Hey guys.. haven't really seen a thread like this on here before..

For a beginner - where do you recommend buying gear from?

The way I see it there's 4 options of buying gear:
1) Buy it new
2) Buy last years stock new (potentially cheaper)
3) Buy 2nd from Retail
4) Buy 2nd Hand private sale - here, ebay, etc.

Those are probably listed in a descending price order.

What would you recommend. The main disadvantage of the bottom one is that with all the others - you can buy everything in one go. kite, board, harness, bar, lines, etc.. Assuming you buy from a decent kind of shop - they should all work togethor well.. That's my fear about option 4.

If you had to start from scratch - knowing really nothing about the gear - what would you do?



Also - on that note... I'll see if I've got these guidelines right:
105kg male:
* 14m Kite
* 145-155cm board
* Gear from 2003/2004/2005

65kg female:
* 8-9m Kite
* 125-135cm board
* Gear from 2003/2004/2005



Thanks all.

Puppet's right. But I wouldn't be worried out all the gear working together. Just buy the kite and lines together to save a lot of hassle. Board and harness you can buy separate.

On size, where are you from. If Perth, I'd say 14m is on the big side for good sea breezes. You should be able to pick up top quality 04 gear at really good prices. But I ended up buying my first stuff new and I don't think it really mattered. In hindsight i might of saved a few $ but I'm happy so who cares!

Like puppet said, get some lessons and then head down to the local beach where the guys and girls are out and start asking lots questions and actually having a look at whats in the air for a given day and conditions. The guys dont mind helping noobs out so get down there and see for yourself.

The kite sizes you have are not to far off the mark but for what conditons and where do you intend to kite???

Anyway just have fun and enjoy the sport!!!

All above sounds good esp talking to guys on the beach.
U sound very keen so another word of advise :
Dont be too impatient whilst learning
It took me more than a week b4 I was upwind and then even longer than that again to get turns sussed; jumps dialled & rolls landed cleanly so that I could really enjoy myself out there.