by windzup » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:31 am
The 11 is pretty much the standard all around size no matter what style. For years it was the 12 meter, but as kite designs have improved and increased the power of smaller kites... '11' is the new magic number.
Actually, 10-12 are perfect depending on skis or board and rider ability. Snow is a natural element that makes most kites have the range of 'bows'. Back in 05' at Strawbs we were flying 12m Frenzy's and the wind ranged from 25-40mph. The snow gives such a great edging surface that you can hold down just about anything. Its also such a fast non-resistant surface (except deep pow) that you can get going up to speed on a smaller sail.
After years of teaching snowkiting, I've found that a human needs no larger than a 10 meter for almost all conditions..... until they want to jump... then it takes a bigger kite or bigger wind and better technique to lift the heavy human body off the ground.
You'll be perfect on that kite my friend.
Windzup,
Brian Schenck