Oh and I forgot to ask; so far in our lessons we have been using the seat style harnesses, so I know nothing about any other type. Are there any considerations when buying harnesses? Or are they all fairly similar regarding different styles and aims?

I have heard people talk about Dynabar attachments for wave-style. Are these something that affects riding in the surf zone, or is it just splitting hairs?

zarb said...

Allo everyone.

It should only be one more kitesurfing lesson before my girlfriend and I are confident enough to go out into the world by ourselves... so I thought now was the time to think about what gear we would get.

Not really interested in getting big air, or doing much flat water stuff, so I was thinking we could lean more towards a one-style kite rather than a full-on all-rounder. - This will change...

Very interested in playing about in the surf, but not necessarily to go surfing. I would prefer to be able to play around in the surf zone both upwind and downwind, rather than to just catch a wave and park the kite.

We have both decided on TT boards rather than surfboards, to keep our options open and also because like I said above; the aim won't be to "surf" so much as just play in the surf zone.

What kind of kite would we be looking at? Will those aims still lead me down the path of a REO style kite, or would it be slightly different? Would a little more upwind ability be desirable? - Sounds like you want a bit of a free ride style kite, not a full specific wave kite like a Reo. The Reo flies upwind great btw...

For TT boards, what should we look for in a board we will take through the surf zone and choppy swell seas? - For chop I find a board with rocker works best to cut through the chop. Less water in your face, but requires a little more wind to get going...

As another part to this question, someone recommended the Wainman range of kites for our aims. My less heavy girlfriend and I were going to share 3 different sized kites to maximise our wind range, so in the context of the Wainman, I was thinking 9m, 10.5m, and 12m kites? Or should we have a greater gap in kite sizes? - Sounds like too much overlap, irrelevant of weight I would be looking for something sub 8m... Why did they recommend Wainman? Plenty of bigger and better brands out there IMO... Keep your options open is all I'm saying.


Oh and I forgot to ask; so far in our lessons we have been using the seat style harnesses, so I know nothing about any other type. Are there any considerations when buying harnesses? Or are they all fairly similar regarding different styles and aims? - Seat harness, might be good for learning cause the kite is generally higher but unless your old and have back dramas I reckon it would halt progression. How many world class riders wear seat harnesses? Chicks seem to like them though...?

I have heard people talk about Dynabar attachments for wave-style. Are these something that affects riding in the surf zone, or is it just splitting hairs? - Dynabar would be wasted if you're riding a twin tip in the surf (but not catching waves). I rate them highly though if you wanna kite waves in onshore conditions though...

Many thanks!

Hope some of this helps...
Post up any other Q's and ask your instructor or kite shop on what kite would suit your needs.
Have fun with this awesome sport.

AndyEliotH said...
Start flat water, get a 7,9,12 dont think abt a tt in the surf or even trying surf yet

It will be very difficult to avoid areas with waves where I am on the South Coast NSW, but will take that into consideration.

Why would we not take a TT in the surf?

Allrounder until your totally sold on what you want to do and figure out your style and preference. And don't write off getting air until you start boosting.

I know a couple who run an 8, 10, 12 combo. When he is on the 12, she's on the 10, same with the 8 and the 10. It's gets messy when it's really blowing with him having the 8 and her on the beach though..........Gonna be hard learning in the surf so try to find some flat water and push hard to get up and running through summer. You will be ready for those epic winter frontal session if you nail it early.

You gotta be stoked to have your sandwich maker having a go with you. Mine won't even consider the idea.

Good luck.

As others have said before I would also recommend an Allrounder kite. Even though you might now think you'll only be going into the waves. You can, and there is a big chance that you will, change your mind. Some Allrounder kites are considered good in waves but also preform fantastic on flat water.

As a beginner I would recommend not going out in the waves straight away. For one it is a lot harder to stay upwind, which is already an enormous struggle on flat water in the beginning. And Two it is also a lot more dangerous, if your kite crashes and rolls in the waves, as a beginner, you will not yet be quick enough to relaunch it. Flat water really is a lot easier at first.

I would highly recommend getting a twin tip over a surfboard. With a twin tip waterstarts and transitions are a lot easier. Also with a Surfboard you need to be comforable riding toeside which can be pretty hard, specially in chop. Id say get a TT and eventually you will extend your quiver with a surfboard. Get a big size for your TT, it will make it much easier for you

About the jumping, you dont really have to go really big? you start up small and work your way up, but by the time you want to go higher you might very well be ready to take on the waves on a surfboard too!

Have a look at these brands, Id consider them the main ones (please forgive me if i've forgotten some)

North
Cabrinha
Slingshot
Ozone
Naish
Airush

All these brand will have at least 1 all rounder kite and most of them will probably be fine. Everyone always develops a preference but when you start off any all rounder kite will most likely be fine.

I fly a North Rebel myself and really enjoy it both on flat water and in waves.

About the harness... I went for a waist harness and I didnt really find it much different to use then a seat harness which i had during my lessons. However, I didnt like to straps around my legs and I knew that you can progress better on a waist harness due to it being easier to ride toeside. Also, not that it really matters, but I felt a bit like I was waring a nappy with the seat harness but thats just me. Make sure it is a perfect fit. You want it to be tight otherwise the waist harness will ride up. If you do want a Seat harness though, have a look at those boardshorts and seatharness in one harnesses, they look pretty good to me! I like the ION and Mystic brands but that is completely personal.

All in all: Largish TwinTip to go upwind with, Allrounder kite to get you going both on flat water and waves and a harness to your likings.

Hope this helped you out!

All good advice, thank you all very much.

I weigh 85, solid build but fairly slim around the waist. So I would prefer to try a waist harness. I don't like the diaper feeling of the seat harnesses. My lady friend weighs around 50-55... never quite sure

I have lots of surfboards already from many years of surfing, so once I get better (a long way to go!), I could just take out one of those for a bit of fun.

Regarding TT, I have a had a look around at the manufacturer websites using the criteria you have all given me, and I think I have come up with a short list:

Cabrinha Tronic
North Xride
Airush VOX or Switch

Am I headed in the right direction? Can my bonnie-lass use these same boards (in a much smaller size of course), or should she definitely be using a womens-specific board?



As for kites, I like the look of the Airush Lithium, North Fuse, and the Slingshot Rally.