Beginner help :)

YellowKiter · Since 16 Jul 2009 34 Posts Spokane/Coeur d'alene

Hey everyone! Just got done with a 3 1/2 hour trainer kite session! It was absolutely amazing!!! Very addicting lol. Ayways, i know that there is a bunch of equiptment needed to start kiteboarding in the water, and i just wanted to have a list of the things i need to buy. I know that i need to buy the kiteboard and kites, but i think i'm going to save those for last. I wanna buy all the little stuff first, like harnesses and stuff. What all exactly do i need?

craz z · Since 01 Dec 2008 130 Posts Montana Stoked

Well besides the kite and board.

What type of riding do you wanna do?

Basic list:
Helmet (must)
PFD or impact vest (makes learning safe and less painful)
Wetsuit Season is on the downslope its gonna chill down soon
Drysuit (wanna extend the season)
Harness (must)
Booties (rocks hurt the feet)
Board shorts
sun screen
Beer lots of it (might not blow gotta do something)
Windmeter Its nice to know then guess as a beginer pick the kite for the average of at least 1/2 hour.

Kite and board obviously

Snow in the forecast?
Landboard or buggy for quick fixes no access to water?

YellowKiter · Since 16 Jul 2009 34 Posts Spokane/Coeur d'alene

haha well until it starts snowing, i'll definitely be kiteboarding on the water.

do the kites come with their own lines, or do i have to buy them seperate?

the kites themselves are going to be the most expensive.

i live in the spokane, cda area where wind isn't always the strongest, although it's blowing at a somewhat steady 15mph.

YellowKiter · Since 16 Jul 2009 34 Posts Spokane/Coeur d'alene

so the main things i will need are the wetsuit, harness, windmeter?

then the kite, board, and lines? is that it? i thought there were a bunch more accesories i had to buy. i thought the bar came seperate, and the safty thingy....

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

That's good that you have had a 3.5 hour trainer kite lesson, but have you had a lesson with a full sized kite in the water as well?

You'll want to understand the basics of body dragging and self rescuing before you go it your own....

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 10, 09 2:43 pm

Dude, this came online. This is THE kite for you given your wind condition...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Slingshot-Fuel-Hundred-10-0-Meter-Kiteboarding-Kite_W0QQitemZ180393720323QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a004dba03&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

So once you have that one, then pick this baby up for the light days....

http://cgi.ebay.com/GAASTRA-STEALTH-20m-Kiteboarding-Kitesurfing-Kite_W0QQitemZ120455435470QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0bb414ce&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

finally, get yourself a MONEY! board like this one... perfect for upwind and jump!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kite-Surf-Board_W0QQitemZ260456933748QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca4716974&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Buying old used gear on e-bay is a great way to save money. You can use this money to pay your impending hospital bills or, you could put it away to fund your funeral. Either way, money well spent. If you don't manage to hurt yourself, then you can spend 3 years learning what you could have learned in 3 months on newer decent gear.

LOOP · Since 08 Feb 2007 107 Posts Ore-Ida

pm sent

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

Welcome to the Addiction.

I think you left off a begining kiteboarding DVD. Might as well familerize yourself with what you will be learning during the lesson before the lesson = save yourself some serious bucks!

Get the IKO Progression Beginer DVD from your local shop Thumb's Up

If you got more cash burning in your pocket for something other than lessons get a wetsuit so you can wear a wet-suit that only you pee in. Pro-Motion and 2nd Wind are great shops in the Hood River and Gorge Performance in PDX (ask for Blake).

YellowKiter · Since 16 Jul 2009 34 Posts Spokane/Coeur d'alene

i've already gotten the beginner dvd and have watched it multiple times.

as for a training course, that's a definite no go, as i live hours upon hours away from any possible schools, so i'm training myself with some (hopefully) guidance from my friend cdakiter, who has done this for yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeears.

the reason i created this was because i already know the board i want (the big ocean rodeo zen 2008), and the kites will come after everything else solely because of money... but i want the perfect lines, bar, safety harness, chicken wire, etc. to get for me... (y'know, all the universal must haves.)

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Nak · Tue Aug 11, 09 7:51 am

Mark · Tue Aug 11, 09 8:07 am

You tube can be quite helpful. Here is a good learning video:

Link

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Here is the cost break down:

2 days of lessons at the gorge:
$700.00 two days of jet ski assisted lessons,
$500-1000 for travel expenses. T
1700.00 total for lessons and a great weekend.

Learning on your Own
$45 DVD
$700.00 on used gear that will have to be replaced or repaired because you didn't know what you really needed.
$500 co-pay for ER visit after your $700.00 pieace of shit kite hot launched you into the rocks
$$?? for missed work due to your accident
$1245.00 + lost wages and you still don't know how to kite.

Your call.

Bettyboarder · Tue Aug 11, 09 9:07 am

Kiting is going to be expensive so if you really want to get into it then pony up the cash up front and get professional lessons...they are worth it.

craz z · Since 01 Dec 2008 130 Posts Montana Stoked

Cody

I understand your situation very well. Unlike some of the guys posting you do not live in the gorge nor do you have 20-40mph winds on a daily basis.

They are right on by telling you to get a lesson its a requirement to enter the sport without causing harm to yourself and to others.

I don't know you, but I do know once you see kiting and really I mean really want to do it then you must go all in.

Many kiters that have gone through the same learning curves as you will all want the same thing Safe competent riders that will not jeopordize your health or anyone others.

As a beginer this seems harsh and almost attacking you personally its not. They are trying to help you as this sport can turn on you in a sec. if you are not properly prepared.

Now if you really want to go down the self taught road its not impossible but you need to realize you have to take it slow. Stay on land and have someone with you at all times. if you get good enough to start heading for the water. Make sure you have a boat or someone to rescue you if u get stuck out there.

It sounds like you have some good friends that will help you. USE THEM watch them. practice, practice, practice.

Stay in winds under 20mph and pick a huge field with no rocks or obstacles to hurt you. Stay away from people.

Lessons will accomplish this with in a 3-5 day period. Self taught you will need at least 40-60 hours of safe controlled static flying.

Honestly I don't see you riding this year with out a lesson. I would get ready for the snow season. When we teach people in montana on Snow we can get just about anybody up and riding with in 3-4 hours. Water is hard and will take sooo much longer to perfect.

Water has so many more hazards that snow does not have. This is why you need to be 100% self sufficient before getting your toes wet.

Now for the final gear selection

I had these same questions when I first saw the sport.

Here is the bottom line

Harness gotta have. seat or waist its your choice pick one that is comfortable. or looks comfortable do research on what other guys are choosing.
Make sure the harness has a spreader bar. MOST ALL DO but then again if you buy a harness sometimes spreader bars are seperate. Pay close attention.

Kite. Buy one that is COMPLETE. bar, lines, kite, pump.

The only reason to not buy one is to save money when you are dead set on the brand you like. Say if you buy a quiver of 7-11-16 meter if you bought a bar for each kite then it would be approx 800-1200$ more then just the kites with one bar

On the other hand when it comes to resale you will have to sell as a set vs. Indvidual unless the buyer doesn't care and has his own bar.

A kite complete comes with all the things you need. Bars are not disassembled so your Chicken loop, donkey dick, fly lines everything is on the control system.

The kite needs air so a pump is required. (later on you'll appreciate a air compressor) It must be regulated air tho so don't try it off the bat unless you know how compressed air works. Most kites are 10psi struts and 6psi Leading edge.

Thats really it a board, kite complete, harness and your flying.
All the rest are add ons but the first list I gave you is what you might need to stay safe during the begineer phase.

Be smart be safe, take it very slow. I know when you ask questions for you first time about something and everyone is sounding mean or are you stupid? You are not stupid you wanna learn what they have learned. They are only trying to help by keeping you and them safe. So don't take it personally. ONLY a small percentage learn on their own. Especially with water.

If you need help we are only 3 hours away near missoula. The gorge is about 4 from you.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Aug 11, 09 9:56 am

Great post Carl. Seriously, we are only trying to help. Kiting is expensive, period. You can get with your buddy and buy shit online and teach yourself but honestly, you are taking some serious serious risks, just be aware if that. I have seen some horrific accidents in my time, people that already knew how to kite. It is not a game.

Honestly, your best bet is to come to the gorge with $2000 in your pocket. You can take lessons and try on all the differet gear and get solid advice from people thy do this as a living. Plus if you come to the gorge you will get stoked beyond your wildest dreams. That is priceless. Besides Idaho isn't that far. I drove an equal distance every other weekend to mt bike.

oh yeah, I almost forgot. If you think you can pull of looking like a passable transexual then you can get FREE LESSONS from this guy.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-14229.html&highlight=lessons+free