A windsurfer, I have often thought about having a kite for those days when there just isn't enough wind to have a sail. Yeah, I know, I've heard all the usual remarks! Hence looking at kiting for the 12-15knots days.

I push the scales at around the 110kg mark and assume I would need a largish kite.

Can you please recommend the following:
- which brand of kite to look for (will probably go second hand) ie. nice and easy to fly/quality?
- what size of kite for the above wind conditions?
- do I go for the twin-tip approach or look what seems to be the general direction and get the surf-board style?
- are lessons worth it?
- will my standard windsurfing waist harness suffice?

Plenty of people do both sports, so why not!

Cheers for the help!

i was 115 kilos when i started.
found i couldn't get going on a pump up kite so i got a peter lynn 16 metre venom.
Best thing i ever did (now 95 kilos)
They have their plus and minus attributes.
Water relaunch can be hard to master at first but the auto zenith seems to reduce the chance of dropping in water.
I can't even remember the last time i dropped it in the drink.
If i wipeout, i let go of the bar and the kite floats straight up above me and parks in nuetral.

you are in WA correct?

goto a crossover style shop that cover Pole dancing and Kiting like WSP or better IMO SOS Freo...

They will answer all your Qu. and give you all the right advice.

John and his Staff at SOS are great at helping pole dancers switch to kiting whilst also helping you remain loyal to your dancing ways...

email them, call them, go visit them, get all your questions answered...

above all get lessons before you buy gear...

kitehard has a school in the nth suburbs, i think
SOS also do lessons at woodies, i think
Ian Young does lessons at Pelican pt, i think
a lot of "i thinks" i know but i am not for sure on any of them i just know they are all good teachers....

a lot of different schools doing lessons on different gear get a lesson with each until you find the gear that best suits you..


oh yeah i forgot CHOICE he used to be a pole dancer, he would be able to give good advice too. [email protected] and he offers unlimited free lessons with all new gear purchased...

have fun kiting

Thanks guys for all the information. I appreciate your advice. As I live on Christmas Island, I wont be back in Perth until the end of November. I will be staying down in Safety Bay area so I will see what is on offer as far as lessons go down that way. From memory I have seen Jason's van from Full Tilt kites down that way. Is he still doing lessons?

Cheers Rick! You beat me to it. I just googled Full Tilt and found the details.