Hey,

Another newbie looking for some advice. In very early beginner stages but looking at gear whilst I progress in lessons. Looking for something used probably to get going. I am 5'11 and weight 79kgs and looking advice on board size. A 12m kite has been recommended for the winds in Sydney and my weight?

I am thinking of a SwitchBlade or Catalyst kite.

Board size, I have wakeboarded a lot (hoping it helps ) and want to buy a board to learn with and progress a bit. What size would suit me? Would a 134/136cm be too small for a beginner?

Appreciate any advice to look at the right gear

I am no expert, rode only few boards, but found the freeride Shinn boards were much better for me compared to other boards - met the hype in forum reviews (Monk, Dundee, and similar latest models). Once you buy a board it is not easy to sell it - loose lots of cash if you bought a new one, some cash if you bought a second hand one. Might as well spend money on a board generally considered good by most forum members.

what I like about my shinn is comfy foot pads, and a good combination of flex and rocker that make it planing early, coping well with choppy water, and giving very little spray in your face compared with other boards I tried.

The length (135) might be a bit short for learning, perhaps you know someone who could lend you a bigger board for learning stage.

If you dont have a friend to borrow a board, maybe buy one that is considered a 'light wind board'. Once you learn to ride you can keep it for marginal wind conditions and get another board for well powered conditions.

the kites you were recommeded will a do a good job - but Naish Pivot would be my recommendation. It turns faster and is quite powerfull (11m is as powerfull as 12m catalyst). Fast kite is not necessarily the best for learning, but you can get used to it, and once you can ride, you will be happy with a fast turning kite. Note how many 'what is a fast turning kite' questions are in the forums - pivot is one of them.

Swavek said..
I am no expert, rode only few boards, but found the freeride Shinn boards were much better for me compared to other boards - met the hype in forum reviews (Monk, Dundee, and similar latest models). Once you buy a board it is not easy to sell it - loose lots of cash if you bought a new one, some cash if you bought a second hand one. Might as well spend money on a board generally considered good by most forum members.

what I like about my shinn is comfy foot pads, and a good combination of flex and rocker that make it planing early, coping well with choppy water, and giving very little spray in your face compared with other boards I tried.

The length (135) might be a bit short for learning, perhaps you know someone who could lend you a bigger board for learning stage.

If you dont have a friend to borrow a board, maybe buy one that is considered a 'light wind board'. Once you learn to ride you can keep it for marginal wind conditions and get another board for well powered conditions.

the kites you were recommeded will a do a good job - but Naish Pivot would be my recommendation. It turns faster and is quite powerfull (11m is as powerfull as 12m catalyst). Fast kite is not necessarily the best for learning, but you can get used to it, and once you can ride, you will be happy with a fast turning kite. Note how many 'what is a fast turning kite' questions are in the forums - pivot is one of them.

Thanks Swavek. Boards definitely seem hard to come across at the right size - seems its either small or really large boards for sale. I have seen the Shinn mentioned a number of times, anywhere you recommend to buy from?

Will see if I can pickup a cheap large board, few friends are going to get into the sport too but none of us have the gear yet.

Thanks, will take a look at the pivot also - choices

Seems like some nice 12m options at present....

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~vjd9l/2015-Naish-Pivot-12-metre.aspx

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~v8bwh/2014-Cabrinha-Switchblade-12-metre.aspx

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Kitesurfing-Kites/~via6v/2014-Cabrinha-Switchblade-7912-metre.aspx

Decisions! I am worried a Pivot would be beyond my skill level

Boards - hunt patiently for a second hand shinn in smaller size but maybe buy a low wind option that you will keep (it will be easier to learn on). You will save a bundle buying second hand but they go quick this time of the year

I am 110 kg riding 135 Shinn Dundee board - 12 m Pivot is optimum for me from 17-20 kn, usable from 15-22 kn. Can hang on to it up to 25 kn - but why would you? Not much fun to be so overpowered