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pdxgeek
Since 22 May 2006
4 Posts
Kook
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 Fri May 16, 2008 9:30 am Newbie Q's |
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Hello all,
I've been putting off kiting for years now, but would really like to give it a try this season. What do you all recommend as an approach? Should I look for used training kite to get started? And what sort of factors should i take into account when scouting used gear for a beginner's quiver? Thanks in advance!
Piero
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Mark
Since 20 Jun 2005
3059 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
Naishaholic
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| Fri May 16, 2008 9:40 am |
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lessons.
trainers are a good start.
Use the Search feature at the top of page. It will help answer many common questions.
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Cleverly disguised as an adult...
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Spike
Since 13 May 2007
1307 Posts
Corvallis
Spelling Expert
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| Fri May 16, 2008 9:40 am |
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buy a trainer kite (pretty hard to find used actually because everybody likes to keep them to let friends try em). Go buy a new one if you can't find a used one in a week or two, otherwise you're just wasting time. 2m-3m is a good size to get a feel for the power, 1m doesn't have enough power to teach you everything. once you get comfortable flying it around and get a good feel for how it works, you should take lesson and fly a real inflatable kite with a certified instructor, they can teach you waterstarts and a lot about safety. Wouldn't really worry about the quiver yet, as you'll likely discuss that with your instructor at the end of your lessons.
If you buy a trainer kite you'll easily save yourself 300 bucks in lessons. |
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Bettyboarder
Since 18 Mar 2005
1302 Posts
PDX/ White Salmon
Mrs. Site Lackey
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| Fri May 16, 2008 9:40 am |
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| Best advice is don't buy anything. Go take a few lessons and have the instructor let you try different kites and boards so you get a good feel for it. There are a ton of good schools/instructors around the area. |
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Ike
Since 12 Mar 2008
213 Posts
Central Oregon
Stoked
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| Fri May 16, 2008 9:46 am |
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| Definately buy a trainer ! Like Spike said it will save you lesson time (cash), kite flying skills is what gets you going. And you can always use your trainer to skate on those light wind days |
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2115 Posts
Still a
Moto Mouth
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| Fri May 16, 2008 9:59 am |
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| Ike wrote: | | Definately buy a trainer ! Like Spike said it will save you lesson time (cash), kite flying skills is what gets you going. And you can always use your trainer to skate on those light wind days |
Ike has it right on.
Take lessons at the gorge or wherever you are located - plenty of quality instructors and they are easy to find - just do a google search for kiteboarding hood river.
Trainer kites are good to learn on - get some of the basics down - and then when you are done learning on your trainer they are cool to keep around. You can use them with a skate board - or a landboard on the beach - or you can let your friends use them - or they give you something to do while the winds are picking up.
As far as gear goes - I would talk to your instructor. Get some ideas about what you want - there is NOT one kite/board for everyone. Different people are going to want different things from their gear. As far as the best prices on stuff - the classifieds on this forum are generally pretty good - you can also check craigslist - I don't know if I would go ebay - the prices seem to go a little higher than local and its always good to check out the gear before you buy it. Also, check out www.ikitesurf.com - that has a lot of very useful information - it has a classified section and it has weather forecasts and stuff like that.
Good luck man.
Last edited by Moto on Fri May 16, 2008 10:02 am; edited 1 time in total |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
4915 Posts
forever labled as the
Unicorn Master
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| Fri May 16, 2008 10:01 am |
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| don't but a kite older than 2006. |
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pdxgeek
Since 22 May 2006
4 Posts
Kook
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2115 Posts
Still a
Moto Mouth
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| Fri May 16, 2008 10:15 am |
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| pdxgeek wrote: | | thanks all! I'll see if i can pick up a trainer this weekend. I'm assuming today is great weather to check out sauvie and spectate? clear and warm downtown...so it starts blowing out there around 3pm? |
Sauvie's can be a tease. Right now the sensor is reading 6 knots. I'm pretty sure you can see the sensor without any charge on ikitesurf. Check out the following link:
http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=217&snapShotBar=snapShot
If it does start to blow - then yeah, probably around three or four. |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
4915 Posts
forever labled as the
Unicorn Master
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| Fri May 16, 2008 10:40 am |
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| if it happens, and I head out there you can play around with my trainer.... hit up the bald guy with the "tequila sunrise" T2. |
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jajohn
Since 04 Sep 2007
21 Posts
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| Sat May 17, 2008 9:05 pm |
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| if you're looking for that 3 meter trainer, I still have a brand new HQ Beamer TSR 3.6 meter. I bought two thinking my wife was going to do the kiting thing, but interest fizzled out quick...? anyway, it's still in my garage factory folded - complete bag, bar, lines, canopy, and dvd/manual. Brand new is $300 + shipping. I'm asking $270 and I'm in PDX. By the way, this is the route I took before lessons and I did pick up the lessons a lot faster with my trainer experience. Plus you can use this kite for landboarding, or getting your buddies hooked on kiting. my $.02... |
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