3 posts
Hey i just started kitesurfing and am looking at buying a second hand kite/board but i dont know much i should be paying or the brands and features i should be looking for, im interested in jumping and getting alot of air if that helps at all. im about 175cm and 80kg. any help would be unreal! thanks
QLD
53 posts
Start with a training kite
get some lessons otherwise you will hurt yourself pretty bad
get all the information u can get on learning media vids etc
youtubes got abit
practice practice practice then wwwwwooooooooooooooooooohhh!
3 posts
Yeh i got 2 lessons with Kiterepublic at st kilda and i must say those guys really know what they r on about they got me up and going on the board in that time so now im just looking for a kite that wont break the budget but i just dont want to buy something cheap that isnt good if you know what i mean, any other people form round the melbourne area feel free to message me as once i get a kite ill be keen to go out whenever i can.
WA
432 posts
see if you can find the archived webpages on the kite manufacturers websites, some have them.
That way you will get a good idea as to what the kite you might end up buying was designed for (ie big air)
2005 onwards is a good idea, 2006 would be the best year to aim for IMO (price and technology wise)
VIC
1395 posts
big air hey.
High Aspect ratio kites are the thing. This means the length of the kite compared to the average depth. a high aspect ratio would be 5-6 or higher.(please somebody correct me if i am wrong)
Two of the older kites you might find for "big air" are Naish Ravens, North Rhino's. These are both good kites to fly and are well built. There is also Best's Nemisis, but i can't comment on what they are like. I have a 04 Best Yarga and it gets me high enough and i'm happy with the costruction.
Liquid Force Spectrum II touted as a boosting kite but avoid the large sizes. (sorry to bash a brand but i wasn't happy with mine specifically a 17m spectrum II) I hear the smaller sizes (12m and less) are excellent.
On the lower end of the budget scale Naish x2 x3 x4 are also "big air kites" and there are heaps around especially X3's. X4 is way better than X3 IMHO but others will testify against that. These kites are 4,5,6 years old and aren't the best option unless you have a really low budget. Don't pay over $250 for one of these.
Don't feel like you have to get a "big air kite" to get above the horizon. A number of air time comps have been won by kites like North Vegas and Naish Torch, which are mid aspect ratio kites designed for powerful moves and depower. They are also easier to learn on because they are more forgiving and luff less often.
What is your budget? Someone may be able to find somthing for you.
All the bargaining's already done for you in the second hand kite market so don't be afraid to state what you'll spend.
Just remember you'll need at least $100 for a harness and $3-400 for second hand board.
best of luck
