I am begginer in this sport and about to buy my first kite. I ve been told to go with cabrinha. Llight wind is going to be issue for me, so i was looking the contra light wind model. but swithblade seems to be very easy one to handle for begginers.is contra also easy to handle? also how much is there differnce between 07 and 08 model. obviously 07 ones are much cheaper and if there is not that much difference i will probably go with that. i am 220 pounds and the winds at my home beach are not very strong. so also what size should i get?

a trainer, .....then you need 15knots to ride, anything less you need about a 20m or some ext. lines set up. i am 215 and a 16m is my go to rig in 15knots up 25knts. these is alot of kite and alot of wind not recommended for a beginner. light wind rigs for a big guy can be huge, very slow. apparent wind use, balance and skill are the most difficult in slow, light wind conditions. light wind relaunch of a big rig on the water (and trust me it will drop)can be challenging. be careful
peace

welcome to power kites..........There arent many but some LEI pilots on here. My understanding the switchblade is an intermediate/advanced kite. Domindo, Lunchbox, USA Eli, and Bigkahuna can answer your questions. I just bought my first inflato after flying closed cell for about 10 months and went with BEST. Since youre new and not wanting to drop a $1000 plus have you considered them? Again, welcome.........................

umbc84 - where will you be kiting and what's the typical wind conditions you'll be kiting in (sorry but "not very strong" is too vague)? Have you taken lessons, and if not, will you be able to recruit the assistance of an experienced kiter to help you get started? There are lots of good brands and model kites out there, but at this point the most important thing is that you learn the sport in a safe and thorough manner.

yep, go for a lesson, perhaps someone locally will be able to help you figure out your sites conditions

Hi.

I just bought an 08 Contra 3 in 14 meter size. I have only flown it twice. The first time in about the bottom of the suggested wind range about 10 knots. I wasn't to impressed at 10 knots. I could ride down wind but not upwind.
At 12 knots I could go everywhere on the third knot on the back lines. At about 15 knots the kite would lift me right out of the water about 2 feet from lying on my back, on the second knot on the back line.
The kite launches super easy and has plenty of depower if you push past the stopper on the bar. I have never flown the 07's but here they launch as easy, which is important for a beginner. Also equally as important is that my 08 is super stable at 12 knots I can let go of the bar with the kite directly over head for about 20 seconds while I put on my board before it starts to move. I tried this quite a few times standing in the water and it will sit there everytime. I was doing it just to see how stable it was because my buddy with the 07 says his is the most stable kite he has flown.
I found the kite fairly quick turning for a bigger kite in 12 knots, at 10 you have to work it.
To help I weigh 160 pounds and have been kiting 2 years so I am in no way a pro, but in the right wind range this would be an easy kite to learn on and I think to jump with, but I haven't quite pulled the trigger yet. It goes upwind pretty fast and I havent worked up the nerve to try a jump because I think it will lift pretty good.

Hope this helps John

Quote:

Originally posted by manitoulinkiter1 Hi. I just bought an 08 Contra 3 in 14 meter size. I have only flown it twice. The first time in about the bottom of the suggested wind range about 10 knots. I wasn't to impressed at 10 knots. I could ride down wind but not upwind. At 12 knots I could go everywhere on the third knot on the back lines. At about 15 knots the kite would lift me right out of the water about 2 feet from lying on my back, on the second knot on the back line. The kite launches super easy and has plenty of depower if you push past the stopper on the bar. I have never flown the 07's but here they launch as easy, which is important for a beginner. Also equally as important is that my 08 is super stable at 12 knots I can let go of the bar with the kite directly over head for about 20 seconds while I put on my board before it starts to move. I tried this quite a few times standing in the water and it will sit there everytime. I was doing it just to see how stable it was because my buddy with the 07 says his is the most stable kite he has flown. I found the kite fairly quick turning for a bigger kite in 12 knots, at 10 you have to work it. To help I weigh 160 pounds and have been kiting 2 years so I am in no way a pro, but in the right wind range this would be an easy kite to learn on and I think to jump with, but I haven't quite pulled the trigger yet. It goes upwind pretty fast and I havent worked up the nerve to try a jump because I think it will lift pretty good. Hope this helps John

John

as per your flysurfer question: you may appreciate a Speed2 15m or +, or a Speed1.5 17m for light wind

thanks for all the replies

to bigkahuna- i am going to use it in europe...precisely estonia...not a kite surfing paradise but thats where i will spend my summer. i took some lessons last year and this summer i am planning to spend all my free time at the sea. the usual winds in estonia are 10-15 knots. for stronger winds i will get a used 12 m kite. but right now i planning to get a new cabrinha kite for lerning. something that will last more than one summer. i am in states and will get it from internet bc they are much cheaper here. so let me ask again....being 210 and given the wind conditions should i go with contra or switchblade.i think 14 m will work fine for me. it got me up when i was learning and it wasnt more than 15 knots wind.

Like I said don't bet on the 14 in 10 knots, but with a big board in 15 you will be able to ride more than likely. I'm a lot lighter but at 15 was pretty well powered. If you can try them both.

John