Hi All,

I've read through most of the posts on here and other Mboards but I'm looking for some true local advice about kiteboarding gear.

Two years ago I started to get into kiteboarding but was shipped off to the Middle East before I could really get into it (I was a military contractor). I had practiced a lot with a trainer kite, took some lessons with Paul, and started to feel comfortable flying the kite and was starting to look at and price equipment when I had to go.

Well, I've got the itch again. I need some advice on purchasing a kite for typical summer afternoon/evening conditions here in Neptune Beach. My problem is that I weigh around 210lbs. Yes, some is fat but I also put on quite a bit more muscle over there and am quite a bit stronger then I was (not sure if that helps me in regards to KB). Anyway, I’m looking for the right kite for learning on out here in NB in the ocean. Right now I just want to get the kite and possibly use one of my surfboards (I have a bunch from 5’11â€

I have a flexifoil used 21m. If you haven’t heard of flexifoil; they have a reputation for building "bomb proof" kites. The strike 2 is a beginner to intermediate kite. It’s going to provide tons of pull and last for years to come. I bought it post 2005 which basically makes it and 06 kite. It’s never touched the water and only a few sessions on it. The bag was hanging in my closet so it has never been touched it still has the tags on it. This kite retailed over 2 grand and ill sell it for less than a third of that.


Call me if you are interested.
904-814-2361

I'm pushing 235 7/8 lbs at 6'0". Been riding for a year.

Last year when I started, Paul and a few other were riding Cabrinha Contra 23.5's. And I picked one up at the shop. It's a good kite and if anything will fly it will, but it's gotta have some air. Less than 8 or 9mph it's gonna fall out of the sky but so will most others. The problem with a kite that big is it's literally a blimp falling out of the sky. And that is a lot of kite to have fall on people at a beach, and it's a ton of kite to relaunch when it's wet.

Like I said, 8-9 to keep it in the air. I've found I just can't ride it lower than about 11 mph and a big board. After about 16-18 it's way to much to hold an edge. I can ride it but not having any fun.

My next one is an 18 Ocean Rodeo Bronco, good flying kite and I can use that in about the same wind up to about 20. After 20 it's getting too busy and I'm pushing my luck. But the 18 is a lot quicker than the 23.5

Next is an old 15.5 Cabrinha access, love that kite and it's on from about 15-25. 20 is the sweet spot on that one for me.

All that said, I'm not a bow kite fan. I'm not crazy about bridles,etc... but they are incredibly versatile. Huge wind range, and back to that relaunching thing. I've flown Paul's 16 switchblade after being on my 23.5. And rode about the same, the difference is I have to work the 16 just a bit, keep it moving. But I can ride his 16 when I'm in my 23.5 range. And the 16 is WAY EASIER to reluanch than the 23.5.

Also, that just wanting to ride thing does end and you will be wanting to jump etc.... It may take you a bit, but smaller kites are quicker and easier to jump on. I can make the 16 S/B pick me up in the same wind I'm riding the 23.5 but I can't move the 23.5 quick enough to get up very well, and if I blow it and crash, it's a lot more work to relaunch.

That gives you an idea of my wind range on C shapes. My personal advice, if you can swing the cash, is go with a bow kite if you're looking for the most versatility from one kite. But everyone will tell you there is no one kite answer.

Hope it helps,

I wieght about the same and find that on light wind days a 16m bow is just perfect. not too big or small

go with a 16 or 17m Bow kite and you will be set. Any brand, it doesn't matter...it will give you all the power you need and will cover you for about 90% of the riding days here in Florida over the next several months(light afternoon sea breeze).

Thank you all for the advice and suggestions. Looking forward to getting out there.

New poster here as well...I am about 15lbs lighter and just getting up and riding...using a 12 bow in the summer thus far I am underpowered, but during the winter I was getting t-bagged there was so much torque. I am hearing good things about the Flexfoil ION and I believe they make a 15m.

The Flexifoil ION 15m is a killer kite, one of my favorites. But, it has the power of a 17m C shape kite. So, for riders in the 200lb range looking for this as their super light wind kite, it may be too small. Go with one of the bow kites that have the power of a 20m. The 16m Waroo is one option. It has the power of about a 20m, and can be depowered and feel like a 13 or 14m. So, for Matt, this would replace about every kite you mentioned in your post. Plus, it costs a hell of a lot less than the Switchblade, Crossbow, Turbo Diesel and some of the other 16m Bow kites that have the same power.