1.- I’m a newby and I’ve ordered a kite, but while I wait for it to arrive what exercises can I practise with my 3 meter trainer? I have no trouble controlling it but I don’t know what real skills I need to have any URL’s explaining the exercise would be nice.
2.- Which beaches are good for new kitesurfers, I’m in North Sydney.
3.- What size kites do you folks have? I’m 90Kg and I’ve ordered a 12m CO2 Kite and a 140cm board, but I’m starting to think the kite & board might be a little too small.
funkyman if you have been flying your stunt kite the only exercises you need to do is getting down to your local IKO school and get a lesson with an inflatable kite and an instructor. good to see that you are keen tho
funkyman - I did the same as you by getting a trainer kite first. One thing I found helpful was putting a static loop on the bar and using it with a harness. I teaches you to take the weight of the kite through the harness and relax your upper body a bit. Just something I found quite useful...
Unfortunately North Sydney isn't much good for learning the ropes, as most of the beaches have tough beachbreaks (narrabeen) or are difficult launches (fishermans, long reef). I visited Boat Harbour near Kurnell last weekend and it is a great learning spot on a southerly.
If you check with the local shops they will put you onto a qualified instructor who can set you up with lessons at a safe location. I would have hoped that the shop that you have ordered your equipment through were providing you with some free lessons with an IKO instructor, otherwise it could take you a while and be dangerous.
If want give me a ring and I'll hook you up with a decent instructor.
Dunno if I'd be asking other newbies to be helping, I did that when I was learning and he launched my kite in the power zone and I got dragged out of the water and onto the beach. Just lucky I'd backed into the water 20m to launch, still not much fun, ripped off a booty and nearly a couple of toes.
I find kiters are a really helpful crew, well here in Perth anyway, and are always keen to help out newbies and make sure they are learning and kiting safe. Just ask and you should get all the help you need.
I bought a 1.5m trainer and flew it a few times to get the hang of it but i found it to be completely different to the real thing.
I went to KitePower @ San Souci and had a couple of lessons with Richie and within 2 weeks i had my 12m AeroII in the air and felt safe as with it.
I found KitePower to be really good, they were more than happy to pop down for an hour and help me launch my own kite and go through the safety gear etc etc that i had. Made me feel heaps more confident.
