gear recommendation for guy looking to get in the sport

cloudkicker · Since 21 Mar 2009 10 Posts New Member

Hey Everyone,

I have been windsurfing for 4 years and I can no longer fend off the desire to kite.

I live in Seattle. I have learned from Windsurfing that it pays to have good equipment. And there is far less of it in kiting so I am willing to do it right. But I still want to buy used because there is so much savings. Can you guys advise me on what I should get? I don't know hardly anything right now. I am 200 lbs and 6'2''

One guy at a kite shop told me:

I want a 10m & 14 m kite. 12m or 14m if I go with just 1. 2007 or newer for best safety. 2008 for advanced features that have flow through the kite and keep it from stalling. 10 knots is needed to kite in. DO not get a C wing cuz they are harder to launch. Bow kite is ok.

What do you guys think? What size kites should I get? How new should I get? What type of kite? Any particular brands or kites that I should go after?

Thanks !!!
Gabe

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Bro - check out the following posts - a couple of guys just asked the same question - there is a pretty good discussion on the topic.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-12397-0.html&sid=d147e2e08a8500b13c3177fe9a150f5b

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-12445-0.html&sid=600f913155a22ed00e520bf9a9540eef

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

As advised in previous posts. Your best investment are lessons on someone else's gear.
You will know a lot more by then and make better decisions on buying what you really need.
Talk to the folks at kite the gorge, or bigwinds in HR when the season starts about getting lessons. Both good sources.
But buying and trying to learn on used gear you don't know is a set-up for a good kitemare.

EA

wylieflyote · Sat Mar 21, 09 9:55 am

If you live in Seattle, check out:
http://pskite.org/viewforum.php?f=3

Jetty Island is your best local bet for safe learning. Comes on about mid-May, waist deep, warm, good instruction available. Mid-week is less crowded, of course.

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Sat Mar 21, 09 8:17 pm

My only recommendation, don't take advice from kooks in argentina.

Read the posted threads, and go take a lesson, the instructor will fill you in on all you need to know. Lastly, when it comes time to buy a kite, don't fret over which one you should buy, just don't buy a pre-2006 kite

NateDogg · Sat Mar 21, 09 11:06 pm

Hmm... we should really try to link to some sort of beginners guide at the top of the forum (links box) to avoid these repeat posts.

Not that your questions aren't important Gabe, but they come up frequently and are almost always an open door for kooks to spread their misinformation to beginners who maybe can't discern between real advice, bias and sarcasm.

Something like this would work at the top... Intro to Kiteboarding

...or maybe just a strait up NWKite FAQ... but that would require work... and who wants to work when you can PARTY Thumb's Up

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Lessons First, gear next!!

Even if you're a windsurfer, a lot more can go wrong kiting if you're not trained properly in kite control and self rescue!! Find an instructor you're comfortable with, dish out the necessary money on lessons first, and don't be cheap in that department, I almost lost a friend on the coast because he thought the lessons where way too expensive and he could learn the rest by himself. Boy was he wrong!! After taking proper lessons, mingling with your instructor and other kiters you should be able to make a decision regarding what size/type gear is right for you and your area!

The minnow · Since 26 Jan 2009 395 Posts argentina Obsessed

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

I think I saw a 2001 Fuel for sale cheap someplace on line. No safety and there's something wrong with the bar, but that should be a fine 1st kite Rolling Eyes

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Mar 22, 09 1:40 pm