WHAT TT UNDER 10knt ???

[robertovillate]

Under 10 kts????? hmmmm that's pretty light wind, depending on your weight and the size/type of kite you use.

Actually a Spleene 164 Door is probably the best light wind board. This board allows you to get planing quickly and begin generating apparent wind almost instantly which enhances the performance of the kite. I'm 155# and I can go upwind in 8-9 kts with a 15m kite with this board.

not to change subjects but...
The kite is pretty important at this stage too. Most kites larger than 16m tend to fly too slow and too far off the edge of the window to be effective upwind machines. Although 17-20m kites can work prety well for heavier riders, aerodynamic drag is much higher on the bigger kites and this limits light wind performance going upwind.

The big foils are pretty cool for super light wind, but I'm a LEI rider and can only comment about foils from what I've seen and heard.

[Feng]

Spleed Door 64.

I own one.
I even could kite on small waves with a 10 Knot wind and Flusurfer Speed (I) 17m2.
I am 90 Kg.

[robertovillate]

Spleed Door 64.

I own one.
I even could kite on small waves with a 10 Knot wind and Flusurfer Speed (I) 17m2.
I am 90 Kg.

I don't doubt that for a second. That Spleene 64 Door is amazing.

The problem when you start getting under 10 kts is that if the wind goes to 5 kts for a moment you might find the kite in the drink without much chance of relaunching.

Yesterday I taught someone with their C kite (purchased new off ebay for under $200) 2003 Naish 19m Boxer in around 10-12 kts of wind. I was going upwind without any problem on a Spleene 159 in light current and chop. I was able to do a few small jumps, but the kite turns pretty slow, so it was hard develop quick uplift. By comparison my RRD 15m Hypertype would have been jumping nicely in those conditions with a smaller board.

As mentioned by others the big, heavy kites do leave something to be desired, however they can still work fine - even the large older "C" kites. However the turning speed of a smaller, more efficient modern kite is usually more fun. (Note - some new kites (surprisingly) turn slow too).

Some people don't like riding in light wind....but I reckon that any day on the water beats sitting on the beach, even if just cruising for an hour or so.

[filostyl]

So:

- Nobile 666 EXT
- Spleene Session or Door
- Slingshot Glide
- Skywalker Dimitri

And what about the Fone Fifty Pro ? any opinion / reviews?

[vman]

Nobile 666 EXT

[JChau]

Dimitri Pro 135 x 47.5!!!

Being short- better spining/looping
Being wide- v forgiving in landing

Especially good for progression for an immediate riders like myself...

[JChau]

That photo: Toe-side backloop transition in <10knots with 12m Thruster!