recommendations for a noob

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

I am a newbie to the sport and am taking recommendations for a good entry level kite, bar and kiteboard from the veterans out there. I have about a $1.4-1.7k budget cap and would be most interested in something with long-term value. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

thanks in advance,

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

Again, we don't do the brand thing on here... Pretty much any '07+ SLE/bow would be good to start on.

Bettyboarder · Thu Aug 30, 07 3:42 pm

Take lessons and ask them to let you demo different kites so you can see which one you like.

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

I'm already taking lessons at the Gorge but I worry about them pushing only their own equipment. I would rather hear the experience of the other community users.

Bettyboarder · Thu Aug 30, 07 3:59 pm

Great that you are taking lessons Thumb's Up

Check out kiteforum there are alot of review on there. We try not to do it here cause it usually just starts gear wars.

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

Run away now; while you have a chance. Cool

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

In order to prevent any flame wars, I hereby declare a cease-fire for this subject posting: No flaming of anybody else's recommendations or opinions why the other guy's rig sucks. All suggestions are welcome. May all flame warriors stab themselves in the eye with a pen.

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

Slingshot T2 or REV! Thumb's Up

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Aug 30, 07 4:47 pm

yeah, what he said. the T2 is a good kite, I like crossbows myself but the bar pressure sucks (too much). I increasingly hear more and more about the sonics. Much to my surprise, I abso-fucking-lutely love my new (06) fuel.

Snap up one of the 07 T2's and you'll be happy. Then after you spend a year on the water and can actually kiteboard, you can beg, borrow, and demo different kites to see if you want something different.

The bottom line is, your going to do well on any newer kite 06--07. I know its hard too, but resist the hype and all the industry jargon. Slingshot is local, they make great kites, they are tough as nails (which helps when your a newb), and if you had any problems you could stroll into their HQ's and ask them a question.

Stuff like that goes a long way.

chefjaredagcc · Since 12 Jul 2007 106 Posts Seaside Stoked

OT sorry, where is slingy HQ

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

45 mins from PDX... Stevenson, WA!

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

Take lessons! Then check out the Classifieds section for a good deal on some used gear, preferably gear that you learned on.

Also try to stick to kites 2006 or newer... lots of good deals on used gear thats still in great shape, perfect for newbs.

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

Also consider how much you are going to ride and where you are going to ride. Do you want to be able to ride all the time - from 9 knots to 40 knots? If so you are going to want multiple kites. Do you want to only ride in like 25 to 30 knot winds? Then you will probably only need one kite and you can blow your whole wad on one kite.

But you have 1,400 to 1,700 to spend on everything I'm assuming - kite, board, bar, wetsuit, harness, spreader bar, leash, helmet, vest and so on. So you are going to want the biggest bang for your buck. There are new kites out there that run $1,700 complete (Kite and bar) - so then your whole wad would be gone on one kite.

With that being said - you are probably going to want to buy one or two year old stuff in order to get the best value - if you go any older than your learning curve is going to be a lot harder.

If you go with a 2007 bow kite you should be all good. I don't think I've heard anything bad about any 2007 bow kite. The 2006 best waroos - a bow kite - had some issues with their stitching. Not all of them, but some of them. But as far as I know the 2007 waroos did not have this problem.

The waroos are some of the most inexpensive bow kites on the market - they have a very good wind range and have the awesome ability to depower. These will deliver a big bang for your buck.

The Slingshot fuels are C kites - they are a very stable. They stay where you put them - a lot of people find these easier to ride. They don't have the wind range as a bow kite - however, the 06 and 07 fuels are set up with a lot of depower ability - it gives you the ability to handle the gusts. The construction on these kites are extremely solid.

So, in my opinion - which is highly influenced by what I have ridden and by trying to get the biggest bang for the buck - go with the waroos or the fuels. You can find a lot of really sweet deals on used fuels.

As far as boards go - as you progress you will probably want different boards. But a really good bang for your buck would be a liquid force proof 151. You can find those used for like $300 bucks or so. Its big - has a lot of float - gives you a lot of stability on the water. As you progress you'll probably want to ditch this board for something more agile - lighter, or you may want to keep it around as a light wind board.

Also keep in mind - as you progress you are going to change your mind as to what you like. At first you might really like a certain type of kite, but then the next season when you are more advanced you might realize you have outgrown this kite or feel like you want something different.

It is important that you try and demo as many kites as you can. I try and borrow my friend's kites as much as possible - even if it is for 10 minutes or so. It gives me a feel for what I like and what I don't like.

People are always going to have an opinion about their gear - some will say this is the best gear for everyone in every condition - period. Thats crazy talk. Every one has different needs and different feel. If you pick up gear from 06 or 07 you'll probably do just fine. You may end up selling it later - but you can never tell what you are going to want next year.

Check this forum's for sale section - lots of good stuff. Also check www.ikitesurf.com - lots of kites and boards. Compare prices. Try and buy local if you can - it will give you a chance to see the condition of the kite.

Take it easy.

doubledecker · Since 28 Aug 2007 1 Posts Camas, WA New Member

As I new kiter myself, I really recommend to keep a small notepad in the car so when you get back from lessons or trying our gear, you can sit down and write down your thoughts and impressions...even after a few hours or days, all the stuff in your head run together (at least for me)... I have tried at least 4 harnesses and really liked one of them but I can't recall which one Exclamation

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

The Liquid Force Havocs are also really good stable kites with easy relaunch and a simple bar setup (similar to the Slingshot 4line bar), which makes them great to learn on.

One of my friends just learned to kite this season. He started on some '06 Caution Answer bow kites, and they were really twitchy and unstable in the air so he had trouble keeping them flying and couldn't relaunch them most of the time. Then he tried a Havoc and felt a world of difference. Shortly after he got a couple Havocs and sold his Caution kites. I'm not sure who you're taking your lessons from, but I know there's some being taught in Hood River on Liquid Force kites so maybe you've had a chance to try them.

If you can I'd definitely recommend getting '07 kites. I think this year many companies actually made decently stable and reliable flat kites. In '06 the first generation of flat kites came out so most of them weren't fine tuned yet and had some issues. If possible get a couple decent kites (maybe for $1200 or so) and spend the rest on the other gear. You should be able to pick up a used board for close to $200 and a wetsuit and harness for another $200-300.

Whatever kite you get make sure to be safe and have fun when you go out there.

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

Thanks everyone for the recommendations and not starting any flame wars.

I also apologize in advance for any havoc I create on the water while learning. I'll try not to tomahawk anybody if I can avoid it.

Big thanks to the anonymous rider at HR yesterday who gave me advice on the self-rescue. Very Happy