Hi guys, I'm completely new to kitesurfing so apologies in advance if my post is trivial or has already been answered somewhere else!

I've got my second lesson today and was hoping to buy some gear after today and practice before my third lesson.
Problem is I have no idea what to get and how much to spend.
I have read so many different opinions about new vs second hand gear.

I want to get the gear from aks in Scarborough as I'm doing lessons with them so can get a discount.

I'm a bit slow to just go with what the sales guy advises because, well he's a salesman!!

If I spend 2500 I get the price of one lesson off, 3000 - two lessons off and 3500 - three lessons off.
Wasn't really planning on spending 3500 as a beginner especially if beginners are prone to crashing & damaging kites?
Can anybody please give me any advice on what I should get?
- New/second hand
-what brand make is good & easy for beginners
-what size kite/board
-what harness?

I'm 6foot2 and weigh approx 95kg (fat jokes welcome!!) no previous kite/board experience apart from lesson one!!

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Ps I forgot to mention I'm in Perth..

Thanks a lot for your advice mate.

I've been using a catalyst in my lessons and was considering getting one but I've been advised to get a north rebel.. I've been told it will be good for learning and good to progress from beginner to intermediate level also..

Do you have any views on the rebel??

Rebel is a great kite but you are looking at more money.

Thanks for the advice guys.
I'll ether go catalyst or rebel now methinks.
After looking at a lot of reviews etc I'm leaning towards the rebel for its build quality, 5th line safety, and it seems to be all round more popular than the catalyst..

I suppose my decision will be made when it comes to the package price the guys can give me. I've heard only good reports about AKS so I'm looking forward to calling in & getting set up.

Next question is seat or waist harness!?
Is it just a matter of trying them on in the shop or can you lend any advice on this one?

bene313 said...
Waist harness.

I've been getting that impression all right but can you give me a few pointers as to the differences between waist and seat harness??

juicerider said...
The seat harness will make your packet look bigger, and this will be intimidating for other beach goers.

Ha ha ha ha very good!! Looks like ill be going for the seat harness after all! Might wear it around the house and see how it goes!!!

Im really new to the sport so perhaps when using the seat harness it wasent tight enough around the legs. But I found it to be extreamly uncomfortable, it rides up a little and with different movements through stacking ect and adding the fact I dont ware underware it is a definate trap for your nuggets. After a very painfull experiance I have used a waist harness since and have loved it safe for my nuggest to sway in the breeze (as little the sway my be) and doesnt seem to ride up as much.

But Im sure they wouldnt design and market the nugget traps if everyone had this oppinion

Bene, thanks a lot for your words of wisdom.

Patchy, eh yeah, thanks for your words too!! I'll take the whole "swinging nuts" advice on board!

I'm off to AKS tomorrow to get my gear and I was fully set on getting the North rebel but after some advice on the ozone catalyst thread in the gear review section, I'm turning slightly now towards the catalyst.
The north bar has not been getting great reviews and also its been described as over engineered & a bit heavy..

Any final thoughts or late contenders before I swipe my card tomorrow!??

Try looking at run out stock of 2012/11 gear.
they do crazy cheap prices on this stuff. Also Demo gear.
Their is often nothing wrong with demo gear as it's usually flown
by people who the kite shop know & can trust. Old school gear
can be alright but sometimes little things get bumped off...
You could easily get a new board and harness with one of these kites
from a shop for under 2grand. add your 5-600 for 3 lessons bingo
you're ahead of your original quote.

My perspective on beginner board size is a little bigger than the
rest of the folks here are recommending so far, I say get a bigger board.
Big boards are like adding meters to your kite but you can still hold the kite
down the same at it's high end as with any board. This means with one kite
you'll have LOADS more opportunites to practice getting up an actually riding.
For you - 140.41 is a potato chip, especially as a learner. A big flat crazy fly
allrounder or a SS glide, North xRide, Axis vanguard or patrol in the huge sizes, something fairly massive - 145 +. Anyhow, once you can ride and get a shorter trick stick, you'll always be laughing on LW days when you're out and your mates are taking photos.

sound good, you wont outgrow that set up too soon.