Need to kitesurf with someone to get confidence :|

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sukafun
sukafun
WA
12 posts
WA, 12 posts
17 Jan 2016 8:49pm
Hey people, I've learnt how to kitesurf couple of months ago and since then didn't really kitesurf :( Now every time I take my gear out I'm scared to kitesurf on my own. I know I'll crash the kite and lose confidence. I did kitesurf with an experienced friend once before but that was it. He has been busy and doesn't go to beach anymore :/
I went today to the beach on my own where it was over 20 knots. All I did is spent the day looking at people kitesurfing like a chicken :D
Starting from tomorrow it will be low wind and will try to go to practice. I was wondering if anyone would be going anywhere between City beach to Trigg beach and would like to help me :))
I'm going after work so should be there by anytime between 4 to 5pm

I got a Lithium kite 9m. I'm a male. My weight is 75k and from Perth.


Thanks
mywisdom
mywisdom
WA
258 posts
WA, 258 posts
17 Jan 2016 9:20pm
cant help u too much on the kite companion front as I'm from the southern parts but me personally I wouldn't bother to much with going down for the next few days with a 9m, later on in the week looks a lot better! the funny thing about kiting is when u are learning (tacking/turning/boosting) its probably technically a lot easier for you in the higher wind range of your kites capabilities so about 20 would have been awesome for you.

Best advice I can give to you if you have to rock up solo is just go up and talk to kiters on the beach, very very few people (in my experiences) you approach wont be willing to lend a hand or some advice or even keep an eye on you while u pot around in the shallows. Go for the older more relaxed looking guys with dorky hats and worn out gear! if your shy lol
sukafun
sukafun
WA
12 posts
WA, 12 posts
17 Jan 2016 9:47pm
I saw one of them today who offered me a hand with lunching my kite but told him I'm just coming today to watch people kitesurfing lol. The beach was crowded, it was very windy and didn't know how I'll perform. I got told before that beginners should not go out kitesurfing when the wind is 20+ :/
The wind is gradually going higher from by Thursday so will see how I'll go this week :))

mywisdom
mywisdom
WA
258 posts
WA, 258 posts
17 Jan 2016 10:17pm
i guess it depends on what stage you are of 'learning' because we never really stop learning in this sport! but i guess that is good advice if you are not comfortable with equipment and control def go out in light winds and practice body dragging and relaunching and stuff. kiting as a beginner is very daunting but its not like online computer games where 'newbs' get berated and abused by those more experience as long as you are being safe and courteous.

Plummet
Plummet
4862 posts
4862 posts
18 Jan 2016 4:33am
I'd suggest you increase the max wind you fly in to 24 knot gusts. So look at the max gust for the day. If its 24 or under go for in.

Get to the beach that would be your local. If conditions aren't right. Watch and talk to dudes. Launch and land some kites. (presuming you know how to do this properly).

If you want to progress you need to get out there and do it. If you wait too long you wont make it over the learning curve.


4XL
4XL
VIC
222 posts
4XL 4XL
VIC, 222 posts
18 Jan 2016 7:42am
Maybe try somewhere without waves to fine tune ur skills first would be my sugestion. Once u gain confidence there will be no stopping you!

$
Ned
Ned
WA
71 posts
Ned Ned
WA, 71 posts
18 Jan 2016 6:35pm
Hey there sukafun , if you can head up towards quinns, no crowds good wide beaches and friendly crew to give you a hand....everybody needs a friend
sukafun
sukafun
WA
12 posts
WA, 12 posts
19 Jan 2016 8:17pm
So I went to today by 5pm and saw few people on the beach then noticed everyone is packing up and leaving so asked one of the guys why everyone is leaving and said wind is dropping out and storm is on it's way
CharliesDad
CharliesDad
WA
24 posts
WA, 24 posts
19 Jan 2016 10:18pm
Sukafun, you sound a little like me when I was learning. I was nervous of flying my kite in moderate / strong conditions but as one of the posters above pointed out you are better off in a decent wind as the kite is far more predictable thank in light and variable weather.

Ultimately you won't get better by sitting in the beach watching others. I did this on a number of occasions myself and all it did was add to my frustration. You need to get into the water and practice, preferably in flat water. I found Shoalwater bay to be the answer to my needs and regularly kite there today. Even though it's a 45 minute drive for me I like the area and the people.

The important thing is to be safe and not over confident in your abilities. Everything comes with time and practice. You may even benefit from a refresher lesson with a qualified instructor?

I am by no means an expert and I am not an instructor but I would be more than happy to help you out if i can. Send me a PM if interested and we can chat.
Just2807
Just2807
181 posts
181 posts
20 Jan 2016 1:02am
This could sound weird but.... U could pay (beer, some small amount of money, favour ... whatever) some1 to watch over u, it would be cheaper than fixed price instructor and some1 who doesn't want to get wet that day (experienced kiter) could earn some cash while drinking mosquito.

There is a risk that person could take cash and go home lol but, if u find some1 decent, i am sure he wont even take money and will push u in water not letting u chicken out. I would pay some1 just to forbid me to hesitate :D

If u find a jerk, well... Get use to them, world full of them. At least u will know who to avoid.

In the end, u got a kitebuddy and meet some locals while killing yourself in the water. Win Win situation :D

I bought a kite (actually got 2 kites now) almost 2 years ago and didn't spend more than 5 hours in the water so i totally get it, i chickened out like 80% times, 10% no wind/work day, 10% u could maybe call kiting.

Now just waiting for a bit higher temps (-6°C now) and lets try to manage toeside and decent jumps till the summer comes :D

Ah yes, a friend said: "water time, water time, water time, fastest way to learn". And i finally got it after 2 years. It was so obvious but... :D
sukafun
sukafun
WA
12 posts
WA, 12 posts
20 Jan 2016 1:44pm
Thanks a lot for your advice...
I do agree that I got more frustrated looking at people kitting while I'm sitting there scared. I'm going to try again today hopefully no strong winds or storms coming like yesterday.
On the weekend I'll head south this time to Coogee beach and drive to Shoalwater beach never saw it :)
Do you go Shoalwater on weekends?
sukafun
sukafun
WA
12 posts
WA, 12 posts
20 Jan 2016 1:51pm
Hey Just2807
Sounds like a plan, I always have red balls, chocolate and drinks in my car so I'm sure I'll workout something as you said :D
ummm...Not sure where u coming from but it's summer here already in Australia unless you are from the other side of the world? -6°C?? Are you sure you talking about kitesurfing not snow boarding? :D
CharliesDad
CharliesDad
WA
24 posts
WA, 24 posts
20 Jan 2016 5:51pm
Sukafun, I do normally go on weekends and will probably be at Shoalwater on Saturday afternoon. As I said, send me a private message before Saturday if you want to meet up and I can give you a hand. It looks to be around 17 knots from around 3.30pm and Shoalwater tends to get slightly better than forecast. Probably be close to perfect for your kite and weight.

There is still quite a bit of thunderstorm activity around at the moment so you will likely find strong and potentially dangerous frontal winds and lightening associated with their passage. Something to consider when inexperienced.


loftywinds2
loftywinds2
185 posts
185 posts
20 Jan 2016 7:30pm
Plummet said..
I'd suggest you increase the max wind you fly in to 24 knot gusts. So look at the max gust for the day. If its 24 or under go for in.





Now that is dangerous advice for any beginners.


Actually @Sukafun, don't take advice from me who knows nothing (it seems), cause what I would teach you is just so .... wwaaaayyy too dangerous.
sukafun
sukafun
WA
12 posts
WA, 12 posts
20 Jan 2016 11:32pm
loftywinds2 said..


Plummet said..
I'd suggest you increase the max wind you fly in to 24 knot gusts. So look at the max gust for the day. If its 24 or under go for in.





Now that is dangerous advice for any beginners.


Actually @Sukafun, don't take advice from me who knows nothing (it seems), cause what I would teach you is just so .... wwaaaayyy too dangerous.



I read that and said maybe you know nothing about beginners life or obviously u never been one of them
17 knots or less considered to be perfect for us I think lol
Anything above that will freak us out or myself at least :D
mywisdom
mywisdom
WA
258 posts
WA, 258 posts
21 Jan 2016 2:44pm
sukafun said..
So I went to today by 5pm and saw few people on the beach then noticed everyone is packing up and leaving so asked one of the guys why everyone is leaving and said wind is dropping out and storm is on it's way


just on the point about how the guys at the beach said a storm is coming, regularly check www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR702.loop.shtml (bureau weather radar of perth area) if you have doubts about cloud in the distance. You can usually tell if something has some punch in it and will be able to give yourself at least an hour or 2 heads, saying that the weather in last few weeks and the afternoon storms are not a regular occurrence this time of year... its been pretty weird.
mywisdom
mywisdom
WA
258 posts
WA, 258 posts
21 Jan 2016 2:48pm
sukafun said..


loftywinds2 said..




Plummet said..
I'd suggest you increase the max wind you fly in to 24 knot gusts. So look at the max gust for the day. If its 24 or under go for in.







Now that is dangerous advice for any beginners.


Actually @Sukafun, don't take advice from me who knows nothing (it seems), cause what I would teach you is just so .... wwaaaayyy too dangerous.





I read that and said maybe you know nothing about beginners life or obviously u never been one of them
17 knots or less considered to be perfect for us I think lol
Anything above that will freak us out or myself at least :D



24 knot gusts are pretty moderate.. a 17 knot 'average' wind tick on any of the meters in perth will gust to about 24 knots. if u cant handle them even at a beginner level I would recommend staying away from activities involving the wind OR get a new kite with a better top end and depower.
FlyByKite
FlyByKite
WA
103 posts
WA, 103 posts
21 Jan 2016 5:43pm

sukafun said..

loftywinds2 said..



Plummet said..
I'd suggest you increase the max wind you fly in to 24 knot gusts. So look at the max gust for the day. If its 24 or under go for in.






Now that is dangerous advice for any beginners.


Actually @Sukafun, don't take advice from me who knows nothing (it seems), cause what I would teach you is just so .... wwaaaayyy too dangerous.




I read that and said maybe you know nothing about beginners life or obviously u never been one of them
17 knots or less considered to be perfect for us I think lol
Anything above that will freak us out or myself at least :D



sukafun said..


loftywinds2 said..



Plummet said..
I'd suggest you increase the max wind you fly in to 24 knot gusts. So look at the max gust for the day. If its 24 or under go for in.






Now that is dangerous advice for any beginners.


Actually @Sukafun, don't take advice from me who knows nothing (it seems), cause what I would teach you is just so .... wwaaaayyy too dangerous.




I read that and said maybe you know nothing about beginners life or obviously u never been one of them
17 knots or less considered to be perfect for us I think lol
Anything above that will freak us out or myself at least :D


Sukafun - Maybe he does know about beginners - we were all one and I am still one.
You will find it is much easier to learn in more wind than what you are saying."17 knots or less considered to be perfect for us I think lol"
At 75kgs, on a TT, 17 knots would be about the minimum that you could get up on and kite with a 9m.
I don't know what size board you have but 15knots would be as low as you could go IMO.
And you would be continuously signing to stay up.
When you are learning you need to be able to park and ride and to do that you would need about 20knots on a 9m.
Plummets 24 knot gust limit is a good and practical figure for your kite and weight.
You will find it so much easier in 20+ knots.
Just get out there and enjoy

sukafun
sukafun
WA
12 posts
WA, 12 posts
21 Jan 2016 9:01pm
YOU GUYS ARE RIGHTTTT!!!
I went today and it was very windy that I asked one of the guys there about wind speed and said it's over 22 knots. Someone helped me lunching and I've controlled the kite in the air and landed it peacefully (:
I was scared and thought I'm gonna screw something at first :D In fact I went yesterday and it was less wind and I didn't enjoy it as much as today.
The only thing I'm not sure if it's that is gust wind or me doing smth wrong sometimes while the kite is on 12 clock it goes suddenly a bit to the left quickly then have to bound it back quickly to the right or other way around, but when this happens I steer it too much to the left (or right) then it drags me for a bit till I can control it again.
I reckon by practising I won't panic and would adjust the kit's possession to 12oclock much smoother?

But defiantly next time I find it low wind I won't be happy
Just2807
Just2807
181 posts
181 posts
23 Jan 2016 9:39pm
sukafun said..

The only thing I'm not sure if it's that is gust wind or me doing smth wrong sometimes while the kite is on 12 clock it goes suddenly a bit to the left quickly then have to bound it back quickly to the right or other way around, but when this happens I steer it too much to the left (or right) then it drags me for a bit till I can control it again.



Slight wind direction changes were doing the same side pull for me, wasn't happening in large opened areas. Keep in mind, better the wind (in this case stronger), everything moves faster and gets more precise :)

sukafun said..

ummm...Not sure where u coming from but it's summer here already in Australia unless you are from the other side of the world? -6°C?? Are you sure you talking about kitesurfing not snow boarding? :D




Yeah yeah, other side of the planet :( (Croatia) But! When u start to freeze your balls i am going to shower my butt with photons :D

Actually saw 1 dude yesterday trying to launch a kite in the snow field far away from ski resort, i wanted to go say hi and help, but my snowboarding skills are almost equal to my current waterstart skills so i was rushing back home, which eventually means.... I AM IN PAIN !

Glad u made it, keep your feathers wet!!
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