Hey guys, just wanna introduce myself before i start firing questions at everyone.

I'm 19 years old, a uni student from UNSW. I live in Bankstown, NSW. I'm about 163cm and weigh about 60kg. I've been interested in kiteboarding since I was in high school, last year I picked up surfing but haven't made much progress since I partially tore a scapholunate ligament in my wrist, however, that's stablised so I'm clear to get back to the usual things.

I bought a groupon voucher a while back for a 1-hour kite surfing lesson with Kite Session at Lady Robinson's Beach but I haven't redeemed it cause I want to get a few hours on a trainer's kite before I use it to maximise my learning during the lesson.

Okay now for the questions, mostly about buying a second hand trainer kite

1. With my height and weight in mind, what size kite should I be looking at?
2. What are some brands and models I should be considering?
3. Being a complete beginner, should I buy second hand from a shop? or is it fine to buy it second hand any where?
4. How much am I looking at with regards to price for a second hand trainer kite from either shop or third party?

any help answering these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Buy a trainer kite from kitepower, pick their brains till they kick you outta the shop.

Play with it for hours

Go for your lesson

Have another lesson

Buy second hand gear from somewhere close enough to you to check it out before you buy it

Or buy a package from kitepower

Have another lesson with your gear

Use your trainer kite to hook your friends

Sell them your gear when your ready to upgrade

Move out of bankstown

Agree with the Dr as well as old man. As an idea, for your weight, you'll probably end up with something around 10m. Get to know some local kiters. Most are really helpful and will be happy to give you advice on kite brands and sizes and will also steer you away from hammered gear or old stuff. It's still a shame that people try to pass their old outdated crap to newbies telling them it's ideal to learn on.

ok I'm not sure if ill get shot down for this BUT I've been looking at trainer kites to play with in the park near me when I cant get to the beach and after much looking around and deciding everything was too expensive I decided to go the el cheapo route. http://stores.ebay.com.au/4mpowerkite have trainer kites starting from $50 and I just bought one for a little over $100. People in the reviews seem to like the kites and I can let you know how it goes once I receive it. Of course you cant beat quality, but it depends how much money you can put aside for it

You live in bankstown

You might not always be able to make it to the coast when it's windy

If you can find a park and cycle track without too many trees, or a large empty car park, and you have a skate board (longboards work best)

With a trainer kite you can still have lots of fun...

Go a three metre or bigger, trainer kite, with a bar, not with handles

Cause handles suck..

Ozone trainer kites are the best

For additional lessions, how does this look?
spreets.com.au/deal/Sydney/experiences/30388/start-the-summer-fun-with-a-threehour-beginners-kiteboarding-lesson-for-just-149-valued-at-300-have-blast-get-totally-addicted-botany-bay-location

Kiteboarding Lessons was the company that I initially wanted to have my lessons with before i found my first voucher. They look pretty decent from their website, anyone have any experience with these guys?

don't buy kiteboarding lesson's from the deal sites, you wont get anything out of it besides a rush through lesson.

Dont waste your time. Kiteboarding is Horrible.
Beach walking is now all the rage.

mypatboy said...
For additional lessions, how does this look?
spreets.com.au/deal/Sydney/experiences/30388/start-the-summer-fun-with-a-threehour-beginners-kiteboarding-lesson-for-just-149-valued-at-300-have-blast-get-totally-addicted-botany-bay-location

Kiteboarding Lessons was the company that I initially wanted to have my lessons with before i found my first voucher. They look pretty decent from their website, anyone have any experience with these guys?

hey all, long time listener, first time caller...

I know this is an old thread but I've had lessons with both Kitepower and Kiteboarding Lessons

Depending on what stage you are at I think both approaches (one-on-one vs group lesson) can work.

For sure you will get more time in the water with a one on one from Kitepower. It's also a lot more tiring, especially if you are a newcomer to kiting and learning to water start as you will spend a lot of time and energy floundering around trying to get the board on your feet etc while trying to control the kite at the same time etc. Well I did at least anyway, lol... At the end of my 2 hr one on one lesson i was completely stuffed...

With the KBL / group lesson approach I found it kind of useful to have a turn in the water, then jump out and watch the other person have a go. You can also see the things that they're doing wrong and it helps you to take a step back and visualise how to not make the same mistakes. I would say for a group lesson try not to be in a group of more than 2 students otherwise yeah you will spend most of your time watching instead of doing

I ended up buying a package gear deal through kiteboarding lessons which included a lesson, very happy with the price, gear and the lesson

I also bought a trainer kite from kitepower and got a discount on a lesson, friendly helpful guys as well...

Just my 0.02