You should be able to get a handle from any kite shop in the area.

My main comment though is on the 12m Nitro - I'm presuming that your lessons were on some sort of bow or hybrid kite - your Nitro is either going to be a 5 line or if it's a 2004 model have the recon system. Make sure that someone shows you how to relaunch, self launch and land this kite before you go out. Also, the nitro is a high aspect ratio C-kite which has a lot less depower than a modern kite. Make sure you have a kite leash and know how to use the quick release.

There is nothing wrong with having this as your first kite - I learned on this kite soon after they came out before the invention of bow and 100% depower kites as did many other people. The only reason I'm mentioning this is that it may be very different to the kite you did lessons on.

Good luck

Are there any shops in the CBD? I'm new to this whole Mexico place...

yeah, your assumptions are right on the money. Its a C rather than the bow i learnt on. Its a 2005 with the Recon system (4 line with "tap out" depower, colapsing rear edge) I'm going to take the gear along to my next lesson (last for a while hopefully) and get em to run thru the differences in handling the kites.

On a seperate note, i'm a bit surprised that self launch/landing has not been covered AT ALL in the 3 lessons i've had so far. I would have thought getting the kite in the air and back down, safely was more important than getting on the board, but not even a mention of it...

ditto on that.
I have a few various handles - if saffer can't help I'll post you one for nicks - just need the insert spacing and screw type (usually 1/4BSW or Metric M6) and your address

yey u dont need one

Piece of electrical conduit
tennis racquet grip tape

Heat conduit with heat gun, bend into desired shape, drill some holes, wrap the grip tape around handle - sorted!

OK, I think the McGuyver idea's the winner, tho i don't remeber him ever carrying the conduit, only rope, matches and a knife? stuff payin that much for a piece of plastic.

On the lessons, yeah, i can set it up, fly it and crash it. As for getting it in the air, only ever held the kite once it's up, or I have relaunched off water. I've seen them do launch on the beach, but thats about it. Your probably right, i've never actually asked them to show me. Guess what the first thing I ask will be on Saturday?

I'll have to see about the Recon bit. Some things are best left untouched till I know more what i'm doing. I prefer the idea of the flagging style leash. I doubt it'll see "strong winds" for a while, least till i'm thinking of upgrading to a newer kite.

vertigo said...



On a seperate note, i'm a bit surprised that self launch/landing has not been covered AT ALL in the 3 lessons i've had so far. I would have thought getting the kite in the air and back down, safely was more important than getting on the board, but not even a mention of it...

Maybe the instructor is waiting to see what kite you were gonna buy first. No good teaching you a bow kite self launch or land if you end up on a c kite. Best to learn that stuff on the style of kite you're gonna fly.

Some people who learn to SL on SLE kites get seriously f*#@ed up when they try it with a c kite.