VIC
663 posts
Hi there,
The only one to take decisionis is you and only you!!
Go first for your lessons and training than You'l have to try and see whats good for you.
And that will be very dependent on the equipment your kitesurfing school is using, the advice you'l get from your instructor.
Before you commit the money, try as many kites as possible!!!
Foils, "C" or "bow" kites all are good, it is a matter of what you will like.
Sorry, I know thats sound more confusing, but few kites dontrack you will agree with me.
Good luck, and be safe.
WA
1450 posts
highest reccomendations, best night sleep ive had for a long time. DOuble skin insulation makes for a very cosy night in all conditions
NSW
3452 posts
They are oh so comfy .in fact a pigeon landed on it the other day whilst in flight for a little rest.(serious)
Seriously thos this might help (taken from another forum)
"After fairly extensive testing of a 2006 Globe "Sonic" (which is
supposedly one of the best of the "new breed") against a 2005 Venom-
1, I'm sticking with Peter Lynn, & have ordered a V-2 to replace my V-
1. Here's why:
TwinSkin still has these advantages:
1) Jump float*
2) Jump landing softness*
3) Much smoother power in gusty winds.
4) Better light wind pointing (which is when it matters most)
5) Much easier & safer self-landing
6) Much easier & safer self-launch from the beach
7) Auto-Pilot/Auto Zenith (Sonic has auto-CRASH, like all LEIs)
8) Lighter & MUCH smaller to transport ready-to-ride (with struts
inflated) especially including the pump**
9) Overall personal & public safety*
10) Better longevity
11) Easier to modify (to newer model's performance)
11) No pumping, pumping, pumping, pumping, or pumping, etc. etc. ...
Shared Qualities:
1) Wind range* (V-2 may be better, but Sonic 11 low & high end seem
very similar to V1-13)**
2) Jump Height
*All contrary to the hype.
**With a 2005 Venom I can actually get MORE wind range from a "bag-
full" of gear, since I can fit both my boards. With the Sonic struts
inflated (& I sure wouldn't want to have to pump them all up every
time) only one board will fit, even in my giant bag.
Hybrid Advantages:
1) Faster turning*** (V2 should be similar) except when underpowered
(which is when it matters most!)
2) Even better depower when flying low through the window***
3) Even better upwind, but only in the upper 3/4 of the wind range
(when it doesn't matter much)
4) Even easier water (or land) relaunch, although it's VERY much more
likely to be required (MUCH more likely to crash than a Venom)
***Both nice for quick board turns, & could be nice for certain
styles of wave riding (which I don't do). Strangely, the extra
depower feeling doesn't seem to apply to top end wind handling.
Mel
P.S. If you have any questions for me, better reply directly
(kiteboarder at pacbell.net) since I don't seem to get to this group
much any more.
I strated using PLK 5 years ago .I also ride LEI and make sure that I ride different types when i get the opprtunity
I concur with this review.
Hope it helps
The best thing to do is try one and see if it suits you(which is the most important thing)Where are you
WA
202 posts
I started kitesurfing this season. I had lessons on LEI,s. . I initially bought a second hand Airush 10m flow. Pretty good kite except i had a lot of bladder problems. I then bought a new Venom 13m. I just love it. The auto zenith is great when you are learning. I spent a lot of time relaunching my LEI,s , but with my Venom i spend more time actually learning board technique because my kite is in the air! Less of a hassle to set up. For me it is ideal.
jeremy
NSW
298 posts
I'd have to say that the initial learning curve for kiting is so fast that you probably shouldnt be considering a buying a new kite based on what kite will make it it easier to learn. If that is the only criteria then buy a second hand kite and learn and then buy the new kite you want.
Saying that the PLs offer considerable practicle advantages in the learning stage.
1) The self launch and self land abilities let you take them to an out of the way beach and practice away from crowds.
2) auto zeneth and stability are great, and minimise the crashes you have.
3) its hard to damage a twin skin kite.
Yes I self taught myself on a PL so I am biased.
NSW
15 posts
Hey Stevo,
I started out 6 months ago with a Venom 1 as I found it to be stable and very easy to learn on. I had contemplated going to a bow style kite, but after having a couple of goes on one, I realised that I much prefered the venom - so much so that I just bought 2 new venom2's to cover me for nearly all wind ranges here.
Craig.
NSW
3452 posts
For anyone who might have gotten the idea that the snip that I posted was fact (i'm not sure how)it was a review taken from another website.
when the post is read properly the reader will also notice that I wrote this
"The best thing to do is try one and see if it suits you(which is the most important thing)Where are you "
Perhaps i should have concluded by stating the bleeding obvious " It might suit you and then again it might not,"
The reason i asked where are you is that I can probably point the person inteterested in the right direction
WA
95 posts
thanks guys been really helpful... im heaps keen on them and i was talking to neil at hold the line kites and said i can have a crack on his sum time but yeh they sound pretty good so i mite steer that way after i have a go.. im in perth.. but i work on the mines so a kite that is easy to use so i can get more time out of it on my week of would be the go.. any more tips or info would be great..
i was thinking about a venom 2 13 with a 142 board because im 80kgs sound alright for perth conditions?? as in wind range etc
