Forums > Kitesurfing   Western Australia

What kites to bring

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Created by Martyn4950 > 9 months ago, 17 Dec 2016
Martyn4950
4 posts
17 Dec 2016 3:14AM
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Hi guys

I am heading out to Perth from the UK in the beginning of January until mid February

I am a 78 kg twin tip rider and was wondering what size kites to bring bearing in mind the luggage situation

I have 12m/9m/7m/5m North Vegas kites.......

The 12m is pretty big but could pack at the expense of another

What do you reckon guys

Thanks

Martyn

shi thouse
WA, 1129 posts
17 Dec 2016 7:55AM
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What's the most kites you can fit in your luggage?
If it is 3 kites, then definitely leave the 5m at home.

Aspiremr
WA, 108 posts
17 Dec 2016 7:56AM
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I'm a 90kg twin tip rider and find my 12 and 9 cover almost all conditions I like to kite in. But there are occasions when a 7 would be nice especially if on the coast or heading north of perth to Geraldton or the like.

If you like riding fully to over powered I'd go 12 and 9, otherwise 9 and 7. If you plan on heading north of perth in search of bigger winds and swell then 9 and 7, and maybe the 5.

Nathe
WA, 433 posts
17 Dec 2016 8:16AM
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7,9&12

KiteBud
WA, 1515 posts
17 Dec 2016 9:32AM
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January till mid-Feb are the hottest parts of the season. Looking back at my stats for the last 6 years, it's definitely during those months we get the most super hot days (35c +), which typically means weaker breezes or no breeze at all.

So yeah, no need for the 5m really unless you travel North or South and catch super strong days.

When it's really hot and no breeze in Perth you're pretty much guaranteed great winds down South: Augusta, Albany, etc.

Christian

Martyn4950
4 posts
17 Dec 2016 6:08PM
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Thanks everyone for the great advice .....so the Freemantle Dr aint guaranteed ???

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
17 Dec 2016 8:34PM
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Select to expand quote
Martyn4950 said...
Thanks everyone for the great advice .....so the Freemantle Dr aint guaranteed ???


The Midwest midwife is

Martyn4950
4 posts
17 Dec 2016 9:47PM
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Will i need a summer wetsuit ?

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
17 Dec 2016 10:47PM
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Here's a tip
Skip Perth
Come north
No wetsuit, no big kites, loads of wind , no crowds
No brainer

Dave Whettingsteel
WA, 1396 posts
18 Dec 2016 5:52AM
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Select to expand quote
Martyn4950 said...
Thanks everyone for the great advice .....so the Freemantle Dr aint guaranteed ???


Weather does not come with a guarantee

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
18 Dec 2016 7:02AM
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Select to expand quote
Dave Whettingsteel said...
Martyn4950 said...
Thanks everyone for the great advice .....so the Freemantle Dr aint guaranteed ???


Weather does not come with a guarantee



Yeh dave

Look at how crap Wednesday is


eppo
WA, 9372 posts
18 Dec 2016 7:06AM
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I am looking forward to Wednesday. My body is anyway .....

Aspiremr
WA, 108 posts
18 Dec 2016 9:05AM
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Cauncy has a point, if you get here and the wind in perth is not strong enough, head nort a few hours and you will usually find plenty somehwere up the coast.

FlyByKite
WA, 103 posts
18 Dec 2016 9:09AM
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Martyn4950 said..
Will i need a summer wetsuit ?


Coming from the UK probably not.
But a 2mm top won't take up much space - the southerly gets pretty cool sometimes.
Kites - 9 and 12 should do the trick.
The Fremantle Dr ain't guaranteed every day, but you'll get plenty of kiting days in that time frame.

s_h_a_n_o
WA, 88 posts
18 Dec 2016 8:19PM
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Wetsuit no. I wear a 1mm sleeveless vest if the breeze is too cold for just a rashie, but by December it's not really needed.

12 and 9 definitely. 5 not really. As for the 7 - how confident are you riding your 9 in 25-30knots? Cbulota's advice is good - there does tend to be a lull in wind strength in Perth mid-summer, but there will be days where if the Doctor comes in, it'll pick right up.

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
18 Dec 2016 8:50PM
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Coming from the uk
You need a good sunscreen
Our summer is intense along with our wind
A long arm rashie and good coverage zincs and headware
Aus is the skin cancer capital, your short time in the sun can come back and bite you later in life
I've been on the end of a knife a fair bit recently
Pommy jeans, cover up

Martyn4950
4 posts
18 Dec 2016 11:25PM
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When you say North, how far do you mean? Its quite a big country over there .....isnt it ? lol

Aspiremr
WA, 108 posts
19 Dec 2016 8:04AM
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Unless you've been to Aus before the distances can be a surprise. When I think North, a couple of hours (200 kilometres) is close enough to be a comfortable day trip. 400 to 500 kilometres an overnighter, and it is 400 to 500 kilometres where you get far enough north to really hit different wind patterns if there is no wind in Perth.

If you are only here for a short time and wanted to optimise the time on the water, then chasing the wind you could travel 400 kilometres either north or south and you would be unlucky not to find somewhere that was blowing.

Having said that, weather is not guaranteed but Perth is windy in the afternoon more often than not, certainly most of summer.

Chris6791
WA, 3271 posts
20 Dec 2016 12:16PM
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Martyn4950 said..
When you say North, how far do you mean? Its quite a big country over there .....isnt it ? lol


If you've got wheels 400km/4hrs north of Perth will get you to Dongara, Geraldton and Coronations easy enough. Leave after breakfast and be on the water after lunch time. Stay for a couple of days then head back when the body can't take another session.

Guys up here do use 5 and 5.5 on surf boards but a 5 on a twinnie isn't too common. I'm on twinnies and my smallest kite is a 6 Ozone Edge - that'll take me up to the 35-40+ range and I'm slightly lighter than you.

If you're staying in the Perth region or South West I'd say the 7 and 9, but if you could leave other stuff out then the 12 will be handy. Pack light, you only need 1 pair of board shorts and a couple of t-shirts. Scrounge an old pump from someone on here when you arrive.


Swavek
WA, 393 posts
20 Dec 2016 4:35PM
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12 and 9 will be best for Perth. You may miss a couple of high wind sessions when 9 is too big but you would miss a lot if you skip 12 or 9



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"What kites to bring" started by Martyn4950