Hi all,
I love forum because you can get straight answers that aren't influenced by what the shop wants to sell
Here we go,i windsurfed for 15 years and i surf here in perth before work any time the swell charts shows more than 2 metere swell, i love the ocean and i have decided to get into kite surfing because it looks really fun and i love the ability of getting out there in lighter winds(i am 78kg).
I live in Scarborough WA and most people i chated with recommended a 10 meter kite.
I am starting my first and hopefully sole lesson next week (mate that is a lot of cash) and been saving big time for a kite(christmas is coming).
I have narrowed it down to 2 models:
Airush Flow or Airush Vapor
It seems that the vapor is a more advanced kite, more difficult to handle and learn on but ultimately more rewarding.
Finally my question, am i just kidding myself with overconffidence and i should buy the flow or is it worth the harder learning curve and the vapor is the way to go?
Your comments would be highly appreciated as i can't see myself spending $2500 on myself too often i want to make sure that i get it right!!!
Cheerio

Have a look around lots of good kites out there not all as expensive as airush and IMHO better. Try second-hand as well, heaps of bargain 07 kites about as everyone upgrades.

Cheers Andrew

I can well imagine that most 2007 kites will have good performance while costing 60% of new/2008. Even a 2006 might be adequate, at 25% of new cost.
Then again, what do I know. I am still using 2004 gear.

If you are looking for a kite that will be killer in waves as well as free ride without breaking the bank...... the option for you is a BLADE VERTIGO 10m, the guys who helped Kiteboarder Mag testing really love the kite. A brand new BLADE VERTIGO 10m will cost you a mear $1225 COMPLETE!!!

They are available direct from the BLADE importers who will post anywhere for an extra $30....

Give them a call on 0882902200 for more information.

Cheers

Martyn

mate there are alot more companies to look at other than airush.. airush kites are pretty good and all but they are also pretty pricey.. go check out some North and slingshot gear aswell..

the vapor is a pretty sweet kite but it is wickedly fast.. i can imagine it will be pretty damn difficult to learn on aswell. so if you HAVE to stick with the airush equipment then id go for the flow at first.

A fella i am helping out to get started recently bought an 07 10 meter BRAND new rebel for 1200 bucks, not bad, just shop around online matey, you can pick up some last season kites that might not be for sale on the web site but will be for sale behind the counter. cost of a call is cheap by standards of costs of kites.

duno what shop he bought from - eastern states somewhere but he is in w.a.

WICKED, THANKS ALL, i thought it would be worth running the question by you guys as the shops speen me that story that the old kites used to be way more dangerous with hardly any depower and obviously push for the sale of their new gear!!!
$1500 SOUNDS A LOT BETTER THAN $2700!!!!(with the board)
Do you all agree that in WA with our wind conditions 10meters is the way to go?
Are you all using those wake board looking board?,how do they trim up wind compare to a surfboard?
Since older kites were supposedly less powerfull if i get an 07/06 model ,should i look at a 12 meters?
Got to go, doing some online shopping!!!

Hey there Sebol,

I agree with the comments on 2007 model kites, its definately a cheaper alternative. With that each year kites get better and they handle easier. Starting out you should probably choose a kite with easy handling and easy relaunch and safety. Seeing that you surf you want a kite that will have a light bar pressure and be able to handle a betting in the waves...I choose to ride slingshot...they are great, and super tough...pretty much all my riding is in the waves and trust me no matter how good you are...you will drop it in the waves at some point...Some kites dont relaunch so easy, have you taken lessons. Nathan.

righto, did a bit of online shoping and i am keen for an 07 North rebel or 07 airush flow but of course no one seem to have them second hand in 10 or 12meters.
On the other hand there are tonnes of sling shot fuel 12 meters available???
Are they bad?If anyone knows where to source one of the above mentioned kites in WA ,let me know
God i love buying new toys

the slingshot fuel is a C kite, which is not as good as a sle kite for you. That is what the shop is getting at older then 06 and all the kites are basically C kites. If you want an SLE kite you have to really go 07 or 08 (apart from the gksonic which are so frail that an 06 would be at the end of its life now), so thats where the dollars come in!

go grab your lesson dude, talk to the instructor and move on from there.

There is so much brand bias, bull**** and **** talk (from people who have no idea) on these and other forums. Its hardly worth asking for advice.

Don't go the 07 airush flow they pull like trucks and never let u back off!!
Airush make great boards but there kites are way to expensive so definately take a look at most other 07 brands that have been given the thumbs up....
Even sum of the new 08 kites 9m can be picked up for $1600/1700 and would be great to learn rather than $2000 min for airush....

10m is a good choice for a first kite for your weight but down the line you will probably end up with a 12 and 9m to give you the best range for perth conditions!

Its prob best if you get a second hand board for your first which will save you almost 50% of the price and u won't resort to using a board leash that could kill u in fear of losing it...

North 07 Rebel is a great learning klite ... the fact that there is bugger all for sale should tell you something. I learnt on a 14m rebel but have since switched to Ozone i have kept the 14m rebel and also have a 10m 07 rhino. Don't get to technical about your first kite. Only after at least a year's kiting will you be in a position to really know what you want from a kite. Pick up a second hand Rebel 10m or 12m 07 model and you can't go wrong. get some lessons spend the year honing your kite skills. Then work out what you want to spend good money on next year.

Seb

I've just started so my knowledge of kites isn't great. When I choose my kite I wanted a kite that would relaunch in the water easily. I was advised by my instructer to stay away from some of the older kites (06 and before) as the safety releases etc were not so good (and with some kites didn't even exist).

Thats the reason I got a 08 Naish Cult. $1900 but I figure the last thing I want is to have a cheaper kite that wont relaunch or quick release and face a long swim back to shore or worse. "You will get what you pay for."

Honestly, get some advise from your instructor and be careful with the forum advice that you follow. There are people on here just trying to peddle their stock, some experienced guys with lots of good advice, and some leaser experienced guys (including me but not as honest) who could send you down the wrong path.

Hey mate
The rebel is a sick kite and you wont go wrong with one. I always say you get what you pay for, if you pay $1200 for a new kite then there's a good chance that next year when you want to sell it and get a new one it will be worth nothing and you'll have to start again.

You might have trouble finding a rebel though because as soon as they get put up for sale they sold straight away and they hold a good price.

If you are going to spend $2500 grand you may as well get a new rebel and a good second hand board as there are heaps of good boards out there (underground, north,naish, ect) and the new rebel is a super sick kite.

10 or 12m kite both will suit WA conditions i'm 75kg and have used both 10 and 12m kites every time i,v been there, to get the best answer on this one go down to the local spot and ask the locals what they usually use.

Paul

Select to expand quote

Abesy said...


Even sum of the new 08 kites 9m can be picked up for $1600/1700 and would be great to learn rather than $2000 min for airush....

Hey Guys,

Fair bit of mis-information being thrown around in the thread, A brand new 2008 9m Airush DNA retails for $1549, and with that we will even throw in a lesson with Darren at AKS.

The DNA is an unreal kite to learn on being insanely stable with a super easy relaunch and down the track is an awesome wave kite. We really wouldn't recommend a Vapor to a beginner - they are to fast and would considerably steepen your learning curve.

We also have a couple of second hand 07 12m Flows and DNA's in stock.

Good luck with what ever kite you go with! Make sure you budget for lessons.

Go 2nd hand for sure. the reason is because from what your saying money is a big factor. Buy the kite that you feel your happy to knock around the water and learn on. This way you will progress faster. all 07 kites are great for you. your not going to notice much of a difference for some time anyway. The subtle differences kites offer come out the most when your aware of your style and what you want to do. You will adapt to any kite so don't worry. You need to inspect the stitching and pay detail to the material your looking for holes and how crisp the material is will dictate the price of the kite also the bar. blow the kite up and let it sit for about 10 to 15 mins if it is leaking the struts or leading edge will deflate or become sagged. or any issues with the bladder inspect it in direct sunlight if possible this will show you any pinholes and such forth these types of things really are easy to patch so don't worry to much. Also you can be taught how to buy a kite from the person who gives you the leason ask them after. just take the time to learn don't think of it as a waste of money learning will save your new kite from being trashed heaps from not knowing what your doing and trying to force it alone. you will pay one way or the other through the kite or a instructor. just remember if they are teaching you they can' t go kiting. if you think about it what would you rather be doing. Also your not just paying for the leason its to use their stuff. to kite is to feel a freedom and a rush of nature and energy that will leave you hooked for life, once your up and riding. Push past the learning curve. your in for a great time. anyway have fun and remember its fun. Oh and when buy your kite. Don't look back on the sale or ask everyone how good your kite is. Do that before you buy. Enjoy it and ride the **** out of it.

i would recommend the 10m2 2007 sle flow.

great for learning and progressing on
very forgiving and seems well built and durable
I'm on my second season with one,
if your a heavyweight maybe go to a 12

If you can go three to four times a week you will be in the waves by the end of the season

lots of beginners have been buying the 2007 F.one Tribal 2's and you can pick up a pritty cheap sencond hand one now in excellent condition because a few riders are going onto the 08 F.one Bandits or you can still buy a brand new one from surf sail:
$1700 for a brand new 11m http://www.surfsailaustralia.com.au/listProduct/Kitesurfing/Kites

The 11m has got a huge windrange so it will take u out in most perth summer winds

just to throw in another 2c....

go and buy yourself a 05/06 8m.

look for something in decent condition and quite possibly with a fifth line setup. will set you back about 300-500 bucks. ideally look for something with a lower aspect ratio, it will be a fair bit more forgiving.

you will keep it until it dies, your mates can have a bash on it in the light stuff, and when it hits 25 knots you will be pulling it out, and if you really are keen on surfing not flat water stuff, then even in light to moderate winds, decent surf, and a surf board you will be having fun. with your windsurfing background and a bigger board you will be up and holding your line in a few sessions.

dont underestimate how much you will learn on a smaller kite, bigger board, underpowered and taking your time. you will find out if the sport really is for you without dropping 2-3k. and more importantly imho, when you DO decide to take the next step and get a 9-12m recent model kite you will have a MUCH better idea of what sort of kite will suit you.

as for the flow vs vapor, forget the marketing crap, you will not be pushing ANY of these kites near their limits any time soon and you won't really notice the difference between any newer kite. buy something "slower" and more learner oriented.

I had a 2007 10m flow but the bar pressure is really high and I didn't rate the bar setup - the depower strap on the Airush kites hang down and get in the way and you can't spin the bar to untangle without crossing up the safety leash and the lines.
Went to a Cabrinha switchblade 3 this season and it is unreal. I would suggest a second hand Switchblade 2 over a 2007 Flow.
I'm 75kg and a 10m is right for me, you'd want the same. I'm also on my second season so a relative novice.
pm me if you wanna discuss the 2007 Flow further.

Overall some great advice here and i want to thank you all for your contibutions.
I have been trying to source a kite but decided to wait until i can have a chat with the instructor.Hopefully it will happen one day as my first lesson has been cancelled 3 times so far!!! lol
-no wind on first booking
-40 knots storm on second try
-wind is offshore today so lesson got cancelled as i don't think he wants to pick me up in rotto!!!lol
It is hard because i am all amped up and really hanging out to go and try it but i did settle the nerves yesterday with a wicked windsurfing session and a little overcrowded surf this morning!!!
It seems to be a really nice crew out there, everyone is preatty friendly and helpfull and i can't wait to join in.
ps:it might take me 5 years to pull a decent jump but oh my #$%^^$# , some of those pics of guys launching 10 meters high keep me dreaming at night!!!

I started recently and did the full weekend course, taking you from complete scratch to IKO level 2, I had never windsurfed or surfed before but was up and running in my first session after the lessons. I got an 11m 2007 Waroo and I think it's great, very good starting off and as I get better it still suits fine. My 7m 2008 Waroo just arrived and I can't wait to give it a go.

Got both from kitejunky1@gmail.com, a guy in the states, my 11m 07 was €660 delivered complete and the 7m 08 was under €400 kite only delivered, both much cheaper than any where else I tried, online and in shops (Ireland).

Anyway, best of luck but I think the Waroo is very good.

By the way, am coming to WA on the 26th December for 3 weeks and want to kite surf as much as possible, any tips on locations etc. would be greatly appreciated

Go for something cheaper initially and that can relaunch easily. If you intend to kite alone - the easier to self launch and land is obviously very important.

For me stability, safety and relaunch would be more important than jumping performance etc.

I still have an Airush Flow 04 model - a well built kite which was abused and used until recently. I extended its life by adding a 5th line. I have an 07 bow kite that I have not yet got used to, I now intend to get an 08 model kite that has more C like feel to it but would have better safety and depower abilities than both the 07 bow and 04 C kite that I have.

If you have the chance as they say "try before you buy".

If you are learning at the same time as a mate, why not share until both have progressed past the basics, that way you can help each other out, share the initial cost and then can both upgrade to the latest and greatest when you are ready.

Hi all
I settled for a naish torch 3 12m c kite 2007 sitting officially in my bedroom!!!!
Thanks all for the advice.
Paid $800 for it and i need to find a twin tip board around 138cm and 40 wide so if you have an old one in your garage let me know!!!!