Please, ask the same question to the windsurfers forum, and then you can see the same votes swapping each sport. I would like to take some windsurfing lessons, although I know I will continue kiting.

After comparing all the answers--->then--->Listen to your kite side heart!

jeroen said..
I do both:

1. Kitesurfing is cheaper
2. Kitesurfing is much easier to learn
3. Easier to travel with kitesurfing gear
4. Learning curve kitesurfing is much flatter, you are going to have more fun quicker than windsurfing
5. Windsurfing starts to get fun with 20 or more knots. Kitesurfing starts being fun at 15 knots
6. Once you can windsurf, I personally think its more fun, it looks better (don't hate for me that kite surfers) and its more demanding
7. Where I can kite surf for hours on end in waves, after one hour windsurfing in waves my arms are shot. Windsurfing physically much more demanding!

You should practise both and make your own personal decision. Have fun!

Agree with all of the above, apart from the bit about windsurfing being more fun. I think that they rate equally.

Me- I have windsurfed for many years and about two years ago took up kiting. I am enjoying the challenge of learning something new. As for your question, I think that a lot depends on the conditions where you intend to kite/windsurf. If it is flat, I would personally try kiting. I find windsurfing in light wind with flat water pretty boring, whereas they are fine with a kite. If you intend to travel with your kite, then go with kiting. I still can't get over how much easier it is to travel with kite kit as opposed to windsurfing equipment. I still enjoy windsurfing in waves, which is why I have kept my wave board and sails but to get to the standard where you are competent windsurfing in waves can take a long time. Kiting is easier to learn and you can mess around in waves with a kite far sooner than you could with a windsurfer.

I agree that kiting is easier on the body but I do feel it in my abs, which I think is a good thing. I could kite for far longer than I could windsurf but windsurfing does have the advantage that you can come in, beach the kit, have a chat with your mates, then go out again once you've got your breath back so to speak. It is a bit more of a faff with a kite to do the same.

As others have said though, kiting can be dangerous in a way that windsurfing is not, so it's very important to have lessons from a good instructor.

Either way you are on a winner as they are both great sports. And in case you think it is relevant, I am older than you.

Good luck!

^^^Best post ever^^^

I have windsurfed for 20 years now, pretty good at it and only really bother in waves. Flat water is okay for 10-15 mins then gets pretty boring unless you're maxed out. I have surfed for around 14 years and they do compliment each other to a point. 2 years ago I moved from WA to NSW, sold my windsurfing gear (got 3 sails left) and bought surfboards, now I've moved back and have to at least try kitesurfing before I splash out on windsurfing gear. I must admit it was always frustrating to see kites ripping at Lano or Scarbs locally in 10-12 knots, I like the idea of the standard surfboard too which would also improve my surfing more than windsurfing I reckon..my only worry is dropping the kite far out and getting into a mess, looks really awkward and I have had to tow a few kiters back to shore in the past. I don't think kiters get on so well when the wind is 25knots+ or the surf is well overhead, just seem to get dragged around along the wave face. Looks like there is ALOT of power in the kite to contend with..not too fussed about jumping, all about wave riding to me and both have advantages it seems..
Ideally I would like to try kiting in light winds, jump on windsurfing gear when conditions are a bit wild. Would also like a Lamborghini too tho..
I have enquired a it lessons tho, soul kite are doing them in October but it's not cheap. Only one way to find out though! Not gonna knock it till I try it!

Couldnt help myself ...... as this topic starts to go pear shaped

Kiting is like going fishing when you cast with a free spooling over head...... you will cast it 10 times ,,,, but you will finally end up all knotted up.

If your not into tangles its not for you.

Kiters will always have windsurfing (dinosaurs) to thank for even eventing the sport of kite flying on water ............ you need to see what Robby Naish really thinks after doing both and manufacturing /inventing / and promoting ....of kite flying on water ....... well lets just say he windsurfs more than he kites

....... luck there is enough ocean / lakes and beaches and varying wind and wave conditions for both to be wave slaying machines ..........






Ps i like to water start quick, and have a board to paddle in on ..........if it all fks up

what ever gets you amppppppppppped

KennyK said..
Well I just bought myself a sail rig for my SUP.
It's the Gaastra Poison 5.4m rig. It'll go on my 9'6" JP Surf pro.
Hopefully it'll work well for me? Find out tomorrow I guess.
Thanks to every one for your help.
And especially to Jeff who I will be helping me out with some pointers on Sunday.

I reckon I will eventually get a kite as well though.
I'm quite sure I'll enjoy both.

Cheers, Ken.

At least you'll have one useful piece of gear - harness!
Good luck dude, let us know how you go with it.

lotofwind said..
I think its kinda funny that Kenny has put this post in both the poledancers and kiters forum to get answers from both sports,
but the polers replied in their forum as well as coming here to reply again???(some of them multiple times)
I guess they get a bit excited that there might be one person taking up the sport this year. lol

So nothing like going to the polies forums and writing in there all the time (to deliberately troll) is it? Nooooo not at all

Mark _australia said..

lotofwind said..
I think its kinda funny that Kenny has put this post in both the poledancers and kiters forum to get answers from both sports,
but the polers replied in their forum as well as coming here to reply again???(some of them multiple times)
I guess they get a bit excited that there might be one person taking up the sport this year. lol

So nothing like going to the polies forums and writing in there all the time (to deliberately troll) is it? Nooooo not at all

Thanks to the bitches, this thread now has legs.

lol.

For gusty wind generally kitesurfing is much better (North Rebel or short lines = you are barely aware of gusts) BUT at the extreme levels of Canberra, I think it's just too dangerous (kite dropping from sky then relaunching in power zone in a gust...) That's why I think kiting there would be no go, just from safety perspective. Windsurfing the worst thing that can happen it you'll get catapulted in the water (been there done that...)

My advice: look at SUPs? No really....