People will tell you different things so heres my opinion.

I would spend a lot less if you can. First kite generally gets trashed so less cash flogged on it the better.
Get something low aspect. More stable easier to learn more forgiving.
ensure that you have a good reliable safety system on the kite as during the learning years you use it a lot!

Have a squiz on the buy sell forums, lots of bargins there.

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Originally posted by realplayer

thanks for the reply, i see what ur saying but i really dont wana be going out and getting another kite coz if outgrown it already. ive wakeboarded and surf for along time, and ye i just dont have the $$$$ for buying another kite? sorry if ive got the wrong idea

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yeah you do have the wrong idea. Most people think like you. It doesnt work.

Get a nice medium aspect 12m 04 05 I would spend a max of 600$ for a premium brand 05 and 450 for a premium brand 04. Or a bow if you can afford it. Go for a waroo 12m if you can find one or a good condition sonic (read good, these kites arent that durable). I would stay clear of kites like the halo, crossbow, td for a straight out noob. Way to many things can go wrong.

I would hold off a little while, coz you wont get that greater kiting now and 07s will be in in a little while which will bring prices down a little.

A low aspect kite is def more forgiving, the north rhino mite be okay if you a more than 150% confident with your flying skills Otherwise I would have to rec. a boxer or a kite around that mid area coz they are more stable.... You will learn faster if you start off with a mid aspect kite, rather than thinking you can go out there and ace the sport with a high performance kite.... Any who, welcome to the greatest sport on Earth Fly safe

I learnt on a 10m c02. Was great for learning on flat water where I could walk back upwind and stand up to relaunch.I struggled though when I tried in the ocean where i always kite now. improved much quicker when I got my bow.

dont want to start a huge debate but personally id recommend a bow. ive tried the Crossbow, switchblade and turbo diesel and own a waroo. all seem similiar to me as a beginner.

Was much easier to switch back to the 10m once I got the hang of edging and kite control down. not that i ever needed it again as my 12m covers it.

sorry its already been sold.

Hi Realplayer

I seem to have come from a similar background as you i.e. lots of water sport wakeboarding, 15yrs surfing, swimming etc. After lessons I bought an 04 Cabrinha Nitro 12m which is a high aspect kite and did more than OK getting up and riding and I still use this kite in the sea etc - I only paid $350 for this kite however it was a bit flogged and had to spend another couple hundred after a few crashes - so in retrospect I should have spent around $600 to start with.

I think the CO2's are great for safety and relaunch for a beginner with the recon system. For my second kite I bought a 16.5 m Contra which is great for ligthter winds.

From what I have heard, the SS fuel is a good secondhand C kite to buy as they are very durable and good n the sea.

If you can afford a bow kite, they are fantastic to learn on, the good brands are very durable - I know people who learned on bows without flogging them.

My only other advice on a secondhand kite is number of uses vs years of age. Try and buy a kite that is advertised as "only used 5 times" rather than 2yrs old. I've seen some 04 kites (often CO2's) that go for around $600 used only 3 or 4 times. If you're interested I have a mate selling an 05 14m CO2 for $850 only used 4 times (he switched to a CB when they came out).

Hope this helps

you will be able to find a 10 or 12m for 400-500 then buy a smaller/larger kite later once you have progressed a bit and know what you need.

ye, im talking about slingshots though i heard there different. wat size ss would i need

hey mans thanks for the valuable advice, i think an 11m ss would be good now i just gota find one where i live and for a good price!

I was riding with a guy yesterday who did a double back roll with a kite loop - looked pretty proper to me and he was rising a Waroo 12m.

You can do some really powered up tricks on bow kites.