Flight Time wrote:I find the sweet spot on my kite to be the point where I start talking to myself. What the hell am I doing? Do I really want to blow up my 12 right now? It's blowing 25, do I have a death wish? I get a little sweaty in the palms as I self launch with the depower slammed at the limit of it's throw.
Nicely said FT. That's about the same for me ... kite seems more fun when lit, but then there's some fear involved on launch/landing. And then when lit out there, also that feeling of "this is super fun, but if it increases 5kts more, I'm screwed". Overpowered conditions for me lead to "survival kiting", which I don't find much fun...exciting yes, but not really what I'd call "fun". So, in choosing the right kite, the question for me is optimal/safe for launch/land but maybe a little underpowered, or lit and super fun but maybe having some worries.
For this relative newbie, first year kiter, I have ridden my 12m 90% of sessions, and the sweet spot is 18-20kts ... enough juice to easily ride toeside, do carving turns, fun transitions, big enough jumps ... and yet no nagging worries about being overpowered. Just fun play time.
And for my first good session on my new 6m .... consistent 30kts was super fun. A gusty/holey 25-35kts....not so much!