What kite for strapless riding in 40+ knts/ 20+ ms?

[mede]

I found this old topic- but for me- I need 5m kite for strapless. Found Blade Trigger 2014 model very cheap, seller claims it is in great condition. Since this is for riding in storms- i do not want to invest in kite that will be used2-3 times a year.
Anybody can comment how is Trigger in strapless riding? Looks like there are settings for bridle to make depower better. Does it drift well?

With the old Blade Triggers, you must be careful with the valves. I'm riding Triggers since 2014, and all but the latest Gen had valves that delaminated in season 2 (which means about 40-50 days on the water).

[MattyM]

love that pic!... Cornwall?

Agree with the Nexus.... one day in a v strong levante in Tarifa, I was hinging on to a 7m Pivot, when a local (core sponsored) rider went out, he was a big bloke, but was riding strapless & doing strapless/controlled boosts (& landing!) in 40+ knots with a 7m Nexus... but he was big & v good.

Thanks! That's Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire. Very similar coastline to Cornwall. Yeah the Nexus is a lovely kite. I've fully switched over to them now - for foiling as well. Here's aother from that chunky day!..

[Flyboy]

I have a 5m Nexus which works great for me well over 40 kts. Handles gusty UK conditions very well.

DSC_1012.jpg

Great photo! I had to google to check that there's a place actually called Newgale ... beautiful spot & seems like a very appropriate name in this case! I've never had much success wave riding in that much wind. I have found the top end to be 35 knots with a 5m (Best Cabo). Once the wind gets much over 30 knots there's just too much power - & it tends to be very on/off - to depower enough to actually ride a wave on a SB.

[tomato]

I found this old topic- but for me- I need 5m kite for strapless. Found Blade Trigger 2014 model very cheap, seller claims it is in great condition. Since this is for riding in storms- i do not want to invest in kite that will be used2-3 times a year.
Anybody can comment how is Trigger in strapless riding? Looks like there are settings for bridle to make depower better. Does it drift well?

With the old Blade Triggers, you must be careful with the valves. I'm riding Triggers since 2014, and all but the latest Gen had valves that delaminated in season 2 (which means about 40-50 days on the water).

Thanks for warning. The Trigger on sale is from 2014. Price is 200EUR,it is in good condition- but for that age- probably valves will have troubles very soon.

[alpaia]

I have a 5m naish slash and very happy with it for strapless in strong winds I'm about 90kg
no precise wind limit but used it till the surface of water was totally white people had given up on strapless surf in winter.
It turns fast but not too much for 5m and has good wind range in strong gusts even if you crash and let go of the bar won't do anything weird very stable.

[philemonfilou]

Hi
you can also consider the Concept air wave, canadian foil kite....i used my 3m2 with foil in 40 to 50 knots ( 88kg) and there is a 2.3m2
it was developped for strapless kite surfer....
all the history and comment on http://www.lesfoilz.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3498 but in french....
much better drift than all LEI and quite not possible to be over powered...

[Peter_Frank]

You guys are crazy, riding in 40-50 knots of wind with 5 m2 kites, strapless

Doesnt work for me or others, not even with straps, and certainly not without...

A 4 m2 max.

For most average weights, 30 knots / 15½ m/s is where a 5 m2 starts getting too big on a surfboard
Possible, but not sweetspot.

40-50 knots average wind is 21 to 26 m/s, that is a hell of a lot of wind, and the gusts are crazy now, even higher

I dont know why people tend to exaggerate wind so much?

Could be potentially dangerous for some.

It seems many take the highest windspike of the whole day, measured from a high located weatherstation, when windy, and when hydrofoil low end wind, they take a handheld minimum wind, both in order to brag about "crazy high or low" winds

Peter

[1234567Simon]

For me : Core section II 6m up to 26kn

Measured Sideshore on the Beach. This is a truckload of sand flying around you.

4meter is starting from 26knots.
35knots on the Beach is Hard to breath, because so much sand flying.

Starting from 30kn most kiters go try 40 minutes.
Starting from 35kn most kiters try 30 minutes, but have trouble going upwind.

Pic below was below 30kn….
Good luck strapless….

I admire the kiters who can go strapless kitesurfing in 30kn.

[tomato]

I think you are right Peter. My question was about 5m Trigger and how it flies in high wind. But topic turned to crazy winds.
I (85kg) have been flying 7m Gong Strutwave in 35-40knots on strapless surfboard that is small and power hungry, it was ok, maybe a bit rough sometimes. I bought bigger board and felt overpowered at 25knots with same kite, so thought i should get 5m kite.

[Rnck]

I ride my Religion 4m from 28kt till 35kt. Above i'm to overpowered for strapless.
I really like to fly the kite on 19m lines in high winds. Makes the kite so much more stable in gusts