easy answer- GET LESSONS FIRST

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Originally posted by molly

Do i really need to fork out big bucks for lessons?

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Back in the good (or bad, depending on how you look at it) old days, you could get away with getting some help from your mates and going it alone. It's how I did it, and how virtually everyone else I know did it. You *could* still do it this way, if you had experienced mates to help you out, but it's just not worth it anymore.

The whole complexion of the sport has changed a great deal in recent times, regarding safety and access to places to ride (just look at what happened with the Noosa River Mouth). With the sport rapidly increasing in popularity and the very real threat of bans at many locations around the country, it's simply better for everyone concerned (including yourself) if you get lessons from an IKO accredited instructor. Your chances of success in the short term are greatly increased and the chances of you hurting yourself (or someone else) are greatly reduced.

lots of good advice here, of note:
-GET LESSONS. Learning this stuff by your self....just opening a can of worms. I spent $80 on 1 lesson. Just learning the correct set-up, self launching and recovery were priceless. My instructor can't fly a kite to save himself but the theory was valuable.
-The kites mentioned rebel waroo and switchblade are all good kites for beginners (but by no means limited to beginners. WHY? these kites are hybrid or bow kites. These types of kite have very good De-power, this will help especially when learning in gusty conditions.
-practice. Get a two string kite. doesn't matter if it's a $250 trainer or a $10 delta from cheap as chips. Learn to fly a kite first. practice driving it through the power window, looping it (enough to realise the power in the wind so that you won't be tempted to loop your big kite while your learning) and keeping it at the edge of the window witout looking at it. Work out how they work.

I got on the water for about $1000 14-15 months ago. It's doable, and i had no alternative. I got a brand new kite but it was a 2005 model for about $550. I got a 2nd hand board and a new harness with the rest and i was set.

whooops! sorry, shoulda stopped by now.... blah blah blah

Love the avatar pic greenfinger ( Me stuff I say )direct to the point and funny.

Molly : What most of the guys here have said is very very true lessons are important. But living down on the Gippsland lakes getting lessons may be a little difficult, I dont know of any shops or instructors down there. You may be able to find someone around Sandy point or Inverloch a bit of a drive I know but would be worthwhile.
Try to at least have one or two lessons just to cover the safety side of things. ( the kites are very very powerful and without proper safety you could easily be badly hurt or killed ). If you cannot get some professional lessons, research as much as you can and watch and ask questions of other kiters ( you will find almost everyone in this sport is very approachable and very helpful if you ask you will be suprised at just how much people will help. I was )

I would also recommend ( if you can) to stretch your budget to approx $1300 ( trust me, kiting is worth it ) and would suggest buying a decent harness ($200 - $240 ) as it will last several years and importantly it will be comfortable ie ( Mystic Warrior etc.. ) a reasonable board second hand for approx $400 - $500 at your weight and height i would recommend something around the 140cm to 150cm mark again this will last for a few years or untill you upgrade. It is a bit longer than usual but will really help you when you begin and when you are ready to upgrade to a smaller board you can use it as a light wind board.
Lastly a Kite, again for your height and weight i would suggest a 12 or 14m bow depending on your average wind strength down there. Most probably the 12m would be best. Something like a switchblade great for learning because of the depower but also a formidable weapon once you have advanced etc... If you search the second hand section you will find some around the $600- $800 mark. Dont be to fussed about the condition as long as it works and has the depower capabilities as they vastly help the learning curve.
I say "dont worry to much about the kite condition" because when you are learning it will get a flogging and there is nothing worse than seeing your brand new or reasonable expensive second hand kite being destroyed right before your eyes. Most kites 05 onwards have good depowering safety features which are a must when you are learning.

YOu will find that with your surfing sk8ingg background you will advance quite quickly I was in a similar situation and the board control seemed to come naturally and I just had to worry about the kite control.

Good Luck and remember if you are unsure, just ask.

Hey guys, im new to the kite world also. Like molly i snowbnoard, skate, wakeboard and windsurf a fair bit. Looking to get into kitesurfing. Got a mate who can hook me up with last years model boxter and thorn board. Im looking into getting lessons soon. got a few questions. Would this kite and board be good for me to learn on, coming from a boarding background i dont think riding is going to be the issue, it will be more kite control. Another thing, would anyone recommend someone i could do lessons through? Im in brissy so anywhere from redcliff down to goldie would be good.

Cheers Braden

Found the thread I needed :D

So I'm another one looking at getting into this. Do you think lessons are enough to get going or are trainer kites a must?

Spend <$200 to buy trainer kite, or borrow one to start learning today. Get some lessons and then I recon you will want more than a grand for kit. Save more money as you are a big boy needing a big board and a big kite....you will need robust gear.

Trainer kite is not a must, but its a great toy to keep in car to play in the park, or fly b4 the wind picks up too! I take mine everywhere

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Originally posted by Skax

Found the thread I needed :D

So I'm another one looking at getting into this. Do you think lessons are enough to get going or are trainer kites a must?

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Originally posted by padi


Brendon, we do lessons in Brissy, and have great recommendations for Instructors/Schools up the Sunshine and down the Gold Coast way. Contact us via our website or PM me. We give you your money back from your first lesson if you end up buying gear from us, and once you completed your level 3 Iko card (normally takes 2-3 lessons), we give you free advice/tips whenever you kite where we teach. We use the latest 2008 kites in our school and Headzone communication helmets, provide all gear for the lesson including impact vests, wetties, even snacks and drinks at the end. We have a very high customer satisfaction rate!

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Great advice padi. Can you recommend anyone in Melbourne for lessons?
Thanks