13 meter kite for La Ventana?

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

How much use would a 160 pound guy, who is a beginner, get in a winter (Dec to March), kiting at La Ventana?

This person is thinking of buying a 3rd kite, which would be a Bow kite, to add to his 7M and 10M Bow kites.

I have given him my opinion, that he would not use the 13M kite very much, during that period of time, and that the 13M would just be extra baggage... and that he would get in plenty of kiting time on his 7 and 10M kites. I imagine that the time he would be tempted to use a 13M would be in the AM, when the wind is just comming up and in the evening, when the wind is dying. The thing I worry about is the way the wind can come up fast in the AM and can die off fast in the PM... so the 12MPH wind that La Ventana gets might be short-lived, anyways.

He will also be spending time at Cabo Pulmo, but I have advised him that he should not kite there, because he is a beginner.

Have I given him good advice?

He would like to hear from kiters who have put in more time than I have at LV.

He will take some more lessons at LV, just to get his comfidence up, even though he has kited at Rufus, Rooster and the Sandbar in the Gorge, without much difficulty.

All advice would be appreciated.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL

I've only been once but we had some light days....given that there is not a lot of other stuff to do there, I would take a big kite.

LVDWD · Since 04 May 2009 104 Posts Stoked

A lot. If you dont want to be sat on the beach take a 12m or 13. Especially if you are a beginner-much harder to be efficient. I rider a directional and use my 12m a fair bit. Plenty of wind in LV and many of them are 12m days.

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

Depends on the year but last year I used a 13M a fair number of times. I was glad I had it along in addition to a 7 & 9.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Yes to 13/12

Jackal · Since 17 Dec 2005 147 Posts WS Stoked

You gave poor advice unless he's into reading books on the beach.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

13 will be used at least 50% of the time. Gotta have 1.

moondog · Thu Oct 27, 11 7:53 am

Last year I used my 12m 38% of the time, my 9m 60% , my 7m 0% and supped 2%. Most years it is usually 50-50 for me.

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

I take my kites as carry on luggage I can usually fit 9-11 in one bag and 13 in another plus my 7 meter in kite bag. keeps golf bag under 50 pounds and you always have your kites with you. Take 13 for sure!

DVS · Since 02 Mar 2009 69 Posts Mt Hood

I was there a few years ago and got totally skunked. 1 kiteable day out of eight there. Used the 13m. Granted i was there at Thanksgiving, a bit early.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Thank you all for the great response. It's unanimous... buy a 13M. Might even get to use it on the Bay of Concepcion.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

You will either be really glad you brought it if it's light, or really glad you didn't have to use it if its pumping. either way, you'll be glad.