Jukesy said..
Hello, looking at buying my first kite. My specifications are below-

Weight: 70kg
Board: 132x40cm
Conditions: 12-20 knots


Any ideas of a specific kite size that would be goof for me. I can only afford one kite so please don't suggest buying two, nor can I buy another board.


Cheers, Jukesy

12-14m will be perfect four your weight and wind target

The Switch Element 3 13m will suit you perfectly for that wind range and is affordable

Check the website... It's a fantastic kite.... Don't forget to add the bars too.

Got a 2014 12m Prodigy for a grand.
Sick wave kite, perfect for those winds & great for beginners.
Bar is brand new unused.
Price might be neg.
shoot me a pm if ur interested Jukesy.
Cheers

Bought Switchblade 12 2010 in good condition about a year ago for about 250 € (at my place, stuff are more expensive than at your place), now is more cheaper, check kite schools, sellers, ebay and that kind of sites, u may find something. If u on a budget (like me), have patience. Ill say it again, HAVE PATIANCE good deal will come soon. I bought 2 kites, board, leash, 2 bars in a period of about 1 year. I used improvised harness till now, but harness coming up next month. Haven't been much on the water anyway, mostly in field. (winter)

I don't do marketing crap on brands, just saying it was easy for me to learn on Switchy and has good power for a beginner. Takes off in low wind too.

Have to agree with simstat,
I started with the same budget as you Jukesy and only after searching for a long time (2 months) ended up with a half decent 9m.
Even then I have had to repair delaminating valves, and replace lines over the last year.
That being said however;
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~thiuw/2010-Blade-Vertigo-9-metre.aspx?search=yxrOHND3sv7wUsALWzDS1A==
this is the same model I got and it has very good depower and a good push away safety (provided it is being sold with the 2011 bar).
Yes, it wont get you going in 12 knots but I weigh 77 kg and I'm up and going on a medium size board in 18 knots and am sure could do 15 on a surfboard.
Good luck and make sure you go through the process of using the safety - self rescue with your instructor; its more important than you may think.

Jukesy,

When I had my lessons I got talking to people on the beach and that's where I found the best deal.

Save more! Buy a kite around 1 year old in the $800 bracket that has hardly been used.

Buying at $350 ****ter is false economy. This is not like buying a second hand car or bike or something.

Its a piece of fabric. A $350 peice has been smashed around for years and its stuffed. The lines are about to snap and any crashes will probably mean $100-$200 in repairs because the knackered fabric tears easily. You crash kites alot when you are a newbie!...

It wont be long before than ****ty $350 kite has cost you as much as a better unit.....

Unsure right now