Moving to the darkside....

After 10+ years of windsurfing, I'm now considering a switch to kitesurfing. I've got kids now and we go camping a fair bit and it's a pain in the arse taking 2 boards and 3 sails etc especially if the wind doesn't kick in, I'd also like to sail after work, easier with kitesurfing gear. So I've got a few questions:

1. Obviously do a course, but how long does it need to be? 2 - 3 days? I'm a competent windsurfer, surfer, snowboarder, wakeboarder and have flown a trainer kite. Also had a few body drag lessons from a mate.

2. Any recommendations for schools? Im in WA near Joondalup.

3. What's the go with Kite technology? I understand that there were significant improvements in safety and control of kites in recent years, should I be only looking for kites made after 2014 or with certain features?

4. Is it better to go new for Kites? I wouldn't have a clue what to look for if buying 2nd hand.

5. Boards - I guess I'd start on flat water, but would want to progress to the waves pretty quick, what do most guys ride in the waves or what is better in the waves? I've seen all sorts, surfboards, kiteboards, strapless boards..

1. It wouldn't take you long - you would only need a session or two with the instructor to learn the safety stuff then you could probably go at it alone trying to learn how to get up after being shown a few times.

2. No ideas for schools sorry.

3. Anything after 2012 is pretty good, I would try and get a 2015 as they're probably a lot cheaper now and not really that old - if you're wanting to get in the waves look for an Ozone Reo or North Neo or a BWS kite, great beginner kites and also good wave kites so they should last you awhile. With the Ozone Reo's buy the 2015 years one or above, the kite before that don't fly as well.

4. No need to buy a new kite really...

5. Everyone starts on a twin tip, once you get up and going just buy a 5'8" - 6ft surfboard and learn on that. Once you get the hang of that you'll have a good idea of what to get when you want to buy a kite specific board.

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Plummet said..
Just a minute. I think yourve seen the light and ditching the dark side. Ps it won't take you 3hrs to learn. Allow at least 6months to a year to be going upwind and maybe punting a few jumps.

Blah
upwind takes 2-3 sessions max

if you can already bodydrag then you would only need lessons for deep water pack down and some other essential safety stuff, the rest you just learn as you go

have fun

A course is just for learning safety and setup. The rest is just practice, practice, practice.

You could pay someone to supervise you and offer technique tips while you're practicing, but that would be a bit of a waste.

The most important thing to know is that at first you will be crap and you won't know why. It's just that you're learning a whole heap of new skills. It takes time for your body to learn the feel of what is happening. Don't worry about it. Keep practicing.

Thanks for all the replies/info.
Something that I've always wondered is what happens when you wipe out on a wave with a kite. I've never actually seen anyone do that. I would have thought the kite would become a big tangled mess?? I can see how kiting in average size waves would be fun, but on big stuff the potential for a disaster is high, is that right?

I am kiting 3 years - hardly ever drop my kite in the water and only when I try to learn some new stuff. I fall a lot, but the kite stays up, it becomes a second nature to feel where the kite is without looking at it.

Seems like around here the windsurfers mostly stand around moaning about it not being windy enough, while the kiters rip it up in 12-20kt. I think windsurfing is pretty rad on its day, but its day doesn't come often enough in most spots. And light wind windsurfing? meh....can have way more fun with a kite than standing there slogging.

Agree with most of above. Post 2012 is a good target for kites. My recommendation is to go used and fairly cheap to start, you will likely trash them learning. Then invest once competent. Go for a beginner kite...see what the schools use. "Surf" kites like BWS tend to be good for learning too, as they drift back....meaning they are really user friendly to fly, versus more tempermental kites.

But don't cheap out on bar and lines....you want perfect lines, no knots or frays, breaking a line is where things go sour. As well, all safety systems working in good order

Harness with a knife for sure. Also suggest wearing a floaty impact vest at least while learning (and I sewed in a knife at chest level...friend got hogtied, harness turned, couldn't reach his harness knife, yikes).

Kite in surf: if you crash kite, get it flying ASAP. If you can't relaunch and a significant wave is going to hit it, most kiters punch out ... wave crashing on kite with your weight behind it can shred your kite. Ride your board in, you'll probably beat the kite to the beach. (some kiters don't wear leashes for this...one punch out and separated from kite). #1 rule: stay away from your lines in the surf, ideally stay upwind of them.

Being a poley once for many a years I take great delight ripping it up and boosting as they struggle @15 knots. . . . . . . . Then chasing them across the sound. . . . . Buy right with first kite like an ozone catalyst etc with good depower with good tuition on safety. . . . . U won't look back

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Rails said..

Plummet said..
Just a minute. I think yourve seen the light and ditching the dark side. Ps it won't take you 3hrs to learn. Allow at least 6months to a year to be going upwind and maybe punting a few jumps.

Blah
upwind takes 2-3 sessions max

if you can already bodydrag then you would only need lessons for deep water pack down and some other essential safety stuff, the rest you just learn as you go

have fun

Agree with this. Took me no time at all making the switch.

You'll be doing sliding turns in a few sessions as well. It's a very easy sport in a way. With a dangerous "could go wrong" aspect to it. But safety is pretty good now.

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windyjim said..
My mate bought a kite 2nd hand and had all sorts of problems with the bladder. The plugs were glued on and the glue melted in the heat?? I was a bit surprised in the archaic technology. Has technology improved with the bladders I.e no longer using glue. Think his kite was an Ozone, a few years old.

sorry, I have hundreds of random questions!

Then don't bother with an 'old' kite. Only get one from 2015 or 2016 anyway, because after four years, max, we tend to ditch 'em to get the stoke of a new kite, it's upwind ability before it stretches, and to take advantage of new technology and design. Good move away from windsurfing - if only for the few bits if gear you will need, and the ability to stroll to a beach with just a backpack and board under your arm. You'll also get more days on the water . Recommended you call Kitebase Dave for lessons. He windsurfs too, so it won't be a great cultural leap. As for board, it's TT for you for about a year (you'll spend six months freaking with a big grin when you learn to jump) before getting a directional. Make sure your first directional is wide, about 20"-21", as this makes it stable and easier for you to learn to move your feet. An old surfboard off Gumtree, with a bit of extra glass on the deck, will do in case you ruin it. I bought a 22"-wide one for $50, it lasted a dozen session before snapping, by which time I was able to carve gybe, and bought something new, modern and fast turning. If your'e goofy, you've got it made in WA. The kite actually holds you up when you do your gybes. Go strapless to learn. You're standing most of the time anyway, which is very easy on the knees and calves, and not hooked-in to straps as if you would be hunkered down on a windsurfer or TT. Most of the dramas experienced by kite learners are from the chest harness having a higher centre of gravity, and they get yanked over all the time. Use a seat harness until you are bored of it. And yes, people do get wiped out in waves, but by the time you have go to that point you'll know where NOT to go to expose yourself to most of that threat. Oh, and remember;

A) point the board a bit downwind, about it's width and half, or more, just as you swing the kite in the power zone when water starting.
B) Get you arse in, your back leg bent and you front one straight to avoid looking like a bell-end with the poo stance. Your ex-poley mates will be mirthless otherwise

Buy a new waist harness that youve tried on and comfortable with. If your on a budget buy a second hand kite 2010 onwards that is sized to get you on the water the most at your local area. Get a twin tip that isnt too ancient as some were pigs and will slow your progression. ensure your comfortable tracking toeside on your twin tip before moving to surfboard. Straps on a surfboard are not required to learn on. Its a preference. If you come from a surfing background id say dont bother with straps. Not needed and restrict foot positioning (unless you plan to drop yourself into 20 ft jaws. However alot of winsurfers like the straps for chop jumping and big airs which can be done strapless but takes practise.
Practise and figure out along the way what you like and want to do and gear up from there. Youll end up with 2 or three kites to satisfy your stoke. Warning: dont treat your surfboards like youre windsurfer board.

The "I just never crash my kite." comments are massive BS. Kites crash. Even experts crash kites. It might not happen often but it does happen. It usually happens to me by some stray oops (so busy doing something I don't notice the tip has kissed the water and snagged), or some minor technique error doing whatever.

It's not a problem. Deal with it.

Same goes for dropping a kite in big surf. It's usually not a problem. Just deal with it. It's not automatic that you will get rolled and tied up in your lines. 9 times out of 10 the kite will actually pull you out of whatever sketchy situation you're in.

The key to kiting safety, and all other adventure sports safety, is to keep your head, avoid doing stupidly dumb things, and deal with whatever happens. You did that windsurfing. You'll do the same kiting. In some ways there's more to deal with in kiting (lines and crashing kites). In some ways kiting is easier because you can self rescue and the kite helps you in all sorts of ways.

From one windsurfer to another:





Just sayn'

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Subsonic said..
From one windsurfer to another:





Just sayn'

Let's not be homophobic. There would be some people on this forum who would find that more attractive than a woman doing the same thing Most of them are in the windsurfing forum though.

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windyjim said..
Thanks for all the replies/info.
Something that I've always wondered is what happens when you wipe out on a wave with a kite. I've never actually seen anyone do that. I would have thought the kite would become a big tangled mess?? I can see how kiting in average size waves would be fun, but on big stuff the potential for a disaster is high, is that right?

You can ruin your kite for sure, but my rule is always know where your kite is. Try your best to keep it at 12 and if it hits the water punch out (quick release) before a wave hits it. Thats takes pressure off the kite and minimizes the damage.
Take the advise about spending bigger on gear mate. This is the time of year I am swamped with noobs buying second hand junk and wondering why it doesn't pump up or fly right. Then getting upset that it will cost so much to fix. Its always sad to see.