Hey All,

Here's my problem that I'm looking for some input on:

I'm in the process of selling off my current 05 kites to upgrade to some newer gear, the issue I have is trying to get down to two kites and cover the range of 10-28 knots without too much difficulty.

Here's what I'm thinking:

I currently have a Glide (which I love and enjoy, even holding down up to 18 knots), and will be picking up either a FLX 132, or an Aggression 132 as my small board.
What I'm moving towards now is a 15m Link or Hypertype (after some input from the Extreme Kites guys after they demo) , then when the wind comes up to 18-20, moving to my 9m Link - keeping in mind that I have no problem switching to my Glide with the 9 until the wind picks up enough to grab the small board with the 9.

I've thought about the 12m Contra (and thoroughly discussed with Skyway Scott), and I don't think it has the preformance that I want when the winds are down around 13-16 knots, which seems to be the range I find myself in the most.

The vast majority of my riding is in St.Pete's in the winter, and wave riding in Wales in the summer (where I am now), and those places/times tend to produce either 10-16 knots, or 20-28 knots.

I just wanted to know what everyone else thought about this setup...any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Chris

for 10-16 knots not much can beat a big fat C-kite. hate to say it, since i dont really like riding them anymore, but the low-end pull on a 16M or up is worth a paragraph alone. but that's a pretty limited range, and whatever advertisements may claim, my i've never ridden a C with great depower.

im fleshing out my quiver for the fall presently as well, two kites. im planning a trip to the Gorge for Christmas, so i just picked up a 7M Waroo, and will probably get a 13M as my midrange kite, while my 16M Flow gets fixed (hoping to get it back for next spring). but worry about your lightwind board first mate.

I have to disagree with you about the 16m ckite theory. I could crush any ckite upwind with a 14m Era. My favored kite to do that would have been the 15m Hyper but those aren't availible anymore. For the range you've give I'd say 10m and 14m Era or 16m Bularoo and 11m Waroo. A lot also comes down to your wieght and boards. If you have 2 boards lightwind and highwind you could easily cover that broad a range.

-Toast

I agree. I can't see a big C kite coming close to the light wind performance of the Era 14m or the 15m Hyper.
I actually can't see many LEI kites touching those two in sub 12.

ive never actually ridden an Era, are they any good?

i really cant stand the handling performance or relaunch of a big C, but i recommend it in lightwinds because if you can launch, then it's fairly reliable pull. you just have to work it a lot. work it like a Dutch prostitute at the world cup maybe, but it's power.

Hi, i wouldn't plan a kiting trip here at Xmas! You are very likely to get no wind or if you are lucky (?) very strong, very cold easterlies. You will probably be getting much nicer more consistent conditions down in FL at that time of year. The Gorge is not consistent until late spring. A lot of locals quit the water through the winter and snowboard or migrate south to Baja.

Cheers! paul

Check out the EZE's ...the 13m is all you will need.