A kite in the 12-18 knot wind range should be the perfect size for your weight. While a smaller kite is better for less wind, it will be more difficult to learn to fly in windy conditions.
Kiteboarding is currently popular worldwide, even though it just developed its present style in the late 1990s. On the other hand, Kiteboarding is one of the most dangerous extreme sports.
Choosing the proper kiteboarding kite size is the most significant factor in minimizing hazards and having fun on the water.
Stay with me if you’re wondering about the best size for kite surfing, and I’ll explain everything you need to know about kite surfing.
What Is a Kite Surfing Kite?
This is a kite surfing sail that resembles a parachute in certain aspects. In this sport, you can’t get anywhere without it. Like many other sports, Kites come in various styles and sizes, much like other equipment.
The most common types of kites include parafoils and tube kites. These two kites vary in terms of their uses and designs.
What’s the Point of Getting the Right Kite Size for Kiteboarding?
In the world of kites, there isn’t a size that fits all. As a result, the kite size is the most critical consideration when picking a kite for kiteboarding.
Kiters typically carry various kites in different sizes for different winds or hire equipment to make the most of the various weather conditions.
How Many Kites Should I Purchase?
Most riders believe that having three kites is sufficient to cover all situations. However, others choose to have even more to improve their wind range.
When you purchase your first kite, we suggest that you get a size appropriate for the circumstances in which you will be advancing the most frequently while also considering your body weight.
The kind of kites you buy will be determined by the riding style that you like to pursue. This typically ranges in size between 9 to 12 meters in length.
You’ll need to make more kite purchases as your skills improve and begin to experiment with wind speeds that are either larger or smaller than this.
Factors to Consider While Choosing a Kite Size
1. Range of Kite Wind
The size of the kite reduces as the wind speed increases. You can fly kites of various sizes at the same wind speed.
Each kite has its wind range, the maximum wind speed at which you may fly a kite without risk. Anywhere from 15 to 30 knots is possible to ride the 9-meter boat.
The wind range depends on the kite’s canopy profile and bridle system. Due to the kite’s form, which allows for bar de-power, bow kites have a wide wind range.
On the other hand, C kites are meant to be flown more from the board than the bar, partly because of their small wing tips, which have a considerably decreased de-power function.
2. Rider’s Weight
Generally, a heavy rider requires a large-sized kite. To remain upwind in 14 to 15-knot winds, a heavy rider requires a 17m kite or a 165cm board.
In low-wind conditions, a rider over 100kg usually needs 2 to 3 square meters more space than a 75 kg rider (an average rider.)
3. Wind Speed
You should know how strong the wind will be when you get to your kite place.
Why does it matter what kind of kite you fly? I’m sure you’ve figured it out by now. To control the kite’s power, you should fly it at a smaller size as the wind speed increases.
Windsurfing and sailing both use the technique of “reefing,” which is just a different size sail or a smaller surface area sail.
Moreover, whenever there is a higher wind speed, it lowers the difference between the board and kite size.
4. Kite Style
The best size kite surfing highly depends on this aspect. There is a notable variation in performance between different types of kites. C kites create power differently from the bow or hybrid kites, and I like to ride C kites for no specific reason.
C kites are more like an Italian sports car when it comes to pulling power, and they do so by moving forward rather than relying on the wind.
In other words, while most riders are riding at 9 meters, you can ride at 12 or even 9. There are several hybrid kites, a cross between a C and a bow kite.
5. Riding Style
A rider’s preferred style of riding becomes more apparent as they climb through the ranks. Some prefer to cruise, while others want to jump, breaking records in the WOO database.
This electronic gadget attaches to the board and records jump heights, and uploads the data to a database that allows athletes to compare their records.
Going out on huge kites with too much force or being “lighted” is a good way to maximize one’s ability to jump.
A kite size in the center of the range for wind strength is preferable for individuals looking for a more comfortable ride.
6. Board Type
Board type affects the size of a rider’s kit, and this relationship between the board and kite is typically a measure of the board’s efficiency.
As board efficiency improves, less kite power is required, allowing for the use of a smaller kite. For example, twin tips with a decreased planning speed are commonly used to help students get up on the board.
It’s safer to use a smaller kite for individuals new to the sport, such as a paraglider. On the other hand, smaller twin tips can displace more water, resulting in a larger kite.
It’s a similar situation when surfing the waves. These are kite surfers that utilize “floaty” surfboards, which allow the use of smaller kites.
When ripping up and down waves, smaller kites are better since they are more dynamic and spin faster.
Final Thoughts
Kite surfing is an interesting sport to take part in. All you need to do is choose the right one for you depending on your weight.
You should also consider your board, riding, and kite style.
