Buying Your First kitesurfing Setup: Kite Equipment, brand, type and size.

[@jakke1975]

The biggest issue with gear when I started was my wetsuit. Unless you live in the Caribbean or some other tropical place, you cannot do without it. In the shop, I complained that it was really difficult to get in and out, that it was really tight. "Oh, don't worry, it's supposed to be like that, it'll get looser when you wear it a few times" they said. Not knowing anything, I just took their "expert advise" but it was holding me back so bad. A teacher told me later that my suit as too thick and a size too small. Being able to move and breathe freely is no luxury, it's a must when you're on the water. Also as a beginner I didn't have the budget for 3 different kites. I told the shop I will be learning when the wind isn't too strong so they set me up with a 12m kite (I'm about 95kg). The issue was that most days there was moderate to strong wind and the kite was way too powerful to learn. I'd have started with a 9m (which I have now) with what I know now. It's better to learn being underpowered than being overpowered. Not being in control of your kite can be really scary in the beginning and cost you a lot of days of practice.

[@Luffemonster]

Don’t trust a random shop is what you are saying.

[@jakke1975]

@@Luffemonster True, but it was only the highest rated shop of my small country, owned by one of the "famous" kiters in our country too. Obviously those things don't mean a lot...

[@k4rmik3]

I weigh 137lbs or 62kg and I use a 9M usually on 15-23 knots , 12M on 10-16 knots and 7M on 23+ knots.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Sounds perfect Senta!

[@Tjarkxx]

Thanks, your comment helped me alot, I nearly weigh the same as you and I want to get my first own Kite in the summer. Which Kite exactly do you own ?Sorry for my I think bad english

[@federicomartinez9198]

Excellent video Fluke! Haven´t check your channel in a really long time (I made some comments on the relaunch ones) and have to say this is great! Would love to see more freestyle lessons!

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Awesome thanks mate! Great to have you check back in :) And yes, one of the goals this summer is to get some more advanced videos up.

[@JorgeEgrejasFrancisco]

Congrats for another nice video. I am always fond to see your presentations and opinions. Even when I have slightly different ones. E.g. my weight is 67 kg and in a 3 kite quiver I prefer to have more wind range available; effectively, I have a OR A-Flite 14,5m, an OR A-Roam 10m and a Dtk Neo 7m (which I would like to change for a A-Roam 7m). With that quiver, I am able to sail with a twintip from 9 to 40 knots (experience dixit), something that I could not with more restrained options (being true that I used to windsurf since 30 years between 6 and 60 knots, which gave me some experience with great wind variations). All in all, it’s true that someone has to consider its local conditions and the wind reference from brands for the kite size. Cheers 🤙

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey Jorge, thanks and yeah some people certainly like to widen the range a little. :) Your range is very wide! Great for picking up those light and strong days with only 3 kites as you say. In my option , personally I prefer to have no more than 25% size change between kites to be able to pick the right kite for me on the day. You are siting around the 42% to 45% meaning on certain days, while there is cross over, id feel slightly under powered on the smaller and overpowered on the larger. Of course, you can make it work, but on that day i'd like something in between to maximise my riding. Of course it's a matter of preference, but I think you would enjoy a 4th kite in that setup range :)

[@JorgeEgrejasFrancisco]

@@FlukesKitesurfing Thanks for the advice, Luke. Being true that I also have other kites in my current quiver: a Dtk Neo SLS 12m and a Dtk Neo 9m. But what I have found so far is that when I am riding with the 12m I could go with the 10m (above e.g. 15 knots) and with the 14,5m (below 15 knots); and I can stick easily with the 10m when riding the 9m (maybe because the OR Aluula has more wind range than the Neo and is more light in the bar); and only above 23 knots I put the 7m to use.I really find that the kites nowadays have a big range of utilization. But of course I am not a professional rider like yourself 😎 All the best for your endeavors.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

@@JorgeEgrejasFrancisco nice and thanks for the insight :) yeah totally agree about the Aluula 10m Roam. I find I get more out of it that than another (non Aluula) 12M in the same light wind conditions. They have some great wind range and stability. In fact, i tell people if they are going to have a 1 kite quiver, that is the one. That said i also now have a hybrid Aluula 12 Crave and its amazing. Feels a lot like a 10 to fly but lets you jump higher in lighter wind :)

[@lukedavis3399]

Enjoying your videos thank you. I'm new and unfortunately have picked up a set of C kites, prior to your warning. They are able to be turned into hybrids so will make up some bridles and slowly test.

[@Number9Lucas]

Really informative thanks Luke. I've only had a 12m since I started and it's been a dream (i'm 77kg). I just can't go out above 25 knots with it but that's ok i'm still learning

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Nice one! Yeah I only had an 11 for my first year learning. But then got a 9 too and it was awesome.

[@2007dalin]

i wish i could spend more time on my 9m.. its just so much more fun but we rarely are able to ride less then a 12..

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Tell me about it.. to many days in a row on my 12 and i'm starting to go crazy haha :)

[@WRDNK]

Hey! Awesome video! Say I'm looking to get into Kiteboarding. Is this still good info for a snowsurfer?

[@SweUnpoor]

It really comes down to local wind conditions

[@M9Diry]

Fluke! I got a 10m and I’m also 77kg. I need to add the 8 and 12 to the collection next

[@alessandrobarbieri6207]

Great video man!

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Thanks @alessandro!

[@grassmugge]

I live at the Baltic coast (City of Rostock). My mostly flown kite is 17qm. I expect pity and empathy from all You people out there!

[@AKJammer1]

Here on the Gulf Coast of Florida the most used kite is also a 17m. We get some heavier (20-30mph) wind in the winter, but we're flying in 12-16mph most of the time. I bought a 9m when I first started out, but never touched it till I started foiling.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Haha.. yeah mate directing some empathy your way :)

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

@@AKJammer1 yeah that’s what I tend to do these days... when it’s light I pump up the 9 instead and foil instead of using a big kite :)

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

@@AKJammer1 yeah that’s what I tend to do these days... when it’s light I pump up the 9 instead and foil instead of using a big kite :)

[@Samer7harb]

Iam 120kg 189cm can i use it? If i can how it will cost me for everything ?

[@Rickles37]

Wasaga Beach 1 Ontario eh 14 heat attacks later.. Aboot ta help a buddy out .. Need to fly lol

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

nice haha

[@theproagentteam-bronwynsco5345]

Awesome video dude

[@kst157]

Desperate to receive your videos as I think they are the BEST (I’ve honestly learned more from you than anywhere else, thank you so much) but it won’t let me select the black bell to receive them? Have you a child setting stooping from allowing notifications of your new videos? Desperate to fix this issue...

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey KST, Stoked your enjoying the videos and thanks for letting us know. We have had a few people say the same thing regarding not receiving the email notifications. Our kids setting should be correct... that said, could you try something and let us know? If you - unsubscribe, re-subscribe, and then click the notifications bell. I believe that fixes the issue. If you can let us know if it does work for you that would be awesome :)

[@kst157]

@@FlukesKitesurfing That has worked! Been waiting eagerly for your videos and NOW they’ll arrive automatically! Never had this problem with a subscription before but glad unsubscribing + subscribing back immediately worked. You have a natural talent for teaching and a great / friendly personality that SHOWS - sincerely appreciated. Thanks. 👍⭐️

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

@@kst157 Perfect! Yeah unfortunately when YT made the changes, anyone that was already subscribed to us before the change, no longer gets the emails unless they unsub, resub and ring the bell. Very frustrating but is what it is. and thanks for reaching out to get it sorted :)

[@Vitek19]

Thank you Very 👍👍👍👍👍 VVV VERY Much Man !!!!!!❤

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

For sure, hope it helps!

[@OrlandoMulder]

C kite is definitely not jumping higher then a bow kite😅 you can compare it like a naish torch to naish pivot 😅

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey Orlando, thanks for the input. The information is designed for someone getting into the sport to explain what types of shapes do. While im not a fan of actual C, In general, iv'e found kites closer to the C offer better jumping. Not necessarily which one will jump higher... but overall including, loops, unhooking, catch etc. but of course there are a lot of other factors that also play a part in the kites performance. :)

[@OrlandoMulder]

@@FlukesKitesurfing aah ok 👌 🤙🏻

[@alexandersavin1538]

Very hard goal - not achieved, nice try😊. For example, I use 18-15-12 with weight 98 and I didn't see why it may happen in your video. What to do to estimate kite size?

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

haha, actually your numbers fit the guide almost perfectly ;) You are heavier than the top mentioned guide meaning you need to size up a bit. Also, sounds like you might live in an area with a lower average wind speed, if you are flying an 18 which is a non typical size. Thanks :)

[@A-fl1ln]

Thank you

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

No problem!

[@mikkihintikka7273]

im willing to put in more hours learning than money

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Practise is the main thing! :)

[@Aventon500wheelie]

Who the hell can afford $6000 for kites. Buy the kite your going to use at all times. Unless you have stupid amounts of money.

[@FlukesKitesurfing]

Hey Richard, Lots of people can afford it to be honest. I wouldn't feel confident to ride on 1 kite. Too tempted to go out in overpowered conditions. haha :)