First time Kite buyer needs advice please.

GavinB · Since 08 May 2008 3 Posts Marina Del Rey, CA New Member

Hi

I am currently taking lessons in Long Beach, California.
Lesson #3 is on Monday.
Will be in Hood River in June, for Snow Boarding and some more Kite Boarding etc
Plan on Moving to Hood River permanently in September.
Am currently trying to decide what kites to buy...
I am 190+ lbs
I have been largely steered towards the following three choices:
#1: Bularoo 7m, 10m & 13m
or
#2: Waroo 7m, 9m & 13m
or
#3: 07 RRD Hyper Kite 6m, 9m & 12m (this is the best $$$ deal so far)

I am a snowboarder so would like to try Kiting on the snow once I get a lot better at Kite Boarding.
But am buying these kites for the water now and do not want to sacrifice anything on the water ... for snow qualities later on.

Thanks in advance for your input / advice.

Gavin

Mark · Thu May 08, 08 5:55 pm

The Joy of the Gorge is there are lots of kites to demo. Ask the local shops to demo the kites you are interested in. The CGKA is going to have a demo day where lots of vendors will have kites and gear to try.

If that doesnt work for you Pm me and I will set you up a demo.
Mark

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

On nwkite, you're not really going to get any answers on BRAND A vs. BRAND B because Phil (the site admin) doesn't allow it - normally just causes a lot of brand war drama and so the thread is locked. You should, however, be able to get some good feedback on different kites within a specific brand (ie. Waroo vs. Bularoo).

Can't help ya much though since I like Slingy... oops! Wink

Nak · Thu May 08, 08 6:05 pm

Hi Gavin! Welcome to the Hood.

We don't get into brand versus brand threads on this forum, so you aren't going to get much advice on a particular kite. I'd recommend something used (cheap) for your first kite, 2006 or newer. You're going to abuse it a bit anyways... Once you've developed your riding skills and are ready to step up to something newer, try and demo several different kites to see which one you like the best.

I think a bow kite is a good choice for a beginner; lots of range and very forgiving. Once you have some skills you may choose to stick with bows, or you may opt for an SLE.

Size wise: probably a 10 - 11m will be your money kite in the Gorge, and a 14 - 16m for the lightwind spots. (Which are great spots for beginners.) As you get better, you'll want a 7m for those nuclear days.

Just my 2 cents anyway. Have fun! Very Happy

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

Don't worry about the brand thing thing, no one minds your 'mistake', no worries at all. I didn't know that either! I guess that's why I like this forum. Anyway, I agree with Nak.
Think used at first, might as well save $ until you find what you like, and also I'd say don't buy a whole bunch right at once, maybe slow play it and fill in the gaps as you see fit. One other thing is that a light wind board is a great piece of equipment, and can get you more sessions.
I moved to OR last Sept.--you'll love the kiting here. It's really wild to kite in fresh water, and on a(relatively) narrow river, compared to the ocean. Really cool, with tons of unique places to ride. I just went to the coast to ride, too, and had an entire gigantic flat-water bay all to myself in 25+mph conditions!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

Welcome to the forum, hope everybody else explained it well enough.