What size kite??

[Homey]

I am a relative noob. I currently ride a 9 meter Omega in 15-25mph winds.

I am wanting to kite while in Destin this summer. I am needing to buy a light wind kite for down there I assume??Can someone tell me what size is good for riding in the panhandle area in summertime??

I am thinking a 14m or 17m, but a guy here in Oklahoma says that kites that big are a waste of time. Can everybody give me some input on the size of kite for Destin area. Also, can you recommend some good light wind kites that have a high depower feature for a relative noob?

Thanks

[ricki]

How much do you weigh? The "right" larger kite is not a waste of time at all. Back in the day, some really large, ponderously slow kites proved that kite area wasn't enough, you also needed to be able to fly the kite fairly fast to develop adequate apparent wind.

Also big part of working the low wind end is the board you are using. I see guys all the time on too small a board for available winds and kite size. You tend to come off plane and sink in lulls. A larger board helps you glide through the lulls maintaining momentum. So, I would take a hard look at both requirements.

Haven't been on the ground in the Panhandle for a very long time. Looking at ikitesurf, aside from tropical storms which should be avoided, the winds look pretty light, in the low teen mph range. That puts a particular challenge on things.

[neil xrated]

Call XL kites in Fort Walton that is your local shop with a very Knowledgeble staff. Cheers Neil