Hi,

I have been learning kite surfing in the past weeks and I am now feeling fairly comfortable getting my own gear. I am however confused what to get - I am based in St Kilda and will likely use Brighton and St Kilda as my main kite spots. My partner is in the same situation to find gear now as well. My stats: 89kg, 190cm. My partner is 172cm and 60kg. Are we able to share equipment, if we don't ride at the same time?

I have been reading around and have talked to the local stores, but obviously each store favors the brand they have in stock.

I have been recommended Cabrinha Revolver HD, Slingshot T3 and have been testing around on a Flexifoil Atom 12m. Not sure though at this stage, as I can't really tell whats good and bad and all recommendations kinda sound OK. People said 12m to 14m should be good as a start - not sure if this is correct, as I read in some forums that 10m can be good as well?

Is the F-One Bandit a good beginner kite? I wouldn't want to buy a Bandit Dos now as it's costly and I might trash it in the early learning stages. What boards would you recommend? I got told a 135 to 138 is good for beginner. Any recommendation on a harness - was testing the Mystic but again can't really tell what's good?

Thanks for your help. There's so many stuff out there and everyone claims it's good for beginners - gets you easily confused ...

JM

Hey JustMad

Buy the good gear to suit your partner first ( u can use it as high wind gear tactical move) she will be stoked.

Buy yourself some cheaper gear to trash till u save up some more, and enjoy dinner still being made for you or youll soon be JustSad

Hey JustMad,

Another thing to consider is the purchase of some second-hand gear to begin with. You would stll want newer equipment ('07 or newer) but this way the outlay isn't as much and you won't cringe and swear under our breath every time you crash it into the water but moreso the sand.

You will get given a tonne of different advice from everyone. The best thing to do is to take it in from those that sound like they know what they are talking about and if a group of people are saying similar things then there's a good chance that it's on the right track. Then the most important step is to DEMO before you buy.

As for sizes locals in your area are going to be able to give you the best advice regarding this as they know the wind conditions where you are better than anyone else. Also as your partner is a lot lighter than you, she will need a smaller kite for the same comditions, so she could use your kite, but would be using it when there wasn't enough wind for you to ride. On the same note, you could use hers when it's too windy and she is overpowered.

Hope this helps, any more questions, just let me know.

D

mate how are ya
me and a friend have just booked lessons for next week and are going to be learning in or around the same area s as you so when we have got a bit of practice under our belts we will have to meet up


good luck with getting the beginner gear
this website is pretty cool for finding used gear

i will be looking for a set up just after the lessons

Id go REV or SWITCHBLADES

would be good choice and even when you progress to a better rider these kites are still capable of throwing down some mad tricks

i dont think you can go past a really old c shape kite
there really hard to relaunch hard to fly and best of all no depower :)
good kite to start on!

Hey JM,

I'm in WA but about the same size and height as your girl, and i'm just in my first season. I have a Slingshot T3, 7m which i feel comfortable in 12-25kn.
I would say its an awesome beginner kite, easy relaunch, good safety...
Sounds like you will be able to have a set you can share between you, bigger kite for you and a smaller one for her which you can borrow when its blowing..

Good luck and have fun!

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KitingCasey said...

Id go REV or SWITCHBLADES

would be good choice and even when you progress to a better rider these kites are still capable of throwing down some mad tricks

Good call on the kite selection.

I'd go a 12/9 combo and that should cover your girlfriend and yourself. You may have a slight overlap, but it won't be often. If its too strong for you on the 12, it'll probably be too strong for her on the 9 and you can use that.

Also look at the board shorts harness. Dakine make one and so do liquid force. Your testicles will thank me later unless you want to sing soprano the rest of your life.

Any board around 132-140 will work. Most of the boards these days are pretty good. Underground and cardboard make nice forgiving boards that feel soft on the water.

With regards to a girls harness, I recently (after borrowing an older men's Dakine harness for awhile) bought a Maui Magic Hana women's harness, and I find it fantastic. It's meant to be shaped specifically for girls waist/hips. I'm about the same size as your GF so it may suit her as well!

Have fun guys

Get a seat harness. Bow kite, '07 model or later, as new as your budget can afford. A 10.5m kite would be suitable for both, but a bit powerful for your lady on windy days. Cheapish, biggish board if you can find one cos you may lose it when learning to body drag. Spend the money on the kite.

Just a word on harnesses - my first was a Cabrinha seat harness, which smeared my testicles all over my uvula. I then bought a Flying Objects seat harness, which was gold.

Everyone has a different body shape, so the above may not be true for everyone (I'm not tryign to diss one brand over another) - but just know that there are so many different harnesses out there and some will hurt and some will not.

If you buy from a shop, make sure you hang in one from a ceiling hook or something. Hang there for a few minutes and really try to jam some weight onto it. Its worth a few extra $$ in the beginning to get one that feels good - trust me!

Thanks guys for the awesome feedback. Very helpful.

Great forum & great community.

JM

I learnt on an f-one bandit, very forgiving kite and from as far as I can tell will suit through the intermediate stages and beyond also.

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buckwheat said...

Just a word on harnesses - my first was a Cabrinha seat harness, which smeared my testicles all over my uvula. I then bought a Flying Objects seat harness, which was gold.

Everyone has a different body shape, so the above may not be true for everyone (I'm not tryign to diss one brand over another) - but just know that there are so many different harnesses out there and some will hurt and some will not.

If you buy from a shop, make sure you hang in one from a ceiling hook or something. Hang there for a few minutes and really try to jam some weight onto it. Its worth a few extra $$ in the beginning to get one that feels good - trust me!

Whatever you do don't get a seat harness. Or a board leash for that matter. Just get a Mystic Warrier. You won't be dissapointed.

JM, the reason for recommending a seat harness is that you will find when you are learning you fly the kite overhead a lot of the time: bodydragging, walking back up the beach, water starting (& stacking - fun ). This will continually cause the harness to ride up into your ribs, making it uncomfortable.

I have just changed from seat to waist harness and love the waist, but am glad I started out with seat. You may prefer a waist from the start, but it pays to be educated in why ppl choose different styles. Also if you have back problems, most ppl find a seat harness is better in preventing back-related issues.