Hello all!,

After having some lessons and getting up and going I'd like to get my own gear and get out on my own / with a friend.

The only thing is because of the changing winds and not being able to afford a range of kites I'm now not sure what gear to get.

I'm just wondering if you guys think I should wait, buy one larger kite for the light winds, a smaller one for the stronger winds, or if there is another option I've not considered?

Thanks

Hi mate,

I am a noob and you should seek further confirmation, but for what its worth....
I started my lessons with instructor on a 7 in fair bit of breeze. Then purchased 12m to start on my own. Was trying to learn when too windy. Swapped 12 for 7m... big mistake! was really in strife, the small ones move thru the sky so quickly, v unforgiving, set me back a month. trying to learn in choppy seas, in high wind is a recipe for becoming disheartened in my opinion unless with an instructor.
The kite that really got me going was a switchblade 14m! could use in much lighter winds, flat seas and very easy to get up and going quickly. Still need 12 or 11 because 14 gets overpowered pretty quickly for me as wind freshens.
So I believe bigger is better at the start. Now i have the basics down I go out in everything to learn.
Hope that helps

Cheers for the advice guys. I'm 65kgs and as I'm still fairly new I think initially lighter winds would be best? I'm keen to progress though so I guess the message is to accept that I'm gonna need a few kites. Good point though I think I'll wait a few weeks for the sales!
Any of you guys ride near Pinnaroo point?

Jonnyfurious said..

Hello all!,

After having some lessons and getting up and going I'd like to get my own gear and get out on my own / with a friend.

The only thing is because of the changing winds and not being able to afford a range of kites I'm now not sure what gear to get.

I'm just wondering if you guys think I should wait, buy one larger kite for the light winds, a smaller one for the stronger winds, or if there is another option I've not considered?

Thanks

move to the Midwest its not stopped blowing here

Johnny, I'm 65kg own 10, 8 and 6
10m for 15-20kn
8m for 18 - 25th
6m for 23kn +
If you only want 2 kites I'd go 7/8 and 10/11
one kite I'd go 9m but in strong Seabreeze you'll be overpowered. Modern kites have excellent depower which extends the wind range heaps meaning you can get away with a bigger size variation in your quiver. I learnt on and still use/love rpms. Also important when starting to keep to the same type and brand of kite as they all have differing characteristics between brands and models. (Depower location, 4line or 5 line, flying characteristics etc) I have a quiver of 2011 rpms

Jonnyfurious said..

Hello all!,
You may get
After having some lessons and getting up and going I'd like to get my own gear and get out on my own / with a friend.

The only thing is because of the changing winds and not being able to afford a range of kites I'm now not sure what gear to get.

I'm just wondering if you guys think I should wait, buy one larger kite for the light winds, a smaller one for the stronger winds, or if there is another option I've not considered?

Thanks

The bad news is that the season is just about over. Like you I learnt late in the season. At the time I had expected to be able to ride throughout winter but sadly that's not the case. It smokes a big one when you've just gotten going and are fully stoked, then the wind stops. You may get a couple of opportunities throughout the off season but the wind is frontal driven which usually makes it highly gusty and unpredictable. These conditions are very dangerous for everyone but especially so for newbies. Last winter Pinaroo Point was completely washed away. And then there's the seaweed hugging the shoreline 20m deep. If I was you I'd be purchasing gear for the normal (next) season conditions. I'm sure your teacher gave you kite size advice....at 70kg I would suggest 9m and 12m. The 12m should get you going in any lighter conditions left this year (if any) and lighter condition days at the start of next season (October). The 9m would be your most used kite during the thick of the season.

at 55kg and for next season id go 7m. my son at 60kg uses an 6 and 8 for perth summer

puppetonastring said..

Dont ever discount the value of a body drag session - as long as you are moving under your kite you are learning kite skills.
Esp as a raw recruit when you are body dragging you can concentrate solely on the kite - kite skills are 90%+ of the game.

This ^^^^

Pick a light, quiet day and do it.

Jonnyfurious said..

Well in a moment of impulsivity I picked up an 8m Cabrinha Switchblade and a 140 Naish Hero - apparently I'm to write my name on it with marker pen?!?

A strip of clear packing tape on the deck, write your name and mbl number on the tape and seal it with a strip of the same tape over the top of it. A carton is standard for a returned board.