Hey everyone,
I just started kiting, until ow I used the equipment of a friend.
I am a student and can't allow myself to buy "new from the nylons" equipment.
I got an offer:
Three kites:
Wipika Wip 2004 - 16m, Ocean Rodeo Bronco 2004 - 14m, Cabrinha Nitro 12m.
Plus 3 mountains board.
Harness, helmet, and bar included.
All of this at 760 USD (990 Australian dollars).
I am not sure if it worth it, I have no experience with kites, and I don't know if they won't unwind (break apart or something like that) because they are that old (2004).
Is it a bad deal?

Thanks!

weebitbreezy said..
Your based in the land of the free asking for advice to a bunch of people an entire ocean away? Why?

Best idea is to run the deal past your kitesurf instructor and see what he thinks. You have taken lessons haven't you?

Does it matter that you are an entire ocean away? no... My kitesurf instructor is abroad right now, and I would like to hear your thought about it.

firekiter said..
Hey everyone,
I just started kiting, until ow I used the equipment of a friend.
I am a student and can't allow myself to buy "new from the nylons" equipment.
I got an offer:
Three kites:
Wipika Wip 2004 - 16m, Ocean Rodeo Bronco 2004 - 14m, Cabrinha Nitro 12m.
Plus 3 mountains board.
Harness, helmet, and bar included.
All of this at 760 USD (990 Australian dollars).
I am not sure if it worth it, I have no experience with kites, and I don't know if they won't unwind (break apart or something like that) because they are that old (2004).
Is it a bad deal?

Thanks!

hey mate 17 year old kites are way too old better off just having 1 newer kite and board you should be able to get that for 1000 bucks

weebitbreezy said..
Your based in the land of the free asking for advice to a bunch of people an entire ocean away? Why?

Best idea is to run the deal past your kitesurf instructor and see what he thinks. You have taken lessons haven't you?

Weebitbreezy, the guy is based in WA (Western Australia), the same location that this forum is based. Note that his user name has a WA under it.
His question is relevant from a beginner, and I'm glad he asked rather than just purchasing, that gear is better of at the dump rather than being sold to a beginner.
Firekiter, please don't go older than 5 years, even then you run the risk of bladder problems depending on how the gear has been stored. See your local shop or your instructor when he returns before spending any money.

Hi firekiter,

From the point of view of experienced kitesurfers, It's almost hard to believe that your are asking a genuine question i.e not trolling or joking ?

In the last 15 years I've seen it all so it could still be a genuine post...

The kites you are wanting to buy are considered prehistoric in our industry and, as such, are not worth anything anymore.

There has been considerable improvements with safety, user-friendliness and performance of the gear in the last 10 years. 15+ years ago the gear was totally unsafe, hard to relaunch, hard to fly, poor wind range, etc.

5 years ago I had a student who booked 3x 2H Lessons and was progressing well (safe, good kite control and was able to ride short distances on the board in his final lesson). During the lessons he said he was happy that he didn't have to buy any equipment because his girlfriend has some old kites he could use. Those were 2002-2004 Wipikas. I gave him the same advice I am giving you here and thought it would be enough to convince him to never use those kites. He ignored my advice and showed up to the beach a few days later with one of those kites. I saw he was about to launch on the beach for the first time and went to tell him not to bother as these kites were dangerous and handled very differently compared to modern kites. Once again, he ignored my advice. Launched the kite and flew straight to the power zone, got dragged 50 meters down the beach with many summersaults. Couldn't release the safety or the kite. Was lucky not to get injured. He never touched a kite again after that.

I have been in your shoes (Uni student learning to kite on a budget 15 years ago) and got myself in a lot of trouble learning on such equipment.

I also don't see why you would want/need these sizes of kites unless you weight more than 110KG ?

More info about how to choose a kite size here: www.kitebud.com.au/how-to-choose-a-kite-size/

Why would you need 3 mountain boards as well ? Mountain boards are a lot of fun but much more dangerous than kitesurfing in the water. You can also only use them in very large area with a good surface (very hard sand or well trimmed grass) and minimal wind turbulence which can be hard to find if you live in a place like Perth.

Here is some basic advice ( More details here: www.kitebud.com.au/6-things-to-look-at-when-buying-a-used-kite/ )

- Don't buy any second hand equipment without an expert helping you inspect the gear and giving you advice on the correct size, etc.
- Ensure you buy beginner friendly equipment (not all kites are designed for ease of learning)
- Ensure you have a single front line safety system (standard on all kite bars since 2018)
- Ideally you would have an ISO standard quick release (standard on all kite bars since 2020) More info here: www.surfertoday.com/kiteboarding/iso-21853-the-new-standard-for-kite-bar-quick-release-systems

It also sounds like you could use professional instruction. If you don't, you will miss out on very important safety aspects and other skills that you need to become an independent kitesurfer. More info about this here: www.kitebud.com.au/how-good-were-your-lessons/

You will hear people say that '' if you can't afford lessons, you can't afford to kite'' which is true. Much like skydiving or paragliding, kitesurfing is NOT a cheap sport and is also dangerous.

I hope this helps. Keep in mind that is a dangerous sport and that winter kiting in Perth is not for beginners (safe sea breeze winds will return in October)

Christian - KiteBud

Buy one good kite, and one good board. Get used to minimal equipment rather than changing around. Get the newest you can afford and get proper lessons. This will speed up your progression and also give you confidence and safety.

firekiter said..
Hey everyone,
I just started kiting, until ow I used the equipment of a friend.
I am a student and can't allow myself to buy "new from the nylons" equipment.
I got an offer:
Three kites:
Wipika Wip 2004 - 16m, Ocean Rodeo Bronco 2004 - 14m, Cabrinha Nitro 12m.
Plus 3 mountains board.
Harness, helmet, and bar included.
All of this at 760 USD (990 Australian dollars).
I am not sure if it worth it, I have no experience with kites, and I don't know if they won't unwind (break apart or something like that) because they are that old (2004).
Is it a bad deal?

Thanks!

sounds like you will be paying someone to clear out all the junk from their garage... this would only be a good deal if you are a collector of vintage kites...which is probably not very lucrative....and why would you want three mountain boards??
save your cash and buy something more recent, depending on your weight a 10m/11m all rounder single kite quiver with decent bar. twin tip doesnt have to be anything special, harness just has to be safe

Sounds like they will suit you

airsail said..

weebitbreezy said..
Your based in the land of the free asking for advice to a bunch of people an entire ocean away? Why?

Best idea is to run the deal past your kitesurf instructor and see what he thinks. You have taken lessons haven't you?

Weebitbreezy, the guy is based in WA (Western Australia), the same location that this forum is based. Note that his user name has a WA under it.
His question is relevant from a beginner, and I'm glad he asked rather than just purchasing, that gear is better of at the dump rather than being sold to a beginner.
Firekiter, please don't go older than 5 years, even then you run the risk of bladder problems depending on how the gear has been stored. See your local shop or your instructor when he returns before spending any money.

Okay. I was confused by the need to translate from US dollars into Aussie dollars for the price. Have Western Australia declared independence (WAXIT?) when I wasn't listening and changed currency?

You have to admit it looks a little suspicious as a first genuine post. Maybe I'm cynical but I'm not sure I'd be reaching out to a bunch of strangers on the internet about a purchase of a product I don't know about. I'd be asking the person I have been borrowing gear from up until now? Or a guy from the local kite shop? Nothing like a bit of face to face advice from someone who knows they might see you again if they intentionally mislead you. This place is even more anonymous than the facebook groups for the local spots.

However good to see everyone giving genuine advice. I remember the time when people would have been suggesting getting a gopro to film the carnage as well as the kites

I don't kite, and even I can tell that 3 x 2004 model kites and a mountain board is worth so little, that the seller should be locked up for even offering it to you.

I had 2003 Cab CO2 9m & 12m and 2004 Cab Nitro 14m. Gave them all to local kite repairer for free to use as material and spare parts in 2011 or 2012.

ActionSportsWA said..

Disclaimer: This doesn't mean you don't need lessons for kiting on water. Very different scenario.

and on land