What lightwind kite should I choose for a small rider?

[slowboat]

I have used many of the kites mentioned in this topic. The best advice is to learn to hydrofoil. You have enough kiting experience to start. The second best advice is a Conceptair Pulsion. Get the 12 meter. They are cheap compared to most other foil kites. Do not get a Cloud. They are great for foiling but terrible for planing boards.

[winduser]

Before buying you should try your Peak 12m. Don't go to far, put a safety vest. You will be surprised.

[baobob]

I'm 65 kg and as many told you if you go for the soul go for the 12. Otherwise go for the zephir as it has really huge windrange.

[Regis-de-giens]

Edit : deleted as dooblon.

[andylc]

Realistically there is no way to ride a TT in 5-8 knots. Doesn’t matter what kite you use.

[grigorib]

Realistically there is no way to ride a TT in 5-8 knots. Doesn’t matter what kite you use.

Not in 5 but you can in 8 knots
Take 170x50cm door, 40m long lines and a 15-17m lightwind kite. That on flat water will deliver.

[Regis-de-giens]

I agree with all of you that hydrofoil is funnier and better low end. But If we stick to Jadog initial request, he wants a kite for 5-8 knots , with a TT 145x48 which is large but not huge. To get this (Very very challenging) low end in this conditions, i do not think a 12 foil will do the work, even Pulsion which is extremelly powerful . IMO around 9 knots min if you want to ride decontracted.

He wants more power than his current 12 m Rally and to me a 12m standard or high AR foilkite will not provide significant more pull and fun without the wonderful glide and speed of a HydroFoil. He needs grunt power rather than LD ratio.

So to me Something like minimum Pulsion 15m or even better 18m, or equivalent light foilkite around 17m. And then swap to 12m above 9 knots. That will allow him to get enough power efficiency to get fun and not just fighting to stay upwind (on TT board again). My opinion of an ex 60kg-lightwind-lover.

[Regis-de-giens]

A video years ago with 22m kite :

[foilholio]

I am still amazed at your weight you rode that 22m Regis!

OP should listen to Regis as he is similar weight.

My advice is biggest lightwind advantage is hydrofoil followed by foil kite. Consider a Pansh for less $$.

[Regis-de-giens]

Indeed this orange kite was a Pansh Aurora v1 (modified) ; it was not really a challenge to ride it below 11 knots and far funnier than my ex speed3 15m dlx below 9 knots even with a TT large door. I was able to ride earlier than local good riders on hydrofoils and 11m LEI.

You will get same results with speed3 21m dlx or Aurora v2 std (forget the speed3 19m in light wind, not adapted to light weight riders) and even easier with speed lotus or aurorav2 Ultralight. Pansh a15 UL in 18m may work as well, not tested.

But IMO the top for this application TT/hyperlight is the new Pulsion 18m in 32 or 27 gr but rare on second hand market. More agile, easier to handle in lulls and more grunt vs speeds 4 and 3, and Pansh. But more expensive