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I'm an old windsurfer that just started kiting last year and am having a blast. What would you say would be the minimum wind speed average for Marker 12 required for a 180lbs person with a 12m kite and surfboard to get on a plane and kite. With windsurfing it's normally 18mph but I think you can get by with less wind on a Kite. Look forward to seeing you all out there soon!
Pete

I'm going to say about 13-14mph (11-12kts). I'd be curious to see what others think though. Keep in mind that the tide will also have some effect on your power, so that may require a bit more wind speed to get upwind.

Yoda wrote:I'm going to say about 13-14mph (11-12kts). I'd be curious to see what others think though. Keep in mind that the tide will also have some effect on your power, so that may require a bit more wind speed to get upwind.

+1
Also depends on the surfboard. Wide with super flat rocker and float will help on light wind.

Also also depends on the kite and your flying abilities.

Really the best way to find out your lower limit is to put up your kite and see if you can stay upwind or not. 12-13 knts on an ebb might be a good place to start, though.

A lot of variables.
On Paipo and 12m strutless Cloud I can easily go in 11kts+ in ebb, but about 13+ in flood.
Gusting from low 12kts to 20+kts and/or shifting winds makes it more difficult.

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