Hello All

I was out the other day on my 2012 9 metre Starkites Taina and my mate was on his 2011 12 metre Cabrhina Switchblade.

We are both at around about the same level, if he is not a little better than me. We also weight about the same.

What I did notice was that I was able to stay upwind and boost just as high as he was on a kite that's 3 metres larger.

Oh I forgot to mention we were both on similar size twin tips.

So my question is have I been using too large a kite all this time? As normally I would have been out on a 12 as well.

The wind was about 17 to 23 knots, but it was wind with a pretty fast tide which must have taken a bit of power out of the kites.

I much prefer the speed of a smaller kite espcially now I'm getting into more tricks using kiteloops.

Regards

Paul

Different kites have different power and range. The trimming of the lines also affect the power. Most beginners once started going will tend to want bigger kites, most will ride smaller when more experience, especially for surf. If you can ride comfortably with smaller kites, it is very rewarding.

If all you're doing is riding back and forth, or surfing waves on a surfboard, then yes a 9m would be fine in 17-23 knots. If you want to be powered an 11 or 12m would be a lot better. If it was closer to 23 knots though a 9m would be better depending on your weight (I'd be on the verge of being lofted in 23 knots on the beach with a 12).

i think it depends on the kite, but with 23knots in most 12 your in the upper limit.
i feel very uncomfortable in 23 knots with my 12 evo

Exactly - short and precise answer

Different kites has very different power, yes.

And good words: "If you can ride comfortably with smaller kites, it is very rewarding"

This goes, as you write, for both surf but also freestyle - beginners ride too big kites to compensate for the lack of skill (naturally, nothing wrong with that).

But experienced riders use smaller kites, and jump just as high but with way better "agility" and moves because of the correct kitesize

Weight and windstrength balance can not be compared (measured) really, so will not comment on that one.

Paul - you might just have gotten better now, and found out you dont need the 12 anymore in given conditions, like you used to

So take the 9, and use the 12 for lighter wind.

Peter

Thanks Chaps

Nice to know that it looks like I'm improving

Will try and fly my 9 more regularly as my quiver is only the 9 and 12

I prefer to be at the upper end of the wind range of my kites. I get bigger boosts, longer hang time and softer landings. I ride a 10m kite and my winds are usually 20-25kts. I can ride my 7m kite in this wind range too, but I don't enjoy it at all!

I could also add that riding a larger kite in stronger winds lends itself to a different style of riding and isn't only done by beginners. (airstyle)Ie. with a larger kite you can have more hang time, more rotations or longer drawn out rotations and tricks and yes.. Softer landings. I do like this style and fly this way often but my boosts are always higher and more fun with smaller kites.
A couple weeks ago I went out on a 12 rebel in about 28-30 knots riding along side my friend on a 6m rebel and he has at least 30-40 pounds on me. Super powered 20 and 30 foot jumps were easy and lots of time to add style moves. I lasted about 45 minutes before my legs wanted a rest from all the edging. Took the 9m out the rest of the day and had way more fun though.

Airstyle is not a style, old school is a style. Airstyle is a fabrication of Toby to pimp his video. Don't be fooled.

20 knots is the magic wind speed. you can ride just about every kite in that amount of wind. just a matter of preference as to what size kite you prefer to be on.