I was thinking about the wind scales companies put out for their kites and how they are based on a 150 lb rider but I am twice that and wondered when was the last time they surveyed and are there assumptions on the weight of their average rider accurate

I assumed the weight is based on UK/EUr-Asia waifish young riders.... apparently B-Roc & Ricardo are imports.

Dainese, Hein-Gericke and several other companies from across the pond that sell various sports apparel also tend to base the norm on a similar scale.

I haven't been in the 150ish range since leaving TX.... apparently gun-range time in the TX sun has positive effects on weight.

ATB,
Sam

the limits of materials have a little something to do with it. fabric and polymers have limits.

there use to be a notice about weights... 275# being a limit can't remember the manual.

EH actually puts out ranges for weight ranges like the ARC calculator.

BUT kite efficiency has changed in the past few years so some tube makers only go up to 13m. so the label "specifics" only produce assured liability.

at the limits there is always learning...just like this. so if your possibly at the limits you'll be first to know, careful.

Quote:

Originally posted by PHREERIDER the limits of materials have a little something to do with it. fabric and polymers have limits. ... BUT kite efficiency has changed in the past few years so some tube makers only go up to 13m. so the label "specifics" only produce assured liability.

I kinda have to wonder about that. Techinical fabrics/materials are fairly hearty.

I expect the liability component is most definitely a factor. The Ozone harness and most of the Megatron chicken loops I have seen are rated for a fairly conservative 220lbs.

However, as far as the wind scales charts and 150 lbs rider, I really think that is a result of "jockey mentality" marketing.

Take kite X and put a 150lb rider on it. Chances are that by doing that you have significantly increased your bragging rights with respect to the low end of the kite than if you quoted numbers using a rider weighing 200-250 lbs.

ATB,
Sam

pole

i assumed most went with 75 to 80kg as reference, thats what Ive been using as a guide this whole time.

its better to think someone is bigger than smaller so you can get them into the right kite.

land is easier to calculate but kiteboarding as some variables as well, board size, water conditions.

I think that judging the power to weight is a bit over rated ?

It seems more to be style / skill that matter most ? Better to judge wind on an intermediate rider of intermediate weight?

On any given day at GP Ricky and Roland will be flying one or 2 sizes up from me. 'CAUSE THEY CAN !
Ken 3 will be flying one or 2 sizes smaller than me . 'CAUSE HE DOES !
I will be flying something in between. We will all be happy and all be rolling. All skilled riders with different levels of power choice?

We are all light weights and should be riding the same size on the calculator but our real life is different ?

Quote:

Originally posted by indigo_wolf apparently B-Roc & Ricardo are imports.

I like to consider myself more "toned" and "buff" then "waifish"

I know my metabolism will change at some point but for now I still enjoy eating all the icecream and cookies I want

All you lardbums :moon: need to eat more carrots and leave the good food and smallish kites to the fit and svelt guys like me and Ricardo :P

I-W your TX gun range comment brought back fond memories of shooting the bullseye out of another guys target and listening to him brag about how good he was shooting. The sound of continuous gunfire on a saturday morn was such a sweet sound!
155# and just getting the hang of having my feet off the ground.

lol, BR and B-Roc

all good points

throw the charts away ... forget the technical blah blah. only YOU can pick the right kite that you need. each to their own style.

just have fun, and eat eat eat RICE!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by Drewculous pole

I never was good at English but the auto correct on my phone seemed to have missed this one

Quote:

Originally posted by Drewculous pole

Dude..he said pole...lol..lol

Have poo load of windsurfer poles do you want one

Being new and not knowing much bout kiting stuff, I would think as long as every manufacture used the same #150 everything should remain equal...... wouldn't it? If different manufacturers used diff. # then results would really suck and not be of any help! I'd rather ask you guys.

Some manufacturers dont even want to tell you how big their kites are

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites i assumed most went with 75 to 80kg as reference, thats what Ive been using as a guide this whole time. its better to think someone is bigger than smaller so you can get them into the right kite. land is easier to calculate but kiteboarding as some variables as well, board size, water conditions.

When was the last time you saw someone smaller then RIP?

Now there's your pole!

I think MOST of our Grandkids are still smaller than Rip
And B-Rock i'm 46 years old 6'3" eat anything I want (and then some) and still weigh in under 200lbs! And I love ice cream and cookies:singing: but I think alot of my weight is hair:ticking: