Help out a newb

Naanan · Since 16 Feb 2007 10 Posts

Hey,

This forum is fantastic. I am just getting into the sport, I ordered a trainer/traction to learn basic kiting but I have a few questions that I can't find definitive answers to.

First - How big a kite should I have for land boarding on the coast. I know it is wind speed dependent but for a 6 foot 190 pounder, how big a kite would get me moving on a landboard.

Second - Where is a good place to take lessons. I am sure that Hood River is the best place and I have no porblem getting over there. I just don't want to pay $300 to some tool that isn't going to show me what I need to know.

Third - Is a good 3/2 wetsuit enough to get you started in April or should I opt for a 4/3.

Thanks, great forum. I can't wait to get out there.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

4/3 if your burly, april in the gorge is cold, and plan on breakdown conditions for suit selection.

I would look for a 5/4 with a Hood, booties, No gloves - they just cramp the forearms, This is a good winter surf combo as well.

As Spring turns into summer, the 4/3 starts to work, then the 3/2, then the shorty.

The best part about here is all the gear you get to buy.

Certified kite school will be what to look for. And a trip to SPI for a week to learn would even be better.

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

I usually wear my 5/3 in the river until its warm enough to go in boardshorts. When the water warms up it warms up fast. You will want a 5 mil in the ocean year round.

Andy

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

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

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Two issues on this thread, landboarding and kiteboarding in the water, both with lessons. For landboard lessons and the basics $200 is right with rental gear and you'll need to goto the coast most likely, I don't know of anywhere else that you can get a good intro lesson with gear. See Cleanline in Seaside or Pacific Wave in Warrenton/Astoria - they both have great instructors. www.cleanlinesurf.com & www.pacwave.net. You can get lessons through the winter, spring and of course the coast blows everything away in the summer!!! (my honest opinion). Cool

Getting the lessons with the gear is nice cuz you can try b4 you buy. They have good deals too.

For water lessons, all previous suggestions are great. Goto somewhere warm like SPI, or closer to the season around here there are gorge schools. Jim and Cori Bison run a great school www.newwindkiteboarding.com.

Have fun.

Naanan · Since 16 Feb 2007 10 Posts

I really appreciate the help. I have been to forums for some of my other hobbies and simple questions usually elicit horrible responses that aren't helpful at all, so thanks for not being 'one of those forums'.

I'm glad I asked about the wetsuit. I wakeboard in the summer and I have a thermometer on my depthfinder. The coldest I have seen it read in April and May is about 53 but that is around Gvmt island or Kalama. I suppose it only makes sense that the water further up stream would be colder. Maybe I think I will buy the 4/3 and just wait until May or so to get started. Any body know if 'jet pilot' is a decent brand?

Thanks again.

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

A lot of places, (especially surf shops) sell one or two brands and they'll press those on you.
I got my wetsuit from my dive instructor at the local dive shop (Salem Suba). He told me that most wetsuits are very similar in terms of they're made in Thialand, made of neoprene / (maybe w/ Ti) and keep you warm.
If you buy ripcurl etc. you're paying for brand name and not much else. I haven't heard of that brand but it'd probably be fine if you're getting a good deal.
If I were you I would go down to a dive shop and talk to them - they deal in suits all the time and can help you a lot. They can also help you get the right fit and probably cut a package deal w/ boots!

Finally, call and ask kitesurf places what kind of suits are needed in the areas you're going to be riding.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I ride a 4.3 year around... On the coast it's not a problem, unless you put kite in the water (wouldn't want to be out there long), but you'd probably want something thicker on the Columbia (at least this time of year). I'm probably going to head out with Tucker and Nate in a few. Gonna see just how cold the Columbia is since I haven't been out there since December. By March we're usually just fine with a 4.3 and booties, but again, just keep your kite up.

Good luck! Thumb's Up

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

my two cents for kiting in the ocean --- dress for the crash, not the ride (2nhd hand advice from blowhard'). sooner or later the kite will go down or you will lose the board way out or both. i like to go with 5/4, sometimes with an added 0.5m vest and shorts underneath. you are not going to die from heat exhaustion kiting the oregon coast.