Howdy

trigger · Since 06 Apr 2008 37 Posts

Hey guys just wanted to say hi, I've been a lurker for a while, finally decided to register.

Just bought my first kite earlier today and the gorge performance swap. Thanks Sam Wink

Took lessons in SPI, and I want to get into the swing of things back home, and I'm looking for some advice.

Bought a 9m Naish Helix, I'm 6'1 ~165.

I'd like to get out and get riding as soon as I can, however I need to buy a board first Embarassed

Any suggestions as to what I should spring for first off?

I'd like to be able to ride Stevenson or HR (hoping the 9m will be enough) I'm assuming I'll have to bump up to a bigger kite if I want to ride Sauvies? And I've got NO clue what to do for the coast. My grandparents have a house down in Pacific City and I was thinking about hitting up Netarts Bay or Nehelam, or the cove @ Cape Kiwanda. (I'm sure some of the coast crew can say yay/nay for all those spots)

I guess the tl;dr version of what I'm asking is:
What size [kite] should I be buying to ride at Sauvies & the coast.
What board(s) should I be looking at for the gorge, sauvies & the coast (probably NOT waves yet, like I said trying to ride pretty flat water.)

Is boardbrain pretty spot on?

Nak · Mon Apr 07, 08 1:59 am

Welcome!

I'd avoid Stevenson for a while. It is NOT a good spot for a beginner. First time you go there, just watch and see how things are done. It's a pretty sketchy launch, you need absolute control of your kite. If you can't stay upwind, you're screwed...

Your board is going to be more important at Sauvies than your kite. Have a good light wind board like a Glide in your arsenal. You might be surprised how low you can go with a Glide and a 9m... There's a ton of good boards out there for stronger wind. Personally, I'd budget for the 2 boards before I'd get the second kite. Just my 2 cents...

Have fun! Very Happy

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

If you can only buy one board right now I'd get a glide because it will save you from buying another kite for a while.

Bettyboarder · Mon Apr 07, 08 6:23 am

I agree on Stevenson it's a pretty crazy launch I would hit Sauvies first it's great spot. Usually pretty mellow and long beach to bail out on.

Get a big board at first it will help you get up really fast. The glide is a great board for Sauvies. Keep your eye on the classifieds sections there are alot of good used board there.

Oregon Surf Shop Tim · Since 04 Feb 2008 70 Posts Lincoln City Oregon

Hey Trigger, welcome, as far as coastal spots to ride, the Cove at PC does not let NW Wind get in there cause the headland blocks it and you wouldn,t want to try south wind there cause you could end up on the headland. Try Siletz Bay out, it is where the central coast crew learned and it picks up north and south winds, just watch out for the occasional drift log. good luck

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

yo trigger,
there are some spots in PC, PM me sometime and I'll meet you out there and show you around.

as far as a board, a glide is good for light winds, but not that great when the winds get high... and they will this summer in the gorge. A lot of people make a glide out of plywood (PM BettyBoarder), and then buy a board to ride on that can be a little smaller. I would say just get a larger twin tip (for your size something bigger than a 132). your 9 should carry you fine in the summer for the gorge. For the coast though, you'll probably need a bigger kite (though at times, the 9 will prove to be too big).

Sol-flyer · Mon Apr 07, 08 7:45 am

hi trigger, welcome to the forums

My advice for kites would be to get a 13-15m. This will pretty much work for 15mph-25mph. Which after 25mph is when you'd want to size down to your 9m...

For boards, I suggest 2 boards.

A lightwind board- A slinghsot glide has lot of surface space,...but its really flat and the small 0.5 fins wont do muhc good. I found the glide to be really "skatey" and hard to keep an edge.(at least when its good). i have a Secret weapon....is a birch plywood board. Ive compared it to almost eveything out there. It dominates....you can make a plywood board in about 1-2 days.

Trick board- Lots of different options, Make sure you get something in a "wakeboard" style design....it'll pay off when your riding both ways(heel&toe), and riding blindside.

just my 2 pennies worth....

Bettyboarder · Mon Apr 07, 08 8:10 am

Here are a couple links to making your own board great cheap board.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-503-0-asc-15.html

Here's the one I made a few years ago
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-621.html&highlight=doolittle+custom

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

Lots of good ideas on here, I am sure you aren't the only guy in this boat reading this... my advice:

Go for the homemade glide for sauvies, if you use the search you can find past examples (try a search for "plywood")... basically its just 149cmx44cm marine plywood. Don't go for 1/2" thick its too thick, I think you want 3/8". Get T-nuts that go all the way through the board to bolt your straps to. You don't need fins, and it will help you learn good edging without them, besides this will be your lightwind board.

It will cost you less than $50 and its fun!

Then, check the classifieds for a used twin tip. I'd get something between 132cm-140cm, and hopefully 39-40cm wide. If you have questions about a particular board you can post it on this thread and you'll get answers.

Cheers and good luck!

SoOR · Since 10 Mar 2007 56 Posts Ashland, OR

also for shapes and dimensions and plywood construction. you can always view the boards at www.myplykiteboards.com for ideas

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

I bought a big board first as well (LF Proof 151) though I grew out of it about a month later (sold it for half price Sad

). I'd get something you can ride on for the next couple years. I think buying a board marketed as a "beginner board" is a bad idea unless you are an instructor. It is not any more difficult to ride a higher performance (flexible & sharp-railed) board. a glide would be good i guess to practice with at sauvie island cause a 9m is too small for that place. Though if your gonna be riding at stevenson I'd get a good freestyle board and just do downwinders to the cemetary and get out there.

big heavy beginner boards are a waste of money in my opinion

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

SoOR · Since 10 Mar 2007 56 Posts Ashland, OR

trigger · Since 06 Apr 2008 37 Posts

Yeah I took a look at them, they look pretty sweet.

Being the broke college student that I am, I'm probably only going to be buying 1 kite & 1 board this year, maybe 2 boards (not another $800-$1000) on a kite.

Is my best bet riding HR & Stevenson until I can get a 11/13m kite? Is the coast out of the question on such a small kite?
(also I'm thinking about getting a Fuel for my next kite, I learned on one, and feel pretty comfortable. Or is that me just being stupid?)

Back to not being able to ride Sauvie on a 9m, It's sounding like I should juust get a twin tipped board to ride in the gorge, spot on? or no?

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

Nak · Mon Apr 07, 08 5:20 pm

What PKH said. Very Happy

If money will be a big issue, follow the advice in this thread and make yourself a plywood Glide. Cheap, and with a little effort it could look nice too. Sauvies is a great place to learn...

Buy a twintip for your Hood River sessions, and for the days that Sauvies picks up. Lots of good deals on used boards here and on Ebay. I would advise as cheap a board as you can find, in case you lose it while you're learning. If you progress fast, you can sell it to another beginner, and you'll have a better idea what you want for your better board.

BTW, Jones beach isn't a bad place to learn either. Huge beaches, less crowded than HR, a lot more wind than Sauvies. The wind tends to be more onshore than Sauvies though...

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

I am a gear whore. Especiallly when it comes to the surf.

You can make it work with a lot less.

It all depends on how much you can afford, but don't ever go cheap. It's your life. buy less, good quality gear if you have to.

If you are not afraid of Fuels, you can get some great deals on them.

Were the same size, With that 9m, a good solid tt in the 136 range will cover most days, add a short surfboard for the light days. Those kites are supposed to fly in pretty low winds so a surfboard will be good, and then you have a surfboard for the coast when it is not windy.

PKH is right, the coast may be scary, but long beaches are way more important.