Total nu-b question!

dmbalchin · Since 15 Sep 2007 4 Posts australia New Member

Hi everybody, my name is Darren, i have just booked my first lesson after retiring from my first love of base jumping due to recent marriage! I have snowboarded, windsurfed but this is a new one to me and the more i see at my local beach the more I cant stop thinkin about how good kitesurfing looks! I cant wait to try it and have decided to buy gear on a trip to the US soon. I have tried to do as much research as possible but it all seems a bit confusing to me at present. my problem is that i just bought a house and so am poor. where i live kite gear is expensive but i'm going skydiving in FL soon and i know that BEST are in FL. Well, my question to you guys is

Is the 07 waroo / spark beginners package a good set to buy for a first timer? I am planning on getting a 9m and a 11 m , i weigh 160lbs. I cannot understand why it would be such a great deal (2000 US) for the lot new? usually in my experience when it sounds too good to be true it is.....

I have a fair grasp of kite flying ( I own a bigairsportz ram air power kite) and have lots of board (snow and windsurf) experience, but when looking at what the guys and girls on our local beach are using see alot of BEST Waroo's....... so i figure it is either good quality gear for a good price or just really cheap and crap. please will somebody tell me which it is before i shell out all this cash? it just seems such a good deal!!!

Thanks in advance people!

Darren Very Happy

dmbalchin · Since 15 Sep 2007 4 Posts australia New Member

oh yeah,

if it isnt a good idea, then please advise what is? are there any alternative beginners deals like the best one with a complete set up kite/lines/bar/board for a similar price? the best one is the only one i can really find. i know second hand is always around but where i live its actually more expensive to buy 05 or 06 gear used than BEST gear new in FL from the factory. and a buddy of mine who kites said that it is changing sooo fast that i should try and get the MOST recent kite i can possibly afford.

Thanks

Darren

Sol-flyer · Sat Sep 15, 07 7:43 am

its good to take lessons,....i never did and paid my price in scars Wink

check out www.realkiteboarding.com, they have a buy 2 get 1 free of those best kites....

kites are like cars, there all different to some degree...Some work better than others but overall they ALL get you where you want to go. My first kite (and even most recent) didnt cost over $200.00<--used of course Cool

when you take lessons they'll usually set you up with equipment that best fits your body condition/skill level. there's a lot to learn(aspect ratio's..etc) and it will take about 3-4 months to really figure out what it all really does to the kite's performance/your performance.

hope that helps the 2000 questions you have Wink

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

try to fly as many brands as you can before you buy; this can be difficult as a youngster because the guys who want to sell you the kite, and are willing to demo one to that effect, often do NOT want you to trash it, and thats usually what newbies do-my first kites look like hell.

the other thing that flying lots of different brands will do is to introduce you to the subtleties that exist between brands. and finally, it will help to short circuit the somewhat adolescent attitude known as brand -loyalty that screams at one from some forums and kiters.

welcome to the church.

jimmi

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

This site is selling 07 waroos for really cheap, in some cases cheaper than people are selling them for used. I'm w/ everyone else, take lessons and demo to learn what you like. The waroo is a nice ride for the price though.

http://emeraldcoastkiteboarding.com/oscommerce/product_info.php?products_id=206

dmbalchin · Since 15 Sep 2007 4 Posts australia New Member

thanks people. you help is appreciated!

Darren

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Slingshot TD II

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I was out at Rufus early May and I went down in strong winds. A gust hit my kite and it jumped forward. I don't really know what happened but I dumped my kite and my momentum carried me toward my kite causing slack in the lines. The kite rolled all the way through. My first thought was to unhook and try to fly. I was all the way over on the other side of the river and knew that a self rescue was a long swim.
I had flown my kite with inverted lines before and knew that in light conditions it was possible. Problem was that I was alone out there and it was blowing in the 25 to 30 range. Not a good idea to fly an inverted line kite in strong wind. Too Risky.

Pulled pin on loop and started my self rescue. I figured it's the beg of the season and I was just going to have to swim. Thank God there were no barges.

Mad