I noticed lately that there has been a few discussions regarding windspeeds. For me I don't get enough airtime to get comfy above 20mph. On the atb in 18-20mph with my 10m synergy or 6m access; I found to be happily powered at 15mph with the 12m speed 2. On packed snow I had the speed 2 in 20mph and found myself at my limit, mostly due to skills I'm sure. On the same surface at 23mph I was well powered with my 6m access, but wanting a bit bigger sail that wasn't so twitchy per say. The most wind I've been in was 20mph gusting to 30mph, with my 6m access and that scared the hell out of me. Many of the stories I read, talk about flying in 25-35mph winds, many with kites in my quiver. Granted even before the wind hits 20mph it gets gusty and shifty, I still feel that maybe I'm not enjoying the full windrange my quiver has to offer. I'm just curious what windspeed everyone else finds the to be the most enjoyable for what they do????

20-25

epic with the twister, great with the phantom, still can ride with the apex... to gnarly for the montana tho

Shags,

20-25 kts is lit but alot of fun for me on water......................after 30 mph I take a few things into consideration (time of year, water temp, tide direction) and not to mention Im in the 50 plus age group..........

A smooth 10-15 off the ocean on my landboard with my Eskimo is what I live for. But will take anything with the right kite.

1-5 mph is a waste of time....
5-10 is good for a cruise, if it is steady and not troughing below 5....
10-20 it is time to.....get....it.....on.....
20-30 still a great time....just time to be careful...
30+ time to watch the professinals pass cars on the freeway
40+

I wondering if it changes as one gets to fly more often. My kiting buddy will take his 15m naish cult out in 25mph no questions asked. He was with a bunch of fellows who were all riding 9m ocean rodeos and though he was nuts, yet he was riding further upwind than they were. I was on the sidelines getting yanked around trying to ride out a run on the atb with my access, scaring my self with every wobble. Granted they were going on water so that changes everything.

25mph on a 15m charger, you can boost big and get tons of float time

on land in the buggy or on a board 17 on shore/west, maybe that's cause the v19 is nicely powered
on the water 25 side on shore/NW

depends on the kite and my objectives for the day.........

4 to 6 BFT

7 m/s to 12 m/s

This past winter with Synergy/Venom II, 15-20 mph favorite wind range. Experience, weight, type of activity and surface all play a large role in what wind I choose to go out in.

Just about anything that isn't gusty is heaven for me.

My choices exactly accept maybe get it on time is up to 22
Once it's too strong for my 15m arcs I start to move into survival mode.

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Originally posted by SlasherQuan 1-5 mph is a waste of time.... 5-10 is good for a cruise, if it is steady and not troughing below 5.... 10-20 it is time to.....get....it.....on..... 20-30 still a great time....just time to be careful... 30+ time to watch the professinals pass cars on the freeway 40+

12mph = 18m guerilla
15mph = 16m venomII
25mph = 12m phantom
25-30mph = 8m venom

any speed = 10m guerilla

These are roughly top ends for me on land in my bug - after those wind speeds the kites tend to drag sideways rather than apply a forward force. I would say the 8m venom is by far the most technical and fun, and with that a perfect wind speed for me is about 30 mph. Rarely does it hit 30 and stay there - usually just passing through to higher wind speeds.

the sweet spots for me right now are:

atb... 8 to 18mph winds... i like cruisin and jumpin
surfing and buggying... anything over 18 and im havin lots of fun... ive taken it up to low 30's in the buggy, high 20's in surf

Quote:

Originally posted by flyjump 25mph on a 15m charger, you can boost big and get tons of float time

I'm wondering if I haven't been flying my scorpion in the right winds. As of right now about 18-19mph is the most I've dared to really play around with it. The next time I find myself packing up the sp2 I'm gonna reach for the scorp instead of the synergy or access. From the reports above I think that I should start pushing my upper limit a bit more. My kite skills are there I just haven't been able to shake the butterflies when the wind is up.

Yes, I suggest trying to be a bit more brave with the Scorpian but Adam is talking 15m Charger + he has a NEED for way more wind than I feel comfortable in. Never got a lot of time on the 16m Scorpian but it seemed to have a great top end?

I much more enjoy the float of my 15's in the 20 - 22 range than my 10m arc. Prefer the 15's for jumping in general.

Makes me wish I got into this sport 10 years ago when I was more willing to get injured. Having a wife and three kids really slowed me down that way. But I guess if I was able to let a doctor go at my lower regions with a scalpel and surgical scissors, then I'm sure I can handle doing this.:ticking:

I am amazed at how wearing the correct padding has made up for some of that lost nerve. It has paid off many times.
Helmet , elbow, a$$ and knee pads = added courage for me.

Safety First! :duh:

20 to 25 here too - more kites/board options available and the gusts/lulls are usually bearable ...

On my landboard I'll go out in 8 - 12 with the 13m, around 12 - 18 the 10m, and the 8m up till about 25ish. Bump them all up 5 at for on fluffy powder. I am still learning water but know I cant go out with my 10 in under 23.

First, I'd just like to say that Bladerunner and Tridude kick so much ass I'm so proud to be engaged in this sport and this forum with guys like these two. Age is clearly not an obstacle, and they have so much spirit and perseverance that it's unbelievable. I know Don (tridude) in particular struggles with serious health problems, and by God, if the fact that he still busts his balls at every opportunity with his kites because he loves it so much isn't motivation to wake up every day in the morning, I don't know what is. They are exceptionally friendly and will always be the first ones to give you much needed advice. From reading their posts you would guess they are 27. Keep it up, guys!!

Now, back on topic...

On my 13m Venom I like riding in winds that are 23-25 mph or so. Keep in mind that I'm extremely light, peaking at about 122 lbs. The Venom is also a very grunty kite. I'm not sure about what I can handle with the 16m Scorpion, but there's only one way to find out :D

Shaggs I think you touched apon some of what affects how big you can go.
In smooth winds many kites are so stable they are only limited by the weight of the flyer.
In gusty winds the experiences of the flyer , the skills aquired , the size of ones kahonas , the unseen snafoos mother nature slaps you with, all of these become increasingly important as the wind speed increases.
For what I do I have fun in 15-20 mph gusty , above this the "relax and have fun" diminishes and the "pay attention try not to screw up" factor increases.

20-25mph winds + 15m charger = perfection. the kite was built to fly in these winds and you're not doing it justice unless you give it what it wants!!!!!

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Originally posted by carltb 20-25mph winds + 15m charger = perfection. the kite was built to fly in these winds and you're not doing it justice unless you give it what it wants!!!!!

those winds are perfect! big floaty 360s and one footers are a piece of cake

I'll have to say 15-25 is the sweet spot for me.
15-20 = 15m S3 on the water... and thats a sweet spot to ride at.
20-25 = 12m S3 on water... Really looking forward to putting that kite through its paces...

Quote:

Originally posted by ragden I'll have to say 15-25 is the sweet spot for me. 15-20 = 15m S3 on the water... and thats a sweet spot to ride at. 20-25 = 12m S3 on water... Really looking forward to putting that kite through its paces...

nice, a new addition to the kite family............
look forward to your review

Quote:

Originally posted by tridude ... nice, a new addition to the kite family............ look forward to your review

Yeah.. me too..
Unfortunately, winds havent cooperated, plus I tweaked my shoulder last sunday... Might be a few before I can really try it out...

Shaggs - I have said to myself many times "I think I'm a fairweather kiter". I like the BIG kites and the low wind cruising days but, like you am just getting the feel for real airtime. Now, on those more than light wind cruising days I'm finding myself paying close attention to the gusts I feel on the bar, ready to send it. So yeah. I THINK I'm a 12-15mph lover right now but suspect when I get back from Florida that may have turned into a 15-20mph thing.

.....or more?

I just wanna hang myself out to dry in a 100 foot boost, get the picture and then quit kiting while I'm still all in one piece ; )

On land probably 16mph would be perfect! On water, 18mph!

Adam, I thought you would say The 12m Charger in 30+ after WWBB

Quote:

Originally posted by flyjump Quote: Originally posted by carltb 20-25mph winds + 15m charger = perfection. the kite was built to fly in these winds and you're not doing it justice unless you give it what it wants!!!!! those winds are perfect! big floaty 360s and one footers are a piece of cake