Kite sizes for the Coast

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Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by yojimbo » Thu Apr 18, 2013 10:10 pm

I have been flying a 9 and 7m 90% of the time on the coast. I have a 12m, but that hasn't seen the light of day in over a year.

I'm thinking of swapping the 12m for a 5m for the 34mph+ days, but I like the idea of only having 2 kites.

Anyone getting away with just having a 9 and 6m kites and having that covering all your needs on the coast, or do you find 3 kites in the 10-5 meter range necessary?

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Aloha
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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by Aloha » Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:04 am

If 3 Kites: 6 8 10
If 2 Kites: 7 10

Boards: Surf-shape Free Race, Alaia, 6'0 Stick
Last edited by Aloha on Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:39 am, edited 2 times in total.

More Waves Please
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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by More Waves Please » Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:19 am

I went all last season with only a 6 & 9. I had intended to get a 12 at the beginning of the season, but never got around to it. I don't think I missed a whole lot of sessions.

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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by zgur » Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:59 am

It depends on how often you want to kite... There are very high quality low wind sessions.... I find that my big board and 10.5 is big enough.

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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by NCKite_Ryder » Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:05 am

Rocked my 12m at OB last Wednesday night... been a long time since I had that pig in the surf. IT's not a good kite for surf sessions at all (its an RPM). If I were buying new kites for the surf I would also get the 6/8/10 possibly a 6/9/11 or "10.5". Some of the new kites are super powerful compared to the older stuff. I fell like every year the kites size down. My buddy calls his 10.5 Obsession a pig, which is odd cause my 10m RPM is magical in the right conditions. I've considered picking up a surf dedicated kite like a 9M Rally or 8M Religion. I need a 12M for the bay though. There are a few local places that I need a big kite to get my session on. Twintips in the bay and surfboards in the surf...
6,8,10,12 RPM's
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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by Sonny » Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:56 am

I know some kiters try to save money by having 1 kite or 2 kite quiver but I don't think it's worth it, especially if you kite bay, Sherman, and the coast. I always find it funny that people risk getting fired and divorced for kiting and they try to save thousand dollar. Worst yet, they don't have fun because they are not riding the right size kite or sit on the beach because they don't have the right size. :-)
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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by yojimbo » Fri Apr 19, 2013 11:17 am

Thanks for all the input. Leaning towards 9,7 and 5m. Thinking of selling my 12.

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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by wjb » Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:03 pm

6,8,11 here. It is hard to make a 2 kite quiver work well. If your 9 with a skimboard will get you out in as light a wind as you care to go I say 5,7,9 will work. Small kites rule :supz:
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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by WindMuch » Fri Apr 19, 2013 6:35 pm

I've really found having the right size kite makes my session more fun, particularly in the surf. If you're overpowered and/or you have the kite too depowered, the kite doesn't turn quickly and you end up missing and/or flailing on the wave instead of carving and having fun.

6, 8, 10, 14 Rallys. Skip the 12. The 14 is an optional "session saver"; you'll use the 6 on the coast more than you think - at least I have over the past couple of springs. The 2013 10m Rally has a good bit more grunt than the older Rallys, so it handles lighter conditions better than previous years.

That's my 2 cents...

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Re: Kite sizes for the Coast

Post by sloughslut » Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:01 am

If your chubby like me, you need a 12m. My mama said chubby people cant smile, but i can, see ::)
Riding used and closeout kites and boards from e-bay,craigslist,ikitesurf, and local surf shops.Now riding home made foils

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