Thinking about buying a kite, could use some wisdom

oobrien · Since 29 May 2012 2 Posts Portland New Member

Hi there, I am new to the forum and am thinking about getting into kite boarding. I was wondering, before going in to a local vendor, what should I know about?

What gear is reliable vs. what gear has a bad reputation in the community?

Is there a special sort of gear that I should look into for use in Hood River vs. elsewhere in the country?

Is there anything you wish you had known before buying your first set-up?

Etc.

I don't know anything about this sport except that I want in. Please help!

corey4x4man · Since 13 Jun 2011 134 Posts Beaverton, OR Stoked

Step 1.take a lesson

Not only will u learn all the saftey but u will also get to crash the schools kites and not yours.

After you have taken a lesson then u will have a better idea of what u need to get into the sport.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

As it was just said take at least one lesson first (usually try to do the 5 hour "intro" packages). I bought a lot of my gear before hand and ended up spending more than if I would have just waited until after the lesson. Usually you can get some deals from the instructors that are not available to everyone for taking their lessons, or pointers to good used gear.

#1 buy a trainer kite (2 line) and fly it
#2 take lessons
#3 take lessons
#4 talk with instructor about gear and choices

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

lessons are great. find a way to try a board sport if you havent already. skateboarding, snowboarding, or (ideally) wakeboarding will all help you greatly with learning to ride after you learn safety/ kite flying from your lesson. fly your trainer, do a body drag with a kite school, and then find a way to get on a board before you take your gear out on the river and try it.

Have fun man.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Weaz, you forget Step 2: Buy a How-To DVD

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

oobrien · Since 29 May 2012 2 Posts Portland New Member

Thanks gang, I'm going to make my way into one of the shops around here this week to get some advice and will probably be back after that with some more particular questions. Thank you all for taking the time to respond...I never would have thought that lessons would come so highly recommended!

Cheers

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

The main reason is the kite has A LOT of power... I've seen people that have gotten dragged 100 yards down the beach on their face, and while standing getting launched 10+ feet in the air. Without the knowledge and practice of handling the kite and getting it away from you (safely) you could easily end up in the hospital. If you get a 2 or 3 meter training kite and play with it in 20mph winds you'll understand how much power there is... (usually you'd be running a 9m or 10m while kiteboarding in that wind). Usually the front lines are 800+lb test (slingshot compstick lines) if that gives you any idea on the force capable of the kite.

I can tell you it's priceless to get the lessons. I've had a 5 hour lesson and about 5 days out now and 1000% love it.

As to the kite size you'll need to know where you are planning on going and the "typical" conditions there. For example the Gorge you'd need a smaller kite due to the normally higher winds than what is at Jones beach or the coast, and if you want to be a after work rider on Sauvie Island you'd want a large kite. There's also the different types of kites, C (I'd recommend avoiding when learning), bow, Hybrid... All are a little bit different in their performance, wind range, and re-launchablilty. Lessons will cover all of that. The main point of lessons is education of the sport, understanding of the kites, safety, getting you used to flying the kite, getting you up, and the most important part - getting you addicted to it.

Pepi · Wed May 30, 12 9:58 am

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

The experienced people you see out on the water make it look way easier than it actually is. This has been one of the hardest, most dangerous, things I have learned how to do ever.

I am glad I took some lessons.

Also, try to latch onto some folks you can ride with, beginners and experienced.

Very Happy

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

you meet people sometimes that have learned to kite without lessons, but they aren't the folks on here asking for advice. They are folks who have a lot of friends that kite, probably cross overs from surfing or windsurfing, comfortable in the water and taking a thrashing, have peers to help them. I only say this because Im sure that new folks to the sport hear from someone at some point that someone learned to ride without lessons, want to point out that the corner cases were not straight up new people. Maybe thats you, maybe its not.

Aside from safety for yourself and others, the strongest additional argument i can make for lessons is that start now, plan on 2 or 3, and you'll likely have a whole summer in front of you of riding. Go a different route, fast fwd 3 frustrated summers and an incredible amount more dough, and maybe you'll get to your first great summer of riding.

As for gear, you'll hear a lot of stuff. People have opinions relative to their experience, which is likely quite different from person to person. You'll figure it out through talking with shops/schools, and from taking lessons.

Right now you should probably start trying to figure out a place you like and feel comfortable with for lessons. If you ask this question you'll get a lot of answers. So, you probably just need to talk to some people and take aim from there. I've also noticed that when people ask about a good school no one ever says to stay away from certain spots. So if you ask the question of what is a good school, I'd probably stay away from the places no one says anything about.

I'd say figure out an amount of money for 2 or 3 lessons (minimum), a rough figure for some gear, and a week of time to take off to take your lessons and practice. The people i know that picked it up the fastest all fit into this paradigm. Watching a good instruction vid, get an idea of rigging, and then a lot of trainer practice will also very likely get your learning curve down.

In my opinion, the value of lessons are in teaching you the things you need to know about safety, recovering from a bad situation, and supervised/assisted time flying. Board starts are a great plus, but really a result of what i just said and then time and practice.

Sella · Since 21 Apr 2007 1794 Posts Doin' The Dalles FLY'IN HIGH PIE GUY

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 854 Posts Seattle Opinionated

step 0 Learn to wakeboard behind a boat or cable
step 1 Google Kiteboarding 101
step 2 Youtube Kiteboarding 101
step 3 Watch others kiteboard, ask questions
step 4 Take Lesson(s)
step 5 If all of that goes well. buy gear and have fun!

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

Your Kiteboard instructor will share lots of info with you about kites. Most schools have great deals on used gear also that you can beat up while your in your first learning year. Of course if you want new gear also no one will argue with you. Both have their advantages. Plus if you want new the schools can hook you up. For example most my lessons are free if you buy gear. Every school has their own promotion. Basic most kites of 2010 and later are going to be a great choice. I know some on here will disagree with me and say my 2009 or 2007 rocks the shiz nits but design and safety wise 2010 was the bench mark and nothing has really changed since then in design safety and innovations. Granted there are some awesome 2009 kites but could be alot more worn and higher risk for failure and a kitemare in the water and that's the last thing a newbie needs.