hello everyone. this is my first post as I am very new to this sport, 1 lesson down a couple more to come yet. I was given a 2006 9metre Cabrinha crossbow, 5 line, kite by a mate who has gone back overseas to live, thats what started me off. the question is, will this be any good for me to use as a beginner or should I look elsewhere first?I haven't asked my instructor yet, thought I would sound it out here. I should mention that I am around the 90kg mark.

Hey Blueseven,

The Crossbow is a 4 line bridled kite, unless your mate carried out some extensive mods.

It will be OK to learn on if you rig a flagging safety leash to the front line and then use a big board. At 90 kegs, ypoure a big fella and will be better off on a 12m Crossbow or similar for average winds of around 15-25knots. The 9 will be fine too but depending upon the board you are going to ride, will probably be in the high twenty knot range.

It will be fine for basic flying and learning in 15 knots, but on the board you will need more. What state do you live in?

Good winds,

Thanks kitehard, I am in brisbane. No doubt you are correct in number of lines, to be honest I only stated what i thought my buddy said. I haven,t looked to closely at this stage , saw no point until I knew what I was looking at.(more lessons)

More lessons ,and....do your homework !!

There is a wealth of information about kiting on the internet.

There are even vids on You tube that give (kinda) lessons! I wouldn't reccomend trying to learn from them,but they would be a good backup to real lessons.

If you didn't get a manual with your kite,you can download it from the Cabrinha site.

Im 90 kg and using a 14 in anywhere form 15-30
on a 133 crossride

i'm about the 85kg to 90kg mark, my weights gone up and down a bit over the last few years.

But i cut my teeth learning on a 8m 2004 liquid force Spectrum II kite.
i could get up and get going quite easily but i had trouble cutting upwind or getting any jumps happening, it was good enough for the first season. but you should be able to do a bit better on a 2006 Cabrinha Crossbow because its a newer more advanced kite.

but can't stress the importance of lessons its the only way to get a chance to know what you are doing before you start doing it.

Take your kite to the next lesson. The instructor can run you through setting up properly and show you all the safety features. This way you get to learn on your own kite with an experienced kiter by your side.

Listen to User...i always listen to him...and it stood me in good stead.
Even ask him questions on life and love....he will never fail you!

Bite me!