Below is what Ebay has to say to help get people started when buying their first Kite. I've been doing it all wrong - I'll need to put a standard surfboard leash on, buy a 2 line RAM air, change my kitebar for handles and get some 36m lines. It sounds like my harness is optional so I can save a few bucks there. At least I no longer need to worry about safety systems, ability to depower etc and its good that no one is suggesting I take any lessons as this pre 2003 gear is pretty expensive.



Traction Kite: Traction kites come with either two lines or four. Some also has inflatable bladders and float, allowing you to relaunch them from the water. This however reduces their aerodynamic efficiency. Ram-air kites are more efficient and will perform better for the more experienced kiteboarders.

Kiteboard control bar or boom: The kiteboard control bar, also known as the boom, refers to the handles by which you keep hold of the kite. This is the simplest system and is used for both 2 and 4 line kites. Don't be mistaken that kites with 4 lines will tangle, that's not the case at all. In fact they give you more control and are more maneuverable on the water. If you have experience wakeboarding or windsurfing, you will most probably use a boom.


Kiteboard harness: The kiteboard harness distributes the pull through your whole body rather than just your arms.


Kite surfing flying Lines: Almost all kite surfing flying lines are made of Spectra Fibre - a strong, thin material with very little stretch. While the line length for traction kites is usually 36.5 meters, all kites have a recommended length. No matter whether you are using 2 line or 4 line, always check to make sure that the length of the lines are equal.


Kite surfboard: It is necessary to get a kite surfboard that is specially designed for kitesurfing. Sizes vary depending on your weight, skill and conditions. Small boards are used for speed and tricks whereas larger boards are ideal for light wind and cruising. To avoid getting separated from your board in the water, attach it to you using a long, standard leash


http://pages.ebay.com.au/buy/guides/surfboards-bodyboards-windsurfing-buying-guide/#1

Its a trap for young players out there.

I remember seeing a guy rock up on the beach with a 2 line naish kite on a 30 knt day. He had his mate try to launch the kite directly down wind. First his mate was tangled in the lines trying to work out which direction the kite flys, then once he got that sorted the kite went screaming through the middle of the window. This guy gets airborne and rag dolled pretty bad.

He crashed the kite straight away and then had his mate launch him again only to get the same result. funny that.

At this stage a few other blokes came up to him and told him to go home.

Plus I bet he spent a grand on a kite thats not worth a can of VB

Yeah I've seen my fair share of those (not quite that bad).

You reckon there is any point in petitioning Ebay to change the content or will they just ignore it?

But you can buy a Brand New 2004 Wipika WIP 12m for less than 500 bucks. Probably the highest aspect kite ever made - faster than a speeding bullet - would hate to see the noob who buys this thing.

"In brand new condition this 2004 kite is famous for winning the world hangtime record. The bar, and lines are brand new. Kitebag in perfect condition and the kite has hardly been out of the bag. Everything is quality checked. If you want a high performance jumping machine then this is the kite for you. Built to last and keep boosting big airs, you will be amazed at the Wip performance. "

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Kitesurf-kite-complete-Wipika-Wip-12m-blue_W0QQitemZ200231502647QQihZ010QQcategoryZ58133QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Man... what nOOb wrote that? Seriously, did their copywriter go to a powerkite website or something? That is really old and really wrong information. This is where the sport needs to be somehow regulated. These ebay nOObs are going to buy a kite, kill themselves plus a random family walking down the beach.

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sunseeker said...

But you can buy a Brand New 2004 Wipika WIP 12m for less than 500 bucks. Probably the highest aspect kite ever made - faster than a speeding bullet - would hate to see the noob who buys this thing.

"In brand new condition this 2004 kite is famous for winning the world hangtime record. The bar, and lines are brand new. Kitebag in perfect condition and the kite has hardly been out of the bag. Everything is quality checked. If you want a high performance jumping machine then this is the kite for you. Built to last and keep boosting big airs, you will be amazed at the Wip performance. "

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Kitesurf-kite-complete-Wipika-Wip-12m-blue_W0QQitemZ200231502647QQihZ010QQcategoryZ58133QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And sunseeker... HAHAHAHA MAN THAT IS SO FUNNY. People are actually bidding on it!!!

I don't think a noob wrote it - even a noob would have got it more correct than that... it looks like dodgy info that "may" have been relevant in about 2001...

I think someone should tell Reuben Lenten and Ben Wilson that Ram-air kites are more efficient than "inflatable bladder kites" and will perform better for the more experienced kiteboarders.

they shouldn't be alble to sell kites like that old wipika, you can see all the idiots strutting along with their BRAND NEW kite from 2003, plus its pushing 30kts and they whip out their 12m c kite with a big grin on their face

haha walshd i wet me self after readin your comment. its understandable that people might buy a dodgy kite if they dont know anything about the sport but launching a kite directly downwind in 30knts! NUP! thats just stupid! no common sense at all that guy. maybe he is the one who posted about using a waterski as a kiteboard.

Yeh I were pissing myself when I recognised the kite.

My missus and I were watching him setup. I wanted to stay at the beach and watch the trouble unfold.

There was plenty of room on the beach so no one was going to get hurt but him. I just figured; You never know, he might know what he is doing.

After the second rag doll I were about to have a quite chat but other blokes bet me to it.

This all happened at Semaphore beach, Adelaide about 2.5 years ago.

Hopefully all the 2-line kites have almost been destroyed by now

Looks like Ebay got their copy from here:

http://www.cobrakite.com/ktesurf2.html

The text under the Equipment heading is too similar to the ebay tex to be a coincidence. This is a store that started up in 1996, and I doubt they've updated this copy in the past 5 years.

Wikipedia is much more accurate (although bound to ruffle a few bow kiters feathers)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing

sounds like somthing Alex Sanz would write

i think this is just wrong some body should email them.

but i am too lazy to do it

Ok since I brought it up, and I'm sick of watching noobs try and kill themselves, passersby and my right to kitesurf on that beach, I've taken it upon myself to email Ebay.

Will let you know their response

I have so far received a standard reply from Ebay with a warning that it may take some time for the 'apprpriate department' to review... My original message to ebay in italics at bottom


Hello,

Thank you for writing to eBay's Customer Support. This is Angelina and I appreciate the opportunity to assist you regarding your suggestion for us to update our kitesurfing guide and for us to consult an official kitesurfing body.

Please be advised that as we value your suggestion, rest assured that I will be forwarding it to the appropriate department for review.

Your suggestion will be assessed and may be implemented if it meets eBay's category development criteria. But bear in mind, this process can take some time.

If you have other suggestions in the future, please send them to us by using the links on the following page:

http://pages.ebay.com.au/help/newtoebay/suggest.html

Again, thank you for your email and please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Regards,

Angelina S.
eBay Customer Support
_______________________________
eBay - Australia's online marketplace

*******************************
Got a quick question? Get a quick answer from other members in the new Community Answer Centre. Visit this web address:

pages.ebay.com.au/community/answercenter/index.html



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Buying and Finding > Searching and browsing for items > The problem you're having with searching and browsing isn't listed

Message: I am writing to inform you that a number of experienced kitesurfers (myself included) have grave safety concerns related to the inaccuracy of your kitesurfing buying guide shown here:

pages.ebay.com.au/buy/guides/surfboards-bodyboards-windsurfing-buying-guide/#1

The Guide you have used seems to be at least 4 or 5 years out of date and is no longer an accurate description of the main considerations of purchasing a kite.
Here is an example of the sort of discussion this inaccurate guide is
eliciting:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38815

The main concern stems from the fact that kite technology has progressed very fast in the past 4-5 years. In particular newer (2006 or later) kites have very much better safety designs, substantially reducing the risk of injury compared to older kites which do not have the same passive safety systems or '100% depower' capabilities.

This makes older kites redundant and pretty much worthless.

Unfortunately it also means that there are a lot of people with older kites around that they cannot get rid of except to a novice who is not aware of the advances in technology. A small number of people are selling their older kites on ebay, without pointing out the safety implications (as this would reduce the price). This situation is exacerbated by the fact that the buyers of these kites often tend to be people who 1) cannot afford a new safer kite and 2) are not well informed on kitesurfing. This means that they are less likely to take a lesson (as they are more price sensitive) and that they do not know what they are doing when first trying out the kite (if they did they probably wouldn?t have bought an older kite in the first place).

In this dangerous sport, it is essential that all beginners have lessons so that they are fully familiar with the inherent risks (not just to themselves but to other beachgoers) and the techniques to minimise and manage those risks. Ask any experienced kitesurfer and they will have witnessed beginners who have had no lessons using the wrong equipment for the conditions, and putting both their own and bystanders? lives at risk in the process, as well as possibly banning the sport from that location. I personally have come to the aid of at least 3 such people, two of whom stated that they bought the kite on Ebay.

Accordingly I would like you to consider updating your kitesurfing guide. Ideally you should seek advice from an official kitesurfing body such as www.ikorg.com/ or a reputable kitesurfing magazine/ club.
I am happy to provide you with a list if you require. At a minimum you should be using more up to date descriptions (e.g. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitesurfing
) and ensuring that you emphasise the following:
1) kitesurfing is a potentially dangerous sport,
2) all kitesurfers should seek the proper instruction and safety tuition before attempting the sport
3) kitesurfers should check with local authorities or local kite clubs to ensure that kiting has not been banned from the area where they intend to practice the sport.

The main concerns relate the kite itself as opposed to the boards (which have not markedly changed in terms of safety in the last few years).
However you mention in your kitesurfing guide that ?To avoid getting separated from your board in the water, attach it to you using a long, standard leash.? Please note that this is now considered by most kitesurfing instructors as a dangerous practice as it increases the danger of the board ?slingshotting? into the kitesurfer and causing injury. At the very least kitesurfers should use a reel leash
(e.g. the oceanus reel leash) but it is much safer if they learn to bodydrag upwind and not be permanently connected to the board at all.

I look forward to your response on this important issue

Well done Kitesplosh.

Ebay is ok for what it is... a big shop. But for essential safety advice, you can't beat a dedicated local store with a commitment to 1:1 service and an investment in ensuring safe and responsible local beach practices.

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Vixter said...

Ebay is ok for what it is... a big shop. But for essential safety advice, you can't beat a dedicated local store with a commitment to 1:1 service and an investment in ensuring safe and responsible local beach practices.

Couldnt agree more. We should be helping the local shops with our business so they stay open to sell us replacement bits whenever we need them!

Kitesplosh, you may have saved a life by your letter to ebay.

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Vixter said...

Ebay is ok for what it is... a big shop. But for essential safety advice, you can't beat a dedicated local store with a commitment to 1:1 service and an investment in ensuring safe and responsible local beach practices.

Couldn't agree more Vixter - If I had my way I'd have every beginner buying from a local shop who can demonstrate the kit and tell people about the local spots, hazards etc and make sure that they really understood what they were doing before going out there and enjoying themselves.

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Kitesplosh, you may have saved a life by your letter to ebay.

Not yet - as the 'appropriate department' has not got back to me yet. But thanks for the sentiment, though if you're looking to award medals there's plenty of kitesurfing folk who would be way ahead of me in the queue. Just go out on any busy noobie day and watch how many experienced kitesurfers are willingly giving up the majority of their kiting session to rescue those in difficulty.