What is an ideal kite size for the light wind in Alameda?

[mf1tym]

I am wondering what is an ideal set up as a beginner to kite at Alameda.

I am 6 foot, 175lb.

I took my lessons last year and is looking to practice my waterstart, going both directions, and eventually going upwind in Alameda.

I noticed that wind at alameda ranges from 9mph to 15mph during the summer.

I am looking at the Ocean Rodeo Flite 14.5M (the board I have is a 138cm) Is this a good kite to be using in Alameda? (I do suspect that I will be training at Alameda for a few seasons before graduating to 3rd)

Thanks

[schwede]

Granted I haven't been to Alameda in a while but usually the season is over come August unless you have a big 17M kite with surfboard or foil board. As far as websites - Ikitesurf, NOAA, Windfinder, windalert.

[Aloha]

Foilandia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feeA-Dr0XGw[/video]

It starts getting really hard to ride there around now on traditional gear - but I would recommend for your size to begin by building out a kite kit with the standard 12m kite to start.

This is just speculation, but I don't think 14-15m will give you enough of a lightwind edge to make much an impact for attempting 8-12 mph riding, and you won't want the 14 at your size once the wind is up on a "rideable day"

[reyrivera]

Yup, you need to be a light wind specialist if Alameda is your only available launch. You almost need to be an advanced rider to go upwind in those conditions.

The guys that are able to ride there are rigged with 9/12 meter inflatable/foil kite and foil/race board.

Tough to ride on regular kite/twin tip combo.

You can probably make do with your 14.5 kite, but you will need a bigger board, maybe get a huge twin tip 150 cm and up, or learn to ride a surfboard. Whatever you do, don't drop your kite in the water, it will be a be a good self rescue exercise session though. Be prepared to walk the beach once you reach the post office.

I still ride Alameda on light wind days. As long as the lulls do not go below 10 mph, I will ride Alameda with a 12/15 meter kite and 6/10 feet foam surfboard combination.
I'm at 165 lbs and that is enough to keep me upwind, but a lot of work.

[Loscocco]

8 meter and a foilboard :)

[knyfe]

As the others try to say, think about the board first and then about the kite. If you are a beginner and have no ideas about other boards than a twin tip stay with a large twintip like a Door or a Glide or a Wing. If you want to go out in even lower wind and were a windsurfer before look for one of the cheap raceboards on craigslist. Dont think about a foil oard if you are a beginner.

Now after that think about the kite. My long experience is that larger than 16 doesnt help and only increases frustration about all different aspects, but not the fun factor. I still use a 8 year old kite for light winds as the others I tried didnt give me an additional good reason to switch. But as a beginner look for one of the newer light wind kites out there. The differences are marginal between them as there is no magic - except if you drive it to the limit like the Chrono or so.

G

Guys dont confuse him ...

[knyfe]

Oh i forgot to add that flying a kite in low wind has a lot to do with skill, you will be frustrated at the beginning until you know what to watch out for. G

[victor]

it's easier to swim with a smaller kite. swimming is what you'll be doing a lot of this time of year at alameda no matter what size you're on.

try a cloud from mauiboardriding.com. 12M might do. even if the wind drops to where you can't stay upwind the kite will still stay up in the air. the cloud easily sines very quickly so you can generate power to keep riding. they have larger sizes but it's a big investment for something you might not be using around the bay when you're more proficient.

i tried one last week in marginal wind. the wind started to die and guys on 12M conventional kites and directionals beat feet back to the beach. i was on my 140cm twintip and a 12M cloud and was able to ride with very little effort for another half hour as the wind continued to drop. when i got back to where i could touch bottom the wind couldn't have been more than 10 knots but the kite stayed where it was supposed to.

[sflinux]

I feel that your learning curve will be faster by skipping Alameda and going to 3rd. Forget the board until you are comfortable getting in and out of the water.
Always ask if your kite size is appropriate for you skill level and the current conditions.
Being a newbie, ask for additional help when launching (have a launcher for your kite, and another holding on to your harness).
Practice your bodydrag (upwind/downwind)
Practice relaunching the kite
Once in deep water with downwind room, practice moving the kite throughout the window.
Practice self rescue: winding up the lines, and using the kite to sail back to shore.
If you have access to open space, you can practice self landing and winding up the lines on land too.
Once you are competent in all of these skills, then introduce the board and work on your waterstart, which will come easier once your kite flying skills are proficient. Keep practicing with the trainer kite until you are flying it one handed and running out of tricks to do with it.
For kite size at 3rd, shoot for around 10M for your first kite at your weight.
Never go out farther than you can skim, I recommend a pfd, and a helmet.
just my two cents.

[cleepa]

Definitely agree on go to 3rd. Go to the upper launch - the wind is bad at the lower launch and needs some skill to handle it. Before you go to 3rd, make sure your kite control is reasonable. You don't want to find out that your kite control is not good enough while walking out of the launch through the rocks of the bay. Also, beware the wind shutting down on the inside. It's been doing that a lot this season. All that said, the wind there is a million times better than alameda and you will learn faster.