Newbie - have I got the right idea??

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rumblefish
rumblefish
TAS
824 posts
TAS, 824 posts
12 Dec 2010 11:44pm
Hey all,

So after a couple of years watching you guys have all the fun it's time to get out there and have a go!!

Have a bit of a plan to learn, if anyone thinks I'm going wrong please pipe up!!

Firstly I have been sailing for over 20 years so one of the reasosn I would love to learn is the ease of just heading out for a kite/surf/board or whatever the shortened term is!!

I have ordered a training kite from newkites in Gero at a mates suggestion. I plan to spend a couple of weeks with that and then book for lessons sometime in the new year. Noticed a couple of places have a 6-8 hour lesson setup which apparently should be enough to get most people out by themselves.

Once I have had a lesson then will look at some gear. 2nd hand or new depends what pops up.

Just on a nother note, I officially have an disability that mainly effects my legs. I have plenty of upper body strength but the thing that is worrying me is that I don't have much movement or strength when trying to lift my feet and toes towards my head, eg when I lean fwd my heels come off the ground very quickly.

I have skateboarded and snowboarded in th past with some success, so do you think I will be able to kiteboard??

Thanks in advance to all. Fantastic site and I already spent hours reading all the great info being shared around here.

Also VERY impressed with the sports overall safety message and understanding that being freindly and couteous to other sports people and the general public makes life easier for everyone!!!

Cheers,

RF
Timmy354
Timmy354
WA
25 posts
WA, 25 posts
12 Dec 2010 9:22pm
Sounds like your on the right track there with the Training Kite

As for your "Disability" like you mentioned go and book yourself in for some lessons and give it ago you will find out if your body can handle it and if it does I wish you good luck with your new addiction

Good Luck and go have some fun



NSW, 4382 posts
14 Dec 2010 12:01am
rumblefish said...

Hey all,

So after a couple of years watching you guys have all the fun it's time to get out there and have a go!!

Have a bit of a plan to learn, if anyone thinks I'm going wrong please pipe up!!

Firstly I have been sailing for over 20 years so one of the reasosn I would love to learn is the ease of just heading out for a kite/surf/board or whatever the shortened term is!!

I have ordered a training kite from newkites in Gero at a mates suggestion. I plan to spend a couple of weeks with that and then book for lessons sometime in the new year. Noticed a couple of places have a 6-8 hour lesson setup which apparently should be enough to get most people out by themselves.

Once I have had a lesson then will look at some gear. 2nd hand or new depends what pops up.

Just on a nother note, I officially have an disability that mainly effects my legs. I have plenty of upper body strength but the thing that is worrying me is that I don't have much movement or strength when trying to lift my feet and toes towards my head, eg when I lean fwd my heels come off the ground very quickly.

I have skateboarded and snowboarded in th past with some success, so do you think I will be able to kiteboard??

Thanks in advance to all. Fantastic site and I already spent hours reading all the great info being shared around here.

Also VERY impressed with the sports overall safety message and understanding that being freindly and couteous to other sports people and the general public makes life easier for everyone!!!

Cheers,

RF


You should be able to find plenty of help around gero, but can you swim and are you completely comfortable in the water and can easily swim a couple of hundred meters, not at any record breaking pace, just at your own pace and in surf conditions??
Do you think you will be able to get the board on your feet quickly?
What is the cause of your disability?



rumblefish
rumblefish
TAS
824 posts
TAS, 824 posts
14 Dec 2010 12:30am
Not in Gero, in Freo - not that it matters!!

Born with the disability, to most people it looks like I have a slight limp or I get the question "did you have polio as a child?"

Strong swimmer, not fast but strong. Am a qualified sailing instructor and for that I had to swim 400m open water and did it no problems.

My biggest issue was board control with the ankles but went down to Woodies to wacth for a hour or so this arvo (I was the guy with the golden Lab of anyone saw me!!) and I think I will be OK.

I have played more sports that I can remember and usually learn to adapt. Might struggle with toeside a bit more but looking fwd to the challenge.

Again thanks for all your comments!!

RF
Paradox
Paradox
QLD
1326 posts
QLD, 1326 posts
14 Dec 2010 3:00pm
Get into it Rumblefish!

If you can swim you are fine.

Sounds like you are the sort of person who will have a go no matter what. I suspect you will find a way of controlling the board to ensure success.

At worst you could use bindings to lock your ankles a bit if needed.

Good luck.
nebbian
nebbian
WA
6277 posts
WA, 6277 posts
14 Dec 2010 2:39pm
There's a windsurfer in far north queensland who has one artificial leg... doesn't seem to stop him. I imagine kiting would be about the same as far as leg control goes.

Give it a go, best of luck
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