Hi, im new to the sport and would really appreciate some advice on a second hand board and kite purchase. I have had about 7 hours of lessons and im now looking to get my own gear. At this stage im looking at the following:
- 2009 Best Waroo
- 2009 Naish Cult
Im looking for something easy to fly, easy to water relaunch and excellent depower. Any other kite suggestions or comments on the 2 given about would be greatly appreciated. Also if you know of a good older beginner board that would be good as well.
Many thanks.
She suggested i buy brand new through their store. Im pretty set on getting second hand to save a little coin
I think beginner board is starting to be a little bit of a fallacy, I would recommend a beginner the same board I ride. (140x42 Tempo FYI), kite is more important
The 2008 and 2009 Waroos are excellent kites. I used to represent BEST but don't now but still recommend them (08 and 09 waroos and 09 nemi's) to everyone. Stick to no one pump if you can.
Board, depending on your weight and where you will ride but any of the snow board style construction like cardboards tempo, freeride , underground flx etc.
You should get a very decent 2nd hand setup for $1000-1100.
Im 90kg and will be riding at either Brighton or St Kilda. I was thinking of a 12m kite.
Waroos are 11 or 13. I would go a 13 at your weight and experience as you will be wanting to get out in lighter winds to start with and get some experience up.
Nemi HP comes in a 12 which would be ok if you have good skills - they are gruntier kites and also a bit harder to relaunch but nothing crazy. The majority of kites these days launch easily. Don't discount other brands if you can get some good advice as well, I just know alot about Best stuff mainly. But I must say I wouldn't go a helix sorry....personal opinion.
Saving coin is always paramount, I agree. But in my humble opinion, having bought new and second hand face to face and over the net, within my state, interstate and international, I have come to the conclusion you are better off forming a relationship with a well known and respected retailer, pay a little extra, but have the service backup. Especially if you are buying second hand and only a beginner, you will crash your kite, you will need repairs.
I can recommend one but you would need to PM me.
I have gone through the wringer and had good and bad experiences with the above (saving the coin), but now I don't have any problems at all.
Either kite would do, my brother still uses a 2009 Warroo, I wouldn't say he loves them, but they do the job and well. Then again he's only 4 or so seasons in. You don't have the skills.experience to know any better, so the warroo would be perfect to get started. Then again so would heaps of the other kites. Don't get anything before this year and don't go a 2010 warroo.
the whole buy second hand as a noob imo is bollox . Buy a kite brand new you are happy with and look after it . Mine is still going strong after 3 seasons and it's the first kite i bought . It's been punished, left on the beach , rolled up with sand and it's still going strong . Only thing i have bought is the new rrd bar .
IMO buy new and know that your kit is working 100% from the get go
12m sounds about right for your weight.. One kite has suited me all season here. Wind rarely pushes above 24knots
If you buy a second hand kite, make sure you check all the stitching as it may be coming apart, check the whole kite in detail. Also the material for tears or thinning. strings, ropes and connections etc.
Always assume something is wrong with it and try to find it. If you are unsure take an experienced kiter with you. Dont believe anything the seller is telling you.
Lots of people saying buy new. If you trust a local experienced kiter get them to look at any used ones if possible. I'm glad I went used for my first kite as it got me up and going and then I upgraded about 9 months in. I sold for $200 less than I paid and by that time I'd flown a few other kites and learned what would suit best for my weight and local conditions. That said, there are some great deals to be had on new gear that is a season or two old and sitting in shops. Again, talk to local kiters as to what's best for you, they're a friendly bunch. My only experience of Best was on my wifes old 06 waroo, bloody horrible, I'm sure they've improved though.
i would suggest going to local dealers and seeing if the have any older stock or ex demo stuff. my first kite was the current model that had been used once or twice and i paid almost half price for it.
best thing about buying trough a dealer is that if you have any issues with it they are normaly happy to help you out fixing it.
as for the board i would be looking at 138-145 long by 40-42 wide as a place to start looking. +1 for the cardboard FR tho
