I have searched all over and always have trouble finding a somewhat reliable way to tell what size kites you should be getting based on rider weight and so their ranges don't overlap.

I weight about 215 lbs and know for LEI's I should be looking at a 9,13,17 quiver. (already have a 13m Fuel). As far as the depower foils for the winter, I am looking at the Ozone Frenzy/Access and don't really know where to start...

6m Access/10m Frenzy? 8m Access/12m Frenzy?

Should I get the access first to learn onor learn on the Frenzy? Or should I just use the Fuel during the winter too?

Thanks for all the help!
Kevin

What type of kiting do you do? Its a big factor in the type and size of the kites you want.

NYKiter,
Terremoto is definately right. You need to first look at what type of kiting you are going to be doing most. Another issue that few people think about is altitude. Here in Montana we have thiner air so we tend to have to go to bigger kites than on the coast. If you are looking at Ozones I would say go with the Frenzy. If you go with the Access you will just be wanting to move to Frenzy later on as you progress with the FOIL.

Just my two cents worth. Have you looked at the new 2008 Montana III by HQ? I have all of the info on my web site if you are interested.

Good luck finding the right kite. It seems like this is always everyone's biggest question, and trial and error gets expensive.

I LIV TO KITE, AND I KITE TO LIVE

terremoto wrote:What type of kiting do you do? Its a big factor in the type and size of the kites you want.

The foils will be used for snowkiting, possibly a little bit of landboarding. Right now I am just starting out but probably will get into freestyle more than backcountry riding. Maybe a 7.5m and 10m Frenzy is the way to go.

I'm just worried that a 10 will be too small or 12 too big for an all around kite.

Underground Kite Sports wrote:NYKiter,
Terremoto is definately right. You need to first look at what type of kiting you are going to be doing most. Another issue that few people think about is altitude. Here in Montana we have thiner air so we tend to have to go to bigger kites than on the coast. If you are looking at Ozones I would say go with the Frenzy. If you go with the Access you will just be wanting to move to Frenzy later on as you progress with the FOIL.

Just my two cents worth. Have you looked at the new 2008 Montana III by HQ? I have all of the info on my web site if you are interested.

Good luck finding the right kite. It seems like this is always everyone's biggest question, and trial and error gets expensive.

I LIV TO KITE, AND I KITE TO LIVE

I haven't really looked into the HQ's but will definately start! Thanks!

If you are going to use the FOILS at a high altitude or if it is a location with light winds regularly I would say go with the 12m. Most of the people around here fly 12m most of the time. Also if you are going to go for freestyle you will get bigger and floatier airs from the 12m than 10m.

this might help for you.

Winter 2006 and beginning of 2007, I had an Access 8m, and a Frenzy 12m. I am 180 pounds. The 12m was too much, I wish I had an Access 6m, and a Frenzy 10m. It would have been better for my weight. Now I have carry 4m, 7m, and 10m for winter. It covers me all, except for below 8-9 knots, but then I play scrabble with my wife. I accumulate kiting points.

So you're 30 pounds more than me, and are you on skis or snowbaord, that will make a difference too.

Don't forget that a 12m will turn slow, and less fun to fly than a 10m. But if you go with a 10m, your low-end will be more than me , so if you go with the 10m, why not take the manta2 or an hihg aspect raio, which will develop more power for same size.

If I had a $$$ printer, I'd buy them all.

I'm about 180+ I fly both Lei's and foils I think for ground boarding you can use a Lei but foils are my favorite I think cause sometimes you need something that doesn't require so much input cause its a game of finese and easing into the power. IF you're on a beach like your avatar suggests it doesn't matter.

From what i've been told foils pull two sizes larger than a Lei. so if its a 10 its a 12 if its a 12 now its comparable to 14.

The access was meant to be a tame learning horse but the frenzy is pretty tame too thats primarily how i learned to kite. I tried the access and unless i was a back country cross country never leave the ground its serves no purpose for me.

Its kinda like buying a car which model is the hottest you will have less trouble getting rid of it when the time comes.

Air density plays a huge role in the kites. In montana i'm on a 10-16 ALL OF THE TIME. On the coast and below like 1000ASL. Smaller kites can be enjoyed too. I prefer to ride a bigger kite for extra room for error. the little kites can take you wayyyy uppp in a short amount of time.

Snow kiting its up too you I ride 50/50 lei/foil. This year will be more on Lei. I will suffer a bit in the pump and string it up in cold weather but there are few days when my 10mfrenzy has enough power to get high on unless i huck my self off a cliff.

I would suggest staying away from the super high aspect ratio's until you're ready to handle them. Feedback is much quicker and softer and the kite can do things that until you get really good at it will leave you scrathin your head. They fly fast very fast. This is regards to manta, rhino, octane etc.

You can't go wrong with a 10 m frenzy and a 6 m access. Those two kites would get you out in most conditions. If you have a fuel for the lighter days you would be set. I have been flying the 10 m frenzys and the new 9 frenzy for a few years now and they always prove to be my favorite kites. I really enjoy the 6 access for the higher wind days. It is a solid, predictable kite. The 10 m frenzy in the right wind is hard to beat. Very smooth with the right amount of pop. The 8 and 12 would also be nice, but I would stick with the smaller kites for now and maybe look at a 10 or a 12 manta in the future.

Tony