Forums > Kitesurfing Gear Reviews

Suggested Kites for someone new to KiteSurfing

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Created by TylerS > 9 months ago, 14 May 2016
TylerS
NSW, 5 posts
14 May 2016 10:47PM
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Rider: 100kg (beginner)
Style: Surf
Weather: 13-30 (kph)

My Comments:
Hi all - I'm keen to get some advice on taking the plunge in buying some gear.
I'd love your input regarding brands and wisely buying 2nd hand

I'm looking for something that will allow me to continue to fine-tune the basics on the lake,
but will be a good all-round kit that will allow me when ocean-ready to kitesurf (Nobbys Beach Newcastle) for the maximum number of days per year before needing to purchase a 2nd kite. (I can send through info on our wind conditions if that would help with giving advice)

I'd be happy to hear suggestions / recommendations re brands, considerations re sizes and other knowledge that has been helpful for you.

Thanks for taking the time!

Cheers,

Tyler

Smithy
VIC, 858 posts
15 May 2016 5:11PM
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Hey Tyler, welcome to the sport, dont be too put off by the lack of response to your post everyone is trying to decide what the best washing detergent for your kite is.....

everyone will have a different opinion on what is the best kite to start with is based on their own experience and bias. Based on your weight I would suggest a 12m as a good starting size, usually the goto size for all newbies. For me I like Cabrinha but that's my choice... There are heaps of threads on the topic here, do a search and start reading...

whatever kite you choose, when buying have a really good look at it, pump it up and leave it for a while while you run out the lines and have a look for damage on everything. If it doesn't hold pressure it may have leaks.... Have a close look at the stiching particularly the leading edge... Good luck.

PS thought you had mentioned boards also around the 150cm size. You need to look at length, width and board style to make a full assessment, again do a search and start reading...

daddycool
WA, 337 posts
15 May 2016 10:51PM
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Solid advice from Smithy here - welcome to the stoke

Youngbreezy
WA, 938 posts
15 May 2016 11:01PM
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You will want to get an all rounder something that will do a bit of everything avoid going for something too specialised. A kite that has easy handling but still an bit of punch for when you will start to learn tricks and jumps would be a good idea,

it is also a good idea to look for popular kites from the popular brands, there is always more options to choose from secondhand and the really popular kites are usually tried and tested models that have been going for a few years, every brand has an " all rounder" model and most of them would be suitable. Also don't go too old and cheap you will spend a lot of time on it and starting out with dodgy gear when you don't know what's wrong or how to fix it is the worst ( speaking from experience)

AJ Events
WA, 111 posts
17 May 2016 12:21PM
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Hey TylerS
I've just written an article to help people choose their next kite. I'll be writing one soon to help people pick their first kite. Check out the link below. I've also created a table with the major brands models. You will want to get a beginner or easy free ride kite.
Happy hunting!
upwinder.weebly.com/your-next-kite.html

SonnyRider
92 posts
17 May 2016 4:05PM
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I'm 100kgs and a 12m will not cover the wind range you're asking about. A 12 for me is 18 - 27mph.

At your weight and the wind range you are asking you need an Ozone Zephyr.
And when you improve it will be your lighter wind kite and you will need a 14m, followed by a 10m

12m is a bad choice as a 1st kite, trust me, been there done that.


Only listen to people who weigh the same as you. Anyone lighter will not understand what we as the larger gentleman need

I was advised by many that a 12 was what I needed when I started.
So I got a 12, I floundered for ages.. then I saw someone on a Zephyr and saw that was the answer. I bought one and lived on it for a year, riding a Shinn King George 144x46.

I went from no where near enough power to having plenty. The Zeps have a massive range, esp. for larger guys. I could hang onto mine in 23mph, As I got better I started using a 14m Catalyst, saving the Zep for lighter days. Then using a 10m in 25 - high 30mph days.



Lambie
QLD, 738 posts
17 May 2016 7:29PM
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There are so many different kite brands out there and then specific models within each kite brand - no wonder anyone new to the sport are a bit confused !! And to add to the confusion - some years models are dogs (avoid at all costs) and others I would buy.

Im quite new to kiteboarding with just 7 years under my belt - and I have tried a lot of different kites (brands and models) and watched what my mates have been flying. Im now more into the surf and surfboards but have been through the TT phase - but nothing has changed - I keep coming back to the F-one kites. The blurb says they do everthing well - and Im thinking they are right !

So can a single kite do everything well? hard to believe but for a beginner Im thinking F-one have it sorted ? Until you get to a level where you are starting to choose your discipline I reckon the kite Ive chosen to play with will be your best friend!!

I have no monetary affiliation with F-One - but I did buy my first Fone and it was a B3 - and I would still buy that kite (2nd hand) today!!

The great thing about kiteboarding today is that there are so many great kite companies - all with great kites - but as long as they suit your style !!

Good luck with your search - but my 2cw - buy a good example F-one kite
from 2010 onwards and you will have one of the best weapons in your hands!!

horey69
QLD, 495 posts
17 May 2016 8:18PM
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Slingshot, been riding them for 7 years, never let me down. Rally. Would be sweet.
12-14m

gorgemay
90 posts
22 May 2016 11:23PM
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Select to expand quote
SonnyRider said...
I'm 100kgs and a 12m will not cover the wind range you're asking about. A 12 for me is 18 - 27mph.

At your weight and the wind range you are asking you need an Ozone Zephyr.
And when you improve it will be your lighter wind kite and you will need a 14m, followed by a 10m

12m is a bad choice as a 1st kite, trust me, been there done that.


Only listen to people who weigh the same as you. Anyone lighter will not understand what we as the larger gentleman need

I was advised by many that a 12 was what I needed when I started.
So I got a 12, I floundered for ages.. then I saw someone on a Zephyr and saw that was the answer. I bought one and lived on it for a year, riding a Shinn King George 144x46.

I went from no where near enough power to having plenty. The Zeps have a massive range, esp. for larger guys. I could hang onto mine in 23mph, As I got better I started using a 14m Catalyst, saving the Zep for lighter days. Then using a 10m in 25 - high 30mph days.






Can others weigh in (sorry) on the strategy of a 17m for first kite for 100 kg beginner.
It all makes sense to me but isn't a 17m more difficult to relaunch and handle?
Learning and honing skills in mellow conditions makes tons of sense however.
Which 17s are most beginner friendly?
Zephyr,Flight, Xr4lw, cloud, turbine, contra.

kitcho207
NSW, 861 posts
23 May 2016 11:22AM
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we are now just about to get out of the 12m weather (maybe 13, 14m for you). winter for us is all about 9m and 17m. its either blowing its tits off or not much around.
problem with learning now being the summer breezes are thermal sea breezes (heating up the land which makes the air rise and cooler air from the ocean comes in to fill the area) so are much more consistent through the session and therefore much easier to learn. if it is 20-25kn it will usually sit there the whole time. Another big factor of this being consistent is it comes across the ocean uninterrupted and is "clean wind" if you are on an east'ish facing beach

winter winds are generally frontal. so they are pushed across the snowy mountains which makes it quite turbulent and gusty. So now location comes into play more.
you need to find a lake and kite somewhere on the eastern side of it so the wind has chance to smooth out a bit and become more consistent before it reaches you.

you really need to go with locals who will give you the low-down of the area along with new site specific hazards. they will also recommend the kite size for the next 2-3 hours. If you see clouds rolling in, or anything else suspicious like fellow kiters coming in you should do the same.

The sad fact is to kite year round in NSW you will need at least 3 kites. for me 9,12,17 keeps me kiting 10-38kn.
once you get the 3 kites it really gives you the best from kiting and also makes it much more safe and enjoyable.
So find your local westerly kite area and look what they are riding and ask them questions.
how often would i get out of a 8m, 10m, 13m , 17m through this time of year. choose the one you would get the most time on. then in 4 months when it starts to get hotter again purchase your sea breeze size 13m or 14m

Redgy
WA, 117 posts
23 May 2016 10:25AM
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I;m 95kg have an 11,13 and 17 kites. The 17 sits in the shed most of the year because it;s soo slow. I wouldn;t go bigger than a 14m, The difference in the lower wind rage between my 13m and 17m is maybe a couple of kts. When the wind is lighter i take my light wind board a crazyfly crusier pro 145-44 and my 13m. In normal kite conditions (16 to 25kts) i grab my 13m and regular board an old airrush switch 142. With the choice of 2 board your wind rage can go up and down without the feeling of driving a bus, which is what my 17m feels like. My11m is my sports car , my 13m regular commute and 17m is the bus .

kitcho207
NSW, 861 posts
23 May 2016 3:52PM
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We not in WA. We get lots of use from 17-21m kites over here.
My biggest was 14m for a few seasons and that went about the same as a zephyr, but miss the power of my 17m

JBFletch
QLD, 1287 posts
23 May 2016 6:33PM
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There's a number of stores in NSW that will offer the information your after.
The closest would be KITE and SUP NEWCASTLE. Dave is a industry legend and won't do your wrong.
Most stores also have a good range of quality second hand kites too.

Seabreezer's are good but if they don't live in your area and know your local conditions it could be hard to recommend a good setup to suit.

Good luck and most of all, enjoy yourself.

Swavek
WA, 393 posts
17 Jun 2016 11:32PM
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I am about 105 kg - found wind around 18-20 knts on flat water with 12m kite best for learning (2013 cabrinha switchblade). Higher wind becomes a challenge (everything happens too quickly, water becomes choppy, controlling speed is a challenge when learning, etc.). Also when learning one needs a bit of extra power to correct poor technique (I can now kite surf and stay upwind with my 12 m in 16 knots whereas when learning I needed minimum 18 knots).

If the winds are typically less than 18 knots where you plan to kitesurf then Ozone Zephyr saved many sessions for me. For my weight it used to be good from 15 knots when learning (now I can use it with 13 knots wind) and it is quite ok up to 20-22 knots but starts to feel overpowerd above 18 knts. it is slow compared to 12m kite, but Zephyr is much faster than many other similar size kites. None of them in this size will be great for waves (this is why the dedicated wave kites don't come in such big size - ozone Reo biggest size is 12m).



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"Suggested Kites for someone new to KiteSurfing" started by TylerS