Light wind equipment - kites vs windsurfers

[Guest]

http://www.oceanrodeo.com/one.html

[JL]

Sorry, I forgot to log in on previous post. Most kite companys are producing 'BOW' kites. I will add some reviews to this thread as I find them. To me they are a natural evolution of kiting. (think of 2-4 line, profile changes, chicken loops, punch out, fifth line...) http://www.cabrinhakites.com/crossbow&s ... videos.php ~7-16 knot range for the 16 M 'BOW' seems logical. http://www.ikiteboarding.com/article_detail.aspx?id=166

[downwind dave]

Light wind isnt such a bad thing, in the mid 90's there were so many light wind days i ended up meeting my wife and finishing my bachelors degree. if formula boards or giant kites were invented back then who knows how it all would have turned out for me.

[JL]

True: & no wind makes it easy to go to work !!!

[jjjim]

From my experience, the most important factor in the "should I go windsurfing or kiting" dilemma is the beach you're either blessed or stuck with. I'm a long time windsurfer and a learning kiter. Where I live there are really no great launches, just a couple of spots I can slip in and out of without getting messed up partly because I have lots of windsuring experience. A rocky launch and fluky winds don't stop me from heading out. But to learn to kitesurf, my progress so far indicates that I really need a nice beach with just the right wind and no obvious hazards to make any real progress. And even if I was a decent kiter I'd still need a reasonable place to launch my kite.
On the light wind topic I have this year purchased a 7.5, the biggest sail I've ever had, and a 105 litre board (Kus's protec), the biggest non centre-board board I've ever had. At 135 lbs. I'm getting out in very marginal winds and really enjoying it. Not much jumping but the sensation of the smooth water is sweet and fast....surprisingly fast. I'm wondering if I'm not faster on the 7.5 in smoothness than on the 5.0/8 ft 6 rough water setup I've used for so long. I'm hoping to become a better pumper such that I can get even more out of less wind and smoother water. Roland who used to work at the windsurf shop in Van. called it "scientific sailing" where you're just trying to squeeze every bit of performance you can your setup. If you're into it, it can be pretty intense. Executing a smooth stalless jibe is pretty challenging and rewarding. I have to admit, the modern gear is really very good. Light wind used to be dull; now it's fun.

[KUS]

You make me miss that board JJJim, Protecs rocked, too bad they are no more

[more force 4]

jjjim sounds like he needs a GPS to actually measure squeezing out the last drop of speed from the wind. If you don't have one, Jim, you would really love it, its a great toy for that sort of thing. At 135 lb a 7.5 sounds about ideal - prob the equiv of a 9.0 for me, a 10.5 for Bobson-sized sailors.

Watched a couple of the kite clip links at work (don't tell the boss) cause I got in early (and they wouldn't play at home on my dinosaur) - does the safety performance match the ads? Any kitemares on these newest 'sheet in out and if you need to totally depower' rigs?

[JL]

I love my booties. (I've come close to trying THIS with my thumb however!) http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2321064 I digress, the lines are to be respected on ANY traction kite....Here is a great clip of the 'Takoon NOVA'. Fifth lines are history with BOW kites !!! http://www.kiteforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2320978

[Mattdog]

The high projected (hi pro) kites are flatter - less inverted U - in shape. Some people call them "flat bastards"

The range is so good becuase they are shaped more like a hinge door, not a bucked. Just open the door and all the wind spills. Try doing that with a bucket and the wind stays trapped in it. The flat kites also reverse relaunch off the water, unlike U kites, and can be depowered 90% by letting go of the bar so are potentially safer.

Im selling my 12m Windwing Rapture, the first generation of bow kite, if anyone is interested. Great kite, 6 mos old for $600.

[JL]

Mattyou are going to be the envy of C.B. with that new school kite !!! http://www.windwing.com/images/videos/F ... essive.mov http://www.windwing.com/images/videos/R ... essive.mov http://www.windwing.com/images/videos/R ... essive.mov

[morewind]

Mattdog: very cool analogy about the door and bucket. That makes a lot of sense.

We'd be all interested in a kite review when you receive and try out your new windwing kite.

[JL]

look in here !!! http://www.windwing.com/Forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=3 Here is the Naish T.V. link....'Shockwave' is their 'Bow' kite....Nice wave kiting footage. http://www.naish.tv/

[powersailor]

I look at windsurfing much the same as I do with biking. Biking has many different diciplines as does windsurfing. I love wave sailing and I love Formula sailing. They might as well be two different sports. I'm stoked heading out on the water with my 10.4 at Jericho. You can rip up to Lighthouse Park and then do a crazy downwinder to Stanley Park, blitz Kits Beach as you head backup to Jericho. The whole time I am planing with a grin ear to ear. In the summer your pretty much garanteed to be able to get out 5 of 7 days on an 11metre or smaller sail. Another good thing is you can stay in town if you're from Vancouver be home for dinner instead of driving back from Squamish!
As far as kiting goes-it looks like a riot. If I wasn't committed to windsurfing I would like to try it. At B-Bay they seem to do better with the weeds and the tides but at Jericho I think access is still a problem?
I think in the end pick what feels good for you and your wallet.