Kitepower Australia said...
Hi Nogout
We do lessons in Sydney, and we sell a big range of new and used gear. $1000 for good used gear to get started is not realistic.
If you stretch your budget to at least $1500 - $1800 for a kite board and harness, you will get some decent gear.
Your windsurfing harness is unlikely to be suitable, but If you have something like a Dakine Pyro, then it will work for kiting but you will need a new spreader bar, the hook on windsurf harnesses are the wrong shape.
The young guy named Ash who works for ESS on the central coast is good, he does boat based lessons (like Kitepower) and seems to know what he is on about. I only met him on the weekend and have never spoken to one of his students, but did observe both his students riding downwind and almost upwind in what was probably their first lesson.
Glen at X-Shore does good lessons too. Bob Dawson at Coffs Harbour, likewise.
In Brisbane, you'll get the best lessons from Rhys at Kitepower.
Thanks for the wrap Kitepower. I find that people with some surfing and or windsurfing experience are able to
get up and riding one way at least sometimes both in the first lesson. This is toward the end of the lesson once we go through the safety, kite flying, up and down wind dragging and relaunching.
The feed back I have been getting is great with the boat style of lessons. So much more can be achieved. So if you are going to get lessons don't bother with someone who wants to teach on the beach.
Cheers
Ash
ESS Boardstore.