Hi Guys,

Beginner and new member here...

Just completed 5 hours of lessons and wondering what my next steps should be. By the end of my last lesson I was just about getting up but not really going anywhere before falling back down. I felt like I was incredibly close to getting it but just need lots more practice and time on the water. Need to work on heading downwind to build up speed before heading straight upwind (which I was doing). I've had a lot of prior sailing/ windsurfing experience and I feel pretty comfortable with the kite control, just need lots of practice with the board.

What would you recommend I do from here? The company I learnt with are suggesting I buy some kit (from them obviously) then get another lesson, using my new kit, before branching out on my own. I feel like at least one more lesson would be beneficial but am hesitant at forking out another $80/ hour. Should I just bite the bullet and get some kit now? I am also on quite a tight budget so would prefer to buy second hand gear. Is this sensible or should I really be looking to get new gear?

Any advice would be must appreciated! Thanks

It's a great achievement to be going a few meters on a board in just 5 hours of lessons. Before buying gear and venturing out on your own in deep waters you should ask yourself if you are an independent kiter, meaning you can self-recover your kite in case of an emergency and also self-rescue in deep waters, body drag upwind with ease to recover your board and relaunch the kite in deep waters in various scenarios.

Unfortunately too many students learning in shallow waters are fast-tracked to the board under close proximity from their instructor and constant hands-on assistance . This creates a false sense of confidence and the majority of these students going for the cheap lessons will need to be helped/rescued by others when going out on their own, will loose their board ($$$), end up swimming back to the shore for ages while still attached to the kite, etc. I personally witness or assist in helping others in situations like those numerous times on a weekly basis, and most of them seem to have one thing in common: they chose cheaper lessons, learned in shallow waters or were taught by friends.

Learning to ride is a skill you can develop on your own time and by observing other kiters and asking tips from fellow kiters you will meet along the way. There are also great progression DVD's that can help with board skills.

Thanks for the comments, really helpful. Totally agree about being independent...I am pretty confident with my upwind body dragging, but haven't been taught about self rescuing (although have watched videos on youtube) so another lesson seems like the way to go.

Buying second hand kit, can you recommend any good places to look? I am based in Melbourne, assuming there is some good places down at St Kilda? What rough sort of price could I be expecting to pay for a board/kite/lines and harness? I was quoted around $2500 for new kit from the school I learned with.

Also with kite size.. I have been recommended that the kite to get would be a 12m, I am about 6'5'' and around 95 kg. Would this be right? And any styles I should look out for (good for beginners but still good for when I progress etc..) Same with board, what sort of length should I be looking to get?

Again, all advice greatly appreciated! Cheers

My local spot is st Kilda so don't think I will ever have to worry about being the only one there! But thanks for the advice, will definitely ask about it in my next lesson

Nice, I was actually recommended a new 12m Cabrinha Vector (2012) today along with a 140/144 tronic board (2013) for $1900 all up. Does this sound like a good set up for a beginner? The company I learned with were offering me a Star kite and board for around $2400 (12m kite). Not sure whether this is as good kit though?

It seems like the common opinion amongst the people I spoke to was to stay clear of second hand equipment as a beginner, although working in shops I guess that would be expected! But it does make sense I suppose, you know what you are getting, warranty etc...

Hey greav89,
welcome to kiteboarding, it may take over your life.
3 out of 4 of your posts have been fishing for info on buying second hand kit, so for some balance I would be happy to recommend this avenue for you. A few years ago I was in the same boat as you and know how daunting it is trying to choose from the ever increasing line up of kites available and from who I should purchase. The big difference for me is I live in regional Qld and there aren't any kite shops to walk into. My initial purchase was made after much research and advise most of which came from this site. I went with a second hand but current year model kite and a new superseded board and harness, on the water for $1500. I have since purchased a number of kites and boards, all second hand but as new.
I won't go into to much detail about what brand of kite to go for only that most late model hybrid kites will be fine for you as a learner, there are not to many bad kites made but most people will recommend you avoid full "C" kites while you are a newbie.
So, there are a few options when purchasing second hand. First positive is that you are in a major city so there is probably going to be a lot of late model kites and boards within a distance you can drive. A good start would be to go into the buy and sell section of this page, narrow search to Vic, and sort by year. You will soon see there is plenty to choose from close to home that you can go and inspect. Even a newb can tell if the gear looks like it has any wear and tear. Make sure you pump the kite up and leave it for at least half an hour to make sure there are no leaks. It should take you most of this half hour to go right over the kite anyway. A really slow leak may not be noticeable in this timeframe, but if the kite looks like its basically new, you are pretty safe. Buying site unseen means you can open up your options a bit and buy from anywhere in the country or out for that matter but I guess the drawbacks are obvious. Saying that, all the gear I have bought off this site has been site unseen and I've had no problems.
The other thing you will notice is that a lot of the gear advertised in the buy and sell is from shops. This can be a no stress option as a lot of shops will guarantee that if the gear is not in the condition that you were expecting, they will exchange or refund.
Having said all that, the kit you were recommended with the Cabrinha Vector and tronic board would be a good start at a fair price, you could save a few bucks buying second hand but there's a fair bit of hunting around and a bit of finger crossing before your out on the water. If you do go the second hand option, just post up what you have found and I'm sure you will get the right advise as far as suitability goes.
Good luck and enjoy the sport.

Thanks, will make sure I get another lesson and cover that.

Reckon the kit I mentioned previously is suitable for a beginner? 12m Cabrinha Vector (2012) and 144 Cabrinha tronic board (2013) for $1900?
Seems like quite a large board but for my weight (95kg) and height (6'5'') I have been recommended it as suitable?

greav89 said..

Thanks, will make sure I get another lesson and cover that.

Reckon the kit I mentioned previously is suitable for a beginner? 12m Cabrinha Vector (2012) and 144 Cabrinha tronic board (2013) for $1900?
Seems like quite a large board but for my weight (95kg) and height (6'5'') I have been recommended it as suitable?

Yeah that's about right. 12mt is a great all round size for anything above 12knots up to 28knots I reckon with your weight, height. Even 14mt is ok for you.

Loftywinds said..

greav89 said..

Thanks, will make sure I get another lesson and cover that.

Reckon the kit I mentioned previously is suitable for a beginner? 12m Cabrinha Vector (2012) and 144 Cabrinha tronic board (2013) for $1900?
Seems like quite a large board but for my weight (95kg) and height (6'5'') I have been recommended it as suitable?

Yeah that's about right. 12mt is a great all round size for anything above 12knots up to 28knots I reckon with your weight, height. Even 14mt is ok for you.

At 6'5'' and around 95 kg you should be OK on a 12m kite up to 30 knots once experienced, but while learning I would recommend you don't go out in more than 25 knots with that size kite (a 9m or 10m would be better).

Higher wind speeds at max kite range magnify errors and the speed at which they occur, increasing risk of mishap. Once you have 25+ sessions up you could tackle the stronger winds with the 12, fully depowered.