new guy

hitithard · Since 28 May 2010 12 Posts

Hey guys,
I am new to this sport, it is so cool, I used to windsurf so heck I am going to the dark side, I bought 2 new kites 2010 fuels, I got a 7m and 13 m, they look vewery solid, my first question is what is the best set up for a new guy?
I went out yesterday and flew the 13m man it is powerful!
So I bought a video and have been watching it over and over, so I look forward to getting out there and hitting it hard!
I am having trouble with the self rescue deal, is it really that hard?
Anyways I lookforward to meeting new friends and having a ton of fun![/quote]

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Oh god, here we go...que the lesson police. Neutral

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

rofl

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

goin' fish'en...

alleycat · Since 29 Jun 2006 176 Posts Portland Stoked

Hey welcome to kitesurfing..

People will suggest, demand, force and intimidate you into taking lessons. Lessons are a waste of time and money. I don't know anyone that ever took a lesson, the dudes that are into teaching are glorified beach bums (chicks take lessons, guys don't) cool guys don't take lessons, and I am sure you are a pretty cool guy....only cool guys fly SS Fuels.

First thing you need to do is get a friend into the sport with you, inflate your 13 on a nice windy day (35 - 50MPH) have your kite buddy stand directly down wind and toss the sucker in the air when you are ready. Fly the kite for about ten minutes then go to the water. Don't worry about understanding the safety system on a fuel, the kites are so slow you will be able to steer yourself out of any problems that will arise. Just connect your safety leash directly to the bar. Safety, smafety is what I say...

Now you are ready for the water: Tie a very short rope from your kiteboard to your harness. That way when you wipe out your board will be very close to you and will not have to waste the entire afternoon retrieving your board. People will suggest the use of a helmet when learning, most of those people are in the buisness of sellling helmets...don't listen to them.

Finally make sure that you hang out in Stevenson as that launch is one of the easiest places to kite in the Columbia Gorge. The people that kite there tend to be very happy to see newbies at thier launch. without a doubt everyone will help you with your progress. If Stevenson is to far, find a busy beach with lots of people laying on the sand....Chicks in bikinis dig kitesurfers.

Please post pictures and videos of your progression, the members of this forum will be more than happy to provide you with some feedback...

Again welcome to the sport

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Who sold you those kites? I can't imagine that one of our local shops would sell you Fuels as your first kite and not make sure that you had lessons to boot. Selling kites like them to a beginner is equivalent to letting a teenager drive a Ferrari.

forrest · Fri May 28, 10 8:52 am

At least he's a windsurfer and probably has a healthy respect for the power kites can generate! That's gotta count for something.

HititHard, you gotta take at least one 3 hour lesson or you're likely to hit something very hard and get maimed.

Gorgegezzer · Since 14 Jan 2007 67 Posts

Look up in the top section and do a search on lessons. You can see what has been previously written about the value of taking lessons. I used to windsurf too so I thought just a couple of lessons would be enough to get going. It really was not. I highly recommend taking a series, it will be money well spent. Find out more about this on this website. Don't be stupid.

Mark · Fri May 28, 10 9:19 am

I call shenanigans....

hitithard · Since 28 May 2010 12 Posts

Thanks for the quick responses, I bought my kites online, great price and bought the zero to hero dvd,
I just can not swing the lessons, spent to much on the gear,
I taught my self how to ski and windsurf so I figure it should not be that hard,
I would like pointers though, I have weekdays off so I am looking for a good spot to go, I was hopeing to find some people to go with to hoodriver perhaps.
Is there people around during the week to help launch and land? I think I can get the kite in the air on my own but landing seems harder.
Thanks in advance

fredf · Since 10 Jan 2009 80 Posts Eugene. Or

I thought there would be a lot of crossover between windsurfing skills and kiting - not true.

What you need to know is that the kite has the potential to take control and cause havoc in an instant and once that process is underway you may likely be unable to respond fast enuf to save yourself. Dropping the sail on a pole board brings danger to a halt - not the same with a kite.

Bottom line: don´t take this sport lightly; it´s a different animal than windsurfing!

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Obvious troll is obvious.

MasViento · Since 03 Mar 2009 235 Posts 97031 Stoked

Hitithard,
Also being a beginner recently , I urge and beg you to follow
Forrests advice. This is not a DIY sport to learn. If you look
at recent posts on here you will see all recent carnge just here
in the gorge. Read post about Rufus etc... This type stuff
happens every wknd. to experienced riders. Lessons will teach
you body dragging , self rescue and how to deal with and use
your safety systems . Have you flown a trainer ever ?
Cascade Kiteboarding runs a really good school here in the
gorge, look them up, don't be the next sad story on here.

DBrice · Since 01 May 2010 34 Posts Vancouer

I just got done with 2 lessons in hood river and after 6 hours I still have a hard time getting up on the board but if things go wrong I know how to self rescue and body drag to chase my board, it was well worth the money I spent on lessons. I would highly reccomend at least one lesson for all the safety stuff, if not for you for evaryone downwind.

strapless101 · Since 17 Aug 2009 82 Posts gorge

No problem,
Just wing it, I mean my 5 year old can fly kites and her's are much cooler than fuels, her kites have streamers and tails and faces. If she can do it without lessons you should be golden.

sixo · Since 25 Jun 2007 36 Posts west side

Kind of beating a dead horse, but if you take the time to learn the technical aspects of kiting you'll be surprised how easy your transition will be. Saying that you "think you can get the kite in the air" might not be the best way to start out.

You'll be bummed if you miss out on the academics of the sport it will add to your ripping abilities. Everyone starts out as a Kook, then when your hanging with the cool kids or ripping in the ocean you can look back at what a kook you really were.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

A serious injury to your gear, yourself, or worse someone else will certainly cost more than $200 - $300 for the lesson.

Sell your fuels, get a quiver of '08 bow kites, buy lessons and a trip to Maui w/ the leftover cash. Thumb's Up