I have been on a trainer kite for the last season and ready to move up for this new season. However in my experience of sitting back and watching, I have seen most put up their kites and then find themselves over powered or in the poo. There seems to be about a couple handful of guys who know what they are doing and these other ding bats seem to cause these dudes hell. I have watched these dudes shake their heads multiple, mutiple times.
So my question is, How do I choose the right kite size for my quiver? I am a small woman and I can't just look at what the rest of the guy's are flying cause then I will be a dingbat over powered and in the poo. Are there rules to follow in choosing a quiver or does this all just come with trial and experience?
My 2.5 rodeo trainer is fast and powerful in 20+ kn. Even had a 90kg guy give it a whirl who couldn't believe it's pull power, he even got it to boost him a little off the water. But it turns really, really quick in high winds. I have had a really good run on it but it's time to upgrade!
Any suggestions on kite brands for my new quiver?
Here is some information on selecting kites sizes for blokes. For a lighter female, you will need to reduce the kite size relative to wind speed. Different kite brands have different power characteristics for a given size too - e.g. all 10m kites do not have the same power. You need to check the manufacturers wind/weight range.
And when learning go for a smaller kite size rather than larger.
If you weigh 50kg your quiver could be a 6, 8 & 10. In WA with the stronger winds you may not need the 10.
kitesurfing-handbook.peterskiteboarding.com/progression/choosing-the-right-kite-size
It all depends on the brand you buy as well
Not all 6m are the same
for eg An Ozone Reo is very small for it size eg a 8m reo is about the same size as a 6 from most other brands
Perhaps check this with the "WA Chick Kiters". You will find references to those who organize it on this forum. There are (or is?) female instructors in AKS, and possibly in other schools around. They will sure be helpful.
From my experience, for a lighter person 50-60kg in Perth, a medium-low aspect 6m and 9m would be a good quiver, but don't get any "specialized" kite, like the Reo, or C kites. You wont need a third kite until you are confident enough to fly 25+kn. Then a slow 4-5m would be fine. I was assuming you ride a twinnie.
It's a slow start of the season, but I am sure you will have lots of fun.
Rider's weight (kgs) divided by the windspeed (knots) then multiply by 2.2 equals the kite size in metres squared.
Stay on the trainer kite. Could be good with a surf board. Not sure about water relaunch though?
Go and have lessons all will be answered, you will learn with the appropriate size kite for the wind(hopefully) at the time and bingo question answered.
Thanks guys for all your feed back, I will try that calculation. Downloaded a application from itunes called Kite Choice. Been bothering my kiter friends asking them if it's calculation are correct for their body weight and the kites they would fly in particular wind speeds and thus far it's been pretty spot on, so hopefully It will be spot on for my weight of 42 kg. The app Kite Choice reckons I don't need anything bigger than an 8m in low winds. Basicly it looks like from this app that I will be sticking to my 2m and I will be purchasing myself a 5m, I wont be kiting in low winds of 11kn. I should probably stop being cheap and go talk to the guys in the shop at rockingham. Now it's just a matter of choosing a brand. Thanks for the contact for WA chick kiter's, i shall look into it, never knew it existed.
Thanks again guy's
That equasion didn't quite work for me... 65kg.. 20knot wind.. I ride a 10m and I'm perfectly powered up. Couldn't get much sweeter, but the equasion recommends a 7m kite.
@dexterous, Height also fits into the equation. When experienced, and riding with correct technique, a longer fulcrum above the spreader bar will let you hold down more kite.
Been looking at this kitechoice app some more. Had time to really check it out and also compare it to what you boys are talking about. Researched the beaufort wind scale 11-15kn is considered moderate breeze. So if I plug in moderate breeze into kitechoice (which shows as 11kn), 65kg for weight, it advises for an advanced rider a 10m as min, 11m as ideal and a 12m for max. that seems pretty accurate to what you guys are all saying.
I like this app, I am gonna test it a few more times but last weeks sessions it was accurate for my friends and I while we were out. My question is how did they figure the equation? Who sit's there trying to figure this stuff out in maths formula's. Not complaining it seems to do the job but it boggles my brain. Kiting is obviously an art.
I am after a good brand kite for freestyle riding and boosting. Anyone used a C4? I'm giving them a serious look on the net.
