SPLEENE Talk - Kite size, how do I choose the right one?
Do you know the feeling when you get to the beach and have no idea which kite size to set up? You see kitesurfers with 15sqm² kites in the water and others with just a 9 kite? The question of which kite size you should ultimately use is therefore more than justified.
Why are there kiters with such different kite sizes in the same kite session?
Weight of the kitesurfer:
The weight of the kitesurfer is decisive when it comes to kite size. In principle, it can be said that the lighter the rider, the smaller the kite size. However, this formula cannot be extended downwards indefinitely.
Which kiteboard size do they ride:
Alongside the size of the kiteboard, the size of the kiteboard is the most important factor when it comes to planing in light winds. Many comparative tests have even come to the conclusion that a larger kiteboard such as a SPLEENE Door with a 12m kite, for example, has better light wind characteristics than a smaller freeride board with a 17m kite. A large surface area underfoot and an agile kite that generates power through fast sinus movements allow the kitesurfer to start planing very early on. A long board edge also allows you to ride higher.
Which kite model:
Different kite shapes bring out different flying characteristics of the kites. Wakestyle kites should deliver a constant pull and an explosive pop, freeride kites deliver stable flight characteristics and a linear pressure build-up in the turn, whereby the turning speed is not quite as important.
Wave kites, on the other hand, should turn as quickly as possible and - even if they are set to 11 o'clock without pressure - drift along well so that the kiter can ride the wave. However, in addition to the flight characteristics described above, each of these kites also has different low-wind characteristics. Light wind kites currently have a light to strong delta shape in order to achieve the so-called aspect ratio (the aspect ratio of kites indicates the ratio of wingspan to height. A kite with a small AR is more docile in handling, a kite with a larger AR enables higher performance) and to generate more usable surface area for the wind, but agility suffers a little in return.
Which kite models are there?
- Delta Kites
- Freestyle / Wakestyle Kites
- Wavekites
- Foilkites
- One Strutter / No-strut Kites
- Racekites
Which kitesurf disciplines:
Which kite size you should use is of course also influenced by the kite discipline. Big air and old school kiters want to be overpowered so that they can jump high and have as much time in the air as possible for boardoffs and similar maneuvers. That's why old schoolers always opt for kites that are a few square meters larger.
In contrast, the directional kiter chooses a fast, small kite that is particularly maneuverable and can be used to conjure up tight turns on the water. Directional riders have the additional advantage that volume boards have much more lift than twintips, for example. Another outlier are the kitefoilers, which hardly need any propulsion to ride when hovering - the kitefoilers ride by far the smallest kites.
Riding skills:
Conclusion: How do you choose the right kite size?
If you don't have an anemometer with you to correctly assess the conditions, it's best to take the advice of a kitesurfer with similar riding ability, weight and board size. You can also find good guidelines in the kite wind range tables. As a beginner, you should focus on the lower ranges and not ride the kite size up to the maximum specified wind strength. This will allow you to assess the conditions and weight at which we recommend the different SPLEENE kites - the HAZE, PUNK, BIG and SQUID - for intermediate riders.
TIP:
Watch out for the typical freeriders on the water. In other words, the riders who cruise comfortably and practice a few maneuvers. You can follow these kitesurfers quite well, as long as the board size and weight are more or less the same.
If we have been able to help you with this article, we look forward to your feedback! If you have any questions, please send us a message.
