learning on my 2nd hand 12m Cabrinha Switchblade, but noting some days the wind isn't really quite enough to be ideal for standing up on the board...

so was wondering whether getting a 2nd hand say 16m would be an OK idea now (as we start to move towards winter re winds) to get more chance to practice (i.e. would have the 12m and say 16m)...or whether this mightn't be a good idea to be switching kites as you start to learn? i.e. whether it's just best to wait for the right days for the 12m

by the way - if/when I was ready for a lighter wind kite, any suggestions re what size/model would be ok for a beginner? (2nd hand, less than $800 I was thinking)

Agree with Burkey,

but before we can comment, we'd need to know how heavy you are (personal question, I know).

If you're not over 110kg, I'd personally say 16m is too big. That is, if the wind is soo light chances are it will be dropping off and dropping your (massive) 16m in the sea. As BB said, it's better to go out in more consistent wind.

From my lessons, I've realised my lessons were harder than they ought to have been due to low crappy wind, causing the kite to fall out the sky from time to time (and naturally, I blamed myself for bad piloting). That said, if the wind had been good, I would have still sucked.

Agree with most of what Pattie has to say but not with the Argo. Would be one of the worst light wind kites I have tried. Very heavy and slow to turn. With a 55cm bar it feels like you need to grab half a meter more of steering line to get it around. One of the worst to relaunch too.
I hear good things about the TRX though so would be worth a demo.

Don't be scared of big kites. Just show them some respect. You will get so many more days riding. Be careful of the winter frontal winds tho.

IMO The core has good low end especially with a light wind tt.

Kitch

thanks guys

SaltySinus - Weight is around 81kg if that helps....

tks BurkeyBoy - sounds like you suggesting once i get the hang of things I should find it easier to get up on my 12m in the lighter winds...makes sense...think I'll hang off and wait till I get better.

Can I suggest something totally different. Instead of a bigger kite why not consider a bigger board which will last a lot longer than a kite and cost half as much. There are many light wind boards out there that plane early with a 12m kite. Try something around the 150 cm mark.

hey mixed up, if u get a chance go down to ur local spot(s) (in ur case light winds days) n see what others are flying n how the different kites fly in that wind. also ask some of the riders that are there how their kite goes etc etc. that way ull see some of the kite brands in action n how different riders fly them. this helped me when I first started.

also im in the same boat as u im on the hunt for a kite n board for lighter wind days

Yeah, go a bigger board – actually I going to go even further in the field of different. My solution allowed me to go down in kite size.

I ended up doing tons of research about beginner's boards and made one with a difference. 162x48 (I am 96kg), slightly rounded 6mm thick rail on one side, square on the other and quite thin at the tips. And it cost less than $50! Actually I could make another 2 from the left over sheet that cost $44.

THIS IS FOR LEARNING – NOT A DEDICATED LIGHT WIND SOLUTION. It is simple and uses my current board for all the important stuff like flex and the (medium) rocker. 6mm marine ply (bugger all weight), shaped to what you want, seal it, replace the fin bolts (standard m5 thread) with longer ones that will go through the ply plank (I needed 25mm) – the fins secure the plank to your board, the rocker holds it tight. When the wind get going, unbolt it, replace the fin bolts and go on the standard board – we have found that it is too big to get the edge in with more than about 16/18kns.

This is not for everyone, and I expect to get flamed by some here; but works for me and my mate who is learning with me. Originally I thought we would cop some comments at the beach but I'm not sure anyone has even noticed what it is, although I am the type that doesn't give a **** what people think…

Specialist light wind boards (Nobile Flying Carpet or North Spike as examples) are actually quite different to beginner boards (Liquid Force Proof as example) and I'm told difficult to learn on, sharp rails grip well but are unforgiving (I find my board is harder to edge once up but forgives a slight incorrect stance or unbalanced wobble), flat rocker that reduces drag is also quite unforgiving for the learner (your back/front foot balance must be spot on). And the paralleled edges and full tips which give max lift and edging don't like chop. Light wind boards are as light as possible for obvious reasons, this solution gives the surface area to get up with far less power but is heavy (like a LF Proof) so doesn't get knocked around by chop.

It is our solution for a beginner board, as we both progress the ply layer is getting less use.

harlie said...

Pretty cleaver idea. Seems like a great cheap alternative, for a light wind board.

Good one.