Hi everyone. Just a quick note to introduce myself. I've wanted to get into kite boarding since the first time I landed in Australia and saw someone pulling off these huge airs. I have now been here 6 years and finally managed to get myself into gear and get out and give it a go yesterday.

I started with 2 x 3 hours lessons over the last few weeks and just about managed to get up at the end of the second lesson. I bought myself all the gear yesterday and gave it a go! It's bleedin hard eh...

A big thanks to Steve @ Kitepower for the advice and help with setting up and even sticking around to shout helpful instructions at me.

The hardest things I found was 1) staying in control and 2) staying up wind. I managed to get up OK but quickly proceeded to get blown downwind fast, my board fall off and then end up in the water miles down the beach not really sure what just happened and wanting to be back on the beach with a cold drink and my feet up. I presume (hope) these are normal problems for beginners and am definitely pumped to get back on my board and give it another try, even though I a) nearly lost my board b) managed to put and big gash down my ankle and c) most bones and muscles in my body are today in a lot of pain.

Thanks to the guy that picked my board up and put it back on the beach for me.

Any advise anyone can give me to get over these in itial problems will be greatly received.

I do like a challenge....

1 thing is all you need to remember on keeping upwind:

Straighten up that front leg - (dont lock it out or you will hurt your knee).

The straigher it is - the better your upwind reach will be.

give it a try.

Keep at it, it takes time (varies person to person) but just allow a little kiting obsession to sweep over your life and in a few months you'll find yourself wondering what you did before you discovered kites.

Have fun.

G'day darren, I mean Darryl :-)

It was a tough day to start with, the wind was up and down, and you probaly noticed lots of other downed kites, about a dozen at one point, when the wind dropped really low.
Its all about the 3 P's mate, practice, persistence and perseverance!

You just need to get time on the water, lots of hours as close together until you can stay upwind.

Don't hesitate to ask fo help with any of the locals down there either. The advice about the reel leash is good, dozens of boards go missing there every season.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Thanks for all the advice and good wishes. I'll definitley be perserveering. I haven't stopped thinking about it since Saturday! The wind looks good Sunday so I'll get straight back out again.

I've read a few of the posts about using a leash and getting bumped on the head so I think I'll just try and perfect my body dragging instead. I've just had a sticker made up with my name and number to put on my board so fingers crossed if it does go missing there's a chance I may even get a call!

Looking forward to getting good enough to find out what a "Kook" is....

Mate,you are much better off waving your kite around ON THE WATER !
Why do the land thing ??

Get back on the board,take it easy,and just concentrate on keeping the kite UP.

I would reccomend using a Reel leash. Unless you are overpowered.
If you are worried,use a helmet.