Hi there! after recently taking a few kitesurfing lessons in Nelson, i'd love to take up the sport.

Currently deciding whether or not to jump into it and build a bit of a quiver possibly a 9 & 14m kite? or just start of with the one kite possibly a 12m?. Being based in Nelson i would be mostly kiting in this area. any suggestions as to a good begginer - intermediate kite set up would be much appreciated, cheers!.

How many pies are you 22? did you get any recomendation re-kite size when you had a lesson?

i can't speak for nelson weather. I think you can have quite a lot of light wind days so a big kite might be an idea.

But here in the Naki most guys will fly a 12 as their biggest kite with some 15's and the od 17 popping up on real light wins.

1 kite quiver i would go for an 10/11m.

With winter coming on and stormy conditions happening you may get more use out of a 9m first then 12m later.


You really want a SLE/Bow style kite. Stay away from C style for now. Also don't buy new for your first kite you will just trash it. don't buy any older than 08. Ideally a good cond 09 for $600ish or 2010 for $900-$1000

Thanks for the advice there plummet, during the lessons i actually used a 12m, the days i went out we had fairly light winds. im roughly 6'2 and weigh about 80/85 kgs. will keep an eye out on trademe. thanks again.

Depends also on your board size too man, the bigger your board the less pull you will need to get up and riding. Ive had one or two sessions in Nelson but mostly kite in Ruakaka (which i think but dont take my word as gospel, has pretty simillar conditions to Nelson)I'm roughly the same size/weight as you and currently on a 135x40 board with a 9 and 13m quiver and manage to get out most days. Though definately chat to the local crew when you see them out or even just check out their kite sizes you will get a good idea pretty quickly. Otherwise see the guys in the shop. Good luck mate and hopefully see you on the water at some stage.