Hi everyone, I'm an older brand new rider and I need some help selecting a kite and board. Any experience either general or specifically with this equipment is greatly appreciated though some of the gear is 2018 so I doubt there is a lot of experience with it.
I will be using this on the great lakes and more times than not on the Michigan side of lake Michigan (windward).
for kites my selection is among a ; 2017 Slingshot 12M RPM @ $1299
2018 Naish 12M Ride @ 1934, or
2018 Slingshot 12 M Rally @ 1999
for boards: 2017 Slingshot 146 Misfit @399
2017 Liquid force Edge @ 199, or
2018 Slingshot 146 Crisis @ 599
I'm older and just getting into this but I do not want to buy this gear twice plus at my age (60) I don't know if I will need any upgrades or whether I will have time to upgrade. I don't mind spending money for the best equipment but I just don't know if equipment that is a year older or newer necessitates the spending of more or less money, only people who've been around the sport for a little while would have this insight into newer technology and materials, and that means you!
So, your opinions are greatly needed and appreciated.
Thank You,
Kkon
Polite. Uses correct grammar and punctuation. Should probably try the Windsur...
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Hi mate,
If you're only beginning and 60 then you wont be pushing the kite or board to any sort of performance envelope issue until you're ready for new stuff so i wouldn't worry about it too much. Boards are fairly unimportant so i wouldn't read into the marketing too much. Many make their own out of ply. Make sure you have nice padded foot beds and the board is big enough for your frame. One of the older blokes I know swears by foil style kites. Might be a bit easier on the old bones having it zenith (as opposed to falling in the water) and not having to pump. If you do get a pump style kite there are electric pumps which I would recommend. Manual pumping is for young backs. Enjoy.
Perhaps ask any other questions in the dedicated kitesurfing subsection of this forum.
Select to expand quotekkon said..
I don't mind spending money for the best equipment but I just don't know if equipment that is a year older or newer necessitates the spending of more or less money, only people who've been around the sport for a little while would have this insight into newer technology and materials, and that means you!
I assume you have had lessons so I would pick their brains as well. No need to buy new as heaps of good stuff available second hand I would think (there is here anyway). Go down to the beach where you want to kite when it is windy and chat to the crew and look at what everyone is using. We are based in Australia so hard to give specific advice.
