Forums > Kitesurfing   Newbies / Tips & Tricks

Suggestions for kite size

Reply
Created by tombookbarry > 9 months ago, 7 Nov 2018
tombookbarry
5 posts
7 Nov 2018 2:19PM
Thumbs Up

im a beginner 95kg and have a north rebel 2017 11m.
im having difficulty getting going when wind below 15 knots. I get out of water but then sink despite working the kite
Am I likely to have more success with a larger kite or is it a common beginner problem that I just need to push through with my current kite.
if bigger kite recommended, should I look at 14 or 17m?
thanks in advance

johndg
WA, 206 posts
7 Nov 2018 6:28PM
Thumbs Up

I would wait for 15 knots. If you cant wait then consider buying a bigger board designed for light winds, This would be your cheapest and easiest bang for the money.

Gilly3
QLD, 794 posts
7 Nov 2018 8:51PM
Thumbs Up

At ur weight on that size Rebel, 14-15knts is about all the bottom end u will get out of that kite, unless....

a) u get a bigger board (u don't mention what size ur on)
b) u kite in wind against tide conditions on flat water
c) u get one of those foil thingos, but i'd wait a year or so when they become like raceboards....cheap and unwanted

Getting a 17m (forget the 14) kite is only going to give u a couple more knots bottom end which u can prolly achieve with a or b....

Big kites are slow and docile, which can be good for learning new tricks but no good for tennis elbow

Kiting fluently in light winds comes with experience, IMO u should push on with the 11m and try a couple of different boards....

Plus, it's a lot easier swapping out boards on the beach than kites....

Good luck and good winds!

tombookbarry
5 posts
7 Nov 2018 6:56PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks. That is much appreciated

THE PIN PULLER
WA, 465 posts
7 Nov 2018 7:46PM
Thumbs Up

95kg go on a diet ya big lump of lard !!! Lol I'm 92kg... bigger boards good but I've progressed loads using my 18m juice. There cheap as and u can also run it on your rebel bar if wanted. I run 24m lines above 20knots. And run dedicated light wind 27s on light wind days. Bigger window better bottom end it does take a bit of getting use to. My juice goes epic on the 27s from 12-17 knots.

KiteBud
WA, 1515 posts
8 Nov 2018 8:38AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
tombookbarry said..
im a beginner 95kg and have a north rebel 2017 11m.
im having difficulty getting going when wind below 15 knots. I get out of water but then sink despite working the kite
Am I likely to have more success with a larger kite or is it a common beginner problem that I just need to push through with my current kite.
if bigger kite recommended, should I look at 14 or 17m?
thanks in advance



Hi tombookbarry,

you are really making your life difficult in 15 knots with an 11m kite at 95kg.

Gilly3 is giving you excellent advice. It really depends where you live and if those conditions are frequent. In Perth, for example, you would really not want to bother kiting in the Ocean in 15 knots as a beginner as most days the wind is well above 18 knots.

However, if you are on the East coast and have 15 knots of colder, denser winds and in shallow waters, then it's far more enjoyable.

I agree that you need a 17m Kite. I can recommend the Airush Ultra 17m (single strut light wind kite). I was teaching a 90kg guy on it in shallow water in Sub 10 knots, but we used a massive board.



Getting a big kite helps, but I would first recommend you buy a BIG light wind board, as in 155cm length + and 46cm or more in width

The good thing about persisting in learning in low wind is that you will inevitably develop some really good technique and this will make you a far more efficient kiter in the long run. But it's sometimes frustrating and it can take many years until you become really efficient in low winds.

Hope this helps

Christian

maxpower1
WA, 12 posts
23 Nov 2018 5:43AM
Thumbs Up

I am about 95kg too. I don't bother going out in winds under 20knts. Too much hard work. Personally I think it is harder to learn in too light wind.



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Kitesurfing   Newbies / Tips & Tricks


"Suggestions for kite size" started by tombookbarry