Lightwind - Bigger board (epic oxygen) or bigger kite (15m edge)?

[coupey]

I've got a 13m edge and a best armada board, but want to make sure I eke out every light wind session.

 

Just wondering whether to go for a bigger kite (15m edge for £650) or bigger board (epic oxygen v2 for £430).

 

I landboard too, but my 13 edge will do for that.

 

I suspect that the 15 edge won't be that different to the 13 (not enough to justify £650).

 

Would the oxygen board make a big difference?

[broraboyan]

Just buy a Zephyr and be done with it, it will easy over lap with the 13 and make your own skim board sorted

[Dragnfly]

^^ what he said.

 

 

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[broraboyan]

^^^^what advice did you give dragoon fly

[balugh]

The bigger board would help but it depends on how low you wanna go. What about a 17 or 19m edge? The 19 could be awesome...

[coupey]

The problem is finding one second hand. Been offered a 15 for £650

[coupey]

How much difference does a big board make?

[jamie501]

personally id probably say the oxygen will be a better investment than the 15m especially as you have a 13m. ive not ridden the 15m edge however as you know have had a 9,11,13 and a 17m edge. The low end on the 13m is pretty good. I found that the 11m had the best low end for its size out of the edges. The 13m paired with the oxygen will give you the same low end as you'd get out of the 17m edge and your regualr TT (unless your regular TT is pretty big anyway).

 

The edges really like being paired with a flat fast board like the oxygen, as the edge loves to keep flying forward and building speed and apparent apparent wind. The other good thing about the oxygen being short is that you can still do everything on it that you can on your regular TT, pop is pretty good and its still easy to hold an edge when unhooking , which can be difficult on some bigger lightwind boards.

 

So yeh from personel experience id say go for the oxygen. Realistically i'd say it adds about 3-4 knts extra lowend to your kite. Also good for days when your on a smaller kite and the wind drops off, instead of pumping up another kite its much easier to just pick up your other board.

[coupey]

Thanks Jamie. That's really helpful.

 

I've flown the edge a few times on land, but only once now water.

 

Absolutely LOVED IT on water. Really amazing. Thanks.

[badgb21]

Go for both! Sorted!

 

Kev

 

I've got a 13m edge and a best armada board, but want to make sure I eke out every light wind session.

 

Just wondering whether to go for a bigger kite (15m edge for £650) or bigger board (epic oxygen v2 for £430).

 

I landboard too, but my 13 edge will do for that.

 

I suspect that the 15 edge won't be that different to the 13 (not enough to justify £650).

 

Would the oxygen board make a big difference?

[gresh]

I have had my rrd "10knts" for a year now, and am still surprised how much difference it makes. I dont see the point in buying new but do think it will make more difference than a 15m.

[lives2fly]

I would go for the board first. it will extend the low end of your 13m a few knots. You really need to get a lightwind specific kite to ride in really light (sub 10 knots) conditions & a big twin-tip or surfboard. but in marginal 10-15knot days the board will give you more results.

 

I've had loads of success over summer with a Naish Fly (15m) and a Nobile flying carpet - you can cruise about and stay upwind in 8knots & do tricks at 12 knots.

 

I was really impressed with the Ocean Rodeo Flite as well - both great lightwind freeride/freestyle kites rather than the more race oriented models like the Zephyr and Turbine.

[Sav]

I quite enjoy the pleasures of light wind kiting, lots of space, the extra challenge, slower kite to hang under to get that extra grab or rotation.

A big kite is a bonus, but a bigger board is the most cost effective way to extend your wind range. I prefere directional or surf style boards or skim boards, but I have also tried the RRD Sub 10 and the Epic Oxygen. Of those two, I found the Oxygen to be the most like a 'normal' twin tip, in its performance. It really lets you do all the moves you can on your normal twin in much lighter conditions. The Sub10, will get you out in light conditions, but it felt 'stuck to the water' and I found it tricky to jump or rotate.

I have been lucky enough to witness Dimitri, (Mr Epic) on the Oxygen in light winds, and he manages his full range of awesomeness on the Oxygen.... Very impressive!

[andrew pattullo]

would go zepher they break easy , , try surfboard , I have one but its a different ball game to a twin tip , 11 edge and a big board

flying carpet or similar but these arnt a cheap option either

[plummet]

Whats your pie level and what wind are you talking about?

 

But yes a light wind board is what is required. you can only go so low on a standard board regardless of kite size.

 

for me and my 13 edge + 16 knots I'll be on my standard board. bellow 16 i'm on my coffin lid. 145x45. I can take it down to 13knots in waves/swell/chop. maybe 10 knots super flat water which i don't have).

 

The edges work real well with a light wind board. you can build speed and crank upwind like a trojan.

 

Then if you want super powered sub 15 knots then you need a monster kite. don't bother with a 15 when you have the 13. go 17 or bigger!.

[Blast]

This was taken with a 14m Screamer (does not have the low end of the Renegades)

It makes a very marginal session...fun!

 

[coupey]

Bought myself an epic oxygen. Beaut.

[kite-uk]

I have 3 boards Hadlow 138 , Litewave Sprit 146 , skim board 5,3.

 

With out doubt changing the board to the conditions makes a difference. I only have kites up to 11.5m and only one session was I not able to go out as peeps where on 14m and 16m kites. I didn't want to get wet for that type of winds to be honest.