Have to agree with Darren on everything he is saying. I've tried many different board combos with the Zephyr, and riding you normal winds smaller TT the bottom end is just not there below 14-15 knots, its goy nothing to do with skill just the physics that the kite needs apparent wind and a small board will just not allow the kiter and kite to get up enough speed - there's just too much drag happening.

BUT, put it with a bigger board in lighter winds and it will really amaze.
I've also tried it back to back with a Flysurfer Speed3 15M, several times and they both have a similar bottom end and will not get going on a 1.48x46 TT in under 10-12 knots.
However on an even bigger directional ( I tried Underground 5'8" kipuna, but there would be better light wind boards)/race board they will get you going upwind, cruising around having fun from around 8-10 knots.

Waxy we are all good mate... Not hard feelings from this end :) oh and by the way, big congratualtions on the birth of your son. Will have to have a drink at the beach for ya when the seabreezes kick in :)

T one said...

dude, i ride a 135 pro toy and am well lit in 14knots on my zeph. im around 100kg give or take. demo the 2 options... i know what i'd be doing!

For the naysayers, lightwind or strongwind, who cares, just enjoy the moment, heaps of good cheap 2nd hand big kites around, no need to spend big $$$$$$.

Tone, at Sanur in August on one of the very light days I was following you upwind on my bargain $350 2008 15m and 135 tt, you were on your zeph and 145tt, I wasnt exactly powered but still enjoying cruising over the lagoon in boardies !! Thats a novelty for a mexican. C u there again next July.

of course there was, but it's not ideal trying to wave kite in 9-12 knots. save that for a better day...
and while we're at it, found the zeph to be ok in cross off to cross on, parks well, but struggle a bit in direct or near direct onshores

Hi surfer, yep it's a great place to kite. i'll be there... i'm back over there tomorrow, but just surfing this time i think.
cheers T

dont tell the missus
i have to go thru bali on the way there and back, and it would be a crime not to have a quick surf/kite eh? looks like its crankin there today, but im sitting on the equator with a solid 3 knots.

Owning a flysurfer I have done a lot of light wind kiting.

Best tip = lose weight ;)
Next get a larger flatter wider board but not so big you can't have a bit of fun on it. There is hardly any chop when it is that light so a flat board won't be a PITA
Get the biggest kite you can that will still fly and be fun. This is tricky. Too big and it turns lit crap, is very hard to relaunch and is too slow to work (up and down).

Can't comment on the Zephr but i have flown:

Speed 2 19m silver arrow, speed 2 15m Delux, Speed 2 15 standard, Speed 3 15 standard, speed 3 15 delux.

The best of these, IMO, was the speed 2 15 delux. Small enough to work, turns ok and relaunches great. Pity I don't own one. I can, just, hold it down at 25kn.
Speed 3 has lost some of the bottom end and IMO this is why they released a 21m... to get the same bottom end as the 19m silver arrow (speed2) used to have.

But the speed 3 turns a lot better and has heaps of top end. I'd say 30kn would be ok on the speed 3 15m.

And... being a flysurfer fan also find them a little on the expensive side.
If i had $ to burn i would buy the 21m speed without a 2nd thought. That thing is not for jumping... it is for gliding.

mike