Hey guys
I am new in kitesurfing and I hear different things from different people so I d like to have some kind of community feeling about the best equipement for beginners.
AS EVERYBODY said that the swtichblade cabrinha kite were the best, I ll go for one of these. BUT
- what kite size is better for NSW ? I want to go out in winds from 10 to 20 knots (and I am 75 kgs). I ve been hearing 12m or 10m. In particular that the 10m would go better upwinds.
- What type of harness do you recommand? I see many waist harness but I told a lesson with a seat harness and it was quite comfy. As windsurfer, I prefer seat harness except in waves. So is there any different feeling for kitesurfing ?
- For the board, I ve been told between 130 and 148cm long, and 39 to 40 cm wide. And that cardboard made some really though boards. Any opinion on that, given that I am surfing as well and that I stood up in my first lesson without too much difficulties ?
- When will somebody put some kitesurfing smileys in here ?
On the behalf of all the beginners, I thank you in advance !
Why dont you pop by the local shop Kitepower. Those guys should be able to offer you some good advice..
Yeah I ride at Botany too and use a 10m mostly. Wish I had a 14m at times but when its light I don't really bother.
I reckon having 2 kites is sweet but if you really need one:
with a 10m (you'll enjoy the 20-25 knot days but not the 10 knot days)
with a 12 you'll enjoy 15-20knots so its your call.
probably go 138-140 for a board.
Thanks for such a speedy answer !
I know stopping at the shop is good, but I am a bit uneasy with wasting their time, since I am sure that I am going to buy s/h 
(not very rich in the moment)
Since I am a beginner, I am thinking s/h for sure (I WILL trash my first kite). Do you think that IDS is a good value ? By talking (I sure talk a lot to kitesurfers when I am out for windsurfing), it appears that the IDS had some problems in its 2009 version (it tangles a lot). So a beginner like me can either go for more (?) control in theory or buy an older kite like the 2008 version (and save a few bucks 
)
(not very rich in the moment))
Do you have some sort of listing of the used gear ? I will probably come and check it out anyway but it would get me out of my house to know that there is some used gear suitable for me to grab 
LeBaz, my advice to you is threefold;
1) Go to your local beach and wonder why so many kitesurfers are flying on kites that aren't Cabrinha, even though they may pay as much or even more for them. Cabrinhas make good kites but so do many other brands, don't limit your choice at this stage.
2) Talk to your instructor about which kite would suit you. If you haven't had lessons, go book some. Now. Before you do anything else.
3) Go to Kitepower, they are very friendly and will be happy to talk to you. They can show you some kiting gear and talk to you about the spots in your area, at the very least they are a useful contact point about local hazards. At best you may get the deal of a lifetime with a shop backing the gear and helping you with future potential repairs or problems.
You have had some lessons, haven't you?
Hi monkey (not insult there, but it is your pseudo 
)
Yes, I ve taken a lesson, which was quite good by the way with Neil from kitepower. I am now standing on the board, and I think at some stage I will just need to go in the water.
Speaking of neil, he said 10m OR 12m. Which triggers some existantial chosing problem.
And yeah, I will definitively have a look at kitepower.
Hope to see you soon on the water (but don t come too close to me though, I will be learning)
Haha, Switchblade the best, love it.
Just because they are the most popular, does not mean they are the best. I learned on a 12 meter Switchblade 2 years ago at Botany (I'm 75 kg). I really liked the kite, but there are many others that are just as good, if not better. Yes, even for learning. To a name a few:
Best Waroo
Ozone Sport
Slingshot Rev
Cabrinha Crossbow
North Rebel....the list goes on.
I would not limit your options to a Switchblade because there are many many kites that you will learn on just as well. Saying that, if you find a good deal on a Switchy, by all means go for it, you can't go wrong.
In regards to size, if you were kiting in Sydney last year, you would not have been able to ride a 12 meter past 4 pm, as December/January, ALL the NE'rs (typical summer wind) were absolute howlers. I took out my 9 meter 90% of the time.
However, on the other hand - the previous year, you would have been underpowered on your 10 meter, maybe been able to go out on 10% of NE'r. I used my 12 meter I think every day there was wind except a couple.
Your guess is as good as mine (or probably anyone else's) how this year is going to pan out. I have only been kiting for 2 years, but I was under the impression (and still am) that a 12m is the most used kite in the Bay.
My main advice is similar to the other posters. 1) get lessons if you haven't already, and 2) speak to Kitepower. They are super friendly, never push me into buying anything and I probably would still be dicking around if it wasn't for their help.
Good luck
Tom
When learning your going to want to use a kite that has a little more power than less power - it makes it somewhat easier as it's hard to learn if you feel like your strugling for power and it takes the fun out of it. Take a look at all the kites that are available to you and read up them on-line.
If your a windsurfer and you like your seat harness - stick with a seat. There are advantages to a waist harness but personal comfort is the defining factor (I use both)
Boards the bigger the board the easier to learn on, having said that too big a board and it's basically useless once you've progressed. I in all honesty (and someone will disagree) I don't think that going over 140-142 is of any use and I wouldn't go smaller than 135 (to learn on). If you can find a good board to spend the season on and get another board next year go bigger and use it for as a light wind board next season, if not go a smaller board. Underground, north, naish, cardboard, nobile are all fine boards look for a board that gets classed as "free ride" they tend to be more forgiving than boards designed for new school or wake style riding.
If you go a smaller kite (10m) I'd go the bigger board if you go the bigger kite (12m) I'd go the smaller board
(which one did you want?) enjoy the water
Thanks you guys for all these advices.
Can t wait to go on the water !
PS : The smileys that I wanted would involve a little figure and a kite.
)
)
Hey Mate
It really depends on whether you want to try to make do with one kite or not.
I am about 80kg and spend a lot of time there on a 12m especially early and late in the season, last summer there was a lot of 22kn + days and I ended up buying a 9m also (wish i bought an 8)
If you want to try and make do with only one kite go for the 10m, there will be a bit of frustration on both low and high wind days but it will most likely give u the best availability (again as above every season seems to be different).
Around 138 is a good size board for starting out and progresing.
I reckon the best value is buying the run out of last years kites new. You get the kite from new and get 20-40% off. in most models the difference is negligible for someone starting out.
the 09 IDS is a very popular kite and apart from having heaps of pulleys I have never heard or seen anything bad about it
my 2cents
enjoy
Yep
Too late, I bought a kite. the 2009 SB IDS 12m was selling 1600AUD new but I got it second hand for 1100AUD. I could have gone for 10m, but I figured that if the wind is too strong for the kite I ll keep it to windsurfing.
138cm sounds good. I heard anywhere between 135 and 142 is good
CU on the water
OZ
