yet.

I live in Adelaide, I weigh 67kg.
I'm not as familiar with the wind conditions as I would like to be. 15knt- 20/25knt seems to be the usual range lately. (when it is blowing!)

I am looking at a 2011 9m Naish Park or a 2012 10m Cabrinha Switchblade.
I'm unsure of what size I should go for... or what might be good for a beginner.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks :)

Adelaide is a tough place, through the summer you get 17-26kt seabreezes in which the 10 would be good but then in winter, you get the storms which are 20-40kts....

Have you been through one of the schools yet?

I would really recommend speaking with Matt Stringer from Windsup school as he teaches on the naish Parks.

For the small cost for a lesson, you would be able to demo the park at the same time and decide if it is the kite for you.

Switchblades are known for their bottom end power and grunt, the park is known for its turning ability. *others may have different opinions but this is what I have heard.

As I said, best bet is to speak with Matty, and he can sort you out for a lesson aimed at your current level and in that time, you can demo the park!

Tell him Luke from Mackay sent you!

(have just moved from Adelaide)

*even if you just catch him at the beach (normally west lakes on the weekend or Tennyson through the week) he is a good source of information and is always willing to help out new kiters to foster a good kiting community.

Trusky5 said...


Hey, Thanks for the responses.

I should have mentioned that I am on my last lesson with Matt.Thats why I'm thinking of Naish. but I have also used a Cabrinha SB in Perth.
He recommends, for a 1 kite quiver, 10m kite. but a 9 would suffice aswell.

I'm also not too sure on board sizes. With the 10m Cabrinha SB it comes with a 145cm Cabrinha Rival board (and a harness that I'll resell )Am I Wrong in thinking that the board is too large for me??

And how cautious of repairs should I be for a first kite? 3 small patches on a 2012 switchy.

Thanks so much for all the advice!

A 2012 Switchy that has 3 small patches in the sail, should be a bargain, but if it has patches in the leading edge, maybe give it a miss unless it comes from a shop and is guaranteed.
You should not have to get that Rival, unless thats a package deal that the seller won't split, but yeah that board is too big for you, something in the 1.30 - 1.35 range will be ideal.
Spend your money on a good harness, it makes the difference between comfort and easy long sessions or discomfort during all your sessions!
Cabs come in 9M too. Another option to consider in a 10M Ozone Catalyst give Jordan Roberts a call he has demo's and is really helpful 0433 118 845

Trusky I would be recommending a 9m before a 10m. When learning there is nothing worse then being overpowered - takes all the enjoyment out of the sport. Even though you can depower the kite it does change the flying characteristics if your mostly depowered. After a year or two you will be able to handle more grunt. I am 70kg and have a 9m and 7m.

Make sure you get a good board that really edges well and is not skatey. I struggled with holding my edge on my 9m until this season when I changed to a smaller board - Shinn Monk Forever 130*40 - which has totally transformed my performance on the 9 - I think once your up and going board selection is more important then the kite to be honest. A bigger board will help you to initially get up and running which may seem to be the biggest step bit it isnt. The biggest progression in all of kitesurfing I reckon is edging up wind. Therefore I would base my board selection on this - ie not a bigger board which is going to be harder to edge.

Good luck with your decision.