Introduction and gear questions

[gmiller88]

Hey all,

Wanted to make an account and introduce myself. I'm moving to Berkeley for business school in August and CANNOT wait to come live and play in what sounds like one of the most kite-friendly metropolises in the world! I'll certainly be grateful to take a break from the rough weather here and driving 2+ hours to chase the wind out on Cape Cod just to get skunked and drive home...

I'm a 160# beginner rider who's taken lessons, been out ~10 times, riding upwind fairly consistently, and starting to get some slide transitions under my belt. My 10m Best TS has been getting lonely in my 1-kite quiver and it's time to expand. What do you guys recommend for kite sizes? Based on conditions in Boston I was thinking of getting a 12m as my next kite and working on my skills and then moving down to an 8m or a 7m once I feel confident I can handle some stronger wind. Is that a good size range for kiting in the bay?

As I'm looking at different kite options, do each of the brands have different reputations? I know that a lot of kite choice comes down to personal preference depending on how the flying style matches what the rider's looking for, but anything like "Don't ever get a Switch" or "Naish kites wear out faster," if true for different brands, would be really helpful! Any tips on buying used gear in the bay area would also be awesome.

Looking forward to meeting you all in person :)

Thanks,
Gregg

[Red_Element_Andy]

Welcome to the Bay and Haas! Just finishing my MBA and am moving back to SF, looking forward to be back on the water on a weekly basis.

Quiver:
*The most common SF quiver for your weight is 7 - 9 - 12. Given your experience level, you are probably not yet ready for heavy 7m/8m conditions at Sherman/Crissy/Waddell.
*You will get a lot of use out of a 12m at Alameda and Toll Plaza, as well as light-wind days at Sherman, Race-Track, and 3rd Street.

Brands:
*Models within a brand are more important than the brand itself (e.g. Cabrinha Switchblade is more beginner friendly than their Chaos).
*Premium-price kites are generally higher quality (greater strength-to-weight) with flashier graphics and marketing (Cabrinha, North, etc) - but have similar less expensive competitors (Switch, Blade, Ozone, etc).
*Most features have converged over the years (single line flagging, single point of inflation, push-away release, etc).
*Lots of dealers / reps / and schools where you can demo new gear - almost any moderate handling bow kite will do.

[ozreiuosn]

REA is on point,

I'd just add that if you plan on spending a lot of time at Alameda I'd suggest getting a light wind kite like 14m+

[jjm]

I think location and style/how powered you want to ride are going to influence your next kite.

If you haven't already done so you should research the local east bay / greater bay area spots and figure out where you'll be riding the most based on your preferences and schedule (traffic sucks).

Maybe it's too early to know but what style of riding are you most interested in or see yourself progressing towards?

If you're the cautious type and don't like tighter technical launches maybe you'd be focusing on Alameda or Toll Plaza and might want to size up. Or if you like riding a bit overpowered or want to start riding with boots or something you'd probably want to size up.

For what it's worth I don't ride in the east bay very much and prefer to fly the smallest kite I can get away with so I might be a little biased. If you eventually want to ride on the coast or are into cruising around you might want to consider getting a surfboard to open up your low-end and get a smaller kite to get more top-end.

[WindMuch]

I live in the East Bay but don't kite locally very often. I think you're on the right track in looking at a 12m or 13m as your next kite size, coming from a 10m.

My quiver is 6, 8, 10, but as I said, I rarely kite in the bay, opting instead for Sherman Island and mostly the coast (where you'll definitely want a smaller kite than a 10m).

Welcome aboard!

Kirk out

[gmiller88]

Thanks for all the tips!

[le noun]

I think everything has been said above.
At 160lbs though I wouldn't get something bigger than 13.
And then grab an 8m later. 8/10/13.
Eventually get a surfboard for Alameda (13m + surfboard + 160lbs = you should be able to go out in pretty light wind).

If you are happy with your kite/brand you should stick with it until you're good enough to come to demos organized during the season by all the schools and shops around the bay area and then try stuff. (Pismo for example is a fantastic opportunity to see and try almost every kites on the market in 1 location, when it's windy... ).
The good thing about sticking with the same kite in different sizes is that you can keep using the same bar and the kite will react the same, just slower if bigger or faster if smaller.

You can also keep an eye out around the end of the season, guys like me who are fanatics of a brand will be selling their whole quiver at a usually pretty awesome price in order to get the next year's latest and greatest.

Welcome to the bay!