Found this while trawling the net over the weekend (www.kiteboard.be site hosting the full report)

I know plenty of us have had this discussion while sitting on the beach waiting for that promised 15knots that never gets above eight and with Summer on the way I thought it made interesting reading.


July News
The REAL Kiteboarding Lightwind gear test!
What: Light Wind Kite & Board Test
Why: You need to get SUPER LITT this summer in light wind
Gear Tested:

Kites: Best Nemesis 18m, Best Nemesis 21m, Liquid Force Spectrum 19m, Naish V4 20m, Slingshot Fuel 19m

Boards: Jimmy Lewis Custom 145 x17, Litewave 179, 169 & 145, Stretch Bump 134x15.5, Stretch Bus 146 x 17.25, Slingshot SX 144, Surftech Surfboard 60x20

Additional info: All kites were tested on the Slingshot 23 Profire Bar, this way we were testing kite specific performance. All kites and boards were tested by numerous weight and ability levels to achieve the most complete review.

Gold Metal Kite: Best Nemesis 21m

Gold Metal Board: Litewave 145

Light Wind Kite Review:
Big Kites are just that: BIG KITES. Make no misconception that any 18m or bigger from any manufacturer will work as well as your 12m. We continuously hear manufactures claiming huge jumps, huge range, and 20m kite that turns like a 12m. Big kites are big kites, but they are a necessary to make the most of summers light wind condition. If you want to get lit in 10mph of breeze, you need to get yourself a big kite. Dont believe the hype on the 25m or bigger kites. Stick with a kite in the high teens to low 20m size for maximum performance in light wind. The bottom line is that riding a big kite is way better than sitting on the beach watching your friends ride !

Best Nemesis 18m $899.99k/o
Comments: The Best Nemesis 18m is a great choice for some one that wants a powerful kite, but does not need the super low end of some of the bigger more powerful kites. This kite is a great addition to your quiver if your biggest kite is a 12 to 14m. The Nemesis 18m was really popular with some of the lighter kiters too.

Pros: This kite is the least expensive big kite in the Light Wind Kite Test. Fast turning for a big kite. Easy upwind ability. Very stable design that flies in a large range of conditions. Light weight responsive feeling.

Cons: Difficult to water relaunch.

Testimonial: Man, this kite is all I need for light wind. The 18m is plenty big for as light as it gets Miguel (150lbs.)

Best Nemesis 21m $949.99k/o
Comments: Oh Boy!! This kite is packing some ponys. When Trip and I first rode the 14m Nemesis, we were afraid of the potential power of any of the Nemesis bigger than the 14m. Having ridden the Nemesis 21m I am no longer afraid of the power. This kite rules for light wind. It turns well, it is stable, and it is very easy to ride for a kite of its size. If you need the ultimate light wind solution, Go Big and go for the Nemesis 21.

Pros: Power, This kite rides really well in really light wind. Good range for its size. Flies fine on a 23 bar.

Cons: Pumping this kite up takes a lot of endurance.

Testimonial: That kite can pull. It even turned fast enough for the kite loop too. Raul DeLille(180lbs.)

Liquid Force Spectrum 19m $1299.99k/o
Comments: The Spectrum 19m is one of the best all around big kites that we tested. It is the jack of all conditions, and this kite worked for all sizes and abilities of our testers. For the big kite that can do it all go with the Spectrum 19m.

Pros: The most versatile big kite in the bunch. Best water relaunching kite in the test. Light weight feeling, consistently pulls, turns, jumps on a 23 bar. The kite bag is by far the best kiteboarding kite bag on the market.

Cons: 9 struts equals a lot of pinching and pumping,

Testimonial: This kite is the perfect blend of big kite pull to small kite feel. Anyone that gets on this kite wont be disappointed Matt Nuzzo(170lbs)

Naish V4 20m $1314.95k/o
Comments: The Naish V4 20m has a cool shape and design, but many of the testers struggled with getting the kite tuned right. Properly sheeted this kite seemed to pull too trucky and sheeted out it did not have the power expected out of a 20m. We felt that given more wind this kite would have worked well, but most testers down sized to their 16m or 15m when the conditions were right for the 20m V4.

Pros: Good construction, Turns well for a 20m kite.

Cons: Very tune specific, falls backwards out of the wind window

Testimonial: The Naish kites have always worked well for me. Tom Elliott(185lbs)

Slingshot Fuel 19m $1349.99k/o
Comments: The Fuel 19m is the fattest kite that we tested, and it pulls like it. This kite pulls like a truck. For the big guy that wants big power, or for someone who wants a top quality kite that is easy to water relaunch the Fuel 19m will be the kite. This kite is a premium quality kite that works like one.

Pros: Powerful pulls like a truck feel. One-pump makes kiteboarding easy. High quality construction, water relaunches well.

Cons: Heavier feel than the other big kites.

Testimonial: The Fuel 19m just works. I like to go kiteboarding. I dont want to be thinking about kiteboarding and talking about kiteboarding, I just want to go kiteboarding. The Fuel 19m is the kite that gets me out there in the light wind- everytime. Tekko(220lbs)