Hi, I'm a newb, with a background of a bit of surfing and wakeboarding (intermediate I guess) and looking at buying a kite. I'm about 90kg and will be riding in SA (Nothern Yorke Peninsula) in moderate winds up to about 20 knots (I'm guessing). I've come up with a couple of options, but can't decide.

A 2010 North Evo 12m or a 2010 Cab Switch 12m. I'm a bit concerned that the North would be a bit quick for a beginner and that it can't be fully depowered and so be a bit dangerous? Is that right or have I been misled? Also read about the North valve issue which concerns me but I'm a southerner so I should be OK?

Would the Cab Switch be a bit slower and better for me? Or would the Evo be better with more low end power? I don't know. I like the North brand and I know the Switch is very popular, but don't want to be like everyone else but the North valve issue.......

Could I get some opinions?

I was keen on the Rebel, but my loal store has a demo Evo for sale and the sales guy told me that they are very similar. The Evo might be better for unhooked tricks later on.

I haven't had lessons yet, just getting taught by my brother-in-law who is a competent kiteboarder at the moment. Have enquired about lessons but am waiting for the weather to warm up at the instructors' request.

Perhaps I should wait until then to buy gear, but I am going ok learning to kite with my brother-in-laws SS Rev 11mm - just don't want to use his gear all the time.

Which part of the YP are you from, will you be heading down chasing waves?

2 kites that seem to work well with learners are deltas and SLE kites. Modern kites no matter which brand should have enough depower for you. Seeing as you have had experience with SS kites the rally could be another good option.

Over in whyalla we see most learners on FOne kites and they do well, most never outgrow the kite. The other popular kites for learners are Best kites like the Kahoona which is a great kite at a cheap price. One of my favorite SLE kites last year was the nobile 555 the wind range of that kite was incredible a 10m could definitely be a one kite quiver for someone 70-80kgs. The north rebel is a nice kite, but im not 100% confident that it is for the learners especially self taught, all the issues people have with them seem to be caused by the ridder meaning you will need some experience and advice from people who have them, ive seen a lot inverting when there flown wrong. The evo being a delta kite should be ok looks very high performance when i saw one but being delta shaped it should have heaps of depower. The cab SB is a very popular kite in adelaide a majority of people ride them definitely learner friendly, relaunch isn't as good as a delta but ok.

Don't pass up the idea of getting a good second hand kite, sometimes a first kite can be abused by you and ultimately destroyed, damaged etc. Kites are tough but i have seen a lot of learners park them in trees, carparks, get smashed on rocks or dragged along shells or glass. So why it may seem like a good idea to get something new so it lasts a long time it is not always the case.

It's a great spot to kite over there at YP i will definitely be spending some time there this summer, i hope you get up and ridding soon, get a lesson if you can it will be worth it. Good luck.

Dont be to concerned, the rebel is a good kite we have a half a dozen blokes in Whyalla that fly them, and only a couple have had issues.

The Rebels are well built and you should get at least 3 seasons out of it.

I have looked at kiteing out towards that point north of the moonta jetty, but access to the beach seems limited now, back when i lived there you could drive on to the beach.

I normally kite one bay south of the moonta bay jetty right near the old pipeline, the wind is normaly cross shore and a bit scetchy, so it would definitely be better around where you go. Just north of the jetty is good but the odd rock can be bad.

I spend most of my holidays down at moonta, so hope to see you around.