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fossilX
Since 18 Mar 2009
9 Posts
New Member
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 Wed Mar 18, 09 7:12 pm Newbie: how would this be for my first set-up? |
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Have been wanting to try this sport for about 4 years, finally have the time to do it.
6'1" 190 lbs. Chicago area resident.
Just learned snowbaording this winter, got out about 30 days.
I have talked to few people so obviously I am still trying to figure everything out. I plan on taking some lessons with a trainer kite etc.
What are your thoughts on the following equipment for a newbie who will be riding mainly on Lake Michigan
Eclipse 11m Nano
Liquid Force Proof board LF Luxury Straps and pads.
Mystic harness
NPX 5/4 Assassin or a NPX 6/5/4 Hooded Zealot.
Mystic Gloves
any and all responses are welcome please chime in with positives or negetives or thoughts on other brands of kite, board, harness, wetsuits
thanks |
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Tony
Since 28 Aug 2006
940 Posts
Portland
Opinionated
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 7:28 pm |
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My 2 cents....
1st thing...fu** the set up, take the lessons first....
2nd....Buy a cheap ass trainer kite....
3rd...Buy used gear unless your rich....
4th...Buy More expensive gear after you get a lot better....
Long story short, maybe you should take the lessons first before you start spending your life savings...You never know - you might end up not wanting to kite...
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fossilX
Since 18 Mar 2009
9 Posts
New Member
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 7:48 pm |
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| ok, well if and when i take some lessons, at which point do people KNOW that it is for them or not? |
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Chooch
Since 18 Nov 2007
1871 Posts
Wicked Pissah
Boston Tea Bagger
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 8:08 pm |
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| Thats easy....after your lesson that question should become irrelavant. If your not totally stoked out after the lesson then you should probably try something else |
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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4316 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 8:08 pm |
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Once you're up on the board riding, you'll know. A lot of, most, beginners quit before this point. The fun starts once you're on the board; prior to that there's a lot of work and trepidation.
As far as what's a good setup for you, you might want to hit up folks on the chicago area forum. (Google it, I can't recall it's name right now.) They'll know a lot more about your local conditions & be able to give you better info on kite size and cold water gear.
Have fun! |
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 8:24 pm |
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Basically what everyone said - take a lesson before buying shit. Wait to buy shit until after the lesson. Talk to people in chicago about what shit to buy. The wind out here in the gorge is probably very different than the wind they get in chicago. And buy used shit.
How will you know if you like it or not???? Hard to say man. Its not for everyone - but for someone - its the shit!!!!!!!
What you could do is take the lesson - see if it is of some interest. Buy some used stuff - give it a shot - if its not for you then try and sell that used stuff shortly after you buy it - you shouldn't loose too much cash in the process unless you mess up your gear.
Good luck man - I absolutely love this sport!!!
_________________
Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights! |
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fossilX
Since 18 Mar 2009
9 Posts
New Member
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 8:40 pm |
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I have basically read all i can on all the forums including the chicago one,
just curious why do a lot of the boarders quit before the get riding?
I mean I probably fell 20-30x my first day snowboarding, hurt like hell, but I was mentally ready and still enjoyed every minute of it, probably about 20 hours on the board til i fell pretty comfortable etc. |
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 8:45 pm |
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| fossilX wrote: | I have basically read all i can on all the forums including the chicago one,
just curious why do a lot of the boarders quit before the get riding?
I mean I probably fell 20-30x my first day snowboarding, hurt like hell, but I was mentally ready and still enjoyed every minute of it, probably about 20 hours on the board til i fell pretty comfortable etc. |
Dude - if you are that determined to learn snowboarding then kiting may very well be your next sport. If you are an adrenaline junkie that will even be better!!!
Why people quit?? I don't know - out here in the gorge you will see four or five people learning - every day - all season long - most of them do not stick with the sport. They try it - but aren't willing to put in the time to learn how to get on the board.
With today's gear - learning is a lot easier - you learn faster and its a lot easier on your body.
If you do buy used (which most everyone would recommend) don't buy shit that was made before 2006 - it will only slow your progress down. There is plenty of gear made in 2007 that is in good shape and is fairly easy to learn on.
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Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights! |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 9:05 pm |
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people quit because we openly mock them.
like Chooch said, if your not totally stoked by the power of a kite, then kiting is probably not for you. My first lesson, I got pulled out of the water and was sent upside down and backwards about 4 feet out of the water for about 20 yards. I was instantly hooked! |
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Blue
Since 03 Jul 2007
469 Posts
I used to be
Obsessed
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 9:18 pm |
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| fossilX wrote: |
just curious why do a lot of the boarders quit before the get riding?
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Cause for some it is incredibly frustrating and long process to get to the point of riding. It took me over a year to get there. I am very much on an extreme end, most get it way faster. Anyway a lot of determination is required to learn this sport.
Start with 2.5m trainer. It will give you a lot of pull and will tieach you fast to have respect for the force of wind. Fly it until completely comfortable with it before you even go to take a lesson. Lessons are absolutely necessary. After that you will have better idea what to buy.
Good luck.
_________________
just wear sunscreen |
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fossilX
Since 18 Mar 2009
9 Posts
New Member
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 9:37 pm |
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after learning the basics, I am ready to get out there 2-4x a week if the " wind " is willing and my body can keep up
I snowboarded about 30 times in a 60 day period from Jan 10th to March 10th, so their is my com |
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Tony
Since 28 Aug 2006
940 Posts
Portland
Opinionated
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| Wed Mar 18, 09 9:51 pm |
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Lets get this straight....snowboarding is different then kiting...
The Nighbors fat kids snowboards...
Their mom snowboards....
And I be willing to bet, Old man Ted across the street
from my house, probably snowboards....
I know very few people that don't snowboard....
Kiting.....Lets just say, it's the best thing out there besides bread w/ Mayo on it...
Hows this for a first kite....
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-12446.html |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1365 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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| Thu Mar 19, 09 12:12 am |
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FossilX, everyone's correct in saying you should try it first - like Tony said, kiteboarding is not snowboarding. Some similarities in the board riding aspect, but very different. Also, even though I agree you should buy used gear, you should generally stay away from kites that are over two years old. In the last few years the level of safety (depower, for instance), handling, and wind range makes them much more desirable than earlier kites.
Another reason I haven't seen mentioned that people quit is fear. Nothing to do with adrenaline - I'm hooked and I wouldn't consider myself "extreme" or a "junkie" - but I know people who have windsurfed for decades and kited for several years already and are just now getting spooked by events that happened to them and recent deaths of our friends. In my first week of kiting I had a gust send my kite in a split second as I was landing it, and I quickly learned a healthy respect for how powerful and how quick-moving kites are.
Also check out demo days and take your time trying different gear out before plunking down cash. Like my other favorite sport, biking, it's all about fit and feel (and maybe "bro" deals ). You're doing the right thing by asking experienced folks for advice (why I'm on here, as well as the entertainment factor  ).
Be safe, and have fun no matter what you wind up riding - good luck! |
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Tan
Since 03 Jun 2008
23 Posts
St Kilda, Australia
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| Thu Mar 19, 09 3:15 am |
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Foss
ditto on all above.
One more thing: I bought the gear I took lessons on.....
I am nowhere good enough to know what the difference is between kites and boards but I knew how to safely rig my kite and I was comfortable with using it and how much power it had.
When you start fine tuning your kiting skills you can play with different gear. And start with one kite and then when you get used to the conditions in your area you can add to your quiver.
have fun! |
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The minnow
Since 26 Jan 2009
395 Posts
argentina
Obsessed
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| Thu Mar 19, 09 5:18 am |
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| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | people quit because we openly mock them.
like Chooch said, if your not totally stoked by the power of a kite, then kiting is probably not for you. My first lesson, I got pulled out of the water and was sent upside down and backwards about 4 feet out of the water for about 20 yards. I was instantly hooked! |
check , that is a dido, pure power,we all flew ,the other day saw this newbe do a super man, like jon modock ,said dam who is that intrucktor,everyone laughfs, the guy flew at least 30yards perfect super man, about six feet up, good luck???
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-know as the SECRET AGENT- |
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Sol-flyer
Since 21 Mar 2006
1280 Posts
Dude, where's my Bus?
Otto Mann
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| Thu Mar 19, 09 6:47 am |
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| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | | people quit because we openly mock them. |
only you monkeyboy  
I come from 10+ yrs snowboarding exp. and I can tell you I was addicted to kiting by the very first time i came across it (on the internet ) So i bought a bunch of gear and Proceeded to learn on my own. I started with a 2 line foil that was a 9m (thats huge).
So i got the kite flying skills by flying in a nice open grass field in light winds (5-10mph). By the time I was ready for the water I felt confident that I could learn this sport in five minutes. So once I got out to where the real wind is (not some 5-10mph B.S.) I realised how much power these kites have. I got my ass handed to me for three days striaght. By the end of the third day I finally got over the learning "hump" and was up and riding. (blowhard was there,...i'm sure he can tell you i was a real KOOK)
Looking back on it now, I would never recomend anyone learn on there own. I've seen many beginners try to learn and get seriously messed up. And the worst thing that could happen is to inflict injury to some innocent bystander.
by the way,....I think the Sandbar is THE WORST place to possibly teach someone. ANYONE would give it up if learning in those crowds.....your all kooks as far as i'm concerned
fossilX, Is the gear you plan on buying all 2009 gear?
You've chosen the right stuff, People will think your good just by the gear But it is costly, and like the general consenus, once you takea lesson your instructor can help you with any gear questions. (but dont get suckered into the salesman pitch...do your reesearch first)
(oh, and I can say that you picked the right kite  The Nano is a great kite for beginners and if buying new you have the "BulletProof" warranty. So go ahead and trash that puppy  (end of salesman pitch) |
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blowhard
Since 26 Dec 2005
2027 Posts
Windward
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| Thu Mar 19, 09 7:01 am |
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| Sol-flyer wrote: | | pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | | people quit because we openly mock them. |
only you monkeyboy
I come from 10+ yrs snowboarding exp. and I can tell you I was addicted to kiting by the very first time i came across it (on the internet ) So i bought a bunch of gear and Proceeded to learn on my own. I started with a 2 line foil that was a 9m (thats huge).
So i got the kite flying skills by flying in a nice open grass field in light winds (5-10mph). By the time I was ready for the water I felt confident that I could learn this sport in five minutes. So once I got out to where the real wind is (not some 5-10mph B.S.) I realised how much power these kites have. I got my ass handed to me for three days striaght. By the end of the third day I finally got over the learning "hump" and was up and riding. (blowhard was there,...i'm sure he can tell you i was a real KOOK)
Looking back on it now, I would never recomend anyone learn on there own. I've seen many beginners try to learn and get seriously messed up. And the worst thing that could happen is to inflict injury to some innocent bystander.
by the way,....I think the Sandbar is THE WORST place to possibly teach someone. ANYONE would give it up if learning in those crowds.....your all kooks as far as i'm concerned
fossilX, Is the gear you plan on buying all 2009 gear?
You've chosen the right stuff, People will think your good just by the gear But it is costly, and like the general consenus, once you takea lesson your instructor can help you with any gear questions. (but dont get suckered into the salesman pitch...do your reesearch first)
(oh, and I can say that you picked the right kite The Nano is a great kite for beginners and if buying new you have the "BulletProof" warranty. So go ahead and trash that puppy (end of salesman pitch) |
Not a kook at all
plenty of stoke
and he posted a pic of my ass
(in a dangle of course)  |
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