There are a lot of different aspects in choosing the correct kitesurf kite. Just like most other equipment based sports there is a ton of equipment out there, each claiming to perform better than the other. While some of this may be true, to anyone but a highly accomplished rider, these small details won’t really make a difference. Having a good understanding of how different gear works and why will help you to choose the best gear for you.
Choosing a Kite Size
Unfortunately there isn’t just one magic kite size that will get you kiting in all conditions. It is recommended to have 2-3 kites to take advantage of all the windy days. Choosing a kite size is based on a variety of aspects. Your weight and estimated wind strength are the first thing to consider. The board you plan on riding also plays a part in choosing a kite size. For example, when riding a foil board, you need a much smaller kite than riding a twin tip.
Once you have determined the average wind conditions at the spot you want to ride, you can check the wind range guide specific to your weight for the different kites you are looking to buy. The below graph shows the kite size recommendations for a 75kg rider on a medium sized twin tip (the x-axis represents the wind speed in knots):
As you can see, some kite sizes cross over, so it is no necessary to have 2 kites that cover almost the exact same wind strengths. For this individual a 7m, 10m and 14m would cover all the wind ranges.
Different Types of Kites
Deciding on which style of kitesurf kite to purchase is where the most confusion sets in. There is no specific “beginner kite”, but kites designed for different styles of riding.
C-Kites
C-kites get their name from the pronounced C shape they hold once they are inflated. They can have 4 or 5 lines, though 4 line C-kites lack adequate safety/de-power safety systems. They have less surface area to catch wind and therefore tend to be less powerful. Their shape makes them harder to relaunch than other shapes of kites. They are known for their constant pull through turns and are great for unhooking, kite looping and providing big “pop”. This is a popular kite for freestyle and wakestyle riding.
Bow Kites
Bow kites are four line kites with swept wingtips and a concave trailing edge. They have more surface area affected by the wind and therefor slightly more power than a C-kite. The bridle lines attached to the leading edge of the kite give the kite great stability in the air and the swept wingtips make the kite easy to re-launch. These aspects make bow kites attractive to beginners.
Hybrid Kites
Hybrid kites are a mix between bow and C kites. They can have 4 or five lines. They are very stable in the air, have lots of de-power with a large wind range making them great for all styles of riding from freestyle to wave riding.
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