Light wind board / kite suggestions?

[MaximumAC]

Ridiculous that so many people are quick to throw shade at others on this forum purely for suggestions. Get a hydrofoil, get a big ass TT and a 15m UWL. All fun elements and everyone's gonna find their niche. I think we're all just trying to maximize our time on the water and fun.

[thesleeve]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, everybody. Even though I went into a lot of detail about my setup, I totally forgot to tell you what my goal is.

Being a relatively new kiter, I'm still pretty early in my progression. I'm reliably keeping upwind, popping, doing small jumps, transition turns, and starting to ride toeside. I still have a long, long way to go. I feel that at this point in my growth, maximizing time on the water is the most important thing. In order to achieve that goal, I'm single-mindedly focused on getting to the beach as often as possible and being able to ride in the widest range of conditions as possible.

I understand that getting up and planing on a gigantic door board and huge kite might not be the most fun thing in the world for some people, but honestly I'm just trying to get out there as much as I can, so that I'm constantly building my skill set for when the wind really picks up and I can go out and have fun on my 7m.

Given the responses so far, I think I'm going to opt for the giant twin tip board for now (even though some people think that's the less fun option), mostly because I found one on sale for $300 and I think it's currently my cheapest option for increasing my time on the water.

I'm super interested in getting a surf board and/or foil setup in the future, but the cost of entry there is high. I think a big board is my cheapest way to get out on the water more often, for now. I'll definitely consider those other options once I'm more proficient on the twin tip, though.

That said, I'm still happy to hear any additional feedback, so keep it coming!

[dejavu]

I learnt that a good selection of kite sizes matched with board sizes allows you to mix and match at the beach. I regularly take 2 boards to the beach so that when the wind drops or strengthens you have the options to just switch a board out rather than possibly inflate another kite. I personally think light wind kiting is great. It is good to get the strong wind/jump/surf/play days and then also some nice cruise days. Get yourself at least a 150. You won't regret it. You could also get a Flydoor 6 type flat 160 board also then you should be able to cruise around in lower wind speeds.

[apollo4000]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, everybody. Even though I went into a lot of detail about my setup, I totally forgot to tell you what my goal is.

Being a relatively new kiter, I'm still pretty early in my progression. I'm reliably keeping upwind, popping, doing small jumps, transition turns, and starting to ride toeside. I still have a long, long way to go. I feel that at this point in my growth, maximizing time on the water is the most important thing. In order to achieve that goal, I'm single-mindedly focused on getting to the beach as often as possible and being able to ride in the widest range of conditions as possible.

I understand that getting up and planing on a gigantic door board and huge kite might not be the most fun thing in the world for some people, but honestly I'm just trying to get out there as much as I can, so that I'm constantly building my skill set for when the wind really picks up and I can go out and have fun on my 7m.

Given the responses so far, I think I'm going to opt for the giant twin tip board for now (even though some people think that's the less fun option), mostly because I found one on sale for $300 and I think it's currently my cheapest option for increasing my time on the water.

I'm super interested in getting a surf board and/or foil setup in the future, but the cost of entry there is high. I think a big board is my cheapest way to get out on the water more often, for now. I'll definitely consider those other options once I'm more proficient on the twin tip, though.

That said, I'm still happy to hear any additional feedback, so keep it coming!

Good for you. My journey was
1 - Fat Lady
2 - Crazyfly Cruiser Pro
3 - Shinn Jackson
4 - Soul
5 - Nomad LW

I love 1 and 2 and have had lots of LW sessions with 2 plus 14m. 3 is a longer term project as I don't get enough time. 4 is new and still figuring out. 5 is new and one session down I’m getting rid of 2 as the nomad is awesome. 3-5 are expensive but are high quality. I would go larger TT with 14m in the short to medium term and explore foiling as you develop as a kiter. It’s a bit of a humbling experience starting on a foil unless you can spend time on it.

[plummet]

+1 for get a hydrofoil. Use the same kites you have. Its simply better sub 15 knots.

[thesleeve]

Thanks everybody. Super useful information. Just curious about board sizing if I'm going for a huge lightwind machine. I bought a new Liquid Force Libre that was on sale due to the fact that it has minor cosmetic blemishes. They come in two sizes, both the same price ($299):
• 150 x 45
• 160 x 50

I'm 6'2" (188 cm) tall and 170 lbs (77 kg).

I ended up going for the 160 x 50, which is kind of huge. It has already shipped, and I'm starting to have second thoughts. I've seen people saying that the 160 is more appropriate for people 180 lbs (80 kg) and up, and I'm just below that. Thinking of going for the 150 instead and returning the 160. Thoughts?

My current board is a 137x42. Some quick math shows that...
• The 150x45 has 17% more surface area than my current board
• The 160x50 has 39% more surface area than my current board

[grigorib]

You’ve got the right board. It will allow you to ride in extreme lightwind and you should be able to ride it hard.

My 170x50cm Flydoor5 XL delivers frontrolls, backrolls, jumps (as much as I can jump in light wind), whatever flying transitions, toeside so it’s not a hassle. I’ve had 137x42 for very long time as my regular board and when I got my first door 159x45 I knew I could do better lightwind with a bigger board so I got the XL later and been happy about the change

[andywind]

I was always waiting for ~ 14 knts (with 10-12-13-m kite and TT or surfboard) Last yr I switched to BRM Clouds (eventually got full quiver and don't use other kites) and beginner foilboard (Shinn Jackson P) .
Now my favorite condition on 10.4m Cloud and foil is 8-10 Knts ! Really Multiplied time on water many times over - not to mention much more fun (Clouds are super fast turning and also drift great - so - very good for TT and surfboards as well-just would need to add couple knts I guess).
Andre (~ 180 Lb)

[PullStrings]

Thinking of going for the 150 instead and returning the 160. Thoughts?

Don't return the 160 x 50....no need for buyer's remorse....forget what you read about riders weight recommendations
Use it with your 14 this year....you will have fun.....summer winds can be gutless....you need the width of that board
And next year find yourself a great deal on a slightly used 17 light wind kite

[alford]

Keep the big one, there's no glory in riding a small door! You will be pleasantly surprised.