tkaraszewski wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2019 5:34 pm
The most appealing options here so far are the small Cloud and the small Breeze. I can probably borrow a 2.8 Cloud to try out, a few of the guys here fly them. I'm not opposed to a small foil kite, but having a kite that's nothing like the kites I usually fly that I only use when it's super windy isn't that appealing.
I could, of course, jump on a surfboard, but I'd rather go foiling if I can get the right kite for it. Especially with the sort of flattish swell we get here that isn't all that exciting on a surfboard, compared to big, steep ocean waves.
Exactly my thoughts too.
Mixing kites in the small sizes, I wouldnt do - either foil kites all the way, or in the big ones, and LEI in the small ones.
I have it quite opposite regarding line lengths, in the small ones I prefer longer lines more than in the bigger sizes actually, well at least "normal" lines and not short ones.
It sort of smoothen out the on/off twitchy feel most or all really small kites got.
And extends the windrange hugely, so for riding waves you can use an even smaller kite, and dont get overpowered as you would otherwise, which is a PITA in waves and wind.
Of course, if you DONT have a sufficiently small kite, you might be able to ride your smallest in higher winds by using shorter lines, but that does not mean it is the best solution.
Personal preferences, I know, short or longer lines
A shorter bar, not for me, as I see no problems using a normal bar with the smallest kites.
Regarding wind direction slowboat:
Sideshore is what we love from surfboards.
And a few years ago when trying to foil in waves, I kindof tried to emulate surfing at first.
But found out, that it did not make much sense (to me at least, I know I am "odd" maybe) to try to emulate and ride DTL.
When wind is cross onshore, even onshore, you sort of got more room between waves, and you can ride upwind over the waves to windward, or carve all the way around to leeward and carve back on the steep wave.
The chop that the wind direction might produce, is of no issue at all, when on a foil - that is the whole idea of a foil right?
Sorry I can not explain exactly, nor be more specific, but for me it sort of gives more options and fun to play around in waves, when more onshore than sideshore, just opposite to waveboards.
Besides the waves are a lot bigger here where I live, and the wind is cleaner, and if something happens you will drift ashore safely.
The angles you can ride and play with are better if cross onshore instead of sideshore in my experience, because foiling is very different and we have a lot more range of angles we can "use" up or downwind, awesome and very different.
Even when dead onshore you can have fun carving on your foil in waves, which is impossible with a surfboard.
It might just be me, I know, so sorry if noone else got it this way....
Peter