Jukesy said..
I was using a 12 but their were 2 other guys who were 85kg+
Jukesy, you seem to asking a lot of questions in Sbrz about what kite, what price, can I afford it, who to teach me, etc etc...
Please do yourself a favor and go and see Steve at KSS Altona (plug intended). Seriously, he has good gear, "affordable" (you will need to spend somewhere around the high 000's) and great advice. He taught himself by the way, so it's not impossible. Yeah, lessons are great but really... can you afford $100+ a pop? All you need to learn is the safety, wind window, self rescue, body drag and kite control. 2 to 3 lessons should be enough if you are a quick learner. The rest, it's practice practice practice
I just want you to know that I feel for your situation. I too started like you, asked and pestered with thousands of questions, trolled (still do!
) and got answers. In the end I ended up buying 2nd hand gear because I wanted to try everything I could - even foil kites, and eventually ended up with around 5 quivers of various sizes.
You don't need to buy new!
BUT, it's true: it's all about economies of scale and you will sped more money repairing, or repairing it yourself with and without some success, BUT you will have an awesome time learning and trying out all sorts of kites - AND learning the sport at the same time. Most people don't go down this path. They buy once, sell, and buy again and spend thousands!! They try and keep up to date with the equipment. That's all fine and well if you're on a doctor's salary. I know of guys that walk into a shop, bought all their gear up front - cash! But it costed like over $5000 - kites, boards, harnesses and some videos thrown in because the shop owner creamed himself! It happens.
I did that once - buy up front when I started because I was on a high salary, but my circumstances changed, I was still determined to learn and had to sell my gear as they were too small and I was frustrated I could not go out kiting in under 18 knots. I prefer flat water, cruisy style of kiting with some jumping. I guess it's my longboard history riding small waves out at Torquay and just having fun without the addiction to adrenalin. Yeah old man stuff!
Anyway, I think you're onto a great adventure with kiting Jukes. I salute you. You will learn a lot more than most, I guarantee it.
