BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi,
I just recently took kiteboarding lessons, and I got up on the board. My instructor said I should buy equipment, I was wondering which one would be better for me? The liquid force assult, the naish boxer, or another dirfferent kite...
Thanks.

Congrats on getting on the board downhiller! Those first couple of feet on the board get you hooked, getting on the board in the first lesson is awesome!
Personnally I also am in the market to buy a kite that will fit the conditions better here out in the bay area (smaller kite basically). I have flown the Naish boxer and the North Rebel. I liked the North Rebel better but it is all personnel preference! Since the just came out with the 08's it makes it even a more interesting!

Tim

i fly the assault and i must say i love it. i ride all styles, unhooked, big jumps, sunset cruises and whatever and the kite never lets me down. i can use the 12 almost everyday. the kite relaunches so easy. whenever i drop the bar the kite is ready to go by the time my head pops out of the water. you wont be disappointed

How much wind do you need for the lift of a 9 meter kite??? Do you think that I should get a 140 cm board????
Thanks.

You'll love the Assault, I have a 16M, 12M and a 9M. Never inverts, which you'll appreciate while your learning.

Unless your under 150-160 pounds, I'd get the 12M kite. Your going to be at Alameda and/or 3rd ave and those sizes will get you on the water more than the 9M.

Many new people to the sport start with larger boards. Around 150 cm. A larger board will get you going quicker and will shave some time off of your learning curve. Check out the Proof 151, which will also be the cheapest board you'll find.

Have fun

When I went kiteboarding, the 9 meter pulled me a lot.... I am only 100 pounds and I was going flying... The 12 meter would pull too much, wouldn't it.

At 100 pounds the 12M is too much for you. That's pretty light! Your either a 6M or a 9M. The kites do have a lot of range. Fully de-powered the 9M will fly like a 7M. You can pull in on the de-power line when you want less, let out when you want more.

It depends on where you will be flying. If its Alameda I'd say the 9M.

Also, at you size you can use a smaller board. 136-140cm is plenty big.

Downhiller-

Ultimately windranges are all related to your weight. Thus while some companies post windranges for their kites it is assumed that would be for a 180 lbs rider, keep that in mind.

Do you know what the wind was blowing when you where out during the lesson? Also where did you take your lesson?

At a 100 lbs, a 9 would be a good fit with a smaller board woudl be fine IMHO.

Tim

Yah I took lessons from kitewind surf and we went out in alameda, the winds were 12-20 miles per hour. I used there a 9 meter cabrinha kite. I am not sure what kind of board... Would the 9meter liquid force assult not be good in alameda because it needs a lot of wind? Could it fly in 20 mph wind??? For a board I was thinking about the element by liquid force.

The assault 9m will fly in steady winds above 13 mph. You should be fine on a 9m assault in Alameda with a medium sized board.