south florida kiting

[slingshotucf]

hi, i fly a 7 meter shadow with a jarvis. i want to get a fuel but i was wondering what would be used the most in south florida around the pompano/ft. lauderdale area. i know the summer times you need a really big kite but i was wondering what size for winter times. i've been told a 14, 12 and 10. but i use the 7 for the winds that i think the 14 would be used in. if anyone is from ft. lauderdale and knows what size people use the most down there would be highly appreciated. thanks-Nick

[RickI]

Hello Nick,

I live just up the road from that area. How much do you weigh and what sort of riding do you like to do?

I am starting to notice a trend towards smaller boards with the riders doing downwinders. I have noticed this both in Florida and in North Carolina. In marginal winds staying upwind on some of these smaller boards, for guys that weigh a bit more particularly, isn't very practical. In stronger winds, no problem, if they feel like staying upwind.

Rick Iossi

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: RickI on 2002-09-12 20:30 ]</font>

[slingshotucf]

i weigh about 160 and use a jarvis. i'm sort of new to the sport and can't go up wind all the time but i think that 4 line might make it easier to do that. i'm going to keep the 2 line foil for the lighter winds and earth boarding. i just want to make sure that what ever sixe fuel i get that i'll be avle to use it most of the winter.

[RickI]

I would think that you would use a two or more ideally a three kite quiver in our winter months. If you went for two kites only, I would estimate that you would want something around 10 and 15 m with a third kite at around 8 m (flat area). Slingshot model numbers express flat area which helps.

It would seem that going with the Fuel 10 and 12 or 14 should work for the 15 to 20 to odd 20 to 25 mph days we have in winter. I would keep asking this question of other riders around your weight for open ocean conditions with a Jarvis sized board before making your selection. Deciding between the 12 and 14 could take a bit more asking around at this point.

Rick Iossi

[Toby]

IMO the 10 and 14 combi is good. The 12 is too close to the 14 and the 10.
But the gap from 10 to 14 is not too big.

[slingshotucf]

thanks for the advice, i'll keep asking around down south b4 i make the decesion to buy another kite.