Hi all
looking for a kite for the wife. She is only 5ft and weighs less than 50kg, so looking for a small kite that doesn't have a massive reach to the depower.
Was thinking along the lines of Naish cult (seen these used in a lot of schools abroad) or Ozone catalyst was mentioned. As it's a small size am hoping that these are not too responsive/whippy.
She has flown an 8m turbo diesel and switchblade but both were too powerful and the power not that smooth for a beginner. So thinking size wise, a 6m will be the better option.
any thoughts on these or similar kites for small riders. (i have checked the forum already - looking for a 2nd hand option)
cheers
Simon
A very hard question there . Everyone knows the smaller the kite the faster it is and snapper it is . I have done some reserch on this for my son he is 35kgs and flys a old dna 4 meter a great kite for me in 30+ winds not so good for him in the 12 knot hard too launch . The smaller the kite the hever they make them for the high end of wind . I have ocean rodeo 6 meter also great in the above 20 knot but very snappy and fast even in the slow ster setting . Got to do more testing our self . Good luck i hope someone can help ya out here cause i will keep an eye on it here too .
If whatever kite you get is turning too fast get a shorter bar or cut your bar down a bit.
Smaller kites are usually high wind kites so light wind relaunch may suffer unless they're designed for school use. Maybe a 7m cabrinha convert or 7m eclipse nano.
Not sure what you mean by smooth but for hooked-in riding it doesn't get much smoother than an 8m switchy.
I would say go for a stable kite with multiple settings on the wingtips and leading edge. That way you can slow it down and change the depower / bar pressure characteristics. Speed it up, lighten the bar as she progresses.
The Core GTS has them, and I think so do the Wainman Rabbits, Cab Switchy's, Ocean Rodeo Rise?? I'm guessing she will be riding with a lot more depower which will slow some kites a bit.
I guess also check out the manufacturers websites for specific school kites
A couple of kites i've used in the school are 5 and 7m griffins ,real stable and soft smooth power delivery,excellent for light riders or beginners ,the 5m dosent produce much lift so is a great learner kite ,also had a couple of takoon e-novas a few years back and they produce very little lift and also a smooth power delivery all are great kites for a light riders to gain confidence.
I would imagine there's plenty of good used ones floating around.
I bought a 6m Naish Code which I think is an ex school kite. Got it from Adventure Sports at Noosaville (think that's their name!) It's the sigma shape.
My son is 35kg wringing wet (9 year old)- takes a good 15-17 for him to be able to keep ground on a 122 TT. It sails well depowered as it seems to fall back a bit in the window. Haven't had it overfly at all yet.
Kites been perfect for learning - hard to relaunch unless he can stand on the bottom, but don't think that would be much different for any kite with such a light rider.
Best plan I think is to teach them not to crash!
Good luck.
Naish Chargers are awesome kites for beginners. They are rediculously user friendly, I use them to teach on and they are really well behaved. Try a 7m
catalyst 6m.
loads of depower, bar is comfy, kite does what is supposed to do.. parks well and is user friendly.
I just got a 6 after riding a few cats in conditions from 18-30kts. They are guaranteed a smooth ride, and also they turn well.
I just got an 8m 2010 North Rebel for my fiancee. She is about 5'8 - 53 kg, and I would highly recommend it.
I originally put her on my 7 meter 2007 Ozone Sport after her lessons (on an 8m 2010 North Rebel), but found that the light wind re-launch wasn't so good, and she didn't really like the steering.
She found the 2010 Rebel much easier to steer, and feels heaps safer on it. Plus it is a fricking awesome high wind machine for me :-)
Your partner sounds a bit smaller, so maybe a 7 meter would be a better option, depending on your location.
