So..usual topic of confusion. Beginner, just completed 5 hours lessons in St Kilda. Now to buy the kite with a 1-1.3K budget.

So second hand it is, which is fine. But so many different people/shop owners tell me different things. I am 65kg, 5'6'' female, so I know I should go for a 10m. Anyone got any opinions on a good progression kite, for riding in 15-25knots, around Port Philip Bay mostly. Got offered a Ozone Reo 10m (ex demo) for $1000 , apparently great for beginners but I also heard it sometimes isn't powerful enough?

Another option is a brand new 2014 North Rebel for $1100 BUT everyone tells me not to go 5 line when learning.....is it really that tricky because this kite seems sweet.

Any other ideas on brands/models to move towards or run away from?

Cheers in advance

surfingboye is right. 10m for a 65kg person is too big and would get you maxed out by the time you reach 20 knots. If you want to kite above 20 knots you'll need something like a 7m or 8m, it all depends on the average wind speed in your area. Also, 15 to 25 knots is a big range to cover with a single kite for a beginner.

The Rebel is a ''high performance freeride'' kite, it's aggressive and very grunty and thus best suited for heavier riders who require constant heavy pull. I've seen many beginner get ''intimidated'' by this kite, that's because it's not the most beginner friendly kite out there. The 5th line is the safest safety system out there, but yes there is some potential for the 5th line to wrap around the kite in case you invert it...but similar problems can also happen on any 4-line kite and regardless you invert a 4 or 5 line kite, as a beginner, you would probably end up doing a self-rescue anyhow....Depending on your kite control skills, these situations are still rare but are a bit more likely to happen to beginners. That being said, you shouldn't base your choice on whether the kite has 4 or 5 lines.

The Rebel has an incredible wind range. Once you get better skills, you should be able to kite from 15 to 25 knots with a single size (8m) Rebel.

The Reo is a kite primarily designed for wave riding and very fast turning. Again not the most ideal choice for an all-around beginner kite, but perhaps a better choice than the Rebel for a lighter rider.

If your plan is to stick to twin tip riding and just ''cruising around'' and slowly build up towards your own style, kites like the Ozone Catalyst or North Evo are better options, more versatile kites and more beginner friendly as well.

Hope this helps

Christian

Get the 10m you think you'll be comfortable with (for whatever reason), and get a 7m as soon as you can. And enjoy 'em.
5th line is not a problem. It's more a personal preference than a rule. It could "potentially" (see the ") wrap around the kite when you dip it in the water in a really really unlucky way but most likely you won't have to deal with that. So don't feel deterred by it. I rode 5th line for 8 years. Only happened once when I did a really really stupid move.

10m around Port Phillip Bay should be fine for most days for your weight. If the wind picks up, keep your head straight, pull the de-power (that's why it's there!!!) and sail back in if it's too strong. Kite to kite another day.

My gf is around 65kg too. A beginner that hates chop but sails out on her own and comes back at the same spot. She's riding a 9m Vector 2014 and during the summer she was just fine without depowering it while riding StKilda and Rosebud. And she rides a 141cm twin tip!!! She's constantly b****ing that she'd need (not want) a bigger kite to get more riding days on the calendar

It's all about the conditions you'll be riding in. And how you will ride 'em. Unfortunately the scene around the bay is not representative to what you should/could pump up as I (80kg) can many times ride a 7m when I see others of similar size ride 12m or bigger. Go figure.

cbulota said..
surfingboye is right. 10m for a 65kg person is too big and would get you maxed out by the time you reach 20 knots. If you want to kite above 20 knots you'll need something like a 7m or 8m, it all depends on the average wind speed in your area. Also, 15 to 25 knots is a big range to cover with a single kite for a beginner.

The Rebel is a ''high performance freeride'' kite, it's aggressive and very grunty and thus best suited for heavier riders who require constant heavy pull. I've seen many beginner get ''intimidated'' by this kite, that's because it's not the most beginner friendly kite out there. The 5th line is the safest safety system out there, but yes there is some potential for the 5th line to wrap around the kite in case you invert it...but similar problems can also happen on any 4-line kite and regardless you invert a 4 or 5 line kite, as a beginner, you would probably end up doing a self-rescue anyhow....Depending on your kite control skills, these situations are still rare but are a bit more likely to happen to beginners. That being said, you shouldn't base your choice on whether the kite has 4 or 5 lines.

The Rebel has an incredible wind range. Once you get better skills, you should be able to kite from 15 to 25 knots with a single size (8m) Rebel.

The Reo is a kite primarily designed for wave riding and very fast turning. Again not the most ideal choice for an all-around beginner kite, but perhaps a better choice than the Rebel for a lighter rider.

If your plan is to stick to twin tip riding and just ''cruising around'' and slowly build up towards your own style, kites like the Ozone Catalyst or North Evo are better options, more versatile kites and more beginner friendly as well.

Hope this helps

Christian

surfingboye said..
just another spanner, a 10m is a lot of kite for a 65kg female beginner.
you would be overpowered as soon as the days wind kicks in.
just sayin'.

Thanks Christian, extremely helpful and affirmed my decision r.e north for my first kite, that can be my second :) I heard the ozone catalyst is a great first kite so will keep my eyes peeled for this one. Thanks again

surpher said..

Get the 10m you think you'll be comfortable with (for whatever reason), and get a 7m as soon as you can. And enjoy 'em.
5th line is not a problem. It's more a personal preference than a rule. It could "potentially" (see the ") wrap around the kite when you dip it in the water in a really really unlucky way but most likely you won't have to deal with that. So don't feel deterred by it. I rode 5th line for 8 years. Only happened once when I did a really really stupid move.

10m around Port Phillip Bay should be fine for most days for your weight. If the wind picks up, keep your head straight, pull the de-power (that's why it's there!!!) and sail back in if it's too strong. Kite to kite another day.

My gf is around 65kg too. A beginner that hates chop but sails out on her own and comes back at the same spot. She's riding a 9m Vector 2014 and during the summer she was just fine without depowering it while riding StKilda and Rosebud. And she rides a 141cm twin tip!!! She's constantly b****ing that she'd need (not want) a bigger kite to get more riding days on the calendar

It's all about the conditions you'll be riding in. And how you will ride 'em. Unfortunately the scene around the bay is not representative to what you should/could pump up as I (80kg) can many times ride a 7m when I see others of similar size ride 12m or bigger. Go figure.

windreams said..
I’m not experienced enough to give you too much advise on specific sizes unless you lived at the local beach where I always kite but here’s my opinion on shops and their advice.

I generally use 2 kite shops and I have found their advise on board and kite sizes and types are always simular when they match my experience with the conditions I ride in BUT the brands they recommend is a completely different story for obvious reasons – they recommend brands they sell – fair enough. Can’t go into a Holden car yard and expect them to recommend a Ford.

So if you are getting conflicting advice on sizes and types I’d be concerned but if it’s about brands I wouldn’t too worried. Most decent shops will sell recognised brands but always good to do a bit of research yourself. I think the Reo is a wave kite?? Happy shopping...

cbulota said..
surfingboye is right. 10m for a 65kg person is too big and would get you maxed out by the time you reach 20 knots. If you want to kite above 20 knots you'll need something like a 7m or 8m, it all depends on the average wind speed in your area. Also, 15 to 25 knots is a big range to cover with a single kite for a beginner.

The Rebel is a ''high performance freeride'' kite, it's aggressive and very grunty and thus best suited for heavier riders who require constant heavy pull. I've seen many beginner get ''intimidated'' by this kite, that's because it's not the most beginner friendly kite out there. The 5th line is the safest safety system out there, but yes there is some potential for the 5th line to wrap around the kite in case you invert it...but similar problems can also happen on any 4-line kite and regardless you invert a 4 or 5 line kite, as a beginner, you would probably end up doing a self-rescue anyhow....Depending on your kite control skills, these situations are still rare but are a bit more likely to happen to beginners. That being said, you shouldn't base your choice on whether the kite has 4 or 5 lines.

The Rebel has an incredible wind range. Once you get better skills, you should be able to kite from 15 to 25 knots with a single size (8m) Rebel.

The Reo is a kite primarily designed for wave riding and very fast turning. Again not the most ideal choice for an all-around beginner kite, but perhaps a better choice than the Rebel for a lighter rider.

If your plan is to stick to twin tip riding and just ''cruising around'' and slowly build up towards your own style, kites like the Ozone Catalyst or North Evo are better options, more versatile kites and more beginner friendly as well.

Hope this helps

Christian

surfingboye said..
just another spanner, a 10m is a lot of kite for a 65kg female beginner.
you would be overpowered as soon as the days wind kicks in.
just sayin'.

Thanks Surpher...again sound advice, can't wait to have a couple of kites under my belt. Hope your gf gets a bigger kite soon :)

^ Agree with this (and I am 70kg). Bigger kite is good for learning because beginners are not efficient with the kite. Once you are efficient and want to kite at 25 knots, add a 7m.

AC06 said..
So..usual topic of confusion. Beginner, just completed 5 hours lessons in St Kilda. Now to buy the kite with a 1-1.3K budget.

So second hand it is, which is fine. But so many different people/shop owners tell me different things. I am 65kg, 5'6'' female, so I know I should go for a 10m. Anyone got any opinions on a good progression kite, for riding in 15-25knots, around Port Philip Bay mostly. Got offered a Ozone Reo 10m (ex demo) for $1000 , apparently great for beginners but I also heard it sometimes isn't powerful enough?

Another option is a brand new 2014 North Rebel for $1100 BUT everyone tells me not to go 5 line when learning.....is it really that tricky because this kite seems sweet.

Any other ideas on brands/models to move towards or run away from?

Cheers in advance

My Advise.... my wife is exactly the same size and height and I taught her she has a 140x44 tt and she fly's a 10m RPM slingslut in litish winds and then when it really gets up to the 20knot mark she fly's a 7m rpm... but my advise would be a 9m which will suite the range you will kite on a 137x40tt... kite is grunty and also has a good low to top end and it does not tend to fall out the sky and also it's very predictable. easy 4 line set up and the bar is good.... and it also when the wind picks up you do not feel threatened by the kite

SSoo unles the wind blows it's tits off of you where you gonna kite I will start with a 9m... no matter what brand north, core, slingshot, naish park, or cabrinha.... one of the most common sized kite besides the 7m

These days it's hard to find a bad kite so don't get hung up on Brands.
Go for the least used best condition kite. your budget will probably get you more than just a kite.

9m kites are what most designers start with when designing a kite model and this usually means they perform the best in all aspects.

you will eventually have a 9m in your quiver so why not start there.

try to fly what you are about to buy. some kites will make you feel more comfortable so if it all feels comfortable to use then add it to your list.

And believe no one about how good a kite is except yourself.

I agree that a 10m kite would be good for you in lighter winds (12-18 knots) until you get more experience.

A 7 or 8m kite would be good for stronger winds (18-25+ knots).

There is some more information on choosing kite sizes here: kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/choosing-the-right-kite-size

Make sure you get advice on that actual kite model too. For example, an Airush Lithium has more power (and less depower) than a Cabrinha Switchblade of the same size.

For what it's worth I started kiting a few years ago on a 10m Rebel (granted I am 80kg) and in WA.

All i can say is that the rebel is an excellent kite and I love it and had no issues learning on it. Don't be affraid of the 5th line, it relaunches really REALLY easily and is super safe. Like a few people have mentioned above, a one kite quiver isnt ideal to suit ALL wind ranges but we're not all made of money. I rode the 10m in wind until I felt uncomfortable and then came in (it was around 23kts on my first season). I'd go out a bit earlier in the day for the lighter (14/15kts) winds and leave when I felt it was a bit sketchy for me.

As you get better you feel more comfortable in stronger winds and your wind range for your 10m will expand (15-25+) ... then as you get some spare $$ you can decide on where you will gain the most benefit for the 2nd kite in your quiver as well stated by so many before me in this thread.

Instead of going smaller for higher wind I went bigger. I opted for a 14m as a second in Jan this year as I was quite comfortable in stronger winds up to around 27kts but was missing out on alot of kiting days around the 10-15kt range and during the shoulder season. If it was blowing 27+ then i was happy to sit out for the time being and grab a beer.

I am now looking for next year at a 7 or 8m wave kite (dice or Neo) I can buy cheap off season to finally round out my quiver for all occasions.

You probably wont make any monumental life changing mistake by buying a kite 1m larger or smaller than 'ideal', going out and getting time up and experience on your kite will reap far better rewards. Time in the saddle can't be substituted by equipment.

my 2c.