Hi guys,

I'm fairly new to the kiting scene, I started at the end of Summer 2016, weigh 70kg, can self launch and land provided it's safe, no problems staying upwind and trying to get used to some hang time. I usually kite at Brighton but venture out to other spots when the wind isn't ideal there.

I currently have one kite and one twin tip board, a 135cm Airush Switch twintip and a 10m Airush Lithium. I've been kiting most weeks through winter but finding that the 10m is usually too powerful when the wind gets up over 25knots even when fully de-powered. I don't really enjoy just surviving out there going back and forth.

I don't want to select a kite quiver suited only for twintip or directional at this point. I think I would enjoy the fun of both depending on the conditions and location. Happy to look at good quailty second hand gear or new 2016.

Kite for the low end? (15- 22 knots)
A friend is selling a 2015 Cab Switchblade 12m for a very reasonable price which I think would suit the light winds 15-20knots on my twin-tip.

Kite for the high end wind range (22knots +)
I'm considering a 7 or 8m North Neo to fill in the higher end conditions. I'm a keen surfer (not amazing skills) and would like to get a directional board to start in bay waves and progress to surf. I've been recommended the North Whip (5'4" or 5'6") and Wham (5'10") boards which look great.

Just looking for any suggestions out there from the bay sailors and wave guys? I'd consider selling the 10m lithium and go with the 12m Switchblade and a 7 or 8m Neo. Any other recommendations for kites/ boards out there. I don't want to spend a fortune on gear that won't fit the conditions on the bay. I'd prefer to have 2 kites that covers me 85% of the time instead of 3 that won't get used very often.

Thanks guys, appreciate your thoughts :)

For Melbourne a 7m and 10m is almost the perfect quiver. That's what I use all the time. You don't really need a bigger kite. 9 times out of 10 I use my 7m. I have a 13m but I never use it.

Far more important is your board choice. For bay blasting then something wide and flat is ideal. There's a heap of guys on North Nuggets that are doing well. I think the North Wam is too narrow. Same for the Wip. They might be ok in pure surf but I think they would bog down in bay slop.

Two important things to note:

1. Getting power out of your kite is a skill. Most people use too big a kite most of the time. At first you might think you need a bigger kite to get going, but as soon as your skill develops you will be much better off on a smaller kite.

2. Boards with lots of rocker are slow and sap power. A well setup board is like having the power of a kite 2m larger with all the speed and agility and range of a smaller kite.

Thanks for all of your great advice guys :)

I'm getting closer to deciding on the best quiver for me whether that's 2 or 3 kites I'm not sure. I was out at Brighton yesterday in gusty and lumpy WNW conditions. I understand the need to have more power when the water is more like a washing machine, however the more I ride the less I think the 12m would get much use because I'm riding the 10m in lighter and lighter conditions with better results.

I'm leaning towards a 7m North Neo and keeping my 10m Airush Lithium. If I decide to get a 3rd kite I'll probably have to decide on a brand so I don't have to buy too many bars.

Thanks again for your input!