I can't pretend not to be jealous of the convenience of kiting, the ability to store gear and the fact you don't need a P3do van to transport your gear.... windsurfing means you need to consider what house / unit you rent, car or van you buy, and the need for storage....

Want to know how many windsurf to kite converts there are out there?

As a previous windsurfer, do you get the same buzz?

Launch from enough places to mix it up?

Do any inland kiting?

Keep your high wind windsurf kit to get out for a blast still?

After spending an afternoon checking out some kiting at St Kilda I was a little put off, the shear numbers of you guys, and the fact everyone just stayed in a small area..... how long does it take to get confident enough to get right out in the bay and away from the crowds?

Also noticed people who probably aren't water people based on their confidence in the water, who aren't likely to be able to swim more than 400m.... by the look of it, nothing wrong with that, but perhaps explains the closeness of the people kiting to the shore.....

Also saw a dude being carried up the beach with a busted ankle..... how often does that happen? lol

No doubt the proof is in the pudding and I'll have to give it a crack soon enough..........

There are a lot of plus in the convenience level, but launching etc has me doubting usability.... windsurfing I can drop it in anywhere, but kiting seems to have councils regulating beaches and limiting their areas.... perhaps the sport will tapper out......

Discuss - I am interested in windsurfing converts thoughts and experiences.

Thanks for your time.

PS - don't tell me mates.

Hang onto your gear for flat water. Windsurfing fast is a lot more fun that kiting in my opinion.

Kiting in the waves is excellent on a surfboard.

kiting is heaps easier than windsurfing, thats why so many more people do it.

I have just sold all my windsurfing gear to concentrate on kiting. I windsurfed for 30 years, and competed in wavesailing events all over the place.

For me it's the new challenge that has got me keen, similar but different. I still teach windsurfing, but got rid of all other gear. If I kept the gear I may be tempted to opt to be out on that stuff from time to time which would slow my kiting progress, so I removed temptation.

I don't buy into the idea that it is easier. Pure begginer windsurfers will sail across a body of water and back in an hour or two, this same feat may take a few weeks of practice on a kite. However the learning curve does seem to be different, once you get going on the kite progress is certainly faster.

I won't lie, the convenience is awesome. We recently went away camping and with all the other stuff in the car I could still easily take a board and a couple of kites. Windsurfing would have had most of the gear strapped to the roof. I do like to get away from the crowds a little when possible, so learning self launch and land opened up the sport so much more for me. Having the option of going out alomost anywhere along many km's of beach is pretty good too.

I spent one or two sessions on flat water and then went straight into the ocean. I may have slowed my progress a little by doing this, but am positive it will be a better option in the long run for me as that is where I want to be. It means waves, but also clean water and sand, more space and sometimes better wind.

Don't judge kitesurfing by what you see at St kilda! That place is out of control when it's busy.

If you want to sum up windsurfing in one word... What would it be??????

I could think of a few to be honest however I will refrain

Haha looks like you're into a bit of fishing too RPM. Well since you asked my word would be "redundant"

30 years sailboarding and 20 in the surf.

1)Converted to kiting because the sailboard looses its power when it gets in the break while a kite can still power up in the impact zone.

2)Kiting is better in onshore conditions, sailboarding is at its best in side shore conditions but when it swings more on shore it is difficult to point the board into the wind when there is any swell. Much more time in the surf on a kite.

3)I want to travel and the sailboard equipment is bulky and takes up so much room while kite equipment is very compact and I can keep it in the back of the car.

Don't regret the sailboarding experience but kiting is the new frontier.

Kite boarder only reply.
If you can swim and go upwind u can go out as far as u like to beet the crowds, some like the security off the quick beach access/safety, as long as your CONFIDENT ENOUGH.
Book some lessons & let us know how you get on.

ENJOY

RPM said..
If you want to sum up windsurfing in one word... What would it be??????

CANCELLED. ^^^

lol.

Windsurfed for 22years , took up kiteboarding 8 years ago after much taunting from mates who crossed over and never looked back, in 8years have not once been temped to dig the gear out of the shed, would sell it but it ain't worth jack shyt.

For me , both disciplines have ups and downs . The outright speed and control on a full carbon slalom rig is something kiting can't compete with . Those that haven't windsurfed won't understand ...

However , the user friendly freedom that a kite offers is hard to beat . The seemingly out of control outlook that a busy section of kite filled water gives a "non kiter" was an initial put off for me , when , as a dedicated sailor I had thoughts of crossing over to the dark side also !

But once you start kiting and go through the walk of shame , jeez how do they do that stage , the seeming chaos of kite v kite in close proximity is quickly overcome .

But as with any activity involving humans , the small minority of morons can quickly make a good session go bad in kiting , whereas with sailing ,the compact nature of your gear means that although similar amounts of morons sail , their affect on everyone around them is not as bad and I have always found that the morons are quickly told in windsurfing and generally pulls peoples heads in but with kiting being a relatively "new" sport , there seems to be a fresh run of fools at my local spot weekly ...

Both sports are awesome , there will always be haters amongst both sides , but my take is any time spent on the water , regardless of dicipline , is time well spent . Give kiting a go mate , life is too short to sit on the beach waiting for wind AGAIN while kiters have been out for hours ripping it up ! Secondhand kite gear is cheap if it turns out to be not for you , but having the option to kite or sail is pretty good on my book !

Good luck with it if you decide to give it a go , your mates will only be jealous when they are talking $&@? on the beach while you are maximising your time on the water !

I converted 6 years ago - much to my windsurfing mates chagrin - but I have never had more fun in the water - full stop - kiting always puts a smile on my face - I get out sometimes 3-4 times per week (I work full time) - but the wind range for kiting is much more user friendly for conditions here in the SE of Qld - most of the 'supporting arguments' presented are completely valid - in fact I'd love to know how many kiters convert to windsurfing?

^^^If there was anyone, they wouldn't admit it on a public forum, it would be like announcing to the world that you just started rollerblading,,,how embarrassing..lol

One of the reasons I've never got into kiting is people like Johnnymack, RPM, Lotofwind and Waveslave. There's no way I'd want to end up at the same events or places as those aggro, arrogant haters.

I'd still like to give it a go and I understand that most kiters don't worship themselves in the way that LoW, WS and their ilk do, but the existence of the arrogant haters is a real turn off for people who want to get into a friendly sport.

Chris 249 said..
One of the reasons I've never got into kiting is people like Johnnymack, RPM, Lotofwind and Waveslave. There's no way I'd want to end up at the same events or places as those aggro, arrogant haters.

I hear that. However I bit the bullet a few weeks ago. My motivation was simply to get water time - to have the option of being up and going in 15 knots instead of sat on the beach watching.

The thing I've been most surprised about is that the kiters I've met at the beach (mainly during the working week, so not weekend warriors) have been great people and nothing like the characters you mention.... which makes me wonder if those guys even kite.... :D

Chris 249 said...
One of the reasons I've never got into kiting is people like Johnnymack, RPM, Lotofwind and Waveslave. There's no way I'd want to end up at the same events or places as those aggro, arrogant haters.

I'd still like to give it a go and I understand that most kiters don't worship themselves in the way that LoW, WS and their ilk do, but the existence of the arrogant haters is a real turn off for people who want to get into a friendly sport.

You haven't started kiting over a few words in a forum? Really?