Hey,
Another newbie looking for some advice. In very early beginner stages but looking at gear whilst I progress in lessons. Looking for something used probably to get going. I am 5'11 and weight 79kgs and looking advice on board size. A 12m kite has been recommended for the winds in Sydney and my weight?
I am thinking of a SwitchBlade or Catalyst kite.
Board size, I have wakeboarded a lot (hoping it helps ) and want to buy a board to learn with and progress a bit. What size would suit me? Would a 134/136cm be too small for a beginner?
Appreciate any advice to look at the right gear
Hi Rsands,
It seems you've had good recommendations, both these kites in the 12m size will do just fine for learning along with a 134 to 136cm board.
At your weight, with that size of kite, you will be limited to going out in winds between roughly 15 knots to 22 knots. Any more than that and you will be overpowered.
There are so many kites and boards to choose from and honestly, you wouldn't notice the difference between most of them. As long as you get a modern beginner friendly kite with a good safety system, it's all that matters.
Don't get too hung up on equipment choice, you've had the right advice already, just choose one, commit and go.
Christian
I am no expert, rode only few boards, but found the freeride Shinn boards were much better for me compared to other boards - met the hype in forum reviews (Monk, Dundee, and similar latest models). Once you buy a board it is not easy to sell it - loose lots of cash if you bought a new one, some cash if you bought a second hand one. Might as well spend money on a board generally considered good by most forum members.
what I like about my shinn is comfy foot pads, and a good combination of flex and rocker that make it planing early, coping well with choppy water, and giving very little spray in your face compared with other boards I tried.
The length (135) might be a bit short for learning, perhaps you know someone who could lend you a bigger board for learning stage.
If you dont have a friend to borrow a board, maybe buy one that is considered a 'light wind board'. Once you learn to ride you can keep it for marginal wind conditions and get another board for well powered conditions.
the kites you were recommeded will a do a good job - but Naish Pivot would be my recommendation. It turns faster and is quite powerfull (11m is as powerfull as 12m catalyst). Fast kite is not necessarily the best for learning, but you can get used to it, and once you can ride, you will be happy with a fast turning kite. Note how many 'what is a fast turning kite' questions are in the forums - pivot is one of them.
Hi Rsands,
It seems you've had good recommendations, both these kites in the 12m size will do just fine for learning along with a 134 to 136cm board.
At your weight, with that size of kite, you will be limited to going out in winds between roughly 15 knots to 22 knots. Any more than that and you will be overpowered.
There are so many kites and boards to choose from and honestly, you wouldn't notice the difference between most of them. As long as you get a modern beginner friendly kite with a good safety system, it's all that matters.
Don't get too hung up on equipment choice, you've had the right advice already, just choose one, commit and go.
Christian
Hi Christian, Thanks for the advice. To widen the range to say 15-25 knots what would you recommend? Would the SB or Catalyst or the Pivot be a solid choice? Thanks
I am no expert, rode only few boards, but found the freeride Shinn boards were much better for me compared to other boards - met the hype in forum reviews (Monk, Dundee, and similar latest models). Once you buy a board it is not easy to sell it - loose lots of cash if you bought a new one, some cash if you bought a second hand one. Might as well spend money on a board generally considered good by most forum members.
what I like about my shinn is comfy foot pads, and a good combination of flex and rocker that make it planing early, coping well with choppy water, and giving very little spray in your face compared with other boards I tried.
The length (135) might be a bit short for learning, perhaps you know someone who could lend you a bigger board for learning stage.
If you dont have a friend to borrow a board, maybe buy one that is considered a 'light wind board'. Once you learn to ride you can keep it for marginal wind conditions and get another board for well powered conditions.
the kites you were recommeded will a do a good job - but Naish Pivot would be my recommendation. It turns faster and is quite powerfull (11m is as powerfull as 12m catalyst). Fast kite is not necessarily the best for learning, but you can get used to it, and once you can ride, you will be happy with a fast turning kite. Note how many 'what is a fast turning kite' questions are in the forums - pivot is one of them.
Thanks Swavek. Boards definitely seem hard to come across at the right size - seems its either small or really large boards for sale. I have seen the Shinn mentioned a number of times, anywhere you recommend to buy from?
Will see if I can pickup a cheap large board, few friends are going to get into the sport too but none of us have the gear yet.
Thanks, will take a look at the pivot also - choices
Optimum range of wind for a single kite is about 5 kn - you need two kites for 15-25kn (Pivot or switchblade 12 and 9 for example). It is easier to learn with lighter winds - buy a bigger one to start with.
Seems like some nice 12m options at present....
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~vjd9l/2015-Naish-Pivot-12-metre.aspx
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~v8bwh/2014-Cabrinha-Switchblade-12-metre.aspx
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~via6v/2014-Cabrinha-Switchblade-7912-metre.aspx
Decisions! I am worried a Pivot would be beyond my skill level
I would not worry too much - pivot is faster but nothing unmanageable even for a learner. I have both in 12m size and will be trying to sell swichblade.
Pivot is more fun and particularly good for big jumps (something I wanted to learn first as soon I learned to stay upwind). If you plan to jump or not, a faster turning kite is something all kiters want once they learn to 'mow the lawn'
Boards - hunt patiently for a second hand shinn in smaller size but maybe buy a low wind option that you will keep (it will be easier to learn on). You will save a bundle buying second hand but they go quick this time of the year
I would not worry too much - pivot is faster but nothing unmanageable even for a learner. I have both in 12m size and will be trying to sell swichblade.
Pivot is more fun and particularly good for big jumps (something I wanted to learn first as soon I learned to stay upwind). If you plan to jump or not, a faster turning kite is something all kiters want once they learn to 'mow the lawn'
Interesting.
What winds do you use your Pivot 12 in? Thinking the same here.
I am 110 kg riding 135 Shinn Dundee board - 12 m Pivot is optimum for me from 17-20 kn, usable from 15-22 kn. Can hang on to it up to 25 kn - but why would you? Not much fun to be so overpowered
I have sailed windsurfed surfed and 4 years ago started kiting. I am very good at sailing and windsurfing but for me kiting is like sailing with a spinnaker. I only go strapless on a surfboard but your post interested me because last year I started to do some wakeboarding and really freesurfing behind a natique boat which created this insane two foot wave. If you want to kite do it strapless on a surfboard. There is no better feeling although the freesurfing behind a boat blew me away