Hi,
I started kiting about 5 months ago. Which was a bummer as it was the end of season. Whilst I was learning on my 12 mtr the wind was up an down and there were guys going out on 15mtr + kites whilst i was struggling on the 12. Now the season is on and I went to go out today in some fairly decent wind 20+ knots with gusts. My local kite shop suggested to use a smaller kite as the 12 would be overpowered and lent me an 8 to try which was great. I have started saving for a 2nd kite but not sure what the better investment is to go for first. A bigger kite for light wind or smaller for stronger wind.
I'm in the brisbane area and will be heading up the sunny coast and down the Gold Coast at times.

Any ideas?

Cheers

As per Crakas, there are three important components for kite size:

1.) Anticipated wind
2.) Board size and type (if it's a twin tip, length and width of board)
3.) your weight. These all go into a 'special calculator' (which is people's experience) and this gives you the kite size.

There are other considerations such as kite shape, manufacture and line length etc.

It's also a good idea to give details of:

1.) what type of kiting your anticipate doing (i.e. kite surfing on waves, or kiteboarding on a lagoon/lake/flat sea)
2.) any relevant experience (land boarding, surfing, wakeboarding, etc.)

Then one of the locals will comment.

For what it's worth, I'm 80kg, ride a 137cm twin tip, and here in Victoria, a typical rider would have a 12m and a 9m. I have these and a 10m for those inbetween days and I'm eyeing up a big 'en for those low wind days.

I think some of the QLD boys tend to go for a 12m and a 17m. I'm sure Kazan or Eppo will offer their experience on this very soon! They're good guys!

Good luck.

Thanks Crakas / Salty,

Some additional details as suggested.

I'm 84 kilos currently riding a 12 metre liquid force envy. I have a 137 x 41 board and a 162 For the lighter winds. My background is surfing which i''d like to try get out and do with a kite but I don't think I'm ready for that just yet.
Main kiting area is brighton so mainly bay/flat water kiting as it's my local area but will progress to the surf in the future.
I do plan on getting a 9 and a 16. But can't afford to get both yet so wasn't sure what I'd use more in the short term.

I'm kind of leaning toward the smaller kite first due to the last couple of days winds have been fairly decent and if that's a sign of whats to come then I think I will use a smaller kite more than the larger. However my inexperience maybe clouding that judgment.

Thanks again for the help.

However.......

If you plan on doing a few "downwinders" when it is light, the smaller kite would be the way to go.

No matter which way you go you, you will get plenty of time on the water..

Cheers,

Barrie