how to kiteboard

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

Anyone else have a warm comfortable wetsuit they are happy with for these March -April winds?

I want to get this purchase right!

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

any strong preferences on gloves and booties?

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

I talked to a salesman at Bigwinds today who said Oneil couldn't supply them with any more Mutant wetsuits till late May. Anyone know of any shops who have large size?

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Mar 30, 10 11:25 am

Gorge p probably has a large and everything is on sale this wekend. I frigin love my mutant!!!

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Kruse · Since 21 Oct 2005 63 Posts

I bought a Mutant this fall and it is a great wetsuit.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Mar 30, 10 2:17 pm

oh, yeah just remembered. I was in windance last week and they had some mutants. Not sure what sizes they had. Who shops at big winds anyways?

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

Gotta spread the love....thanks for the tips!

AKkiter · Since 31 Aug 2008 190 Posts Montavilla Stoked

Ditto on the real instructional vid's.

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

Hey PDxmonkey....what months do you wear your mutant? Is it too hot for April-May?

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Can't stay out of this one. Mutants are just OK, given the price. Hood/neck ring feature is nice though. Not that everyone will be spending a lot of time year-round at the coast but ask any local that has one, "do you want to wear your dry Mutant or your damp ONeill Psycho II/Ripcurl FBomb/Xcel Infinity/Billabong/Hotline on a chilly day". Every one of them will choose other than the Mutant. It is just a little leaky around the neck and thin in some important places. I love mine for summer/fall though.

Hotline Phoenix's (5/4 hooded) are a price point suit and deserve their reputation and namesake. Around $270 at Cleanline.

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Apr 02, 10 9:35 am

huh, I haven't worn a ton of really thick suits but I did have an o'neil "classic" I think it was. A wet suit is a wetsuit I thought till I discovered its pretty much named the "classic" because back in the day, wetsuits sucked ass and leaked allot.

I've never been cold in my mutant. Even after a 45 minute ocean swim. Anywho... I wear mine until around may I guess. Depends on what other options I have that year in terms of wet suits. When the air gets above 70 though I usually ditch the heavy rubber.

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

Thanks for your input everyone.

I currently have a Promotion wetsuit. It is a 3-3 with short sleeves. That usually works from mid to late May thru late Sept. Obviously I wear a shortie July and Aug.

My goal is to add about 6 weeks on either side.

So here's what I have found:

Windance has a pullover top with long sleeves (wetsuit Material) that I believe is 1mil. It is one option. THat along with a pair of gloves, booties and a hood: total on that comes to about $160.

Second option is a Mutant with booties and gloves. Cost about $400.

3rd....is the Pscho and booties and gloves and a hood....about $480.

Anybody else who kites the gorge during these April and October months have any thoughts?

hip in white salmon · Since 11 Jul 2007 149 Posts Stoked

Thanks for all the tips...I ended up gettiing a Mutant. Went to the wall the other day. It was about 50 degrees and same for the water. The wind about 25ish. The mutant worked nice and I was never cold. I think it was a good call. Thx

green turtle kiter · Since 11 Jul 2009 48 Posts

Take a week and go to Cabarete. The summer months are usually the best. Seven consecutive days are better than seven days spread out over several weekends at home.

Sign up for lessons after you get there. You can negotiate the price with the instructors there. The price is much less expensive than in the US. They have kite valets who will take the kite upwind for you so that you can maximize your time learning going downwind. You can demo kites and at the end of the week you can purchase the kite(s).

I am a relative newbie (two years), but I am addicted. I am constantly checking the wind for any opportunity to go. I am scheduling my family vacations around kiting spots. Once you feel the kite pull you into the air you will be hooked for life.