Well, I'm new to the sport, just bought a trainer kite, and I'm hopelessly hooked.

I've already done all the trainer exercises, and before I take my first lesson, I want to try to more closely emulate real kitesurfing (without buying more gear).

Here's my plan... I've got inline skates and carving skateboards (which I'm fairly good at). I want to find a large open paved area to use my trainer kite to pull me around on my wheels (starting with inline skates for their ease, then changing to skateboard for better simulation).

Does anybody know about any large, open paved areas (without many "islands" or light posts, or other stuff that I could run into or wrap a kite around), that aren't full of cars or other stuff during certain times of the week? Like, weekends, or Sundays or at night?

Something around the northern beaches of Sydney would be ideal...

laurie said...

This may be of interest:

www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Content/Articles/Kitesurfing/How-do-start-kitesurfing_903069.aspx

Water is lots easier on the skin & bones.

I fully agree that water would be better, but I can confidently say I'm an "expert" at inline skating. I even used to teach aggressive/freestyle inline skating at Whistler, BC, where I taught halfpipe, handrails and how to fly down flights of stairs (along with very strong skiing and ice hockey skills). So at the very least, inline skates would not be much of a risk. And since it would be a trainer kite without a harness, I could just let go of the kite if I got into trouble, no?

Granted, the skateboard would be riskier though... so I'm still eager for anyone's suggestions of a large paved area...

I can share your enthusiasm...like you I'm not 'there yet', but I have had a couple of lessons. What you will miss out with the inlines and trainer kite is using your weight through the harness. Unless you try throwing your weight into it...and crashing(!), all you will really achieve is kite control and awareness, 'on the move'. You could probably get the same thing without the inlines, or try draging yourself in the water... just depends on how big is your trainer kite and how strong is the wind. And don't forget legal indemnity coverage against liability to others...lessons also help that in the short term.
Also, thought about land-kiting with a 'trike' (still no water)?

Back to the inlines, how about a race track? Not many trees usually...If you can find one that is on a hill top without gusts? Isn't there an old driver training place near St Ives, for example? But, I still recon you need to get wet under supervison...

That's a really good way to hurt yourself. Because there is so much less resistance you get up so much more speed with wheels than on water and no way to bleed it off, even with a tiny kite. Gaurantee your idea will end in tears.