Upwind in 7mph?

jkjolsing · Post by **jkjolsing** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 2:44 pm

amazing account, and promising for MN riders in mid-summer

http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/about2650.html

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:48 pm

I will believe 7mph when I see it, but I am going with a Glide + 16TD for light air this summer. I'll be happy to go upwind in 9mph.

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:26 pm

I'd say it's possible. I can just about do it on a Flydoor with a 16 XB. Maybe I have to wait fot the gusts to 9-10 to get upwind. But I believe I can hold my ground at 7-8-9 mph.

The consensus is the the Switchblade has a better low end than the Xbow. I'd love to see what I can do on the SB.

On the bows it is a delicate balance of kite trim, board edge and angle to the wind. But when you get everything just right you can practically kite in no wind. The new boards (Flydoor, Door or Glide) with very little rocker and no concavity paired with a bow are the ticket for light wind.

I'm around 157 lbs.

Dave Z · Post by **Dave Z** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:35 pm

So..... what if you weigh 142 lbs (me). Would I even need a 16 bow kite for light wind or is it possible getting by on a 12M bow with 2 boards?

jkjolsing · Post by **jkjolsing** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:35 pm

That is very light wind, I agree. heck, I can barely get my 3.6 foil to fly in 7mph wind! I honestly don't know much about kiting, but from what I do know that kind of performance seems outstanding, even if it was a bit exaggerated!

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:37 pm

16m bow,spleene door and I can stay upwind in 10mph and I'm 220lbs.
I think it's a mix of the power and speed of a 16 m which gives the power of an 18m c without the air drag of the bigger C kite. But the real secret is the low rocker boards, they really open the door for light air riding.

SCOTT RIDOUT · Post by **SCOTT RIDOUT** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:55 pm

Last year at Malmo I had ridden my 20.5 Machine with my SX151 in 7mph winds, that combination rocks, well maybe not rocks but at least you can ride, good time to try new stuff without getting totally spanked on the water.

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 6:39 pm

Dave Z wrote:So..... what if you weigh 142 lbs (me). Would I even need a 16 bow kite for light wind or is it possible getting by on a 12M bow with 2 boards?

Some guys on KF are going with a 12 or 14 bow as their biggest kite, paired with a large board. I think you are going to have to work a smaller size a little more, where as, you can park a 16m once the board speed is up. I can't be sure but at 142lbs a 14 should get you down to 10mph. If you search some other forums you might find some good opinions.

Anyone looking for bow info might want to look at these forums also. There is good info on bows coming in from all over the world.

http://www.kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/index.php
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=1
http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/viewforum.php?f=1
http://web4.blueearth.net/learntokite/f ... 44dd6023d5
http://www.skypilotkiteboarding.com/forum/

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:01 pm

Dave, I think you are going to be fine with your 12m and 2 boards. Last weekend I went right from a Machine 17.5 to a TD 12 in light wind, and they pulled about the same. I will have the Glide soon, which you can try out if you want on the water. That or some other big board should do the trick for a guy your size.

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:54 pm

Sorry Dave... I didn't see that you said you already head a 12m. Mike is probably right. The 12m should do the job for you.