So I took another lesson today and have to say that I'm basically hooked.
Since hiring doesn't seem to be a real option, I am now looking at buying all the gear I need.

Can you please give me some advice as to what kite, board, harness etc? I'm fine with 2nd hand, in fact didn't want to spend more than a grand on it all.

Any recommendations? Something forgiving/beginner friendly would be good. I'm not even thinking about jumping or anything, rather being safe and building the right foundations.

Thanks,
K

ok sorry for that, weight: about 85kg, location Sydney's Northern Beaches (Dee Why, Nara, etc)

Wind strengths, probably around 15-20 knots, I'm not sure I would go out in anything stronger at this stage lol

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~t-vg8/2010-Slingshot-Rpm-12-metre.aspx?search=yxrOHND3sv5YQag5hfStQ737weZgWRII6bbvStapVVwoPczpzLTo3g==

As a beginner it's highly likely you'll give the kite a hard time by crashing it hard from time to time. Newer kites especially the ones from big brand names are very tough and the materials are getting tougher through the years. New quality kites are nearly impossible to break when crashed hard in the water.

Most kites that are a couple of years old sell for very cheap simply because they have seen a lot of use and at those prices you'd have to be lucky to find one that isn't getting towards the end of it's life. Honestly, it wouldn't matter much if you didn't crash the kite at all, it would probably fly and perform all right, but if you have just one big crash in the water chances are the canopy will tear and/or the leading edge blows, etc ($$$). Older kites are also much more likely to already have or soon start to have leaking issues, valve issues, etc. that can be difficult to fix for a beginner as well as costly and time consuming.

What weakens the kite canopy the most is leaving a kite secured on the beach flapping in the wind under the baking sun. If you do this every day for even just 1-2 hours (what most people do), you will effectively decrease the life span of the kite by about half.

Without any experience it can be difficult to spot early signs of failure on a kite, bar and lines. But as a general guide, if you look through the trailing edge under direct sunlight and you see the light poking through (in lines or waves) that's a sign of advanced canopy wear, i.e. a kite that will tear easily if crashed. You want to make sure the lines are not starting to fray and they are no knots in the lines either. You also want to inspect the safety system and make sure it operates and reassembles easily. To check for leaks pump the kite fairly hard and shut all the strut clips. After 20 minutes or so open the struts up with you ear next to each clip and listen if there is any pressure difference (you would hear a PSHHHH if there is). that would be a sign of a single or multiple leaks. You'd also have to tune the lines correctly as over the years it's very likely the lines are in need of some serious adjustments, that's not an easy task for a complete beginner either.

My advice is to spend a little more on a used kite and get something newer with less use and preferably from a shop who had a chance to inspect it for you. Most of the time shops who buy used kites know the riders well and know their maintenance and care habits so they know it's quality merchandise.

Good luck

Christian

Hi Kajo,

If your budget is fairly well fixed, then the old Switchy will be OK. As cbulota suggests, you do get what you pay for. Older kites will be far more subject to damage than newer kites. As a first kite, it will be a good enough place to start, making repairs and getting to know the kite will be good for you as time goes by. You'll definitely need to upgrade after a season. Any old board will get you up and going and if you are buying at ~250 you won't lose much on resale.

Spend a few more dollars on a comfortable harness as it is the only bit of gear that will inflict pain on you in the course of normal use. Choose wisely! Leg loops are a personal preference. I hate them but loads of beginners like them. I wouldn't consider them a plus or a minus.

Just get into it, it's going to be a great season.

DM

Its also worth calling shops and getting prices on last years model boards, i've just picked up a 2014 board with 40% off due to the 2015 model being released.

I have bought all my equipment now:
2013 BWS Noise (12m), 2014 LF board (140cm) + straps and a LF Luxury harness.

Can't wait to get going with it.

The answer to that question is yes because if I said no and you caved in your chest I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. In the real world the majority don’t use helmets or impact vests including me but we’ll all be sorry if an accident happened.

It all comes down to the amount of risk you’re comfortable with, there’s no right or wrong answer just a personal preference. I did start off as a green beginner using an impact vest mainly for the reassurance of the protection and the slight flotation advantage but ditched it after I felt a little more in control…