Seems every time I have the chance to get out with a kite it's too windy for my current quiver so I'm thinking of getting a smaller high wind kite. Everything I've ever read about the Access line seems to be positive, so that's the way I'm leaning. That said I have some questions as to what I should be looking for.

Background first:
I'm a bigger guy 6'6" and according to the scale I just stepped on 240lbs. Using this past weekend for an example Saturday was 17mph gusting to 28 and Sunday was 23 gusting to 33. Most of my riding is going to be on snow. Now, I'm from Saskatchewan so my idea of snow is generally hard enough for me to walk across. Half the time I don't even leave boot prints, the rest of the time I rarely sink more than 6". We did have a foot of powder one time... When I was 12. I'm also planning on hopefully getting some sort of board or buggy for summer fun. I would classify my skill level as full on beginner, so take that into account. My current smallest kite is a 7m Blaze 2.

Now for the questions:
What size should I be looking for? Would a 4m be too small? Most things I read always list it as a kite for smaller people. If it would work for me even just on days like I listed above wouldn't be to bad as I'm hoping to get my wife into this someday and she could possibly use the smaller kite. My main concern going bigger is if there would be a lot of overlap with a 6m and my current kites.
What year range should I be looking for? Obviously a 2015 or 2016 would be great if I could find a good enough deal, but if I find a 2013 I can afford how would it compare? How old of a model should I be looking for before I start to loose more value than I'm going to save?
And last but not least: Anybody know of any good deals on an access? I'm not in any real hurry, snow is probably 6 months away and it may take that long to save up enough but if you happen across something you now know a guy who's looking.

Thanks in advance for any insight anyone has.

For your weight, depending on experience and flying skill, the 6m is the sweet spot for high winds but in your weight you could esilybget away with an 8m in the winds you described. The difference in weght betweenyou and me is equal to that of my wife and I. In the wind ranges you offer I would ride the 8m, trim very rarely. Molly would be on the 6m and she is 80lbs less than you. At 200 lbs I like the 6m in 25-35kts. It allows me to fly in those winds and enjoy it, not simply survive it. Even in gusts to 40kts the 6m allows you to rtide without being in survival mode the whole time.

The 4m in your weight would be great in 35-40+ but at the cost use in lower winds. 6m can handle high winds but can be worked in more general wind when needed.

Historically the Access has always been a great kite for its intended purpose but it really started to shine(IMO) with the 2013/14 models. Flight quality and performance was essentially the same as the current model but it lacks the current Re-Ride system which is totally worth the additional cost. 2015 and 2016 are essentially the same but with some minor improvements to the Re-Ride system and some color changes.

If given the choice and if it's within your budget go for a Re-Ride equipped version. Superior safety and easier for launch and land.


The flight quality and performance of the Access is considerably different than that of your Blaze. Power and gust handling are going to be a bit different.

Great that Chris weighed in here. I agree with most everything he said. Keying in on the "beginner" moniker you hung on yourself (and me being at best an "advanced beginner" but by no means an "intermediate") I would recommend the 6m Access V6 with re-ride (or V5 if it had the re-ride). I've bought 6 kites from Chris over the past year and have come to really trust his guidance and wisdom in these matters. That being said, when it comes to wind ranges I distinctly find that my ranges are a whole click lower for comfort than his are. His stones are likely larger, my age is certainly higher, and his skill level is way higher. Body sizes, pretty even.

I realize that the Re-Ride will cost you some $$$, but man, if you can swing it I would really recommend it. I wish all my DP kites had it; its that good. Good luck!

Some general info on the recent Access models:

2010: First new shape Access, the bar lacks a proper adjuster!
2011: Possibly minor changes changes to kite(?) + the adjuster was brought back
2012: Possibly minor changes to kite(?) + a fifth line safety system was added
2013: Exactly the same kite as 2012, but the colors were changed a new CAD software was used
2014: Complete redesign, less cells, thicker profile and lower AR + new chickenloop
2015: Reride system was added
2016: ?

2016 Updates include reinforced ports (plastic inserts vs. reinforcing tape) for the Re-Ride and a nifty little red inline loop on the Re-Ride line near the bar for anchoring the line after activation. We used to simply larS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-s head it to our anchors but this makes for an easier and clean anchoring method.

Thanks for the kind word Windstruck. :D

+1 for the newer one with the re-ride. I was out with my buddy recently in high winds. He was on a 4m older Access and I was on the newer 6m with the re-ride. He struggled to get his outta the sky when he pulled the top hat (older safety system). And it was still pulling him. I just pulled the re-ride line through the bar and the 6m dropped straight to the floor safely with barely any pull.

Weighing in at 120 lbs I bought the new 4m Access. I refer to it as the "postage stamp". The only time it had good power was the time the wind was howling and porta potties were blowing past. It is a nice kite though. I definitely wouldn't recommend the 4m for your size.

Quote: Originally posted by utahtami

Weighing in at 120 lbs I bought the new 4m Access. I refer to it as the "postage stamp". The only time it had good power was the time the wind was howling and porta potties were blowing past. It is a nice kite though. I definitely wouldn't recommend the 4m for your size.

Tami, how close did those porta potties get to you? I for one am darn glad I've got those Sysmic rims with BF tires you sold me because I can now ride with confidence knowing the potties are likely to bounce right off leaving me dry, scent free, and not Smurf blue. :evil:

Quote: Originally posted by robinsonpr

+1 for the newer one with the re-ride. I was out with my buddy recently in high winds. He was on a 4m older Access and I was on the newer 6m with the re-ride. He struggled to get his outta the sky when he pulled the top hat (older safety system). And it was still pulling him. I just pulled the re-ride line through the bar and the 6m dropped straight to the floor safely with barely any pull.

Livin' large Paul, livin' large! Gotsta luv da Re-Ride.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone's knowledge and experience is much appreciated. Now I know exactly what I need to look for. Think maybe I'll just start saving now, and maybe by the time the snow flies I can afford a new one. Maybe by then the exchange rate won't be so bad and I can get one from south of the border.