Hi Paulybehaved,

I want to get in to kitesurfing as well and yesterday I had my second lesson.

I am pretty scared as well of flying the big kite (I have a SLingshot REv 2 11 meters), hence the slow start, but the thing is, if we want to learn we have to get rid of this fierce. As long as it's in a safe aria and you have lessons with an instructor.

Good luck and fair winds!

don't worry, you wouldn't be on a 10m kite in 30-35k. More like a 6 or a 7 depending on your weight. Just like anything, it comes down to practice and experience and not necessarily balls (unless you're busting big loops etc.)

And don't buy a cheap ass old kite. Makes learning so much slower and possibly dangerous. Get the lessons, spend the money and enjoy

KIT33R said...

Great to see new guys getting a healthy respect for the kites. The Ozone Imp 2.5 trainer pulls like a truck because it has very little depower. It is designed to teach you how to stear the kite and experience the wind window. Big, 4 line kites have heaps more depower and the harness around your waist takes the load allowing you to stear, power/depower with finger tip control on the bar.

Note to Stuntnaz: Kites have "lines" not "strings".

www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Kitesurfing-Terminology-Lingo_1185759.aspx

may also help.

LOL Everyone No's what i mean!! Do you feel really good about yourself now you pulled me up on that!!! You talk about RESPECT where's yours?

stuntnaz said...

KIT33R said...

Great to see new guys getting a healthy respect for the kites. The Ozone Imp 2.5 trainer pulls like a truck because it has very little depower. It is designed to teach you how to stear the kite and experience the wind window. Big, 4 line kites have heaps more depower and the harness around your waist takes the load allowing you to stear, power/depower with finger tip control on the bar.

Note to Stuntnaz: Kites have "lines" not "strings".

www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/Kitesurfing-Terminology-Lingo_1185759.aspx

may also help.

LOL Everyone No's what i mean!! Do you feel really good about yourself now you pulled me up on that!!! You talk about RESPECT where's yours?

Settle down mate. No disrespect intended. It's just that you'll find it easier conversing with other kiters when you know the lingo.

BurkeyBoy said...
I have flown my 12m in winds up to 30 knts.

Have to pull you up again BurkeyBoy.
Posting that sort of info - esp on a newby forum where everyone is looking for safe & sound advise - is just plain irresponsible.
Beginners should not be out with any size kite in anything above 25kts.
Its dangerous, unpredictable and it does nothing to improve your skills in the early days.
When things go wrong in those winds they go wrong fast and furious - reaction time can be next to nothing.
And as for 30 kts with a 12M? Even if you have done it - which I doubt in all reality (not accusing you of lying just overestimating) - it is a ludicrous concept to suggest even as 'possible' for even the most experienced kiters.
Any skilled, experienced kiter in 30+ kts would probably be on nothing bigger than an 8M. Most would prefer a 5M 6M or 7M in those conditions.
At 30kts @ 70-75kgs on a small TT even my 8M kite is becoming a handful.
Caught out in 28-32kts once on my 10M I was teabagging home with very limited control - even at full depower.
And both my kites are SLE 4 lines & about the easiest there is to fly out there.

Check the post about our most recent death.
And everyone please - work your way up from undersized kites in light winds so that skills match conditions at all times. It doesnt take long. Be determined not impatient.

end of sermon.... Enjoy

woodys said...

BurkeyBoy said...
I have flown my 12m in winds up to 30 knts.

Have to pull you up again BurkeyBoy.
Posting that sort of info - esp on a newby forum where everyone is looking for safe & sound advise - is just plain irresponsible.
Beginners should not be out with any size kite in anything above 25kts.
Its dangerous, unpredictable and it does nothing to improve your skills in the early days.
When things go wrong in those winds they go wrong fast and furious - reaction time can be next to nothing.
And as for 30 kts with a 12M? Even if you have done it - which I doubt in all reality (not accusing you of lying just overestimating) - it is a ludicrous concept to suggest even as 'possible' for even the most experienced kiters.
Any skilled, experienced kiter in 30+ kts would probably be on nothing bigger than an 8M. Most would prefer a 5M 6M or 7M in those conditions.
At 30kts @ 70-75kgs on a small TT even my 8M kite is becoming a handful.
Caught out in 28-32kts once on my 10M I was teabagging home with very limited control - even at full depower.
And both my kites are SLE 4 lines & about the easiest there is to fly out there.

What he said..... I take it you don't know a solid 30 knots burkeyboy. On a 12m I think you are getting excited with your ability and wind judgement. You didn't learn kiting at Sandgate did you because that would explain things better.

This site is a wealth of information. Have been reading everything I can on here for the past few months.

Practicing with the Ozone Imp trainer + reading this site + kitesurfing lessons (this September) + general common sense should steer me towards a successful introduction into kitesurfing.

The trainer can get quite boring after a while. I have practiced: flying the kite from 11 to 1, 10 to 2, 9 to 3 and holding the kite stationary at all points of the clock window. I am also practicing doing these exercise without looking to get the feel of the kite through my hands.

Anyone have any suggestions for techniques which I should be practicing which will transition well to the big kites?

Paulybehaved said...

Anyone have any suggestions for techniques which I should be practicing which will transition well to the big kites?

Yep - now do it all one handed. (seriously - essential training for your lessons)
Try some games.
Put a plastic bottle out in the wind window and try to knock it over without ur kite hitting the ground.
One handed & eyes shut for the whole time. Throw a stick out into the window then head out till you find it. Same upwind & sideways.
If theres 2 of you try a down wind race. Just run as fast as you can without getting under your kite. Or time trial yourself.
Try Poodle Pick-up. Wait for the hot blonde jogger with the fluffy little dog to run past. Aim of the game is to fly ur kite as close to the dog as possible without actually hitting it. Then rush over so concerned and apologetic that she will think u are just so sweet she wont be able to resist your follow up lines.

Or try a landboard - now theres some real fun to be had.

Oh yer and theres kite loops - do them big & small : fast & slow.
and handle passing - try multiples with eyes closed - now theres a challenge.
And combos - kite loop with handle pass - handle pass sumersalt

try running across the wind while sineing the kite up n down
get some rollerblades ?
the poodle swooping sounds like more fun

quote

Anyone have any suggestions for techniques which I should be practicing which will transition well to the big kites?

All sounds like fun but leave bystanders and there dogs alone because if they complain,or you hit the owner through lack of skill ,we wont be able to kite anymore,(If there your dogs go for it, sorry to be a spoil sport )
Have Fun George

Sorry Paulybehaved I only use my trainer kite in strong winds now light wind tends to get boring if your taking your trainer kite out in 30+ knots it might be time to get a kite and book lesson's .

Paulybehaved said...

stuntnaz said...

Sorry Paulybehaved I only use my trainer kite in strong winds now light wind tends to get boring if your taking your trainer kite out in 30+ knots it might be time to get a kite and book lesson's .

Yeh doing that. Have paid for the lesson, just waiting for the winter winds to pass (and temperature to rise in Melbourne) and will be having my first lesson in September.

I have read that kitesurfing is mostly kite control so I wanted to get this side of things practiced as much as possible over the winter.

"kitesurfing is mostly kite control" too true. Eventually, you will rarely crash your kite and it will feel like an extension of your arm. When you can come in from a session and not remember what colour kite you had up because you have barely looked at it, you have mastered the art of kite control. Learn too fly one handed with fingertip control and you can then free yourself to ride the waves, skip over chop or boost higher than you can imagine.

For me it was my gut and didnt even know it was happening till people said you've lost weight. Not that i was fat in the first place

Paulybehaved said...

So what part(s) of the body gets the greatest workout while kitesurfing?

Guys I dont want to hijack a post but I have some concerns about some of the issues discussed I am attending lessons next weekend and I have spent a long time on a trainer kite. But I wind surf and hopefully kite on a remote beach with hardly anyone around on a good day. Is there a safety drill or a set of practice manovoures that I should perfect with kiting before kiting alone. Or should I try to travel to a more populated beach but still no kite surfers. I really respect the power of the kites and its not like my windsurfer were I can just drop a sail and paddle home. My brother may help out but he is a self taught wilder and some of his tips have been dubious at best. I am not crazy.

pueter66 said...

Guys I dont want to hijack a post but I have some concerns about some of the issues discussed I am attending lessons next weekend and I have spent a long time on a trainer kite. But I wind surf and hopefully kite on a remote beach with hardly anyone around on a good day. Is there a safety drill or a set of practice manovoures that I should perfect with kiting before kiting alone. Or should I try to travel to a more populated beach but still no kite surfers. I really respect the power of the kites and its not like my windsurfer were I can just drop a sail and paddle home. My brother may help out but he is a self taught wilder and some of his tips have been dubious at best. I am not crazy.

You should learn everything you need in your lessons. When kiting alone you MUST be confident in: Self launch and land, Self rescue, Deep-water packdown, body dragging and mainly how to fly a kite. Always let someone know where your going.
I would recommend though while you are still learning to kite where there are other people kiting. It may be more daunting having to go between other kiters but when something goes wrong they will be the first person to help you.

I am sure some other members will have more ideas as well