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First Kite

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prc992
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Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:06 am
Kiting since: 2020
Local Beach: Barra da Tijuca - (RJ - Brazil)
Favorite Beaches: Cumbuco, Titanzinho (CE - Brazil)
Style: Freeride
Gear: Harness - North Airstyler
Board - Cabrinha 2014 Spectrum
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First Kite

Postby prc992 » Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:24 pm

Hi guys,

I'm new to the sport and still taking lessons, but I'm already trying to get my own equipment. I would like to have your opinions about buying my first Kite. I have bought a used Cabrinha Spectrum 2014 148 and a new North Airstyler Harness. I weigh 220 lb and I plan to have the kite to freeride in Cumbuco, CE - Brazil. I have been looking for some used kites. I was thinking about some options :

1) Core GTS4 12m 2017
2) Core 13.5 XR 2016
3) RPM 2013 14m
4) North Rebel 2016 12m

What can you say to me about those options?
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Jamesconn300 (Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:31 am)
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Havre
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Favorite Beaches: Jericoacoara (area) & Cabarete
Gear: Ozone Edge v11 13m, Ozone Edge v11 9m, Ozone Zephyr 17m, Ozone Enduro v1 12m, Ozone Enduro v1 9m, HQ Topaz 7m, Shinn Ronson Player, Mystic Majestic X Harness, Mystic Stealth Bar
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Re: First Kite

Postby Havre » Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:02 pm

I'm 220lbs myself. Only been to Cumbuco once, but wish I had a bigger kite than 12m - even if a Rebel got more low end than my Enduro.

Depends a bit on your personality. The Rebel can be quite wild. Not the kite I would have bought as my first kite - remember how I would pull the bar at the wrong time etc. Do that with a Rebel and you will be flying all over the place. If that doesn't bother you the Rebel is an excellent kite (even if I don't know the 2016). And no modern kite is so difficult to ride that you can't learn on it - or at least to my knowledge.

If I had to choose one of those for Cumbuco I would have gone for the XR. Never tried it myself, but it is supposed to be a bit less brutal than the Rebel- while at the same time be suitable for us heavy riders (5 struts helps - which the Rebel also got). I also think 13.5m would fit Cumbuco well - even if others, like Toby, can comment more on that. My one trip there is hardly enough to say how the wind usually is - but I was never overpowered on my 12m.
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prc992 (Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:43 pm)
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danlar
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Posts: 93
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Kiting since: 2017
Weight: 62kg
Local Beach: Santa Marianita, Ecuador
Favorite Beaches: I have kited at: Peru (Paracas, Mancora), Bresil (Cumbuco), Dominican Republic (Cabarete, Las Terrenas), Grenadines (Union Island), USA (Hatteras, Tarpon Springs), Bahamas (Exuma), Greece (Paros, Lefkada),Turks & Caicos (Long Bay)
Style: freerider, freestyle
Gear: Evo SLS 8m 2022, Rebel 9m 2020, Dice SLS 11m 2022, Neo SLS 12m 2022, Juice 15m 2020, Shinn Bronq Luigi 135/41, Jaime SLS 142/43, Cabrinha surfboard Secret Weapon
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Re: First Kite

Postby danlar » Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:21 pm

I went to Cumbuco couple years ago as a beginner. If you stay at Windtown Beach Hotel, which is very nice, they have brand new (was then 😂) kite from Duotone you can rent. I went there in june and I was riding a 11m every day, I am 140lb.
Last edited by danlar on Sun Oct 18, 2020 11:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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prc992 (Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:43 pm)
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grigorib
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Local Beach: OBX; Clinton Lake, IL; Lake Michigan; Hood River; La Ventana; Ocean Park, PR; SPI; Tawas, MI
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For sale: Slingshot Turbine 9/13m, 20” Guardian bar, 1700 sq.cm wing/fuselage/stabilizer fitting Moses mast
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Re: First Kite

Postby grigorib » Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:26 pm

Core XR is a best choice of those. Other three kites are targeted for more advanced riders, while I’d say even more advanced riders can have more fun on the XR

Consider Cabrinha Switchblade, Naish Pivot and Slingshot Rally in 14m size too.
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prc992 (Sun Oct 18, 2020 9:43 pm)
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McLovin
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Weight: 124 kg
Local Beach: The Columbia River Gorge
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Style: TT - Newbie Foiler
Gear: Armstrong FOIL - SS Dwarfcraft - North Code Zero 7,8 - CORE Section 4,5 XR 7,9 Ocean Rodeo RISE (A) 9/10/11 Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5(A), CARVE Imperator 151cm TT and Crazy Fly Raptor 140cm Neon TT - Ocean Rodeo Ignites Drysuit - Mystic Majestic 5/4 4/3 other stuff...
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Re: First Kite

Postby McLovin » Mon Oct 19, 2020 7:16 am

Hey PRC992,

Welcome! So stoked for you getting started is a great time in your kite career - being committed and wanting to get your own gear is a fantastic sign - you will get there soon.

I will try to answer your question with some broad tips from my own progression as a semi-new (about 3 years kiting - after 20 years wind surfing) bigger rider at 275 lbs.

TIME ON THE WATER / TIME UNDER A KITE should be priority #1 you will have many kites and bars and boards and other gear and you will find what you like over time, in the beginning just try to stick with the newest gear that you can get for a reasonable price and shoot for maybe 2 kites to start - but you will find 3 or more eventually. Go for a BIG and medium kite based on your weight and local spot but not too big - maybe a 11 and 14 + or - a size but probably like a 3 meter gap between them. Definitely get a comfortable and solid harness and don't forget your board. There are too many options to mention so I'll just share what worked for me - you can take what you like from it...

I originally started on new 3 strut kites from a major brand but quickly ditched them for a couple then later a few older North REBELS. The Rebel is a 5 strut and the older ones are also 5 line which makes them super stable and very "grunty" aka powerful to get you moving. I credit this kite with getting me riding and I still use them today for more exciting stuff. I had and suggest a bigger board to start which can later be your light wind board - mine was a Crazy Fly All-Around (perfect to learn on and cheap) - now I'm on a Crazy Fly Raptor even more awesome but get that later. You will want a bar and lines that go with whatever kite you choose but keep it simple and just get a simple set up and learn everything about it and take it apart so you have all the settings dialed and safety burned into your brain.

The kites you listed are all good - here's my unsolicited parting wisdom:

[*]BUY THE NEWEST GEAR YOU CAN GET AT A REASONABLE PRICE

[*]GET A COUPLE KITES / BAR FROM THE SAME BRAND TO START

[*]MAKE SURE YOU KNOW 100% THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF GEAR AND SELF RESCUE

[*]SPEND AS MUCH TIME KITING AS YOU CAN - THIS IS AN EASY ONE!

[*]DON'T LISTEN TO THE SKINNY PEOPLE - IT'S NOT THE SAME SPORT FOR THEM

[*]DON'T BUY WEIRD SH*T - NO STRUTLESS KITES, BATWINGS, FOIL KITES (LATER)[/i]

After you get more time and experience, you WILL upgrade to newer better gear - make sure you DEMO gear before spending BIG - and BUY want you like... I have had a great experience on my REBELS so don't be afraid to follow my lead, you would be psyched to get CORE kites too - they are really good but harder to find deals on typically. Slingshot kites are amazing - try the Rally GT - or fill in the blank as most brands have a kite that would make you smile ear to ear - Ozone, Ocean Rodeo, F1, North, Duotone, Reedin, Eleveight, etc. etc.

It's less about which brand as much as getting good gear you are in tune with and learning to make music with it to share your song...

GOOD WINDS!!! Stoke Level 9000

Mc

:dance:
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prc992 (Mon Oct 19, 2020 11:09 am)
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Jamesconn300
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Re: First Kite

Postby Jamesconn300 » Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:37 am

prc992 wrote:
Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:24 pm
Hi guys,

I'm new to the sport and still taking lessons, but I'm already trying to get my own equipment. I would like to have your opinions about buying my first Kite. I have bought a used Cabrinha Spectrum 2014 148 and a new North Airstyler Harness. I weigh 220 lb and I plan to have the kite to freeride in Cumbuco, CE - Brazil. I have been looking for some used kites. I was thinking about some options :

1) Core GTS4 12m 2017
2) Core 13.5 XR 2016
3) RPM 2013 14m
4) North Rebel 2016 12m

What can you say to me about those options?
If you are 220 pounds you will need more than 24 knots to enjoy a 12m. Any less wind will be a struggle. I suggest getting a massive 17m kite, just so you are able to kite when wind is 15-22.

Find used 17m - 14m/13.5 - 10m. Find a used twintip that is atleast 144 cm long. you need 3 kites and 1 board to start. you could just go with the 14m and 10m but you won't be having fun until 25 knots. that means you'll miss many days where you could be kiting on the 17m. I dont think 12m is a good size for you.
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prc992 (Wed Oct 21, 2020 11:03 am)
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Kristan
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Re: First Kite

Postby Kristan » Wed Oct 21, 2020 12:56 pm

Jamesconn300 wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:37 am

If you are 220 pounds you will need more than 24 knots to enjoy a 12m. Any less wind will be a struggle. I suggest getting a massive 17m kite, just so you are able to kite when wind is 15-22.
McLovin wrote: [*]DON'T LISTEN TO THE SKINNY PEOPLE - IT'S NOT THE SAME SPORT FOR THEM
14m kite is enough to go for 220lbs dude starting from 14 knots with 140cm TT board. I'm that dude. 17m kite is overkill and deffo not for 15-22 knots of wind.
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prc992 (Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:36 pm)
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Blackened
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Re: First Kite

Postby Blackened » Wed Oct 21, 2020 7:38 pm

Jamesconn300 wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:37 am
prc992 wrote:
Sun Oct 18, 2020 6:24 pm
Hi guys,

I'm new to the sport and still taking lessons, but I'm already trying to get my own equipment. I would like to have your opinions about buying my first Kite. I have bought a used Cabrinha Spectrum 2014 148 and a new North Airstyler Harness. I weigh 220 lb and I plan to have the kite to freeride in Cumbuco, CE - Brazil. I have been looking for some used kites. I was thinking about some options :

1) Core GTS4 12m 2017
2) Core 13.5 XR 2016
3) RPM 2013 14m
4) North Rebel 2016 12m

What can you say to me about those options?
If you are 220 pounds you will need more than 24 knots to enjoy a 12m. Any less wind will be a struggle. I suggest getting a massive 17m kite, just so you are able to kite when wind is 15-22.

Find used 17m - 14m/13.5 - 10m. Find a used twintip that is atleast 144 cm long. you need 3 kites and 1 board to start. you could just go with the 14m and 10m but you won't be having fun until 25 knots. that means you'll miss many days where you could be kiting on the 17m. I dont think 12m is a good size for you.
Yeah, nah. Especially for a beginner.

prc992, go with the XR. With the spectrum being a flat freeride board and the XR being grunty, you should be fine from 14kn to learn. It'll probably start getting sketchy for you after 20kn. Fly the kite more forward in the window and edge harder :).
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prc992 (Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:35 pm)
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Havre
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Gear: Ozone Edge v11 13m, Ozone Edge v11 9m, Ozone Zephyr 17m, Ozone Enduro v1 12m, Ozone Enduro v1 9m, HQ Topaz 7m, Shinn Ronson Player, Mystic Majestic X Harness, Mystic Stealth Bar
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Re: First Kite

Postby Havre » Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:59 pm

I can't agree with not having fun on a 12m in 23 knots. But in Cumbuco it seems like you got 16-17-18 knots quite a lot and then 13.5m makes a lot more sense.
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prc992 (Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:35 pm)
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Jamesconn300
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Re: First Kite

Postby Jamesconn300 » Thu Oct 22, 2020 4:02 am

Kristan wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 12:56 pm
Jamesconn300 wrote:
Wed Oct 21, 2020 10:37 am

If you are 220 pounds you will need more than 24 knots to enjoy a 12m. Any less wind will be a struggle. I suggest getting a massive 17m kite, just so you are able to kite when wind is 15-22.
McLovin wrote: [*]DON'T LISTEN TO THE SKINNY PEOPLE - IT'S NOT THE SAME SPORT FOR THEM
14m kite is enough to go for 220lbs dude starting from 14 knots with 140cm TT board. I'm that dude. 17m kite is overkill and deffo not for 15-22 knots of wind.
Im 160 pounds soaking wet. And i use / 15m 12-17kt / 13.5m 17-25kt / 12m 25kt / 9m 26+ I also have smaller kites for big wind. I personally would rather be powered than struggling to stay upwind. I Have a 250-pound grandfather friend with the 17m Cabrina Apollo. He can use that while I use my 12m. I rarely use the 12m anyway, 13.5 is such a better size...
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