Starting Again with a Wipika Inferno 2002

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oz surf
oz surf
WA
407 posts
WA, 407 posts
8 Dec 2010 11:37pm
Hi all.
I have decided to get back into kite surfing after a break of 4+ years(due to work ,kids,injury,money and so on)
I have only ever owned 1 kite and that is a 2002 Wipika Inferno 10m2. and i only got to the stage of just managing to keep up wind.
My question to all of you is, would it be a suitable kite to use in this day and age
or should i toss it in the bin?
Also can anyone reccomend a suitable 2nd hand kite and size for begining on?
I live in Perth and weigh 90kg.
All advice appreciated.
IanR
IanR
NSW
1360 posts
NSW, 1360 posts
9 Dec 2010 12:41pm
The modern kites are so much easier to handle that something of that vintage. Go to your local kite shop and see what they have. Most kites newer than 2007 should be fine Bow. Hybrid. or Delta C. look at sizes between 8m and 10m. Think about a lesson to brush up on the newer gear some of the techniques have changed i.e. self rescue, safety system are different and relaunch
koma
koma
VIC
760 posts
VIC, 760 posts
9 Dec 2010 2:48pm
Putting a relative beginner on a Wipika Inferno would be like letting a gorilla loose in a kindergarten. At first it would all be fine, until the gorilla (kite) gets bored and decides to make a pancake out of the kindergartener (you).
If a complete stranger came to my local with an '02 Wipika and asked me for a launch, i'd honestly need to do the world a favour and just pull the deflate plug... unless you were filming a 'why not to buy a kite off eBay' video for YouTube.

I'd actually honestly be surprised if the valves and bladders don't leak on a kite of that age. You'd be best off putting some tent poles in it and making it a backyard or beach shelter.

As IanR has suggested head into a shop and take a look at whats around. Do some more reading through some of the beginner kite recommendation threads and then spend as much as you can afford. Any 2008+ kite will be better suited to helping you progress, and i really mean ANY. Even the most hardcore '08+ C-kite will be a kitten to handle compared to that Wipika widow maker.
Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5127 posts
VIC, 5127 posts
9 Dec 2010 3:44pm
Kites pre-2004 were all an accident looking for a place to happen. Throw it in the bin.

Kites depreciate at 50% per year so you can buy a 1 year old kite for less than half the new price. This even applies to brand new, last year's model kites.

1-2 year old, bow kite, middle of the range. Cabrinha Switchblade, North Rebel anything like that.

12m is the usual size people get. You could go to 10m for more versatility but you need slightly stronger winds or more skill.

I have a 1 year old Cabrinha Crossbow 10m in the for sale section.
oz surf
oz surf
WA
407 posts
WA, 407 posts
9 Dec 2010 1:17pm
Thanks for the replies guys
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