Best Kite for Big Air Boosting / for 70kg

[1234567Simon]

Dear all,
this should not be a threat on how to jump, best technic... and so on.

Short version:
What is the best Kite for Big-Air boosting: getting massiv high, with massiv hang time? Nothing else matters!
Please consider: I am only 70kg.

70kg means immediately one size smaller than everbody else.
I often see girls with kites, that seem to be slow turning, with little lift. Same kite with more wind gets much faster turning, and much more lift.

Long version:
I started one year ago (again after 20 years break just Windsurfing)
I bougth a Gaastra Spark (three Strut Freeride) 17m. two month later a 12m spark -> 2 month later 9m Gaastra IQ (Wave/Freeride) -> 3 month later 7m IQ -> 5m IQ

Actually I am super happy. But more and more I would like to go higher (especially I want to have no excuse, I just would like to be sure to have the best for Big Air)

Gaastra BARs have a high Y. this means the frontlines go together until about 6meter high above the bar, and then they split. I would like to keep my bars. 52 and 46 cm. (so looking for kites also with high Y, but not mandatory)

Usually I go one size smaller than everybody else. (12 -> 9). Often even two sizes smaller (12 -> 7)
this is because of body weight and because of really early going kites.

I am not interested in unhooked, not Wave (I have that), not freestyle. JUST BIG-AIR!

I would like to be prepared for some special prices in November December.

Thanks a lot.

[BillyGoatGruff]

it's down to this:

1. Location..location..location - You need to live somewhere with cold dense air where it really blows hard (northern Europe, Cape Town, Northern USA etc). Does your spot regulary blow 30 to 50mph ? You need kickers, ramps like incoming waves to boost off, on flat water you are unlikely to get much over 15m.

2. Technique is far more important than the kite. There's plenty of people not hitting their best height due to technique. The king of good technique this is Kevin Langree, his speed..bare off down wind..power, edge and release is key. Local "good" riders might be getting 12m, but a pro with real big air technique will be getting 16 to 18m in the same conditions.

3...Kite...a few big air kites (in no particular order)
- Ozone Edge
- Naish Torch & Duotone Vegas
- Core XR6
-Flysurfer Soul & Sonic
- Naish Pivot & Dash
- Epic Screamer
- North Orbit
- Cabrinha Switch Blade

[ralu81]

Hate to break it to you but its not the kite. Sounds like you need to learn to handle higher winds with your kites better. You're not a fly weight, but you are on the lighter side. If everyone else is on 12's and you're on a 9, that's your issue (without getting into technique). I'm about 75 kilos and generally ride about the same size as everybody else. If I were to down size to a 9 from my 11/12, I wouldn't be getting very high either. Or just invest in another kite to fit in between your 9/12, such as 10/11.

[Blackened]

If you want to stay with a Y style bar (not sure about the Gaastra release, but as long as it's single front line it should be okay), your main choices are Core XR6 and Duotone Rebel. They're easy big boosters and big hangtime.

[1234567Simon]

Thanks a lot.
Rebel and XR5/6 will be the call - I guess.

Going for a bigger kite of course would help.
With a wave kite in powered up conditions it is just not so fun. 9m switchBlade (only other kite I ever tried) is super stable, and super slow turning and flying , compared to my 9m wave kite.

I will see what I can get.

Thx.

[Exal]

Usually I go one size smaller than everybody else. (12 -> 9). Often even two sizes smaller (12 -> 7)
this is because of body weight and because of really early going kites.

There is your main problem. If you want to get up there you need to be really powered. For what you are describing the only choice should be the XR6, since it is the kite that has all the leaderboard spots. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to hold down a 7m with 70 kg. If Gabby can do it in 50 knots then you should be able too, right?

[Leon van Bergen]

Yes and the Duotone Rebel is the one you are looking for after you fine-tune your technique.

[kjorn]

Hate to break it to you but its not the kite.

Well.... My 2016 rebels definitely jump higher than my bandits. And my Peter Lynn Hook jumps higher than my rebels.

[Leon van Bergen]

Hate to break it to you but its not the kite.

Well.... My 2016 rebels definitely jump higher than my bandits. And my Peter Lynn Hook jumps higher than my rebels.

I agree that a good kite makes a difference, but if you only kite for one year, technology makes a looot more difference...
Watching jumping video's on youtube about edging, pop and handling power is way more efficient and cheaper than buying a new kite.

[TheJoe]

Any high aspect kite will do what your looking for. Every brand has one. XR's, Rebels, new North Orbit, SS Raptor, Edge etc etc... I all ways recommend something your local shop deals in so you can get spares easily and let them deal with warranty issues.

All so like others have said you need cold dense air that is blowing its ass off.