Just trying to plan the week ahead around work and all of the other unimportant things that seem to take up time in my life :( - and I just had a look at the Gippsland wind forecast (read priorities changed!!) - brown arrows later this week - sweet!!
Im comfortable with the kites to around 30 - 35 knots but 40 knots is getting quite brown pants mode !! - is that why you chose the brown arrows Laurie LOL
Im 92 kg and usually fly an 8 m Fone B3 as my high wind kite - but have a kids 7 m Slingy TD3 available -
in 35 to 40 knots what would you pick - the older 2009 SS TD3 7m or the slightly newer (??) Fone B3 8 m?? - or doesnt it matter?
Board will either be an underground Kipuna 5'8 or a Cabrinha Custom 133 - I suspect the latter given the brown arrow forecast!!
So what is the survival plan for the brown arrow sessions??
I reckon the support of good mates on the water and a shared quiver is a great place to start (and is the essence of our sport)
and some planning to make sure there's a BBQ, Gas Bottle, Snags, Onions, Bread rolls and beers at the ready as the sun disappears ....... then bragging rights begin ;)
Bring on the brown arrows!
Here in Perth, it's glass.. not a sausage .. below 12 knots for a week 
Enjoy the wind for us... 
Hey Lambie,
I would go the new Fone for several reasons. One, new kite, less wear and canopy stretch, better performance and more refined. Not sure of the bar on the Fone, but the below bar depower on the Slingshots of that era suck and get stuck. I did on mod on my Slingshots and added a pulley to the depower rope which helped alot, but I would generally go the new kite. I would rather fly my 9 meter TRX than my 7 mt Rev2 any day of the week in high winds. More predictable, better handling of gusts, and better performance and more depower ability.
Saying that I have not flown those two kites...
Enjoy, this weekend is looking pretty epic for us too. Can't wait.
