Hi,
I already went through some forum threads regarding light wind kites on this site and this was maybe asked before 100 times…
I am a beginner and I completed my basic kite lessons. Since I live in a light wind area, I am looking for a kite for the wind range around 8- 18 knots, suitable for beginners and the most important characteristics for a beginning kitesurfer.
I do own a 2011 Switchblade 12m (which I know is famous for its low end), but struggle to use it below 14 knots, which we rarely get here, especially off-season (little to no wind). Therefore I like to add some kite for lighter winds to my quiver, so I can practise more…
Weight 82kg
Years of experience: 1
Board: Nugget 5.2, 2015 (riding with straps but goal is to ride strapless…)
Riding style: hooked, mowing the lane, little jumps…
Spot: mostly clean flat water, no waves, little chop further outside, not crowded!
Wind: mostly side - onshore
I am intended to buy used and already have some kites on my watching list (Best TS, Ozone Zephyr, Ocean Rodeo Flite, Airush Lithium, Naish Fly, Cabrinha Crossbow LS…), but I struggle to choose especially the right size and also year.
I am also looking into Foil Kites (FS III Speed etc…) but not sure how user-friendly those are.
I understand that what is the perfect kite for one, may not be the perfect kite for another. Testing is not possible where I live neither nearby and your suggestion would be much appreciated. Thank You !
Kite: ?
Size: ?
Year: ?
My pick would be a 13 meter ozone edge 2011 onward.
Only downfall would be relaunch in light wind and slow turning.
Bottom end makes up for it.
I have this kite and will not part with it.
Light bar pressure too. Some would argue that it has almost
the same bottom end as a Zepher.
Hope this helps. 
I had a 17m Dyno for a while, went pretty well with the nugget in the smaller chop. Great depower and upwind, was a proper session saver.
13 meter ozone edge 2011 onward ... That one was not even on my list so far. Thx. But is 13m really enough ? Where is the low end on this kite?
I post this parallel in another forum. I would be most happy if a 15m or even below works fine in 10knots with the nugget. Even had a look at a 14m Bandit III the other day, but was not sure if it would meet my needs.
“If the wind in your area is not less than 10 but can grow to 18, I'd go for a 15, more funny, faster and better high end. In 10 knots there's no real need for a 17, 15 is enough if you're 80 kgs.”…would you second that ?
Kite: ?
Size: ?
Year: ?
Kite characteristics: Not to deep in the window, beginner friendly with easy relaunch for a 5,2 Nugget and a 82kg rider in 8-18 knots condition on flat water.
It is my goal to end up with lets say 5 kites that meet those characteristics, which I can watch out for a used one in the coming 6 month. This is not something I necessarily need tomorrow, also better it would be...
Thx.
Select to expand quoteDl33ta said..
I had a 17m Dyno for a while, went pretty well with the nugget in the smaller chop. Great depower and upwind, was a proper session saver.
thx. Would a 17m Dyno suit me as a beginner. Somewhere I heard it is more used to advanced kiters and likes to be always moved. It is a race kite, right? I like the concept of the North Dyno. Another Kite comparable to this one that I can put one my list ?
My current watchlist: (Let me know about your suggestion, what to replace/ change, pls !)
LEIs:
- 2014 / 2nd generation or later 14.5m or 17m Ocean Rodeo Flite ...hard to find used...!
- Airush Vantage 18m LW (2014 ?)...seems to be a sweet LW kite, but hard to find used...!
- North Dyno 17m
- Best TS 17m
- 13 meter ozone edge 2011 onward...will have a look at this one. thx!...(anyone use a 13m ozone edge and a nugget (82kg)? Low end? Is the relaunch in light wind that hard ???)
- 3- 5m Line Extension for my current 12m Switchblade ?!?! Not really an option. I understand that results in a smaller wind window, but larger Powerzone. But would probably not have much effect on launching the kite... Therefore not much of a chance to use the kite in lighter winds sub 14kn... Am I wrong here ?
Foils:
- FS Speed 3 (or higher) 18/19m excellent condition (what low end to expect from a FS Speed 15m on a nugget ?)
Kite characteristics:
Not too deep in the window, beginner friendly with easy relaunch for a Directional Board (5,2 Nugget) and a 82kg rider from 8-10 knots on flat water.
Throw in some more kites, pls...I let this settle from my side for a couple days and than come back and see what came up here. Thanks so far for all the suggestions and advise (even now I am more confused than before regarding my buying decision). And also thanks in advance for the upcoming suggestions. Have a nice weekend and go riding !
You have left out the Blade Fat Lady and Slingshot Turbine to name a few...
The Blade is great and if you shop around you'll get a great deal on a new 1,
but also a great kite for light wind kiting is the Slingshot Turbine! But unfortunately not many people who
have them are willing to sell them, being so versatile and user friendly and grunty hangtime weapons..they might not
suit someone who has a lot of lawn too mow.. 
Try demoing your listed kite's with a light wind board first and then you'll know what is the best option for yourself
in 7-10 knots, and in 12-15ish knots. Some are fast and some are slow. Some are good overpowered and some aren't
and some are good in light winds and some aren't.
Select to expand quoteFly on da wall said..
Blade Fat Lady
About the Blade Fat Lady...I heard that this is one of the few kites that can turn decently and sits deeper in the window. Would that be a good characteristic on a directional board in light wind or would some super efficient race Edge type kite suit me better on a Nugget ? Thx for the help...
Select to expand quoteste said..
Ozone Edge 13. V8
I just watched some reviews of the Ozone Edge V8. OOOOhhhh, that is a sweet Kite I guess. I would probably not go above 15m on this one. Also not possible to find a used one. Heard even the 11m works well below 10kn, but unfortunately not in my weight class.
Would you really recommend "only" the 13m FOR LIGHTWIND!!! in my weight class (82kg on a directional) ?
Another thing is the bar. I also heard Ozone sells a "race bar" with this kite. Anyway what kind of bar is the Ozone Edge work with. Ozone only? Year?
Select to expand quoteDl33ta said..
17m Dyno for a while, went pretty well with the nugget in the smaller chop. Great depower and upwind, was a proper session saver.
North Dyno. I guess that one has similar characteristics to the Ozone Edge. Again not sure if I would go for 17m or a number smaller. 15m ? Also must do my research on what changes the made in recent years. Any suggestion for the year to watch out for a used one ?
If your going to foil you will no doubt want a much smaller kite but if it's normal kiting as a beginner in light winds you want everything going in your favour. Right amount of cloth in the air, right board and good sea conditions (low swell, low current). If you want to mow the lawn a fat lady or other low aspect kite is not the right choice, an edge or dyno is. If you are going to downwind it, go the low aspect, I had a fat lady and it was great for tearing down wind on light days, way too much grunt for a bigginer to mow the lawn though.
Be realistic about what wind you will be able to have a good session in, an average 12 knots is probably it for your first year.
If it's light wind your after, at your weight I wouldn't muck around, 17m+ and a good light wind board like the Nugget or a monster door if you want to TT. You wont regret it.
First of, thanks for your helpful advise...Select to expand quoteDl33ta said..
If your going to foil you will no doubt want a much smaller kite but if it's normal kiting as a beginner in light winds you want everything going in your favour.
Right amount of cloth in the air, right board and good sea conditions (low swell, low current). Select to expand quoteDl33ta said..If you want to mow the lawn a fat lady or other low aspect kite is not the right choice, an edge or dyno is. If you are going to downwind it, go the low aspect, I had a fat lady and it was great for tearing down wind on light days, way too much grunt for a bigginer to mow the lawn though
Sorry, but I not completely understand. But this is a very important part for me to understand. May I ask you to eleborate the two differences more detailed, between low aspect (fat lady) vs Edge Type Kite, regarding the conditions I like to use the kite in. (low wind around 10kn on a Nugget 5,2 with 82kg).
All I like to do is cruising around. Upwind/Downwind on the Directional Board. Little Jumps here and there. No tricks at all. Riding strapless soon...And all with a big "Fun Factor". (Maybe LW Kiteboarding is boring? Do not know yet...) Select to expand quoteDl33ta said..Be realistic about what wind you will be able to have a good session in, an average 12 knots is probably it for your first year.
You probably right on this one. The idea is to get more riding time out of a "light wind setup". The conditions here are more or less 20% of the days no wind. 65% 5-12kn. 15% above 12kn. ..mostly flat water, bit more choppy outside, and sadly never "real" waves or surf...Select to expand quoteDl33ta said..If it's light wind your after, at your weight I wouldn't muck around, 17m+ and a good light wind board like the Nugget or a monster door if you want to TT. You wont regret it.
My current watchlist: (Let me know about your suggestion, what to replace/ change, pls !)
Kite characteristics: Beginner friendly with easy relaunch for a 5,2 Nugget and a 82kg rider in around 10!-18 knots condition on flat water. "Easy" to self launch/ land!
LEIs:
- Core XR3LW or Core XR2 LW 15/17m
- Ozone Edge 15m
- Ocean Rodeo Flite (2014 / 2nd generation or later) 14.5m/17m
- North Dyno 15/17m
- Cabrinha Velocity 16/18m
- Cabrinha Crossbow LW (2013) 15m/18m
- Airush Vantage 18m LW / Airush VXR 13
- ASV XR 17,5 Race (2013)
- Blade Fat Lady 17m (Low Aspect Kite)
Foils:
- FS Speed III, Lotus, V 15/18m
Still a bit confused if a High Aspect LEI Kite would suit me better in Light wind vs. a Low Aspect ON A DIRECTIONAL (Nugget)!
Also had the ozone edge 15 but went back to the 13.
If you want to kite in less than 10 knots the airush sector is the way to go.
The ozone edge will fly on any bar with equal length and a single front line safety.
My best set up after 10 years for light wind is
Ozone edge13 2012
Airush sector 52
Am going upwind in 9 knots
Am 80kg
Any less wind you may need a proper race board.
Thx yendor. Useful stuff...!!
....
I added the "Turbine" to my list...
My current watchlist: (...now I will try to narrow down the list...)
LEIs:
- Core XR3LW or Core XR2 LW 15/17m
- Ozone Edge 15m
- Ozone Zephyr 2015 17qm
- Ocean Rodeo Flite (2014 / 2nd generation or later) 14.5m/17m
- North Dyno 15/17m
- Cabrinha Velocity 16/18m
- Cabrinha Crossbow LW (2013) 15m/18m
- Cabrinha Contra 15m LW (2015/2016)
- Airush Vantage 18m LW / Airush VXR 13
- ASV XR 17,5 Race (2013)
- Slingshot Turbine 15m
- Blade Fat Lady 17m (Low Aspect Kite)
Foils:
- FS Speed III, Lotus, V 15/18m
Please let me know which would be your "TOP 3" in ranking order.
(Pls keep in mind the kite characteristics I am looking for: Beginner friendly with easy relaunch for a 5,2 Nugget and a 82kg rider in around 10!-18 knots condition on flat water + I add the term "good fun factor" to those characteristics...)
Select to expand quotejamesperth said..hell yes - ..... in our range it is the Speed series that i would recommend.
Thanks James, for taking all the time to give me this extensive explanation. I had a look at the Boost 2 and even see a used one for sale in 12m and 18m atm...
Let me ask you about the Speed. I heard a lot of people very happy with their Speed V. And they are talking about "new generation material improvements, that made the kite even better than before..."
1.) Anyway, what your thoughts about the Speed III DLX series ? I see plenty available here used in either 15, 18/19 or 21m. You know I am about to buy used. Any recommendations what to watch out for when buy used? Will the III DLX series be "fine enough" for my needs or should I watch out for a later series (Lotus, V)
2.) Some argue a foil kite is only good as long as it is new. After some time it will start soaking water etc...Someone argued that in LW conditions wind may drop completely and even if wind picks up afterward it may be hard to relaunch a kite in the open water. Which means you might have to swim back. He argued it may be a lot easier with a pumped up LEIs. How would you argue to those comments.?
3.) Where I live there is no wide beaches/ open fields to launch/land a kite. For my LEI I use a piece of strong wood around 200feet away from the beach in knee deep water to tether launch. Now that is something that seems not be possible with the foils. Assisted Launch is not an option for me. There is simply no-one around... What would you recommend to get the foil up in the air in my situation?
As you see in my watchlist the FS Speed is in there and I know many, many riders worldwide are stoked about that material in LW. Still not sure which way to go...
Thx....!!!
You could go a 11m C kite on a pulley bar and ride a sup! They're on YouTube and having a blast in light wind.. but whatever rock's your boat.
P.s.. please no more ozone threads. Everyone already knows just how unbeatable all of there kites are......#beentoopimpedtowant1ever
Select to expand quoteSaferider said..
First of, thanks for your helpful advise...Dl33ta said..
If your going to foil you will no doubt want a much smaller kite but if it's normal kiting as a beginner in light winds you want everything going in your favour.
Right amount of cloth in the air, right board and good sea conditions (low swell, low current).
If I understand correct, you suggest to stick to LEIs as a beginner, correct? (With foil I was asking about the kite, like FS Speed, not a "Foil Board"!)Dl33ta said..If you want to mow the lawn a fat lady or other low aspect kite is not the right choice, an edge or dyno is. If you are going to downwind it, go the low aspect, I had a fat lady and it was great for tearing down wind on light days, way too much grunt for a bigginer to mow the lawn though
Sorry, but I not completely understand. But this is a very important part for me to understand. May I ask you to eleborate the two differences more detailed, between low aspect (fat lady) vs Edge Type Kite, regarding the conditions I like to use the kite in. (low wind around 10kn on a Nugget 5,2 with 82kg).
All I like to do is cruising around. Upwind/Downwind on the Directional Board. Little Jumps here and there. No tricks at all. Riding strapless soon...And all with a big "Fun Factor". (Maybe LW Kiteboarding is boring? Do not know yet...) Dl33ta said..Be realistic about what wind you will be able to have a good session in, an average 12 knots is probably it for your first year.
You probably right on this one. The idea is to get more riding time out of a "light wind setup". The conditions here are more or less 20% of the days no wind. 65% 5-12kn. 15% above 12kn. ..mostly flat water, bit more choppy outside, and sadly never "real" waves or surf...Dl33ta said..If it's light wind your after, at your weight I wouldn't muck around, 17m+ and a good light wind board like the Nugget or a monster door if you want to TT. You wont regret it.
Ok. The Nugget I already have. Now your suggestion is to go 17m+, for a LEI, correct ?
No wouldn't pin myself to LEI, if I had the cash I'd get myself a foil LW kite tomorrow.
The main difference is that a kite like the fat lady will go straight away if there is enough wind for it but you'll track downwind fast. With an edge or dyno you need to get momentum and then you can go wherever you like. From what you are saying a high aspect kite or speed would be best, and go big. If you pick a dyno/edge and by the sounds of it speed you will have a massive range At the top end but having a bigger kite strengthens your bottom end.
To be honest.. unfortunately a 13 edge or any edge actually have a very short lifespan,being a race kite which are now obsolete in racing so there's probably a big surplus of them around as like most kites that are manufactured in bulk.. not made to order. You'd find em cheap and also secondhand foil kites as they are outdated for racing before they are unusable but foils require constant retuning and bridle adjustments and replacement being made of such light race competitve materials so they go cheap too secondhand or even new cause they're outdated once they're released to keep you needing the latest to keep up with the latest... exactly the same as bikes,boats... all racing sports.
Select to expand quoteFly on da wall said.. You could go a 11m C kite on a pulley bar and ride a sup!
Not my cup of tea... thx.
Select to expand quotejamesperth said......
James the time and support you put in your posting for a newbie is simply incredible. I can not thank you enough for that. Really awesome !!!! Also thanks for the videos linked. Helps a lot. I indeed need to start from the water. To much obstacles close to the beach that scare me of a bit. But yes, have space to lay out the lines…
Btw I still have the HQ Hydra 4.2 that I use as a trainer and also did my water dragging sessions on that kite. Sometimes I had to swim back because that kite soaks up with water in seconds. Water re-launch is also not the easiest on that kite unless you have it blowing 15kn. Not even sure why this kite deserves the name “Hydra”. To be fair I have to say that we also have the 1st Gen. Hydra 3.0 and that is a great fun kite, especially for the kids.
Well, I know that FS uses some better material so soaking up is probably not as fast and kiting on a directional with lots of volume may indeed make it easy to fold up a foil kite and bring it back on the board, in the case the wind drops and relaunch is not possible…Just have to watch out for the sea urchins and not get another 50 needles like on one of my first water dragging sessions 
I will take the time to re-read your posts. I have some feeling that a 15m Speed III DLX could be an good option for my needs. Also the FS Speed is one of the kites on my watchlist to find used, easy and in good condition. Do not know why (well, because I have no experience...) but the bigger foils 18- 21 seem very big for me, handling wise, even I know that many like the FS Speed 21 most for the LW days... But I will check some more sources to get a clearer picture about that...
How much low end would I loose on a 15m Speed with a directional board compared to a 18 or 21m in your experience?
Thx !
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Liquid Force Solo...15.5 or 17.5 are both great for foiling and stay in the air at 5 knots easily. I live inland on a Canadian river at the moment, and its way better than the Ocean Rodeo Flite. Drifts super well for foiling downwind too.
Their water relaunch in very light wind (5-8 knots) can be tricky though if water pools on the canopy due to only having one strut.
Select to expand quoteSamuellae said..Liquid Force Solo...15.5 or 17.5
Will have a look at this kite. Thx. Also narrowed down my watchlist to the 15m range...(Hope I am on the right track...)
Kite characteristics: Beginner friendly with easy relaunch for a 5,2 Nugget and a 82kg rider in around 10!-18 knots condition on flat water.
LEIs:
- Core XR3LW or Core XR2 LW 15
- Slingshot Turbine 15m
- Ozone Edge 15m
- Ozone Zephyr 15qm
- Ocean Rodeo Flite (2014 / 2nd generation or later) 14.5m/17m
- North Dyno 15
- Cabrinha Velocity 16
- Cabrinha Crossbow LW (2013) 15m
- Cabrinha Contra 15m LW (2015/2016)
- Liquid Force Solo 15.5m
Foils:
- FS Speed III, Lotus, V 15m
oh sorry i also fell for the foil/not foiling trick.
Yes well i said it was good for drifting- which would apply for surfing too.
I rode the best ts 15m last season, and it was a bloody fun kite. Really good for wakestyle. Just avoid 2015 unless they have had vavels replaced.
I haven't tried the fat lady, but I have used the blade bar and it is mind blowing!!!!!! Have a look at ProKite.com.au james at ProKite stocks them.
I think for my light wind kite This season I'll be running the turbine 17m, slingshot just made a 19m turbine too but I think it would be a little pointless for what I'm after.
Or another option is to use a small kite and foil board. You will get out sub 10knots for sure if you have the right skills
