"..For Those About to Rock..We salute YOU!"

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

So you can fly a trainer kite and your thinking about how to save money and get a kite and board?

You have read numerous magazines, and feel that with your athletic experience you would pick it up really quickly. You have a limited budget and want to save money just like everybody else, but how do you proceed?

What is the reality of the progression?

Does your perceived cost match up with what will really happen?

What is it that you don't know you don't know?

*******************************
This is what you do know:

You have the burning desire to fly underneath a kite. Every time you go to the water and watch the kite boarders you get excited and twittery about the desire within yourself to learn how. It's just a matter of time now and you know it.

That's how it started for every boy and girl on this site(More boys than girls kite).

We all started out thinking we could save some money by purchasing a used kite, used board, and asking our kiting friend to help us out.

The purpose of this post is to help those who are thinking about the cost of the sport and how to safely proceed.

My story in a nut shell: bought a used caution 11 meter 4 line kite. I fixed the bar up with a releasing chicken loop. I took a lesson from Stormwarning in April of 2002. Flew a 9 meter SS GTO 4 line. Bought some new kites that were absolute crap, and unsafe bars. When it was all said and done I would have saved money to buy the right kite brand new and a used board.

comments?

comments? Very Happy

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mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 442 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

..this conversations sounds familiar. What are you getting at Ron? Smile

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I was just reading the new kite boarding mag and thought that the section for beg was good, but lacked some reality.

If all of the guys who spent low money on a used kite and then ended up spending more to replace the old stuff with newer stuff would tell their story it would save newbs lot's of cash.

But, and that's a big one, the entry level stuff is really getting reasonable. Like the kite board combo deals!

My point is this: If you spend the money up front you will save in the long run.

Comments?

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

I don’t see easy answer to this dilemma. I bought gear after taking lessons. I chose the brand I used during lessons, since it seemed OK to me back then. I am still a noob after two years of flying my first kites, but finally am getting to the point that I can appreciate differences between types of kites, brands, different features and such. Most likely my next kites will be of different brand then my first.
I’d say take lessons, if you like the kites you fly during lessons, go and buy similar kites cheap (used). Trash them learning, then go for your real choice.

snowmeltriver · Since 21 May 2006 102 Posts Little Kentucky Stoked

I'm getting really sleepy.....zzzzzzzz...... Confused

craz z · Since 01 Dec 2008 130 Posts Montana Stoked

All I can say is that we all preach safety, small kite, lessons, etc.
Bottomline for me from the begining was what is the kite you fly mostly and what size (to instructor of course) Well this kite (usually higher aspect larger size most popular out of the group) Thats the one I want. Regardless of the learning curve or ability to lift off I wanted the one that I will fly when I reach that level an fly it when its less likely to hurt me. I think that kiting is much more forgiving then paragliding and my paragliding instructor insisted on a DHV1 for me. I ended up getting the DHV1-2 so there was room to grow.

Everyone is different some want to kite and take it slow and have the money to do so. Others budget minded want something that they can grow into or even sell and get the most out of the resale.

As far as ebay and other dump a kite sites. Anything after 2006 I would deem go for it. As it seems that safety and design finally caught up and equalled out the kites. With that said there are still some crappy kites out there. Research, asking questions and finding out what everyone likes seems to be a necessity in learning to kite. I remeber when some new kites hit the market schools and instructors were falling into the hype of the marketing without actually testing to the full degree needless to say some newbies that fell in the trap got a worthless kite.

This is a thought I had as well. What about the kiters that just have to have the latest kite. What do they do with the old one? recycle, throw it away, or try to resell to aide in buying that brand new shiny one.

As with Paragliding maybe Kiting should get into simple porosity tests, line test or some kind of standard that people willing to resell can get it certified as a ok to sell or not ok and throw it away. Make it cheap say 20-30$

Just my .02

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 442 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

There is probably a lot of reality to that Ron. I have experienced that with snowboards, bikes, dirtbikes, cars, etc. Unfortunately, I did not plan on adding another sport to my portfolio.....but now I am mezmorized by the little saucers in the breeze, the sound of fiberglass pounding against the waves, and appeal of effortless(?) fun!! Anybody wanna by some old windsurfing gear? Laughing

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

baluee I am wondering what board leash you have dialed this year??

from 2002 to 2008 thats alot of avoided body dragging now back to jibbin/bodydraggin' Idea

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Yes I did use a leash, and I know some people who still do. The reality of a board leash is in the utility of keeping track of your $500 board. The reality for newbs is that the line from the waist to the board combined with a really bad kite mare has ended up bad for a few unlucky folks.

The fact that safety comes up when talking about begs/newbs is based on the idea that a person could make choices to reduce risk and at the same same reduce costs of kiteboarding.

Instead of being a prick why don't you tell us how you entered the sport safely or not. What mistakes did you make in purchasing gear that didn't last. Or perhaps you just want throw some pop shots my way. LOL , I don't GAF.

Peace. Twisted Evil

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

ya
bitch
why don't ya Cool

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

yeah ,maybe kind of pricky, but being a kiter for six years and still using a leash?

I personally have never heard of that.

Anyone else out there use a leash after six years??

I recommend not doing that for safety and saving money on medical bills and leash reair costs. Twisted Evil

I am a prick and I am sorry but just keeping it real

Lucky I don't represent any manufacturers I fly old dangerous C kites that have less depower, range ,power, relaunch ability for a trade off for free speech..

I am so lame my board has straps to keep me from body draggin. Twisted Evil

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

marty, wild bill,

the lisp goes on Laughing