You couldnt go wrong with a catalyst, Ive used them for teaching and for me are the best most user friendly kite out there and a perfect allrounder

Both the Crazy fly kites are fine for a beginner. The problems are with the chicken loop quick release, they jam very easily and can be very hard to release. Not the ideal situation for a newbie Maybe puchase the kite only and get a better bar and line set that has a working safety release

Have a look at a wainman punch 10.5m. I am 73kg and this covers me for most wind conditions on gold coast. It is best from 16 - 24 knots, but usable from 14 - 26 knots. This is my second season and it is a very confidence inspiring kite. Worth a look.

How high do you want to jump?

Yes a catalyst, a wainman, a lithium or a bandit 6 would be good choices.

What style are you aiming for. As all rounders seem to be positioned at different parts of the wave ride, freeride, freestyle section. Brisbane hey, probably surf??

For instance for me the wainman is a very very good all rounder surf kite. Freestyle not bad but I don't rate it as a freeride kite comparing to my rebels and edges. But it excels in the surf.

The lithium is the best jumper out of these kites ( but I have only owned a B5, so not sure of the B6). Good in the surf but not as good as the wainman. Freestyle is okay. You have to like, be able to handle medium to heavy bar pressure though.

The new catalyst is a very good all rounder in all aspects, especially the 2013. Still think the wainman is better in the surf though. The cat has that refined ozone feel, which you either like or hate. It also likes a lot of window over. It's wing. The wainman has an outstanding bottom end, the lithium the next best. The bandit somewhere in between.

The bandit 6 is getting some great reviews especially in the surf, but haven't ridden it so you would need to talk to those who do. My mate is seriously considering though and he's well and truly on the surf part of the spectrum but is starting to wake up to the fact that there is little surf in summer when the wind blows on the metro west coast. We are having way to much fun boosting over his head and kite while he goes back and forth in the waveless chop. Lol.

Consider the style you are after, and what board,s you will use. Then you can target the different parts of the spectrum these kites sit on.

They are all bloody great kites so in the end you can't go wrong man.

These are the kites I've owned and flown though. Some guys down here rave about the envy. The switchblade is also getting some great reviews in 2013. Indeed they are all unreal kites. Of course you can't go wrong with north either.

puppetonastring said...
Not surprised that you are confused Pezzy
Kite choice is ridiculously over catered.
All kites listed are suitable 1st kite options. One great advance in kiting is that the best kites for beginners these days are the same kites most regular experienced kiters use.
Basically what you (all beginners) should be looking for is any of the Delta DNA styled kites. All brands do one in their range. These are the most user-friendly kites, easiest to learn on, most forgiving, and whats probably most important for beginners is they are all ridiculously easy to relaunch.
As for which brand Delta(ish) you should buy ????
ALL the major brands are overbuilt these days so build quality is not an issue (imo).
(to save the flaming I will explain that I say that simply because build quality now produces kites which will be sad & saggy long before any of the basic build quality issues will let you down)
Every kite in this Delta class will have slight variations in the performance they deliver & the technique needed to get the best out of them. On this issue its simply a matter of fact that you will learn to fly the kite you buy. For a beginner the variations are inconsequential.
Once you are experienced and have developed a style and you have reached a stage where you can appreciate the minor variations and match them to your preferences - light or heavy bar pressure, faster or slower through the window, boost potential etc etc then is the time to look at what different variations offer.

So after all that ? Go with the Delta(ish) kite from the local dealer you believe will give you the best service. IMO

And to justify my time on this post may I suggest you add to your list of options the:
BWS Noise - touted as a wave specific kite but the advantages for surfers make it an excellent 1st kite for anyone.
BEST - Kahoona
Ocean Rodeo - Prodigy

I had a kahoona but found it sat too deep in the wind window and I struggled to stay upwind as a consequence. I think suggesting a Delta type kite is bad advice for a beginner, they tend to sit deep in the wind window as opposed to forward, thereby making it harder (as a newbie in particular) to stay upwind, which is the first goal of any beginner. Eppo may have a comment on the kahoona and how it can pull you off line etc....

Hey yeh forgot about the kahoona. But my experience is only with the V2, apparently the kite has changed a fair degree for the better. Its not a bad kite man, a guy today was learning on my brother old 11.5m kahoona, keep dropping it in the drink, no probs relaunching. Very stable. Yes does sit deep, but pulling you off the line etc...not really relevant for a year or so. I agree with phil, anything with a bit of delta in it would really suffice.

If it was me, I'd go either a lithium or a wainmen. But that's just me, based on what I've ridden and trying to think back a fair way. But the kahoona would also be a great choice.

Try and find the least used, in the right size second hand kite as price and newness is more important here. They will all do the job you are looking for. No one pump on the wainmen is incredibly stupid, but there are school of thought that profess simplicity, can get struts and main bladder harder, less to go wrong bla bla the is brown stuff coming out of my mouth bla.etc. I say bullsh1t, just downright dumb. But a great kite with a great bar and lines, especially if you could get a 2012. The carrot bar is exceptional.

THE LITHUIM is a kite not spoken about much, it should be. Very refined, very stable, great low end and smooooooooth. Ultimately it would be my pick all considered. Can also progress into other styles, you won't out grow this kite. Then again the wainmen is in this category anyhow.

There's always the blade trigger or epic renegade if ya want to go down that road as well. Don't forget griffin kites either. Mate just find one that is as new as possible ideally from a retailer that you can build a relationship with and also have some come back. Trust me there is enough chatter around here to keep most of them honest.

eppo said...
Hey yeh forgot about the kahoona. But my experience is only with the V2, apparently the kite has changed a fair degree for the better. Its not a bad kite man, a guy today was learning on my brother old 11.5m kahoona, keep dropping it in the drink, no probs relaunching. Very stable. Yes does sit deep, but pulling you off the line etc...not really relevant for a year or so. I agree with phil, anything with a bit of delta in it would really suffice.

If it was me, I'd go either a lithium or a wainmen. But that's just me, based on what I've ridden and trying to think back a fair way. But the kahoona would also be a great choice.

Try and find the least used, in the right size second hand kite as price and newness is more important here. They will all do the job you are looking for. No one pump on the wainmen is incredibly stupid, but there are school of thought that profess simplicity, can get struts and main bladder harder, less to go wrong bla bla the is brown stuff coming out of my mouth bla.etc. I say bullsh1t, just downright dumb. But a great kite with a great bar and lines, especially if you could get a 2012. The carrot bar is exceptional.

THE LITHUIM is a kite not spoken about much, it should be. Very refined, very stable, great low end and smooooooooth. Ultimately it would be my pick all considered. Can also progress into other styles, you won't out grow this kite. Then again the wainmen is in this category anyhow.

There's always the blade trigger or epic renegade if ya want to go down that road as well. Don't forget griffin kites either. Mate just find one that is as new as possible ideally from a retailer that you can build a relationship with and also have some come back. Trust me there is enough chatter around here to keep most of them honest.

I've had a switchblade and a lithium and I love my lithium I've progressed more with this kite than I did on the switchblade, has great pull so good for getting you off the water in lighter winds. everyone will offered an opinion, for my first kite it came to price, a second Hand switchblade can be a great entry point or a lithium if you can get it. a new lithium is a beautiful thing though

The fuse is a super kite. But I wouldn't put it in the beginners category. It has a decent aspect ratio like the rebel. I think I may be wrong though north kites out sell most brands worldwide. Oh maybe cabrinha. But it would be close. If you looked on the buy and sell earlier on in 2012 there were plenty of fuses and north kites for sale. Obviously they have sold. Lots of second hand gear is moving at the moment.

I just had my first session on an 11m switchblde at 78kg with onshore winds gusting to 18 knots. riding and upwind in 2hours. (watched how to video's obsessively) they seem to be one of the main kites available second hand and I had a friend with one who had the same experience. I'm soo keen to try out every bit of kit I can find now though

pezzy said...
Ok I think I am getting somewhere now. I have narrowed it down to a few 2012 kites around the $1000 mark 2 bandit 5's and a naish park. Failing that I may look at a bandit 6 brand new. as fir sizing of thoes 2 kites Im somewhere between 70 -75kg and riding in Brisbane 10 meter would be the right size for me?

Thanks for all the help.

Yep both those kites would suffice mate. The low end of the 2012 park is meant to be average better in 2013. But both are decent all rounder kites with a splash of C.

toppleover said...
Too many kites to choose from - sounds like you may have a FWP.

haha, so true.