Have finally decided its time to learn to kitesurf and overcome my fear of the water.

Been kiting on land for a few years so have some experience but realise its a whole new game.

May get some lessons (Shem if I decide to come to Wales will give you a bell but may try somewhere a bit closer) but would like to get my own kit as well.

If I were to go for a two kite betrig quiver thinking of an 11 and 15m Strike and something around 155/40 ish board? I'm about 80kg.

Any other suggestions?

sounds perfect to me, I have an 11 and 15 strike and they cope with a large wind range and are great kites.
I'd probably go with the shorter board, you'll soon get used to it and if you go with the bigger board it won't be long before you want a smaller one.

[Edited on 20-9-2005 by bucski]

I'm a newbie, to waterr anyway like yourself and already feal I have out grown my 158 Prodigy. Probably will keep it though for light wind.

Excellent ok.

Should of said planning on getting all kit used too.

So what should I be paying for these? Do you two fancy some new kit and sell me yours?

The Prodigy was one of the boards recommended by a friend or a Litewave 169 or 158 or Square 2.

Also does someone fancy giving some impartial advice on Best kites? Had a search and some people rave about them others slate them; is it because they are so much cheaper? Is the build as good?

What would be a decent model if I went for them, Grunt or Yarga?

They look reasonable new guess if can find used ones must be good value?

Adam.. definately take the advice about a smaller board... The Litewave 169 is far too big and the Square 2 is huge, you'll progress beyond those in a day with your kite skills, even the 158 is pretty big... I reckon you would be fine with a 145cm board or there abouts... I do have a 157 stonker that I might think about selling though, I was planing on keeping it for really light wind days, but prefer to be out on my Litewave 125 really.

Can't comment on Best kites though as I haven't used them.

Al.

just cruise kiteboarder.co.uk and ebay you want a 2003 onwards kite 11/12m & 15/16m in good condition that is medium aspect from good brands ie naish north cabrinha flexifoil big names for good sturdy kite. they are all pretty good now just don't get older than 2003 there was a huge jump in qaulity then.
also cruise the shops www.whitstablewindsurfing.com often have great deals. buy a magazine and cruise the shop websites from there. the kit can be found so cheap now, especially with bow kites being released, second hand market will be awesome for buyers.

as for board do the same, you do need a big board to start coz you'll be a pussy with power especially coming from foils where you need so much less.

a big board will save frustration while learning and then just keep it for light winds. even get a directional and keep it for the big surf when you get good- we all want directionals to surf on now anyway so easy to learn on and then great for light winds and surfing the waves.

if you try to learn on a small board it will slow you down and piss you off. i got a 155cm board for light winds, girlfriend was learning on 130cm but going slow (months and months of anger!!) leant her big board for 3/4 sessions and then she's cracked it, got confident and now rigs with enough power to ride her smaller board and having been up and riding she is happier and has board riding skills to progress.

guys used to compete at top level on 150cm boards and did better tricks than anyone at borth can your kit is not everything you may as well make it easy on yourself!

quick reply button seemed a bit of a joke after all that!!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7182910038&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT />
go to this link a very cheap board will get you going then you can just throw it away at that price!

you need to copy the whole link it was too long

I got started on a small board (142) on the advice of shem, and found it so much more comfortable to ride on than a square two i had borrowed off him to have a go on before.

Like its been said, you will get bored of a big board after a while, so in my opinion why waste £200+ on a big board that you will only use a few times?

[Edited on 21-1-2005 by kitesurf_dan]

Thanks all few differences in opinion?!

Thanks for the advice willf bought quite a bit of windsurf kit from Whitstable so will check them out, will more than likely start learning around there as its about 2 hours away and girlfriends family stay there so have a base for weekends away. Quite good too as they live in Broadstairs which is right on the tip so beaches all round (well nearly)

Thats a directional isn't it? Hoping I maybe able to skip that as I have enough trouble gybing a windsurf board still after 8 years.....hopeless

So thinking about a medium size twintip as a compromise if I buy it used can always sell it on if I find it too big but as willf says a bigger board should help to start with and mean I won't need to be as powered until at least a bit comfortable?

How much would you be after for the Stonker?

Saw a Prodigy 158 that is this years board for £175, looks in excellent condition in the photos would that be ok, seems reasonable?

Also has anyone flown Airush Trios? What are they like, saw a guy with one at Borth once and didn't Shem have some for the school a while ago?

Seen a 12m on ebay brand new and complete for £250? Could be a cheapish way to start?

Edit - ok Trio could be a bit basic low aspect school kite?

trio lovely easy kite bounce off the water almost but small wind range as so low aspect and you may out grow it a bit quick what about airush flow?

theres a cabrinha co2 finishing soon 12m £100 quid ish

Cheers found it - kite only would, are bars universal for LEIs guess newer ones have modern safety?

Whats recon?

Would that do to start with then?

£175 for the Prodigy seems fair as thats around half retail price.

As far as kites go everyone has their own favs, I use an 03 slingshot fuel 13m which is mid to high aspect which I got from (http://www.s2as.com) and get on fine with it. I learnt with Shem on a strike 13m and they seem fine too and a popular choice with a slightly lower aspect than the fuel.

If you can try before you buy that's the best route but sticking to the top maufacturers while on ebay etc could get you some bargins, as I have done in the past with foils.

Ok thanks.

Ebay does my nut in as always get outbid at the end so will keep an eye on kiteboarder, flexi and here.

you have had a deal of advice on boards and everyone has their fav; mine are custom made in falmouth and a few of us lucky peeps ride them;" mad eel" but dont hold out much hope there as they are VERY hard to come by; Paul who makes them has a great life; he is always away enjoying it!!!!!!
now you asked about Best kites.
i have a full set of Yargas; bought just before christmas after trying most of the available kit around .( i have been on the water for about 6 years starting off with wipika free airs ,to airblasts, infact i still have my 10 mtre airblast, cant part with it i like it so much even though i dont use it!(wierd eh?) and kitesurfers) .
the yargs fly no better or worse than any other modern mid aspect kites; strikes, vegas (the vegas i thought was the kite to beat),etc. their build quality is on par with naish ( look like they come out of the same factory)
ok so i was at the right time for all the deals but bought a 20.15.13.11.9.7 for not quite £1500. i imported all mine from the states,with the exception of the 13,got that from Andy.
expect to pay about 20% import duty, although Andy at airhead is doing best now at really great prices.
i negotiate all the prices myself, get no deals or favours or back handers including free kit from any one, so this is truly my own opinion and you can see me flying them at borth most weekends weather permiting.
all best kit is far cheaper than most others, lines bars etc
hope this helps

[Edited on 21/9/05 by mNeil]

Thanks everyone for advice.

Custom boards sound good maybe something for the future? Yargas look nice but can't find any used ones at the moment, guess they are pretty reasonable new though...

BUT think I'm sorted!

Cabrinha 158 Prodigy and 10m (05) and 14m (04) North Vegas kites with one 5th element bar and lines

Don't know much about 5th line setups but the claims seem good for both beginners and as get better? Downside I see is another line to get in a tangle with LOL

Is this all ok as will be sorting over the weekend.

What should I check on the kites? Hope to be able to inflate them but if not possible guess will have to take them on trust?

Would I be silly to give them a go on land with my board (being careful not to dump it!!)

Make sure you inflate the kites before you buy. New bladders are costly and leaky ones need to be negociated. Also when the kite is sat face down on it's leading edge go over each panel of the canopy. This is the thinest material and most likely to have small holes in it. If you find any it's not the end of the world but they will have to be patched and that will reduce the resale value of your kit.

Pay attention to the pig tails, any seams on leading edges / seams in general. The trialing edge and the wingtips are probably the first areas to show wear. Also the leading edge when it gets left on the beach.

Take your time, these kites are big. It's a waste of time trying to look at a kite deflated get it inflated and in the sunshine so you can see through the material. Holes are more obvious then.

I have bought every kite I owned secondhand and can fully reccomend it.

Good luck

good advice from Mark. North vegas kites; you cant go wrong they were the ones to beat last season!

Got the kites and look as new only having been used a few times since he upgraded from Toros, now injured so is going to replace his kit when recovered...

They look a bit higher aspect than I expected (on the ground haven't flown them yet) but hope will be ok, guessing should start with the pigtails to give slow steering to start with?

Thanks for all advice again and hope to see you out at Borth soon

If you're used to land kites, just attach pigtails to the outside of the kite (fastest and possibly labeled less power). If you've got 5 lines, you can control all the power anyway and if you attach at "slow turning" you'll think they are pigs, when quite clearly they are not.

Good buy with the Vegas. On 5 lines too. Perfect! Enjoy.

til your kite gets cut in two-then oh how we'll laugh in the face of the fith line. just learn to relaunch properly. 5th line will kill your kite.

that could happen if you are unfortunate enough to get the 5th line around your kite, and its another line to get in a tangle ,or should i say untangle when you lay them out but my goodness they sure make water relaunch a doddle. i can get my 20 yarga back up and running in no time with the 5th line! as for the smaller ones ,even quicker.
pays yer money and makes yer choice.

Whats this talk of cutting kites in half?? Trying to put me off before I start?

Heard that could happen. Ah well will see how it goes, at least you may get your laugh at my expense.....

Seems to be more difference in opinion in kitesurf kit than any other sport I've known.....

too right!!! especially when over the internet and you can play devils advocate from the safety of your home! 5th line probably a good idea but learn to relaunch a kite properly too and you have been warned!

Cheers Will I'm glad you did warn me.

The guy I bought them off told me to try and check that it hadn't got caught before relaunching and it could be a problem and heard people have had problems. Have also been told seems to happen in light winds - guess can only do so if lose tension on the lines and so it can get wrapped around...

See how I go can always 'downgrade' to 4 lines later

You've just got to pull your safety quickly to get the pressure on the fifth line before it turns inside out.

It's an expensive mistake, you'll only do it once! Resist the temptation to hold on that little bit longer like us four liners. Have fun, don't let the internet gossip put you off. There are a lot of "Arm Chair" riders out there, not on this site I'm quick to add before I get a tiraid of abuse! But then that'll come anyway I expect....

and pray tell me what is wrong with my my new DELUX mad eel with matching tartan arm rests and wine bottle holder?oh sorry and nearly forgot , intergrated BIG SLIPPER.

[Edited on 4/10/05 by mNeil]

On the kit advice thing - I just bought a 12m CO2 in new bar n lines 2005 for £350 - is that an OK price. Also - the board I have is a Brunnoti Two Faced (twin tip) - I think it's 163 - is that waaaay too big? What would be the benefit of a smaller one - I'm fair skint so it would be an even bigger dent in my pocket - I weigh 72 kg - what would be a good length (i also have a 16.0m to use with it).

Thanks for the advice guys (n girls).

Well plan was to come up to Wales this weekend, BUT blew my car engine up yesterday so about to get hit with a big repair bill and need to sort it all out so no beach visit for me. What a crap week. Plus I'm skint so may have to sell some kit to help fund.......