Forum for kitesurfers
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BE_Kiter
- Medium Poster
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:36 pm
- Kiting since: 2004
- Weight: 94
- Local Beach: Belgium - Heist - Anemos
- Favorite Beaches: Flag Beach
- Style: Free
- Gear: North Reach 8,11,13 2020
North Orbit 9,12 2021
Duotone NEO 6,8,9
North Comp, Charge 2020
Nobile 666 135
- Brand Affiliation: None
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Has thanked:
17 times
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Been thanked:
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Postby BE_Kiter » Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:31 am
Aerodynamics is a strange thing. You mention
knotwindy wrote:And rarely did we see folks pick the best side kite for them and their ability & conditions.
In my opinion it is difficult to judge for other people.
I must admit we had also the same discussion years ago on the beach but the conclusion was that it is so subjective not worth to discuss.
Even if you want to approach this matter scientifically: just check the North Orbit recommendation chart.
Let's say is blows 18 knots with gusts to 22 knots, which is 80% of my kites days, you can can basically use every kite from 7 to 14 m2 following the chart. And the thing is it is actually also true and possible.
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Boston kiter
- Frequent Poster
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:29 am
- Kiting since: 2011
- Local Beach: Naaaaaahant
- Favorite Beaches: Chapin, Kalmus, Wing, Horseneck, Hardings, Hatch, Good Harbor.
- Style: freeride , boost, surf, foil
- Gear: Duotone 11 rebel sls, 9m Pivot sls 7m Pivot 9m UFO
Crazyfly Raptor pro, Slingshot Celero Cab secret agent/Lift 170 classic
- Brand Affiliation: None
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Postby Boston kiter » Sat Feb 04, 2023 1:44 pm
I agree with others, I feel like I choose the correct kite 90% of the time. I like to be at about 85% powererd on a strapless surfboar. and about 110% on a TT. On the foil I won't the smallest kite that will get my ass out of the water.
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galzohar
- Medium Poster
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2019 4:54 pm
- Kiting since: 2015
- Style: Old school and kiteloops
- Gear: Duotone Rebel 13m 2023
North Orbit 9m 2023
North Atmos Carbon 138x41
- Brand Affiliation: None
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Postby galzohar » Sun Feb 12, 2023 5:48 pm
For freestyle I had to pick the exact kite size, as the wind range for unhooking is very small: 15-18 knots 14m, 18-21 knots 10m, 21-24 knots 8m. Once too strong to unhook, went back to 10m for jumping and looping until 30 knots, then 8m for 30-40 knots (at these strong winds one should measure the gusts, not the average wind).
Now for old school I use my Rebel 13m until 22 knots, then above that I can loop my 9m Orbit, which works well until 35 knots and can survive with it until almost 40 (in storm conditions, can probably handle more/better in flat conditions), and days with more than 35 knots are so rare they might not justify keeping another kite, although I might consider it if I get a good deal.
Often I ride my 13m when people are on 9s and 10s, but I don't consider myself overpowered before 23+ knots. I can ride my 9m from 18 knots or so, but it's not fun and I prefer the 13m.
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universalflush
- Medium Poster
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:14 pm
- Kiting since: 2017
- Gear: North Orbit 7, 9, North Reach 12
- Brand Affiliation: None
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Been thanked:
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Postby universalflush » Sun Feb 12, 2023 6:14 pm
BE_Kiter wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:31 am
Aerodynamics is a strange thing. You mention
knotwindy wrote:And rarely did we see folks pick the best side kite for them and their ability & conditions.
In my opinion it is difficult to judge for other people.
I must admit we had also the same discussion years ago on the beach but the conclusion was that it is so subjective not worth to discuss.
Even if you want to approach this matter scientifically: just check the North Orbit recommendation chart.
Let's say is blows 18 knots with gusts to 22 knots, which is 80% of my kites days, you can can basically use every kite from 7 to 14 m2 following the chart. And the thing is it is actually also true and possible.
NKB_MY23_PDP_SIZE-CHART_ORBIT_3000X3800PX_1500x.jpg
My experience with Norths recommendations is that you have to add 5 knots to the low end to actually have an enjoyable experience with 80 KG and a twin tip. Nobody can ride with a 12m Orbit in 10 knots on a twin tip.
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knotwindy
- Very Frequent Poster
- Posts: 2385
- Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:49 am
- Local Beach: baja, gorge
- Style: erratic to none
- Gear: yes, I use gear
- Brand Affiliation: None
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Postby knotwindy » Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:37 pm
2 things
First, the folks on here on not necessarily representative of the average kiter
Second, we all think we are on the right size always but as an example
I was in a room with maybe 100 people & the speaker asked “how many of you think there are a lot a bad drivers on the roads these days?” and almost every hand went up. Then she asked “how many of you think you are a bad driver?” and no hands went up. So, where are all these bad drivers?
If I see someone slogging 80% of the time and not in the waves I can come to the conclusion safely that they could be having more fun. If I see someone bent at the waist and not able to hold an edge 60% of the time and getting drag onto the beach I can safely conclude they could be having more fun.
I was just curious if this happens other places also or just at the two places I ride the most. I suppose I could blame it on tourists who don’t know/understand the area and its patterns yet.
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