Total Beginner needs advice

roflpwnz · Since 29 Aug 2013 10 Posts

Got hypnotized staring at the kites this summer, so I bought a 3m trainer and am comfortable with that now.

I think I'm ready to get in the water, and was looking at getting this setup:
http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/spo/4001794944.html

I was just going to buy the whole thing, and then pay for a lesson or two to get me up and running. Does this look like a good beginner setup for a guy who's 5'8" & 155lbs? Any feedback would be awesome.

Thanks!

JeffT · Since 07 Jul 2012 238 Posts Deep Southern Portland Stoked

I personally would spend all this money on lessons this fall and get up and riding comfortably. Then, save up over the winter for better gear next summer.

mtnbiker · Since 11 Jul 2011 39 Posts Wherever my camera leads me

As a newer kiter, I can't agree with Jeff more. Get some lessons, use your instructor's gear and simultaneously learn what you really want to buy for next year... Plus, it will give you something to obsess over in the winter months.

roflpwnz · Since 29 Aug 2013 10 Posts

Thanks guys!

I keep hearing about how important lessons are, but I've always been so much more of a "get out there and do it" kind of person it seems unnatural. With everything I've gotten into in the past it's been: buy used gear -> figure it out. But I guess Kiteboarding's a little bit different.

Maybe I should go take a few lessons before I buy the gear then, eh?

mtnbiker · Since 11 Jul 2011 39 Posts Wherever my camera leads me

I'm the same way, but kiting IS different. Learning to set up, check, launch, land, eject, upwind body drag, and self rescue are all absolutely essential for you to be an independent kiter. They are also extremely dangerous to learn without an experienced instructor; dangerous to you and to others around you.

Kiting is also different because it's a young sport with rapidly evolving equipment. Safety features have evolved a ton in the last five years, and you want to be sure the rig you buy can be easily depowered in an emergency. Your instructor will get you ready to fly on your own and point out which kites are better to look for than others.

Plus, you are going to be rough on the first big kites you fly. It's more complicated than trainers. You might as well beat up the instructor's kites instead of your own.

roflpwnz · Since 29 Aug 2013 10 Posts

So does anyone have recommendations for a good school to look at for lessons in Hood River? I'm sure they're all good, but since I don't have any way of distinguishing one from another, I don't really know where to start...

roflpwnz · Since 29 Aug 2013 10 Posts

Thanks mtnbiker,
Yeah I can definitely see how beating up borrowed equipment would be better than tearing up my own stuff!

mtnbiker · Since 11 Jul 2011 39 Posts Wherever my camera leads me

I took lessons with Jeffro @ Urban Surf in Seattle. My wife was my girlfriend back then and she lived up there where we took them together.

When i kite at Hood River, I always see Mark Worth teaching at the sandbar. His site is http://gorgekiteboard.com/ He's a fixture and I've talked to a number of his former students who really thought he was great. Plus he steps up to offer free safetey clinics from time to time. He also went out of his way to assist me in rescuing my board from the channel once. I doubt you could go wrong with him.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

As everyone has been saying get lessons, you will thank us later. Its tempting to get gear right now as closeout deals will start popping up but wait until after a few lessons when you at least know what gear you should buy.
Unfortunately this is around the time the schools stop teaching but ring around some may extend to mid Sep. I would try to get an opening with a school that go up to Wells island as the wind (if there is any) will be stronger up there plus there are less crowds than the bar which is less of an issue in Sep than say July.

My wife and I learned with Cascade kiteboarding and found them to be awesome.

p.s at 155 pounds treat the 3M trainer kite with respect if you go to Rooster Rock this fall to practice. 35+ MPH winds can take you from standing to face plant pretty quickly

Bettyboarder · Thu Aug 29, 13 10:23 am

That gear isn't a great deal anyway. We had that same set up back in the day. You can get a better deal on newer gear.

Everyones right lesson 1st make sure you like it. Then you can buy stuff. Expect to spend $1-2k on a set up and have your instructor help you get the right gear for you.

Cascade Kiteboarding is a great school

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

Good advice here from everyone. Full disclosure, I am an instructor and I will obviously tell you to get lessons. I am exactly the same when it comes to a new sport as you are. I started kiting in 2001 and I destroyed multiple kites and lost some boards trying to "figure it out". That Craigslist deal isn't bad but I'd have to agree with everyone else and say that lessons are paramount. This is probably the worst time of year to try to get consistent wind but it can happen. If you can swing it, I would recommend heading to South Padre Island in Oct-Nov. warm shallow water and consistent wind are your friend right now. I don't want to discourage you but I've seen some pretty amazing athletes get fully worked.
Otherwise, here in the Gorge this time of year is a bit tough to find anyone. I think Mark with Gorge kiteboard, teaches pretty late into the year. Not sure if Cascade is still going right now but they would be good for jet ski lessons, and Air-Pirates (even more disclosure, I teach for Nate sometimes).

roflpwnz · Since 29 Aug 2013 10 Posts

Thanks everyone for the advice! You've inspired me to go take my first lesson this weekend, so I'll see how it works out.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

I noticed teaching the last 2 summers that most of the new guys that showed up with their own gear ended up on the school gear because either their stuff was junk, was too advanced for them , our stuff was just easier for them to use . As a matter of fact, i've only had one student that kept wanting to use their own gear, but he showed up with a full quiver of Rebels (i wanted to use his gear too). I liked those old waroos a lot, but if Im you Im going for a lesson or two, then gear. If you're a high thrash level person, not too heavy handed, can swim, and getting dunked doesn't bug ya, you'll likely pick it up quick. One other note, if you do lessons you'll also get it much faster (in addition to much safer) and you'll be out and riding that much faster. You gotta put a cost on your time and the quality you are building into that.

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

FYI, those are 2007, not 2008 kites. I know because I'm still riding mine. If you take care of them they last forever. If you can get them with at least one bar and lines in excellent condition then go for them. Inspect the bridles and pulleys thoroughly for wear and pump them up very HARD so they don't jellyfish or invert. Don't worry about broken battens they're useless, but use broken battens as a bargaining chip. Personally I'd look for a better board and harness.

Of course lessons should be the first priority.

Good luck!

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

think of kiting as flying a plane.
would you buy a cessna and "teach myself how to fly" ?

the Nitrous shorts harness are a good deal - get those if they fit.

i learned on used 2007 Waroos. They were fine. I paid $300 with bar for the kites.
the deal you list above is pretty fair..... the kites are old and they don't have single inflation. you have to inflate each strut seperately. pain in the ass.
also doesn't mention if the bars are included.