Hello all,

I took the courage to write a post since most of the kite googling research I have come into, its from this website! People look really friendly and ready to assist , so here it goes!

I almost done with my classes, had almost 7-8 hours of lessons last weekend and I was suppose to end my lessons this weekend with water start but the wind did not made us the favour! I currently live in Greece where theoretically we get fair amount of wind. Where I live and where I intend to kitesurf i suppose anywhere from 10-20 knots would be applicable most of the time.

I am male 80kg approximately, at 1.78, and my question is, shall i go for a 10, 11 or 12 kite ? My instructor told me 10 shall be fine, other people I have asked, told me go for 12 will be easier at start, but once u get good, 10 will be ideal. I thought let me go for 11 so i will be inbetween.

I found a very good deal from a guy whos selling all his gear almost brand new, (Airush DNA 2014 10m, with 1.38 x 42 board, belt, bag, pump etc) for 800 Euro. Which is a very good deal cause he only flew the kite 3 times. Furthermore thats what i was hoping to pay to get into the sport for a decent set of equipment. I intend to do a heavy research before i buy anything and thus that is why I am here.

I am not sure if the kite is good, but as far are reviews considered, they say its v good for a beginner. My question is, will I have a problem if I buy a 10 kite with my weight? If i get like 12, 13 knots will the kite be able to carry me? Will a 12 kite work better for 12 or 13 knots and is the performance that noticeable? My issue is that I am afraid I wont get that much of air and I will have to use a bigger kite. If I have to work my 10 kite more just to get me going at the end, I guess I can do that cause at the end of the day I will become better and I can buy something I found on a bargain but if not I guess will have to get an 11 or 12 just to be safe.

I would like to apologize for the wall of text, just my thought on the whole issue, cause I am trying to figure out what to do, and I have heard several opinions and I cant decide!

Thank you v much!
George

I'm 83kgs and I use a 12m for that wind range

plummet is right on the money

Thank u so much for youur responses

So u think a 12m kite is a must? should i consider an 11 m kite? and how about kites with high wind range? i want to be able to cover most circumstances with one kite if i am able. if i get a 12m now , i can get a 9m later on and have my 2 kites and cover most situations.

can i go like 11m kite with 138 board or even 140 and cover the difference? or 12 m kite is really needed for a beginner .

I reckon if you will ultimately want two kites then your first kite should be either a bit big or a bit small so that the ultimate pair of kites work well. i.e. go with the 12 with a view to getting a 9 in the future. If you buy an 11 now then what would you buy later?

That said I am a beginner, a bit heavier than you (92kg with a 12m kite). If anything I wish I had gone with a 13 or a 14 and I can see that in the future if I keep my 12 then I will have to buy not only a 9 but also a 14 or a 15.

IMO, all the big brands have a good allrounder suitable for learning. Go with a brand that has good support in your local area, get advice from the school.

Lets face it. There's not one magic kite to rule then all.

The reason your instructor said 10m is because 10m is usually most peoples most used size. It will do 16-26 knots which is the sweet winds that most people kite in.


But 16-18 yourl be undergunned and need skill to stay upwind.

A 12 makes sense when kiting in 15-20. You have the grunt you need to stay upwind when learn..... But when it pulls past 20 you will be overpowered for your skill level. .... ahhhhh.

No matter what you do you will need more and more kites and boards to get your addicted arse out in a wider ranger of conditions.

Get a 10m you'll wish you got a 12m get a 12m you'll wish you got a 10m. Over powered is heaps better than under powered though.

I have a 9 12 quiver and that does me at 95 kkegs in 18 to 35 knots. I used to just have 1 kite a 10m which did me from 20 to 30 knots. 10 and 12 are to close together.

KiterBen said..
I have a 9 12 quiver and that does me at 95 kkegs in 18 to 35 knots. I used to just have 1 kite a 10m which did me from 20 to 30 knots. 10 and 12 are to close together.

Agree with KiterBen, when I first started I wish someone had have told me to be slightly overpowered than under. I’d go 12, 9...

Totally agree with the above. If the winds to light for a 12 go fishing or get your jobs done and kite when it's windy.

prastis said..
I didnt quite understand what ur saying. I cant find higher than 12 that easily and i thought 12 would be fantastic for a start at these knots

if you were a local and we had the mentioned 10 min to 20 max id be giving you something like a zephyr on a 135 board, the new big kites are a very refined , good bottom, great top end , easy relaunch above 10knts, have you been reading manufacturers graphs on user ranges ? if so add a few knts to the bottom and top ends as this is more realistic, its your decision at the end of the day don't be forced into brand or kite size, you might have to sit the 20 knt days in your early progression but around 12 to 18 will have you getting time on the water

Appreciating all the help .

thank you very much for your input!

I got a phone call from a friend this morning, telling me , that a friend of his is selling all his gear almost unused including everything, but the kite is Naish Helix 2010 12m. is it worth considering this offer or 2010 kite is way too old although its almost unused? maybe used once or twice. the price is like 450-500 euro for all. which is pretty low

prastis said..
I got a phone call from a friend this morning, telling me , that a friend of his is selling all his gear almost unused including everything, but the kite is Naish Helix 2010 12m. is it worth considering this offer or 2010 kite is way too old although its almost unused? maybe used once or twice. the price is like 450-500 euro for all. which is pretty low

m8, i've no idea how a helix flies. I never flew one or knew anyone with one. What I do know about them is that they are a dime a dozen, about $150-250 with bar over here. 450Eu - you gotta be kidding.
M8 get the Dna, Spend an extra 200 on a cheap old 13m (gaasta's are good and should be cheap over there) or get a big arse TT with a little rocker and you'll be good to go from 13 to 23 kts just about anywhere bro.
Forget the helix at that price, tell him he's dreaming!