Firstly hello everyone! I am new here, from Sydney and more specifically wahroonga.
I have just finished my HSC (woo) and finally I now have had the time to get some kitesurfing lessons (woo again). I did the whole trainer kite thing and took a lesson today... man it was awesome fun. Learnt how to bodydrag upwind, relaunch and all that kinda stuff... really really great instructor from kitesessions - Nick.
The question...
I am now in the position where I need some practice, but I am unsure of which kites to get hold of. Evidently I am a beginner so I like the idea of a kite which can depower easily and is stable in the air hence preferably a 5 line kite. I weigh around 95kilos and am 6"2'. I'm also wondering as to which quiver of kites would be the most versatile in say 10 - 25 knot winds. Also should I go for a bow type kite or a C kite and what sorts of things should should I look for? and be wary of?
I'd be willing to buy secondhand or new.
Thanks in advance :)
Exactly the sorts of questions you'd be best off talking to your instructor about! Your instructor will (should) be able to evaluate how quickly your learning and advise you what gear would suit.
Aside from that, learning on a bow/hybrid/SLE is arguably significantly easier due to the increased depower range and easier relaunch. Personally i find 5-line C kites just as easy to relaunch as a bow, but that's just me. Given your 95kg frame your probably looking at a ~13m kite if your looking for a single kite quiver; or if your open to spending more money on a 2-kite quiver perhaps a 15m and a 9m. The 15m should get you going from ~12 knots and the 9m should take you all the way up to 30knots. To start with it's probably going to be better (less money wasted) if you start with a single kite quiver until you know exactly what sort of kite you prefer to fly and the sort of riding you'll be doing (chop, flatwater, surf, etc).
As for the board... if your a fast learner something like a ~136x41 would be something you could grow into for your first and second season; or if you don't mind the idea of getting a big board to learn with that would also double as a light wind board... like a nice big ~150x44, then getting a smaller agile board once you've found your feet.
Be wary of anything cheap and nasty. Highly recommend getting a second hand kite for your first so you won't cry if/when you damage it, but avoid kites that have been trashed, thrashed & abused. Realistically, you should want to spend ~$700-900 on a recent 2nd hand kite, ~$400-600 on a board, and ~$200-250 on a nice new harness. 
Thanks for the advice buddy :). I think I'll definantly get looking into some 2nd hand kites :).
