New to kiting...so new that.....

WOLVERINE · Since 17 Apr 2006 19 Posts Lake Tapps Island

I don't even have gear yet. My brother is way into this and the more I check it out the more I really want to learn. Kinda on a budget right now, but slowly picking up some savings for stuff. Gonna be looking for deals but in the mean time...

Who all on here is from the Seattle area? Anyone got any hookups? I have heard good things about the Urban Surf school. (Planning on attending one of these days.) Also heard about Jetty Island and Golden Gardens. Are these good places to check this sport out and meet some peeps already into it?

WOLVERINE · Since 17 Apr 2006 19 Posts Lake Tapps Island

i guess no one else is awake at O dark thirty. by the way, like most sports, there are always some equipment that just doesn't NEED to be top notch. Usually it's the stuff that DOESN"T have to do with comfort. Is this the same here?

Should I spend $ on stuff like a good harness and wetsuit and maybe skimp on buying brand new kites? What should I spent the dough on guys/gurls?

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

you definitely will need a harness and a wetsuit.

Sol-flyer · Mon Apr 17, 06 8:35 am

if you buy a brand new kite, chances are youre gonna have some holes in it by the time the learning curve is done.

try finding a pakage deal where you get all you need for one price.(hopefuuly cheap;D)

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Buy used, buy used, buy used. You can start here:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=2

Thumb's Up

WOLVERINE · Since 17 Apr 2006 19 Posts Lake Tapps Island

thats what I figured. The plan is to not skimp on the wetsuit and buy the harness new. I figure everything else I can get used for way cheaper and not worry about wrecking to expensive stuff.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Jake · Since 18 Apr 2006 5 Posts Sammamish, WA Kook

Wolverine

I live on the eastside of Seattle and always looking for someone to kite with whether that be on snow, mtn board, buggy, boat or water. Give me a shout if you want to meet up and do some flying.

I am actually considering going out to the ocean this weekend and would be happy to share in fuel cost in exchange for flying some of my kites. Wink

--Jake

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

wolfy,

i have a cabrinha blactip 16m in my attic that i would sell cheap. why cheap? (good question, grasshopper) because my 04 ss fuel 15m is SO much easier to fly (this is often true regarding newer-vs-older kites)

however, it is for sale (did i mention for sale cheap-like maybe three cases of beer and some nauchos)

good luck dude, and in gereral used is fine but the industry does march on and newer equipment can be easier to learn on but more expensive.
jimmi

Jake · Since 18 Apr 2006 5 Posts Sammamish, WA Kook

Not to mention the newer equipment will likely be safer than something from even 5 years ago. That could mean the difference between a scary session and an abrupt ending. Products are still evolving and getting better all the time.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

you know... you might look at bestkiteboarding.com and get new gear. they are probably the cheapest entry point for kites, and have great stuff. I chose them for the money. the new 'bow' style kites (best = waroo, slingshot = turbo diesel, etc...) are aimed at safety with better depower, and help you progress way faster than the 'C' shape kites. A lot of training schools I've looked at lately are switching over to them almost exclusively.

also, for wetsuits, go to gorgeperformance.com (they are on macadam), they are having a wetsuit blowout right now. (and they sell kite gear). they also have used kites, but I wouldn't get anything too old. In my research, I found that some of the older kites were slower, and were harder to learn on.

I started with a trainer, then lessons, then more trainer, then I just bought a kite and started flying it. I still haven't mastered the 'stay upwind' part of it, but I'm safe, and I have a good time.

just my $.02