Lessons for Newbie to get started - St Kilda, Melb

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nila
nila
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
9 May 2013 12:50am
Hi all,
Just moved to Melbourne and looking to learn to Kite Surf.
I'm thinking just to buy some 2nd hand gear to use as it should be fine at my level (zero).

I've looked online and found lessons to 'get you started' but they aren't that cheap and I figure there must be a ton of good kite surfers (including probably the guys who do it at the shops themselves) who would do it directly, for cash, for less.

Anyone know of anyone or anywhere I could get lessons enough to get me going?
Just looking to get going and learn all the basics with some help so that I can then just get going myself :)

Thanks

Nila
picker
picker
VIC
431 posts
VIC, 431 posts
9 May 2013 3:33am
one option.

Go to a school.

Can't guarantee safety or results with someone that can't kite, isn't safe, is new to the sport, is a cowboy or has little experince when ** go's wrong.

Tough time of year to be learning as wind is from north so only real safe location is way down the bay. St kilda is gusty or wrong direction this time of year - thats why most have now stopped for the season.. Those that kite would rather be on the water than dragging around IN the cold water trying to show someone..?

Its no way a cheap sport and you can't get away being a tight arse, you'll just end up with olf junk that isnt safe.

Start watching some youtube vids.. Its not a simple sport to learn you have a good year ahead of you.

No. 1 when eventually up and going - learn to give way. If your on the water you kite on the right - hand side so opposite to walking, riding and driving in aust. X
djdojo
djdojo
VIC
1614 posts
VIC, 1614 posts
9 May 2013 11:40am
Hmmm, a troll perhaps?

If not, my 2c -

1. Google/youtube "kitemares" to get a sense of what can go wrong if you have inadequate skills and/or don't understand/activate safety procedure for your gear when SHTF.

2. Get a trainer kite such as the Ozone Imp and learn to fly it on an empty beach or in a big empty park. Trainers are small enough they won't kill you or drag you into solid objects if you stuff up, and the kite skills you get from this will be transferable to full size inflatable kites.

3. Read enough threads here to realise that you'll save money by getting lessons with a decent school - you use/trash their gear.

4. Contact SHQ to book some lessons at Rosebud - where Northerlies are your friend.

Seriously, we (Vic kiting community) are sick of sketchy incidents that jeopardise beach access. So please, safety first - if you can't afford decent lessons you can't afford to kite.
nila
nila
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
9 May 2013 12:49pm
Hey :)
Thanks for the feedback.
I can afford, I was just thinking that most the guys that teach in those schools could probably also just teach me privately for half the price as they'd actually get all the money themselves rather than just their salary.

I'll take your advice though and do it fully with a school. I didn't realise it was going to be so hard/dangerous. It looks like it'll be good fun and if its as mad as you're suggesting, it should be a blast :)

How much for some second hand used gear if I was buying it online/ebay etc? Any ideas?
nila
nila
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
9 May 2013 1:18pm
Hi again :)
Just had a look at those kites you mentioned.

The Ozone Imp sounds like just a big 'normal' kite?
From their website they list the Ignition and Uno as the training kites?

Am obviously totally new to this so not sure the difference or what you recommend?

Also, size wise I presume a bigger one would give me better practise as would get more wind so require more control.

What'd you think?
zarb
zarb
NSW
703 posts
NSW, 703 posts
9 May 2013 1:40pm
Ozone Imp is the same as the Ignition. The Ignition just comes with 3 lines, whereas the Imp has to have the 3rd line bought separately (?).

Don't spend a lot of money on a trainer kite, use the money for another lesson on a proper kite with a qualified school.

seb2
seb2
VIC
231 posts
VIC, 231 posts
9 May 2013 1:48pm
ANY kite with two lines will teach you the basics, you can go to KMart!

If you want to try a bar- Tie the lines to a stick of wood! Seriously.

Pansch kites are cheap and fun Buy a 2 or 3 m kite if you go this path. 1m is too small.
djdojo
djdojo
VIC
1614 posts
VIC, 1614 posts
10 May 2013 11:19am
OK, not a troll, my apologies.

It's only hard/dangerous if you skip steps, get over-confident, or don't learn safety procedures first (a skipped step).

This vid is a great intro to the early steps and flying a trainer. 1.5 or 2.5m is plenty sizewise. It's not so much about replicating the full power of an inflatable kite, but more working out the wind window, steering etc. A cheap "stunt" kite is lousy for this because they turn too fast and require too much skill/tuning to really sit at the edge of the window and other stuff that a proper trainer will let you do similarly to a full size kite. I'm pretty sure SHQ have Imps in stock.

pgc
pgc
VIC
886 posts
pgc pgc
VIC, 886 posts
10 May 2013 7:41pm
best teaches
any south direction

kite republic st kilda
The zoo st kilda

Any east or nth wind

peninsula kite boarding rosebud (trents a great bloke)
Go kite rosebud
nila
nila
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
18 May 2013 1:51pm
Awesome video.
Just watched it. Think I'll get a trainer kite as they sound like a good way to learn but I also just enjoy kite flying so will be best of both worlds :)
seb2
seb2
VIC
231 posts
VIC, 231 posts
20 May 2013 5:40pm
Trust me, dont pay premium for a trainer!!

Get two kites , ONE FOR FREE for the snow!!

Get a 2.5m- 3m for learning and a 6m for the snow.

Check out an email i got today below:

Dear PANSH Users,

PANSH would like to offer a great value promotion-- Buy 1 Get 1 Free. Buy any Pansh products, you can choose a free gift among all the Pansh products.

During the Buy 1 Get 1 Free Promotion, the Membership Credit Discount offers still. This is a great deal ever. For the detailed information please visit Pansh Official website: panshkite.com.

Thank you for your support of PANSH.

PANSH Sales
tbranse
tbranse
WA
49 posts
WA, 49 posts
20 May 2013 5:51pm
Kite Republic are teaching through winter in St Kilda.

Give them a call and they sort you out for lessons if you want to start straight away, otherwise wait till September/October when its getting warmer and the wind gets more consistent again.

Not sure if I would buy a trainer kite as you can use the school trainer as much as you want after your first lesson. Rather spend the money on some decent gear once you finish your lessons.

Please don't learn with a person that is not a trained kiteboarding instructor! Go with a school and you'll be happier and safer.

You would not go bungy jumping with a random guy that has a rope, kiteboarding (although very safe when done right) is an extreme sport.

Btw, wind looks awesome for this weekend according to the forecast so far. Perfect time to get down to the beach
nigelw2
nigelw2
VIC
237 posts
VIC, 237 posts
20 May 2013 9:50pm


Btw, wind looks awesome for this weekend according to the forecast so far. Perfect time to get down to the beach


Not sure that 25knt westerlies would be awesome for your first crack at kiting!
zarb
zarb
NSW
703 posts
NSW, 703 posts
20 May 2013 10:26pm
Why did you have to go ahead and jinx it nigel? Jeeze...

Little too early in the week to be pinning hopes on the weekend
tbranse
tbranse
WA
49 posts
WA, 49 posts
20 May 2013 9:31pm
nigelw2 said..



Btw, wind looks awesome for this weekend according to the forecast so far. Perfect time to get down to the beach



10m lines and instructor leash mate...
nigelw2
nigelw2
VIC
237 posts
VIC, 237 posts
21 May 2013 3:07pm
Don't worry Zarb, it'll be good, it has to be because I've got other stuff to do.
It's Murphies Law, enjoy!!
Just not awesome for lessons though
Kazan
Kazan
QLD
699 posts
QLD, 699 posts
21 May 2013 4:03pm
Hi Nila.
Kiting is a great sport, but it requires big $$$ and that includes lessons - real professional lessons - at least 5 of them actually, so you're looking at over $1000 in lessons alone.
If a trainer is offering you private lessons be very careful. Are they properly IKA approved and insured? Most likely not.
And for your information a lot of kite trainers actually pay the shop, not the other way around. Especially if the student was sourced from the shop. If the student came to the trainer directly, the student usually pays the trainer - not the shop.
Trainers (the proper ones) make agreements with the shop to have a slice of their payment when training. So you won't be saving much trust me. Maybe $100 if that.
Having said that, I cannot recommend Lars from KSS enough. They are not as expensive as the East kiters and you will get standing in 2 to 3 lessons, depending on your level already. Oh and if a trainer says he'll get you up in ONE lesson, again avoid!
zarb
zarb
NSW
703 posts
NSW, 703 posts
21 May 2013 4:07pm
Does KSS teach in groups or 1:1?

Some people have different preferences, but I really benefitted from 1:1.
Kazan
Kazan
QLD
699 posts
QLD, 699 posts
21 May 2013 4:09pm
1:1
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