Help me complete my quiver: 80 kg rider

[jkite231]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought my first kite - Cabrinha Switchblade 12m + Cabrinha Overdrive 1X Recoil Control Bar Quickloop (both 2016).

I am a newbie who recently learned how to do transitions and to go upwind consistently (after wasting $2,000 on lessons). I plan to ride all over the world, mainly in conditions between 10 and 20 knots. I've had a few sessions in light wind and really enjoy riding with a 17m kite.

So my plan is to buy a 17m for those light wind days and a smaller kite for windier days (15-25 knots). I don't plan kiting in winds higher than 25 knots as I don't find it enjoyable.

My question is - what would be the best size to buy for my smaller kite? I weigh 80kg. I want to have the best wind coverage and I hate to be overpowered (had a lot of trouble during my lessons, almost gave up at some point).

I also need recommendations for a light wind 17m kite (2016-2017).

P.S.
I plan to try riding waves at some point as well, so might consider a freestyle kite for my smallest kite.


Please advise, thanks!!!

[tautologies]

ahh how you will learn new thing very fast and soon and you will update your preference.

Most of us would much much rather be overpowered than underpowered. Light wind kiting has its definite charm, if we have the choice I think most here would ride 25-30 knots every day if they could.

Most people that go 12 + smaller kite go 12 + 9 If you do not intend to go higher then 25, you might consider 10. Tho at your weight on a 10 you'll be pretty lit.

Not sure why you would want a freestyle kite for waves, but a great allround freeride kite for wave and all types of riding is the Naish Pivot. I don't know the Cabrinha lineup well enough to really give much sensible info on it....

[jkite231]

I meant to say a kite suitable for wave riding, as stronger winds usually go with waves, so it would make sense to buy a more specialized kite for stronger winds.. not sure if that reasoning is correct though

I chose the Cabrinha Switchblade as my main kite because everywhere on the internet the Switchblade and the North Rebel are recommended as the best kites to buy for beginners. I read so many articles and these two models are mentioned over and over again. However, not much information about completing a quiver...

[Turbaani]

3m step is normal from 12m kite. 12 + 9 is the classic combo. Don't say that you dont want to kite in more than 25kts. When you get better you will most likely love 25kts+ wind. And if you think you would enjoy waves. Well atleast here waves start really kicking in when 30kts+. When you feel the need to go in stronger winds get a 7m kite too. 7m you can push to ridicolous winds, not on surfboard though.

I was at the same point in the beginning. Well not exactly since I didnt take any lessons.. but I had the thought that damn I picked up wrong sport and now I need to sell the gear. But things get better.. Alot better! Also hated the 25kts+ wind because it was alot harder with all the chop and power. Now I wish it was 30-40kts wind mostly.

[jkite231]

Thanks a lot for the input. I will be looking for a 9m kite then. What about the light wind kite? Is 9-12-17 a good quiver or maybe I would need another one to fill the gap between 12 and 17m? I don't really want to spend money on more than 3 kites...

Also, what about those C-kites? Should I be looking at those for my 9m or I need dozens of sessions experience first?

[Turbaani]

12-17 is good. Don't look at C-kites. They dont have so good depower, you wouldn't like them. I have been riding for many years already but Im still on my fone bandits. Great all around kite. Get a kite with very good depower like bandit has. Depower will be your best friend a long way when a bit scared of power. I think most of brands have this type of model in their kites.

[badgb21]

Wave kites tend to be less powerful (size for size) than free-ride kites.
Free ride kites can perform quite well in waves.
It may be a while before you need the drift qualities of a wave kite.

I'd consider going for a 9m Swichblade and maybe a 15m Contra (or possibly a 17m Contra, if you are inland or have very light wind, I found the 17m a less fun than the 15m Contra or a 16m Apollo if you can water re-launch well, some good 2017 bargains around.)
These will likely work with your current bar.

With a good quiver of kites you can then start to hone your skills and move onto different boards, such as a wave board if that's your fancy and move onto more specialized kites

Good luck with your choice.

I meant to say a kite suitable for wave riding, as stronger winds usually go with waves, so it would make sense to buy a more specialized kite for stronger winds.. not sure if that reasoning is correct though

I chose the Cabrinha Switchblade as my main kite because everywhere on the internet the Switchblade and the North Rebel are recommended as the best kites to buy for beginners. I read so many articles and these two models are mentioned over and over again. However, not much information about completing a quiver...

[Bartolo]

Thanks a lot for the input. I will be looking for a 9m kite then. What about the light wind kite? Is 9-12-17 a good quiver or maybe I would need another one to fill the gap between 12 and 17m? I don't really want to spend money on more than 3 kites...

Also, what about those C-kites? Should I be looking at those for my 9m or I need dozens of sessions experience first?

Yes, 9-12-17 is perfect. Go for the 9m Switchblade, these kites are very good for your situation right now and you won't outgrow them ecause they are also very good for more intermediate or even advanced (free)riders.

Forget about c-kites, you want a forgiving kite like you said. For the 17m you can take the Cab Contra if you wanna stay with Cabrinha so you can use teh same bar. You can go for another brand but I would advice to take a specialised light wind model if you going for such a big kite.

[tautologies]

Wave kites tend to be less powerful (size for size) than free-ride kites.
Free ride kites can perform quite well in waves.
It may be a while before you need the drift qualities of a wave kite.

I'd consider going for a 9m Swichblade and maybe a 15m Contra (or possibly a 17m Contra, if you are inland or have very light wind, I found the 17m a less fun than the 15m Contra or a 16m Apollo if you can water re-launch well, some good 2017 bargains around.)
These will likely work with your current bar.

With a good quiver of kites you can then start to hone your skills and move onto different boards, such as a wave board if that's your fancy and move onto more specializes kites

Good luck with your choice.

I was just going to re-iterate what was mentioned above. 17 is a big kite for you, and the size will only (I think) provide marginally better power. I would look at kite qualities (shapes and weight) more than big size. I weight a lot more than you and my biggest kite is 14.

[Flyboy]

I agree with tautologies: I weigh a little bit more than you & haven't used anything bigger than a 12m kite for years (although I only use a surfboard). Honestly, big kites suck. They are slow & heavy. A 12m kite like a Switchblade should get you planing in anything above 12 knots, with decent technique & an appropriate board. A 17m will add a couple of knots to your low end, but will become uncomfortable to use as soon as the wind picks up above 14 knots, at which point you would be fully powered on your 12m. There's really a law of diminishing returns with big kites. They also tend to be expensive & heavy to travel with ... and you really don't want to be traveling anywhere to kite where you need to use a 17m.

On the other hand, a kite smaller than a 12m is essential. If you're getting a smaller kite, the correct choice would be a 9m, but it should probably be a 9m that is comparable to your 12m in terms of generating low end power, or you may end up with a bit of a functional gap. Eventually you will want a 7m ... & perhaps smaller also. I wouldn't get a wave kite unless you're going to ride a surfboard (in which case you definitely don't need anything bigger than a 12m). The most appropriate kite for you at this point would be some kind of "free-ride", all-around kite.