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Hey guys, new kiter here. Took my first lesson and I have been dreaming and thinking about kiting 24/7.

Now it is time to buy my first pieces of gear. I have found this package that includes 2007 Slingshot Turbo 2 11m and the LF Proof 151 Board and its very very affordable.

Has anyone used these? Is it good for progressing for beginners? Any other thoughts on this kite and board?

Little background on my local conditions. On average its around 12-15 knots on a good day, lesser than that on bad days.

Thanks in advance guys.

What do you weigh? And what are the local conditions (surf, chop, flat)? The 11m sounds a little small even with a 151 board. You may need to 14m or even the 17m depending on your weight.

Thanks for the reply Bite,

I weigh around 175-180. Surf is choppy.

So you think 11m is too small to start with? I am thinking of this as my middle range kite for my quiver. I hear the board is good for light wind?
Smaller Kite and Bigger board = Good right? Correct me please if I am mistaken.

Thanks again!

I tried a 14 TD2 a few weeks ago and for me an intermediate sailor (4 years kiting) I really hated the kite as it was so slow to turn and felt like a brick in the air.
The kite I tried was a fellow kiter's and he has had loads of problems with the bridle tangling when crashing the kite and being unable to relaunch!...he was even rescued by a life boat a few weeks ago! due to this.

There are better kites out there!
Si.

If you're just starting out a slow kite might not be a bad thing. Easier to control and less likely to punish you.

If you end up getting a TD2 I'd recommend the 14m. Those kites have so much depower you are not going to be overpowered in those conditions and you'll have plenty of power to get you up and riding.

Thanks for the help.

Might be off-topic, but I am also looking into the Cabrinha Switchblade 2 and The Omega HD 12m. Are those better than the Slingshot Turbo 2?

si-fly2 wrote:I tried a 14 TD2 a few weeks ago and for me an intermediate sailor (4 years kiting) I really hated the kite as it was so slow to turn and felt like a brick in the air.
The kite I tried was a fellow kiter's and he has had loads of problems with the bridle tangling when crashing the kite and being unable to relaunch!...he was even rescued by a life boat a few weeks ago! due to this.

There are better kites out there!
Si.

Dude he must be doing something wrong as these kites are so stable it is hard to get them into the water

You say you're looking for your middle range kite, though with this kite I think you'll only need two. For your weight I'd go 14/9m or 11/7m if you aren't that interested in sub 14mph days. The 14m is a powerful kite. It has been the lightwind kite of the season for us around here. There has not been a kite of any size able to out perform it in light winds. I have 20lbs on you and I will go down to my 9m when the winds reach 22-25mph. I also like to ride pretty powered up.

I typically like to be a tad bit underpowered in the waves/swell so you may want to take that into consideration. An 11/7m quiver will be a joy for someone like you in 14+ mph of wind.

I have been teaching and riding the T2s all summer. They are great kites. They have been great for students and great for us experienced riders. They boost amazingly well, turn very fast, and are very user friendly. Day in and day out in nearly 100 lessons, we've only run into two inversions and they involved riders putting the kite down and riding right toward them. Any kite will roll in those conditions.

I've heard the LF 151 is pretty stiff and doesn't go upwind really well. I'm getting this second hand so don't trust it. Hopefully someone with experience with it will chime in.

You're gonna love the T2

Thanks for your opinions guys.

I think I am going with the T2.

So the 11m wont be too underpowered in 12-14 winds?

Hope to meet you guys in my future kite travels.

i havent been on a T2

but i would say go with the 14 9 combo

ur not going to be good enough on waves to ride them yet and you will appreciate the power to pull you over them.

14mph is barely anything

if it was knots might be a bit of a diff story

you live in a light wind spot get a 14 or get the 11/7 and get a lightwind board