Melbourne Wind Conditioins and Kite Sizing

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Osaurus
Osaurus
VIC
6 posts
VIC, 6 posts
8 Apr 2013 4:39pm
Hi all,

Gonna be moving to Melbourne from Perth. Very familiar with the wind here and not so much over there. Would mostly be kiting down St Kilda way I suppose until i can find some better spots.

Can anyone give me the low down on the seasons for wind and how strong the winds are? I'm an 80kg rider with a 10m kite so far. Looking to buy another one here in Perth but want to make sure it will suit Melbourne conditions.

What size kites would you recommend?
Gippy13
Gippy13
VIC
119 posts
VIC, 119 posts
8 Apr 2013 4:50pm
If you're coming between may and September you'll most likely be relying on storm fronts for wind- I'd recommend an 8. Then a 13 for the summer (as well as your 10)
Osaurus
Osaurus
VIC
6 posts
VIC, 6 posts
8 Apr 2013 4:55pm
I'll be moving there permanantly.
Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5125 posts
VIC, 5125 posts
8 Apr 2013 5:39pm
For a single kite an 11-12m and a TT, or a 9-10 and decent surfboard.

For a 2 kite quiver a 12 and an 8m or 11-7m.

I have a 13, 10 and 7 and a heap of boards (Sector, Fish, old TTs I rarely ride). I rarely use the 13. Mostly the 10 or the 7.
tarzan
tarzan
VIC
133 posts
VIC, 133 posts
8 Apr 2013 8:06pm
Hi mate, the following is an excellent guide for any body weight.

kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/choosing-the-right-kite-size

Ideally i would recommend an 11m and an 8m for your body size. That would work for everything we get in Melbourne.
sk1nner
sk1nner
VIC
181 posts
VIC, 181 posts
9 Apr 2013 10:10am
I moved from Perth to Melbourne almost 2 years ago and haven't felt the need to change my 8+11 C4 quiver a great deal. In saying that i did add a zephyr (17m) for light wind fun, and if i was picky i should get a smaller kite for some of the winter fronts.

I think you will struggle in Vic with a single kite as the wind is not as consistent as Perth.

As most people have said a smallish kite if your keen for the winter fronts (6-8m) and a everyday seabreeze kite 11-12 should do the trick.

You can never have too many kites though :)

(im 75-80kgs and ride both a tt and a sb)
tomme
tomme
VIC
475 posts
VIC, 475 posts
10 Apr 2013 9:14am
hi mate,
im same weight and ride a 12/8 air rush lithium, ehich covers me for almost everything. ie; rode 62 days of summer. mates ride rpm's in a 6/9/12 to really have full coverage including nuking conditions.

hope thta helps. shoot a pm when your here, grab a beer.
seb2
seb2
VIC
231 posts
VIC, 231 posts
11 Apr 2013 8:46pm
Everyone one rides 9-12
juggler
juggler
VIC
243 posts
VIC, 243 posts
12 Apr 2013 1:18pm
Seabreezeb said...
Everyone one rides 9-12


I ride 7, 9, 11 & 13
SaltySinus
SaltySinus
VIC
960 posts
VIC, 960 posts
12 Apr 2013 1:35pm
Seabreezeb said...
Everyone one rides 9-12



They do, me too, but personally, I don't like this... the last few times I've gone out (Before the wind got all **) was always 17-20, and if it increases or decreases much out of this band, then it's too strong or weak for a 12 or 9.

I'm going 10 next season and keeping my 12 for def light days, and 9 for def strong days. Probably a stupid plan, but I need to give it a go!
vendeavours
vendeavours
VIC
361 posts
VIC, 361 posts
12 Apr 2013 7:06pm
Over summer i used 80% 10m ,15% 8m, 5% 6m Note all kites are Rebel , ride SB AND weight 76-78 klg and averaged 6 nights a week , IN winter 8m and 6m should be 10% more, But average 1 day a week if iam lucky . 80% ride Brighton/Hampton AREA Cheers
Eaglelad
Eaglelad
VIC
119 posts
VIC, 119 posts
12 Apr 2013 7:36pm
^^hanging out for this wind tomorrow!! alarm is set and gear ready to go!
paradigm
paradigm
VIC
53 posts
VIC, 53 posts
12 Apr 2013 8:13pm
Don't jinx us eaglead
juggler
juggler
VIC
243 posts
VIC, 243 posts
14 Apr 2013 8:59am
There is also a big difference between holding a kite down & being able to edge against it.
Sure some one who is 20kgs heavier might be able to "hold it down" but we are kiteboarding not bloody anchoring down parachutes.

I'm getting pretty sick of it blowning 20knts+ and every Tom dick n Harry riding 12m switchblades with them over their heads & not lowing them when going downwind.

Pick a kite size that not only gets you going but one you can lower enough so your not that annoying prick that gets in everyone's way with kite at 12 o'clock because they are over powered.

Now next time your out lower your kite so it is 1m if the waters surface & edge, if you can't hold it then its too big
Osaurus
Osaurus
VIC
6 posts
VIC, 6 posts
21 Apr 2013 8:50pm
Thanks for the tips lads.

My 10m sounds like it will continue to be the main stay of my kite pack. I love it so that is good news.

I've got another summer in Perth so will go ahead with my planned purchase for a smaller kite (although 8m instead of a 7m) which sounds like it will be useful there anyway. When I get there I'll look to see if a 12m is needed and get it then.
SaltySinus
SaltySinus
VIC
960 posts
VIC, 960 posts
23 Apr 2013 4:32pm
I've decided to put my money where my big mouth is and purchased a 10m as my 'one size fits all' in Melbourne.

I'm 82kg on a twin tip, so reckon it will be good. It's rated 14-28knots (ish) so we'll see!

tomme
tomme
VIC
475 posts
VIC, 475 posts
29 Apr 2013 12:46am
SaltySinus said...
I've decided to put my money where my big mouth is and purchased a 10m as my 'one size fits all' in Melbourne.

I'm 82kg on a twin tip, so reckon it will be good. It's rated 14-28knots (ish) so we'll see!




if you can ride upwind on a twintip in 14kn on a 10m ill buy you a beer or two!!!
Peterc150
Peterc150
VIC
710 posts
VIC, 710 posts
29 Apr 2013 12:05pm
Salty, for your weight I reckon the best single kite size for all round use near Melbourne would be a 12.

If you are in the surf a lot &/or on a surfboard a 10 would be best.
zarb
zarb
NSW
703 posts
NSW, 703 posts
29 Apr 2013 1:31pm
Im 85kg, and my 11m and 8m combo does the trick so far in anything from 17kts - 30kts (pushing it). I would like a little bit more low end however, so a 12m sounds good for your big kite, although I would definitely get a smaller one for those days like last Saturday!

If I could have anything, it will probably be something like 12, 9, and 6.
kungfupete
kungfupete
VIC
149 posts
VIC, 149 posts
6 May 2013 2:09pm
I'm 72kgs and ride 142 TT. I have a 12m, 9m & 6m. If there is wind I can always ride. The 12 & 9 get regular use all year round. The 6m is rare and only used during winter months generally, and a bit in spring when its 25+ knots.
foorked
foorked
VIC
152 posts
VIC, 152 posts
13 May 2013 3:15pm
a
Big eeeZeee
Big eeeZeee
NSW
1100 posts
NSW, 1100 posts
15 May 2013 11:53pm
12 & 9 if you're too legit to quit.
Kazan
Kazan
QLD
699 posts
QLD, 699 posts
16 May 2013 10:06pm
Don"t know why twin tips and surfboards are not used more in Melbourne. Wayyyyy easier than standard boards and you go faster too!
Beersy
Beersy
TAS
753 posts
TAS, 753 posts
17 May 2013 1:44am
Kazan said..

Don"t know why twin tips and surfboards are not used more in Melbourne. Wayyyyy easier than standard boards and you go faster too!


What are you talking about? Aren't twin tips the most use and wouldn't surfboards be second most used? What is this standard boar that you are talking about?
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