Need a little help guys.

My dads starting out in kitesurfing this summer, as I have only done one season so far I thought I would get the experts to comment on this.

He's 54, 76kg, 183cm, active, has windsurfed a little.

Basically I need you to list the prefect beginners kit for him-everything from harness to kite to accesories. Hes pretty safety concious, so impact vest, helmet etc would be included.

Theres no budget-I just want the top gear for him. Also where do you think the best place for him to have lessons at is? (He lives just in front of Pinnaroo Point so Im assuming somewhere close to there.)

Welcome retailers comments as well.

Thanks.

Yeah as Juicerider said come see us at AKS, 256 Westcoast highway, scarborough we can talk through your fathers requirements, and what he does and doesn't really need.
We also operate the kite school at Pinnaroo Point, give Darren a call at the shop on (08) 9245 3884.

Nice one Perth232 lucky dad !

Got this in my E-mails today, I recon you get your dad on to this for starters unbeatable value



buyblindsonline.com.au

diginoz said...

Dont listen to the above, just get sum lessons witht the school that teaches at pinnas as it's on your doorstep.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

LOL ....its on your doorstep, well, thats probably too true, went past there on the WE, you better bring a bucket of sand if you want to kite there this season

Get Lots of advice, and you don't have to buy any gear till after you have had some lessons.

Make sure you get all the skills to save yourself, and get good safety awareness.
Always remember, the kite is only worth X$$'s and a repair is only $150.00 or more, so don't be afraid to ditch it if things are going wrong, you health and well being will cost a lot more if you get pasted over a rock or something.

Also make sure you are very familiar with self launching.

Be careful about all the info on the Forums, sometimes its the same person under different usernames. Or it might just be some guy winding you up...

Buy a good harness.

2nd hand gear is good for the first 12 months anyway, you don't have to buy new gear.

Anything after 2009 has good safety systems on it.
You probably won't be able to tell the difference between a lot of kites until you get a bit of experience.
Stick with popular brands as the number of kites on the water will give you an indication of what other think or find easy to use, and also good name brands are easier to sell latter on.

Also if you and your dad stick to the same style of kites, you will be able to share your quiver, and possibly use interchangeable bars. I asume that you would be on a smaller kite than he, so you could have 7, 9, & 11 meter kites and share them.

Talk to a lot of different people at the set up areas. Usually people are happy to tell you what they like about their kite, and why they bought it or prefer it.

A good all round kite is better than one that has specific qualities. Cabrina Switchblade, Slingshot Rally, Nash Park, are some that spring to mind but theres more out there

The qualities you need to look for as a learner is a simple safety system, relaunch, easy handling, and not any really fast kites and good wind range.

Know the difference between a 4 line and a 5 line kite, and which will suit you better. North 5 line kites are very safe, or have absolute depower.

There are a lot of second hand boards out there.
Foot pads and straps can be a personal item, so try lots of them. The width of you board is important as well so consider that when you by it.

Your dad may want to check his fitness and core strength, (perfectlyfitonline.com) otherwise he might do himself some damage. Either way it won't hurt if you are fitter.
Tell him not to be intimidated by all the young guys and all their tricks, just to get out there and enjoy carving, he won't hurt himself much, and at his age he has earn't the right to decide whats cool for him and what's not.

There are a lot of people out there that are older than he, and are doing it well.

The following is one site with a lot of reviews, but you can always google any gear.
http://www.sbckiteboard.com/2009_kite_reviews?news_id=753&uniqid=

PM Sent to Perth232!

Thanks everyone for your support and kind words. I'm most humbled

DM

PelicanPete said...

Get Lots of advice, and you don't have to buy any gear till after you have had some lessons.

Make sure you get all the skills to save yourself, and get good safety awareness.
Always remember, the kite is only worth X$$'s and a repair is only $150.00 or more, so don't be afraid to ditch it if things are going wrong, you health and well being will cost a lot more if you get pasted over a rock or something.

Also make sure you are very familiar with self launching.

Be careful about all the info on the Forums, sometimes its the same person under different usernames. Or it might just be some guy winding you up...

Buy a good harness.

2nd hand gear is good for the first 12 months anyway, you don't have to buy new gear.

Anything after 2009 has good safety systems on it.
You probably won't be able to tell the difference between a lot of kites until you get a bit of experience.
Stick with popular brands as the number of kites on the water will give you an indication of what other think or find easy to use, and also good name brands are easier to sell latter on.

Also if you and your dad stick to the same style of kites, you will be able to share your quiver, and possibly use interchangeable bars. I asume that you would be on a smaller kite than he, so you could have 7, 9, & 11 meter kites and share them.

Talk to a lot of different people at the set up areas. Usually people are happy to tell you what they like about their kite, and why they bought it or prefer it.

A good all round kite is better than one that has specific qualities. Cabrina Switchblade, Slingshot Rally, Nash Park, are some that spring to mind but theres more out there

The qualities you need to look for as a learner is a simple safety system, relaunch, easy handling, and not any really fast kites and good wind range.

Know the difference between a 4 line and a 5 line kite, and which will suit you better. North 5 line kites are very safe, or have absolute depower.

There are a lot of second hand boards out there.
Foot pads and straps can be a personal item, so try lots of them. The width of you board is important as well so consider that when you by it.

Your dad may want to check his fitness and core strength, (perfectlyfitonline.com) otherwise he might do himself some damage. Either way it won't hurt if you are fitter.
Tell him not to be intimidated by all the young guys and all their tricks, just to get out there and enjoy carving, he won't hurt himself much, and at his age he has earn't the right to decide whats cool for him and what's not.

There are a lot of people out there that are older than he, and are doing it well.

The following is one site with a lot of reviews, but you can always google any gear.
http://www.sbckiteboard.com/2009_kite_reviews?news_id=753&uniqid=

Good info, but woh dude, his dad isn't training to be an astronaut!! Keep it simple man...Info, lessons, gear and go.

diginoz said...

Dont listen to the above, just get sum lessons witht the school that teaches at pinnas as it's on your doorstep.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

A trainer kite wont do any harm, get the early kite skills in while its quiet.

The school will give you the advice your after, weather you have lessons or not but you need to put some lessons on the top of your wish list.( you might have picked up some bad habbits you DONT want to pass onto your dad if your teaching more than the basics)

PS pinnas is also my local

PPS JASON U UP 4 SAT LOOKS BLOIE.

eppo said...

Good info, but woh dude, his dad isn't training to be an astronaut!! Keep it simple man...Info, lessons, gear and go.

Excuse my longwinded defense,
But.
I am not suggesting that he goes and trains for an Iron Man or any thing, but from personal experience and I do know a few people that have injured themselves due to poor core strength, (hip and lower back pain).
A mature age gentleman that maybe sits on his arse all day in an office while not being overweight may not be that fit. Unlike a 20 to 37 yo builder or brickies labourer or similar active individual.

Preparing your body with simple exercises that take about 20 minutes or more to ensure you have good strength means that you can go out and enjoy your kite sessions without causing painful soft tissue damage that can take time to heal or remedy, and mean time out of the water which can piss you off big time if all you want to do is kite at every opportunity or if you have just paid for lessons.

When you get over 50, you need to maintain.
You don't have youth on your side and the body doesn't repair as fast as it did when you were young and bullet proof, that's if it repairs at all.

Forewarned is fore armed, and it's only advice, he might be superman already.

As everybody is singing his praise, maybe ol' mate at AKS should consider adding it to his opening monologue to all the ageing thrill seekers that come looking for lessons.

oh, and u might possibly be out the back one day when u crash and lose all the air outta your kite.
-this is when darren really shines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks again mate.