Greeting guys - i am about to get into this awsum sport as a progression from water skiing and wakeboarding (sick of having to look for 2 other people with fuel money to fill my boat to have fun on the water )
One of my friends that has been kite surfing for about 2 years will be helping me out with lessons and getting me started on the basics (was one the the guys i have been waterskiing with now for almost 10 years )
I am totally aware that this sport is potentially very dangerous if i do not take the right precautions and learn how to control the kite into power zone and so forth. I am a person that listens knowing this will be dangerous if not utilized correctly --- so enough of my introduction and background!! - I myself am of moderate build - fairly fit i am 6.2 and weight about 95 KG- and have flown 2 - 3 meter foil kites for years 2 and 4 line
Ok on the Buy and sell forums, i am looking at 2 possibilities in regards to kite packages ( ie 3 kites with lines bars - pumps ect )
first one is the 2006 slingshot fuel ( from maroubra - sydney ) 3 kites - the owner has not mentioned sizes
the second is 2005 North torro ( 4 kites in total 16 12 10 8 Manly sydney - will obviously cover a large spectrum of wind conditions)
was also suggested a board size of 152 - 160 given my height and weight
So just need your opinion on these kites , are they easy to launch and relaunch - easy to depower or are they just to much of a hand full for a newby?
so guys any help would be much appreciated , Please no flames - remember we all started out once and with the correct advice you know you would have maybe gotten started on a better foot .... Ok thanks in advance and a look forward to your comments and to become a useful member of this forum in the future !!
Boc
I don't know where in AU you kite because that will make a difference on kite size.
You will need 2 kites max. Personally I would not buy anything pre 2006. The fuels are well built and you would need a 13 and 9.
Spend your money on getting one 07 or 08 kite that suites your local conditions, this would be you're most used one. I live in Perth, weigh 88 kg and have a 12m as my most used. Once the wind gets over 20 knots you will want to jump on something smaller...from 8-11m.
Also consider looking at getting 2 boards as this will also increase your ridable wind range and water conditions....for example twin tip and surf board.
Good luck.
IMO
1) Get at least one or two lessons from an IKO qualified instructor. It will be worth it, for you and the rest of us. After that your mate can help you progress.
2) drop the plans for 3-4 kites at this stage - you haven't even started yet and have no idea what will suit you. Would you have gone and bought 4 wake boards before you started? Look for one kite, no older than 2007 models, they are heaps safer to learn on and easier to progress on. It will be a lot easier to sell a later model once you get going and want to upgrade/change. Depending on where you are, but for your weight I would suggest a 12m SLE type will be OK, possibly a 14 if winds are light.
3) I think the board is too big, but again depends on the winds in your area. I personally would recommend an Airush Switch 144. but you will be hard pressed find one second hand (for good reason). There are other good options too.
Glad to see you are tuned up to the dangers. Seriously consider the formal lessons, your mate can take over from them.
I suggest using your mates kite for the lessons first - make sure that he teaches you away from other kiters and people on the beach. I was also fortunate enough to have a mate teach me on his kites which gave me a feel for what i liked and disliked before shelling out the cash for my own gear. Also, make sure your mate is a good teacher and not just leave you on your own after 10mins to get out on the water himself...
Definately wouldn't go for either of the options you have for 2nd hand kites above. If, after your lessons you decide to go for a C style kite as opposed to a bow or hybrid then the fuel is a good option but go for the 07 model if possible. 1 kite and board to start with. The Fuel however is harder to learn on than the bow or hybrid style kites. The Fuel is a great option considering you will probably be doing wakestyle/freestyle. I use a Cabrinha Switchblade which is their wakestyle kite - it has heaps of power and range and is easy to kill the power if needed. The 07 Fuels are also a really safe 5 line kite but probably a bit harder to learn on and I think have a smaller wind range than the switchblade? (correct me if I'm wrong)
In terms of size of kite and board -if your mate is good enough to teach you then he should have the right advice on what size you need - if he doesn't then I don't think he should be teaching you.
Good luck and take it easy.
Echo all that, 2007 kites are the way to go.
TBH you need to demo kites before you buy. In my experience you need to look for a kite that is stable with lots of depower. High performance kites like the Fuel can come later. I would go for something more forgiving like the SB or the Eclipse Nano (two that I like - not pimping).
Get yourself some proper lessons though. Progressing under the watchful eye of your mate is fine but you just can't beat having your first few lessons off a good IKO instructor. There is so much you forget or becomes instinctive after a few years so your mate may have the knowledge but may not be able to pass it on.
Whilst trying not to be over dramatic, people have been seriously hurt and killed kite surfing, so get your back covered.
Have fun
J
Thanks heaps guys for taking the time to reply to my questions - i shall bin the multi kites option for now- just for those who asked -- i hope to be mainly kite surfing up on Stockton beach anna bay end ( newcastle north of sydney) once i am proficient - but training i believe will be in botany bay !
shall do a lot more investigating before i purchase now ..... was putting of buying the hayabusa till after the kites --- will be the other way around now :) -- anyone looking to buy a CBR900 fireblade??
