BayAreaKiteboarding.com

So the last two times I've been at Sherman, I've seen a good portion of the others out there riding kites 2m-3m larger than mine. The people flying larger kites appear to weigh 30-50lbs less than I do. I've been perfectly powered with plenty of power to boost and I'm 225lbs.
Maybe they were all beginners who needed a larger power margin.

Is there an unsafe trend toward riding larger kites than needed?
Did I not get the memo? I hope I don't get an annoying visit from Bill Lumbergh.

Maybe I shouldn't care. Oh well. At least its windy and I'm still above ground.

There are a few guys that just like riding big kites.....and they can handle them fine. Still a good idea to quiz folks before launching them to make sure they know what they're doing, especially on those southey days that have a lot of veer and shift in 'em.

Is 2-3m that big of a difference at 10-12m? I was on a 10m on Sunday and some were on 7's. I was never worried. To me the question is, do I want to be working in the lulls or in the gusts? I'd rather work in the gusts - lean back on the bridle lines and dig in, like driving an Int'l 14 at Crissy. As long as you are comfortable getting in and out of the water. I assume Bill is the 17m guy. He weighs at least half as much as me and seems pretty comfortable. Wouldnt go larger on a north wind in the winter though...a bit too lifty then.

I have a 2 kite quiver 12-7 (my 8 and 10 have exploded beyond repair, looking for team sponsorship) i rode the 12 sun morn, it was a little hot but not overpowered but i could have rode my 8 easily.

I have 2 nine meter kites (different styles/brands) that are vastly different in their pull factor. I think of one as an 8 the other 10. Gust factor is often what makes me choose between one or the other.

Besides the ignorance factor, is it more macho to go out overpowered or underpowered?

I flew my 7 and my 10 Sunday at 190lbs and both were fun. I had my 7 out twice last year. This year, first day back at SI and on a 7. I hope there are more days ahead this season like yesterday.

this is an interesting topic
i looked at the forecast on sunday morning and thought about heading to sherman
looked around for a bit on info on getting a boat ride upwind to cruise downwind, read a couple horror stories and shined it
im very much a beginner
and would like to hear your opinions on beginner kite size
i was under the impression that as a beginner i should be on a kite a size or two bigger than everyone else to help out a bit
i got feedback from the crew up at waddell that i should be on a smaller kite than everyone else
seems a little counterintuitive

Sherman and Wadell is like comparing dogs and cats.
Riding Wadell on surfboards, people typically ride smaller kites, you dont want to be overpowered there. When asking for help, consider your weight class vs other people. Whenever I ride with my 200 lb buddy, if he rigs a 12, I'm rigging a 9 (I'm 170 lbs).

tommy wrote:this is an interesting topic
i looked at the forecast on sunday morning and thought about heading to sherman
looked around for a bit on info on getting a boat ride upwind to cruise downwind, read a couple horror stories and shined it
im very much a beginner
and would like to hear your opinions on beginner kite size
i was under the impression that as a beginner i should be on a kite a size or two bigger than everyone else to help out a bit
i got feedback from the crew up at waddell that i should be on a smaller kite than everyone else
seems a little counterintuitive

reyrivera wrote: Riding Wadell on surfboards, people typically ride smaller kites, you dont want to be overpowered there.

why not?
if i'm body dragging or riding a twin tip?

tommy wrote:

reyrivera wrote: Riding Wadell on surfboards, people typically ride smaller kites, you dont want to be overpowered there.

why not?
if i'm body dragging or riding a twin tip?

Waddell is interesting. I have only been once as a kiter and loved it but many times a few decades ago as a windsurfer. First things first, it is a lot easier as a kiter (because the gear is more conducive to getting through the break) and you can "surf" it more, thus I found it more enjoyable. The reason you dont want to be overpowered on a surfboard with a kite is because when you are overpowered, the kite wants to always pull you off the board, especially when you try to park it. And who wants to be less on the board when surfing? The only downside is, and this is why kiting trumps windsurfing, is that on the inside shadow, you are a bit underpowered, but no where near as bad and with less bad consequences than when you are on a windsurfer.