Hi

I am totally new to kite skiing and was wondering which kite to go for?

I am doing some work in the Antarctic and have found out there is a perfect place to do some kiting. I have been looking for a kite and have come across a couple of options, these are the GIN Yeti or the Ozone Access. Can someone please give me help in deciding. I weigh about 75kg if that helps at all?

Thanks for any help,

Matt

P.S. If you have any other suggestions that would be good as well.

So my first question is..... What is your previous experience. Hate to tell you to get a big kite and you have only flown two line kites.

If you have little to no experience then you need to start small and work your way up.

Where in Antarctica and do you know a Fuelie named Elissa?

Rich has a good point, we need to know what your flying experience is. If none, then as he said you need to start small.

As far as the two options you've picked I haven't had any flying time on the Yeti so I can't speak from first hand experience. I understand that it is their version of a touring style kite like the Ozone Access or HQ Apex. After Gin shut down for a while I don't know what their status is now that they are back in business. I don't know if the Yeti is even in production anymore.

The Access is a great kite and it does exactly as described. Another option would be the Apex 4 from HQ. Very similar performance, a little bit more grunt than the Access IMO. A little easier on the wallet but at the cost of not being quite as refined in the finishing process as the Ozones some would argue. We use Apex 4s for our school kites and they've been great. We have the Access as a demo kite and people love it. We sell both but usually if someone chooses one over the other, the $$$ is a strong factor.

We've never heard anyone say they regretted buying either. In side by side comparisons on the ice they are very similar but different enough that one or the other just appeal to a given rider.

But all this is moot if you've never flown a depow foil before.

Thanks for your quick responses.

I am a complete beginner apart from about 30 mins flying my friends 11m, so looking for something easy to handle and I guess for not too strong winds.

I do not think I want to go that big so I was thinking of around the 8m mark. We have a couple of people here who say they can teach me the basics of flying so not to worried about that they just are not sure them selves which kite to use.

I am based at Rothera Research Station on Adelaide Island, and I we don't have anyone by that name here. Maybe I will meet them on my travels around.

I will look into the prices, and still please other help or advice you have is much appreciated

Thanks

Matt

For snow, i've got a slightly used Ozone Summit 10m for sale here on the forum. 2013 model. its an easy fly and a nice kite Reg 1400, $850

Of course you could go new, this is pretty close.

Just wondering if you knew her. She's down there now but not sure exactly where. :D

What kind of winds are you looking to fly in? Also, when you say 11m are we talking LEI or open cell foil? Fixed bridle or depowerable?

Even in the "summer" down there the cold air is pretty dense. Were you flying that 11m in warm or cold air?

What size and year are these 2 kites your refer to ?

The 8m Access would be a nice one to take + learn on. Year is important . Early access had a poor depower system. The Yeti should also serve well in a similar size although it is a less common kite.

If you can also take along a 2.5 / 3m fixed bridle foil kite it will be a huge advantage. Both in learning + having something that is less likely to harm you in real strong winds. Be sure to get a 3 or 4 line one so you can re-launch from nose down easily !!!!!

You know you will also need a harness for those 2 kites ?