TAS
1664 posts
Hi All,
Im 120 ish KG
I windsurf and SUP and last season I started Kiting.
Got some lessons and I can go fairly well, self beach launch is not ideal, but I head upwind and get some pop rather than boost, self recovery fairly good.
I have a Naish Fly which is alright for light seabreezes but ...
This season I'm looking at heading for some small waves and see how I go.
Any suggestions on Kites/Boards
I'm in southern Tas (south arm mostly)
Thanks in advance
NSW
1559 posts
If you go a twin tip, look at something that is 48-50cm wide and at least 150cm long.
If you go a surfboard, look at something at least 20 inches + wide.
I have 23 inch wide 6'2" fish style board that works a treat up to about 15-20 knots (not much rocker), then I step down to 21 inch 5'5" North Nugget from 15 knots +. Both a good in small two foot waves, and the Nugget is still fun in larger stuff.
On twin tip, I just started riding a CrazyFly LW Cruiser with a deckpad only. Probably the best all round I have ridden (10 knots to 40 knots) and great in little two foot waves. Above 20/25 knots I have started using a Shinn El Stubbo with foot straps and it is a lot of fun as well (not taken it in waves yet, but hope to tomorrow)
NSW
96 posts
Buy a second hand wave kite with good low end: North Neo, Naish Pivot 12m or 11m from 2015 or 2016 models
Buy a high volume wide surfboard and learn to ride it strapless - I would recommend a firewire vanguard if your new to surfboards from TT in 5'6" but at 120kg something even bigger may be even better to start off with. Maybe search eBay or gumtree for a board with 35-40L volume
you'll be slashing small waves no problems
WA
1019 posts
120kgish is really 130kgs wet and i just don't think 3 struts kite are all that suitable for us. Puetz has far more experience but my limited experience suggests most deform too easily under the loads we subject them to especially once its punching 25kn on a 12m kite
Are there any 5 strut wave kites on the market?
QLD
6493 posts
From my experience, Drifter, Park and Pivot don't deform when loaded by fatties and are acceptable for waves. Drifter was surprisingly good on the TT too, far better than the other two for me.
Bandit is 5, isn't it? All the surfy boys here are switching to them . . . god knows why, maybe they like the flappity-flappity sound track.
Fly might be ok, I seem to remember they're pretty quick in the turn and pull nicely. Get a directional board for light wind like the big Nugget or 5'11 Celeritas. Don't screw around with regular-sized or -style boards, cos you'll need more power in the kite to ride them and it's been my experience that until you can ride a 10m kite, there simply isn't enough wind to make them go upwind and if you ride a bigger kite, you just get pulled downwind.
TAS
1664 posts
Thanks everyone
The only thing mentioned twice was a nugget so ill definately look at them
NT
2186 posts
... definitely check out the Nugget for sure!
From my experience, they are very versatile for us bigger boys and can handle a big range of conditions, bigger range than most lighter guys can get out of them! They can also handle big powerful kites along with smaller nimble kites. Great upwind so you don't have to work too hard to get back and nice and easy to learn to gybe too.
Make sure you look at the bigger version as I found the shorter version not as good upwind, again, from a bigger dudes perspective.
Good hunting,
Robbie :)
TAS
1664 posts
Thanks upsidedowner, under consideration.
