Hi everyone!
I always dreamt about kitesurfing, and finally I've decided to start doing something about it!
So, here's a LOT of questions, since I am pretty much clueless..

1 - I'm in Sydney (near Bankstown actually), what kind of wetsuit should I buy with this area's weather? I've found online that there are longjohns, shortjohns, steamers, springsuits... what are the plus/down sides of having one of those?
And do I need boots/gloves?

2 - I only played with kites when I was a kid (I had one of those directional kites with the two rings to turn around).. should I buy a trainer kite, or should I just go for the lessons?

3 - I'm 63 kg and 175 cm.. any idea about what kind of boards / kites should I need (I'll wait 'til I finished my lessons to buy, but it's better to hear other opinions)

4 - Is Kitepower a good kite school?

thanks to the brave that would read them all and answer me

oook, then I think I'll do that asap.
thanks for the advice!

kyteryder said...

Silence,

Are you are confident swimmer, if not think about brushing up on this skill as well as thinking about your kite flying skills. no matter which wetsuit you buy, they will create additional drag on your swimming, and thus making it difficult, if you need to self rescue. alot of non watersports people forget the swimming aspect, which in my mind is one of the most important skills to have.

Welcome to the world of kiting. Drop into Kitepower, Steve, And the team will be ale to help you out with all your questions.

Steamer wetsuit in winter
Boardshorts rashie in summer or springsuit / short john.

I prefer the short John in summer when i go for a surf it doesnt restrict your arms as much as a springy.

KR

yeah, I can swim pretty well, but I've never tried after hours of falling down from the board, so I guess that I'll just have to try and pray

thanks for your help.. I didn't really thought about the whole "swimming part" before (It was more of a "water=sharks=bad" thought, really )

BurkeyBoy said...

Silence said...

Hi everyone!
I always dreamt about kitesurfing, and finally I've decided to start doing something about it!
So, here's a LOT of questions, since I am pretty much clueless..

1 - I'm in Sydney (near Bankstown actually), what kind of wetsuit should I buy with this area's weather? I've found online that there are longjohns, shortjohns, steamers, springsuits... what are the plus/down sides of having one of those?
And do I need boots/gloves?

2 - I only played with kites when I was a kid (I had one of those directional kites with the two rings to turn around).. should I buy a trainer kite, or should I just go for the lessons?

IF you don't mind spending the money, trainer kites are very helpful, particularly when starting out. If you get a few lessons, the instructor may have a loner you can use anyway.

3 - I'm 63 kg and 175 cm.. any idea about what kind of boards / kites should I need (I'll wait 'til I finished my lessons to buy, but it's better to hear other opinions)

For general east coast winds, at 63kg you'll probably get away with a 10m and board of 130-134. That said, easier to learn on a bigger board. Don't spend too much early on as you'll probably want to upgrade when you are more experienced.

4 -Is Kitepower a good kite school?

thanks to the brave that would read them all and answer me

If you're anything like me, you won't be praying for help swimming, just for better wind.

ehi, thanks for the aswers! yeah, probably as soon as I get onto the board I'll forget every kind of fear and just wish to go faster
by the way I bought a trainer kite, and yesterday I made my first flight.. not so hard as I tought, even tough the wind wasn't steady at all (i was in a park in the town, not at a shore, so maybe that's the reason) .. but still managed to learn how to guide it with one hand, and some basic stuff...
lookin forward for the actual lessons, but one of the girls at kitepower told me that they start in 2-3 weeks from now.. guess I'll do a lot of practice with the trainer, 'til then


ah! I was tryin' to figure out a budget for the equipment (to buy after I took the lessons).. is it possible to spend no more than 1000 $ for kite(with bars and lines)+board+harness? used stuff, obviously...

ehi, thanks for the aswers! yeah, probably as soon as I get onto the board I'll forget every kind of fear and just wish to go faster
by the way I bought a trainer kite, and yesterday I made my first flight.. not so hard as I tought, even tough the wind wasn't steady at all (i was in a park in the town, not at a shore, so maybe that's the reason) .. but still managed to learn how to guide it with one hand, and some basic stuff...
lookin forward for the actual lessons, but one of the girls at kitepower told me that they start in 2-3 weeks from now.. guess I'll do a lot of practice with the trainer, 'til then


ah! I was tryin' to figure out a budget for the equipment (to buy after I took the lessons).. is it possible to spend no more than 1000 $ for kite(with bars and lines)+board+harness? used stuff, obviously...

My first kite cost $550. I flew it for a season then sold it for $375 when I upgraded. It was basic, a Naish Boxer, but did the job to learn on. You'll tend to lean toward the same type of kite that you get lessons on. You don't need to get something 1 yr old though. Kite safety has really progressed from several years ago when I learned so even if you buy say a Cabrinha Switchblade 08 or Naish Helix, the safety levels are good and you'll only pay out $450-$600. It's worth buying a new harness, though bargains can be picked up, ebay can be good, particularly if you can see before you buy. Boards can be trickier. Kiters tend to hold on to them for longer than kites. You may get a bargain like I did a few months ago. A girl had bought a Cardboard freeride, great Aus made board, but gave up after a year (common story). Board retails around 800-900, I paid 350 on ebay.
So yes, it is possible to pay around a grand, but unlikely.

Silence said...

BurkeyBoy said...

Silence said...

Hi everyone!
I always dreamt about kitesurfing, and finally I've decided to start doing something about it!
So, here's a LOT of questions, since I am pretty much clueless..

1 - I'm in Sydney (near Bankstown actually), what kind of wetsuit should I buy with this area's weather? I've found online that there are longjohns, shortjohns, steamers, springsuits... what are the plus/down sides of having one of those?
And do I need boots/gloves?

2 - I only played with kites when I was a kid (I had one of those directional kites with the two rings to turn around).. should I buy a trainer kite, or should I just go for the lessons?

IF you don't mind spending the money, trainer kites are very helpful, particularly when starting out. If you get a few lessons, the instructor may have a loner you can use anyway.

3 - I'm 63 kg and 175 cm.. any idea about what kind of boards / kites should I need (I'll wait 'til I finished my lessons to buy, but it's better to hear other opinions)

For general east coast winds, at 63kg you'll probably get away with a 10m and board of 130-134. That said, easier to learn on a bigger board. Don't spend too much early on as you'll probably want to upgrade when you are more experienced.

4 -Is Kitepower a good kite school?

thanks to the brave that would read them all and answer me

If you're anything like me, you won't be praying for help swimming, just for better wind.

ehi, thanks for the aswers! yeah, probably as soon as I get onto the board I'll forget every kind of fear and just wish to go faster
by the way I bought a trainer kite, and yesterday I made my first flight.. not so hard as I tought, even tough the wind wasn't steady at all (i was in a park in the town, not at a shore, so maybe that's the reason) .. but still managed to learn how to guide it with one hand, and some basic stuff...
lookin forward for the actual lessons, but one of the girls at kitepower told me that they start in 2-3 weeks from now.. guess I'll do a lot of practice with the trainer, 'til then


ah! I was tryin' to figure out a budget for the equipment (to buy after I took the lessons).. is it possible to spend no more than 1000 $ for kite(with bars and lines)+board+harness? used stuff, obviously...

I think the best way is to get a deal with one of the kiteschool that includes lessons. You may pay a bit extra, but you get a trainer who loves you because you made them some extra money. They'll probably also let you use stuff for free and choose the right equipment for you.

Silence,

Todays southerly was very gusty to learn with a trainer. Tuesday is looking like a better day, with the north east seabreeze.

Make sure if you are taking a kite to a local park, you are well away from power lines. to be on the safe side, No power lines should be in eyesight on the downwind side.
When learning keep to winds under 20 knots, to assist with kite control. I would even recommend under 15 knots to start with and build to 20 knots when you are a little more comfortable.

KR

Watch this video, it should answer most of your questions.

Little Jon said...

Tried my trainer today after watching some videos. The second it launched it pulled so hard I heard something rip in my shoulder and it dragged my down the beach for 5 to 10 metres. Now my shoulder will be stuffed for a year or 2. Anyone want to buy a 1.5m trainer?

Thats bad news, give the shoulder a rest for a few days and try again in 10 knots, not 30 like it was today, treat it as a learning experience but don't give up on kiting, you just made an error of judgement.

Welcome to a weather-dependent sport. The joy of it is you get to work with the forces of nature. The downside is you have to wait for those forces to show up.

Sydney's summers can range from great seabreezes several days each week to utter crap with barely a few kiteable days each fortnight. Impossible to predict accurately but with a mild la nina forecast it may be a while ...