Beginner in Hillsboro

fridayguy · Since 18 Apr 2009 16 Posts Hillsboro

So I'm a newb to the sport of kiteboarding and I just want to get a few different oppinions about what kind of gear I should get. I've had a trainer kite for a while and am super comfortable with it (can fly it with one hand, fly without looking, etc.). I also took some lessons last summer so I know how to set up, launch, and get up on the board.

So now I'm looking for some gear! From what I've heard, 2007-2009 and maybe 2006 lei kites are the way to go. I am not a very big guy (150 lb, 5' 10") and am planning on going to Sauvie Island for the most part and maybe the coast or hood river. Any ideas on what size of a kite to get in my situation? I'm thinking about eventually getting two kites, an 8 and a 12, but I only want to start with one for now. Which one should I start with? What kind/size of kites are good for the coast?

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Apr 19, 09 12:19 am

1st, kiting and sauvie go great together.....Just not as often as one would like. You should first invest in a cooler and a comfortable lawn chair if Sauvie is going to be your haunt.

An 8 an 12 is a good spread. Pick up a good twin tip in the 132 range and then buy a skim (which will be pretty damn difficult for u to ride at this stage) or make a plywood light wind board. That will be the combo to best suit your skills and maximize time on the water. If you get out a decent number of times, you'll discover how you like to ride and then you can focus on getting the right gear to suit your style of riding. Don't stress to much on gear, getting something newer and controllable and focus on getting water time in.

Welcome to the forum and see you on the beach !!

JUMPIN JIMI · Since 11 Nov 2006 123 Posts Stoked

HEY FRIDAYGUY, DO NOT GET INTO KITE BOARDING Twisted Evil

THAT IS LIKE SAYING YOU WANT TO START USING HERION Exclamation

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

got major medical?

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

My 13M is the kite that gets used at SI most. I think I've used my 9M out there maybe once.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

I'm the same weight as you and have always used my 11m out at SI. I'd definitely say 11m or 12m though! Cool

Chooch · Sun Apr 19, 09 7:17 am

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

Jumpin Jimmi just mentioned the most common risk of kiteboarding. Anyway, welcome to the addiction.

I live and work in Hillsboro if you want to carpool out to Jones sometime on weekday afternoons, much more reliable than Sauvies and only about 35 - 45 minutes longer to get too from Hillsboro.

Demo a bunch of kites before you buy if you can, and first year buy newer used gear. I suspect Cooch would hook you up with a Wainman demo and I would with a Caution. All the other brands have there local demo hook ups too. In June the CGKA has a demo day where all the brands come together and let you ride thier gear in Hood River.

Sella · Sun Apr 19, 09 6:59 pm

Fridayguy.....whatever you decide take up Diggy on his carpool offer to Jones etc. Fantastic ambassador of kiting to have as a guide while you learn the ropes.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

fridayguy · Since 18 Apr 2009 16 Posts Hillsboro

Hey thanks for the info guys. I was wondering about building my own board pdxmonkeyboy. Sounds like a lot of fun.

Haha its gotta be freakin sweet to be addicting right!?... Sounds good to me!

Thanks for the offer Diggy I might take you up on that as soon as I get my gear.

Does anybody know when the wind starts to pick up at Sauvie? I want to be ready when the time comes. BTW if anybody has a 12m lei that they want to get rid of, I might be interested. Wink

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Apr 20, 09 11:45 am

First I would give Pepi at 2nd wind a call and ask him what kind of used 12m he has for sale. Or PM him here. I'm sure you can find something in the $600 range. There are threads on here about making a lightwind board. Try searching for them unless someone knows where they are. Marine plywood, fins, and straps and some spar varnish..tadah you have a lightwind board.

Sauvie's usually gets good about what...late may? June? The wind at Sauvie is largely a product of portland's urban heat island effect and the cool coast. It works best with high temperatures and zero clouds between here and the coast.

gorge geezer · Since 11 Jan 2008 17 Posts Vancouver

I bought a larger kite, like the 12m you mentioned, for places like Sauvies and Jones. These are great spots when they are windy, which is not often enough for me. Generally, a smaller kite is needed for the sandbar, like the 8m. When the weekend comes around and you want to go kiting, Hood River is often the place it is blowing. I bought several kites right away and never got the chance to use them very much before newer and better kites came out. Given some time, you will find some great deals on kites from the shops and private parties. It is vey hard to show up at a site and not have the right size kite.