joandani wrote:Thnks joriws, really nice post and videos! I needed a post like you did it. It helped me.
I will specify more, my weigh is 62 Kg, my biggest kite is a torch 12m, and the thing why I need a Flysurfer Speed 3 15DLX (or 21, but i am thinking i will go for the 15, because of my small weigh) or the Spleene X19, is because I live in Castelldefels (Barcelona) and there are lots of days with a wind average of 10 knots. (8-12 knots).
So my doubt now is if i take a FS 15 DLX (with my Clash 136 (normal twintip, not race or monster doors) i will really have decent freestyle sessions with DLX in Castelldefels (sea, not lagoon)... with its wind range 8-12 knots... i wouldnt want to buy a 15 DLX and after say, shit, may be i could take the spleene x19 or the FS 21, because there is not so much difference of wind that i thougt with my 12 torch (which I actually need 13-15 knots to start with decent unhooked stuff)... i hope u will understand my doubt... for that reason I want to know if there is someone with similar weight who already has 15 DLX and told me, with which wind he start doing unhooked stuff.
But, without testing, I am actually thinking it will be good for my and this spot conditions the 15 DLX.
Thanks!!! More opinions?
PD: someone know where can i test a FS 15 in Catalonia?
You are so light, I almost weight double and my friends I talk&see kiting weight usually >80kg. And I was assuming you are the "average" 80kg person looking for something at that 8-12kn range which has kick for sure.
My thinking is that you do not gain that much extra with bigger sizes because of your weight. In Finland we have at least one 60kg Speed3 15DLX user and for him the 19m Speed3 was too large according his mention on local chat, went on the beach like "moon hopping" already at 10kn winds. So based on that statement by 60kg kiter I'd rule out most light wind kites, you just do not need that large kite like 16-21m foil & LEI. Speed3 19DLX static zenith pull could be 1/3 of your weight at 10 knots.
So 15DLX is the largest you should demo from this particular brand in my opinion. I now start thinking Speed3 12DLX for my recommendation for you to check
. For me 12DLX started working similar your Torch works for you at 12-13 knots but I weight 110kg. So you can imagine what kind of power it has when commanded and it would suit your requirement, but with 12 you could have doubts in light winds if 15 would be better. Currently my quiver is S3 15DLX + 10m as 15 being more optimal for my local conditions (wind, time available, fun factor) and 10 is for highish to nuking winds.
At local beaches I can jump nicely with S3 15DLX (4s hang time, I use helmet cam every session) when 10y experienced kite instructor (under 70kg) cuts the lawn with 12m Rebel 2013. Here is video of me chasecam with same kite instructor (he is trying some Best(?) kite at the video) and that is the jump I can do below 10kn winds with 15m S3 kite. His only comment was let's takes this again when there is more wind than 5m/s (10 knots what you are looking for). I hope you can see the video (privacy settings). As you can see from the bar & depower trim I use max 1/3 of my potential power to play with him and stay in camera position. But ice takes away some weight disadvantage I have. But this is why I think the kite has the power you want at 8-12kn.
https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?vi ... 5178898430
I'd say that X-19 could be even dangerous for your weight if any gust comes, you just cannot hold it down (again the depower limitations). I've seen lofts with X-19 with heavier riders than you are. But I've never seen lofts with Speed3. But if the wind is constant thermal wind X-19 is nice alternate kite at summer breeze with a sunshine.
Here is a pro rider (to me he is looking light weight which is the point) with professionally done video Speed3 19DLX showing that it is possible for a small guy to do freestyle with 19 (with almost all depower pulled in as a note by me):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj-wYPClUX0
So sorry I cannot tell that for certain you would not regret choosing (powerwise) 15m over 19m kite because I have no first hand experience for a rider of your weight with 15/19/21 Flysurfers. My thinking now is that 12 or 15 could be enough power for your requirement at Speed3 line. But optimum power is a personal preference of what do you like and expect. If you did not see power of X-19 as a problem then definitely 15 (compared to 12) as you would have more power at 8-12 knot range. But 12DLX is higher boosting kite of those two if you like boosting as well.
I quickly looked FS web page for dealers. Sorry, nobody "official" at Catalonia. Madrid, Mallorca and Leucate la Franqui at the other side of the border. Kitemallorca has some videos on youtube and they probably have the same wind conditions you experience? Perhaps you could ask there for more info or even visit for a demo (is it a boat trip for you?) or ask if they know anybody using S3 15 at Barcelona..
I guess there is no 14-15m Torch available for you to test if it suits your power requirements? If I was you I'd also look (short list) Ozone Edge 13/15 size if it suits your needs.