Hey guys!

I'm pretty hyped to really get into kiteboarding this season, did around 5 lessons last year and was able to get up and ride in both directions. Should probably also tell you guys that im from europe & water/air temps are currently around 2-5?C, so i'll have to wait until mid/end april to get back in the water.

Abit about me:
- 80kg
- wake-/skateboarding background
- we usually have around 12-25kn

I talked to a few people in our local scene, including the owner of the school & some instructors about what gear to buy, taking into account that i already feel quite comfortable on the board and want to get into riding wakestyle later on. Regarding kites the general opinion was that it doesn't really matter these days, most safety systems are the same and if i want to invest a considerable amount of money i should get something that i'll be happy with in the long run.
Recommendations were something along the lines of: North Dice / Core GTS / Cabrinha FX / Airush Union in 9m & 12m

Got told that boardsize between 139-142 should be fine for my weight. But what kind of board? Can i get something like a tona pop/north ts and ride it with straps in the beginning? Or rather go with something more beginner friendly?

I'll also most likely take a few lessons after i bought everything. Don't really feel comfortable being alone on the water yet.

It's winter over here and i've been reading alot, might just be getting ahead of myself with all the gear.
Nevertheless i would love to hear you guys' opinion.

cheers!

First thing to buy is a ticket to somewhere warmer.

I'm guessing you are UK based? If so, you might find it useful to check into the Kiteboarder forums to get local area advice and find people to go along with.

Personally I feel that the 'progression' kites might be worth a look. I'm not talking the beginner kites like the Airush DNA or the North Mono, more the set of 'Friendly Allrounders' like the North Evo, Switch Element, Best Roca etc. They are tame enough to be easy to control but good enough to take those first steps into wake style. Why? Well when I was learning I jumped and bought a used Dice. It was frankly too much kite for my skill level at the time and I didn't really enjoy using it as soon as the wind picked up. The friendly allrounders will hunt the edge of the window. This means when a gust hits, you edge harder and you feel back in control again. On the bridled C-kites like the dice, the gust hits, you edge harder and you get more power. That can be a little disconcerting to a beginner. A decent allrounder kite will keep you going for quite a while in your progression so its not totally wasted money.

Same with boards. We tend to refer to width more than length when choosing a board in europe - so for your weight something about 41-42 width would be about right. Don't know anything about the tona range. The Shinn boards are the popular ones where I am.

All depends on how well you deal with set backs really. Plenty of people learned on 2 line kites (difficult to fly) back in the day so going straight out and getting the gear you'll want when you get good enough isn't an unworkable solution and if you have the time on the water you can make it work. Me, I'd rather pay a little extra to buy my way into easy progression as I have less time on the water so I want it to be as easy as possible.

weebitbreezy said..
I'm guessing you are UK based? If so, you might find it useful to check into the Kiteboarder forums

the UK online kitescene is pretty much dead hence everyone hangs out here. you basically meet a few local kiters and join their whatsapp and facebook group. Come to think of it the online kitescene is pretty dead anywhere outside of Australia/USA.

brlz said..
I appreciate all the answers!
Im currently living on the east coast of germany, so uk is not too far off.

Had a look at the most recommended kites like evo/switchblade, they seem pretty similiar to me. I think that i did my lessons on the evo, since pretty much all schools around here use north kites.
Are there any big differences between the models from 2016/2017 & 2018? If there are none i might just pick up a quiver of used 2016/2017 Evos/Switchblade and get something like a low/mid rocker board in 142cm, until i feel ready to switch over to boots and a more performance oriented kite.

cheers

I would get something closer to a wakestyle kite if you are wanting to progress onto boots. Suggestions would be the RPM, FX, Best TS (if you can get one), maybe the dice, naish dash. Something like that. Hardcore enough that you can progress but nothing that's too over the top while you are learning. I would be wary listening to half the guys on this forum. 90% have never unhooked and would have no idea what sort of gear you want to have to ride the way you want to ride. Head to one of the local freestyle spots and talk to some of the guys. They are more likely to steer you in the direction you want to go than most of the lawn mowers on this forum.

weebitbreezy said..

daveisthekotz said..

brlz said..
I appreciate all the answers!
Im currently living on the east coast of germany, so uk is not too far off.

Had a look at the most recommended kites like evo/switchblade, they seem pretty similiar to me. I think that i did my lessons on the evo, since pretty much all schools around here use north kites.
Are there any big differences between the models from 2016/2017 & 2018? If there are none i might just pick up a quiver of used 2016/2017 Evos/Switchblade and get something like a low/mid rocker board in 142cm, until i feel ready to switch over to boots and a more performance oriented kite.

cheers

I would get something closer to a wakestyle kite if you are wanting to progress onto boots. Suggestions would be the RPM, FX, Best TS (if you can get one), maybe the dice, naish dash. Something like that. Hardcore enough that you can progress but nothing that's too over the top while you are learning. I would be wary listening to half the guys on this forum. 90% have never unhooked and would have no idea what sort of gear you want to have to ride the way you want to ride. Head to one of the local freestyle spots and talk to some of the guys. They are more likely to steer you in the direction you want to go than most of the lawn mowers on this forum.

Out of interest did you 'learn' on freestyle kites? Otherwise your point about ignoring people without experience is pretty moot.

Well firstly they aren't the freestyle kites of their respective brands and secondly I learnt on the exact same level of kite i'm suggesting him to buy.

brlz said..

daveisthekotz said..

brlz said..
I appreciate all the answers!
Im currently living on the east coast of germany, so uk is not too far off.

Had a look at the most recommended kites like evo/switchblade, they seem pretty similiar to me. I think that i did my lessons on the evo, since pretty much all schools around here use north kites.
Are there any big differences between the models from 2016/2017 & 2018? If there are none i might just pick up a quiver of used 2016/2017 Evos/Switchblade and get something like a low/mid rocker board in 142cm, until i feel ready to switch over to boots and a more performance oriented kite.

cheers

I would get something closer to a wakestyle kite if you are wanting to progress onto boots. Suggestions would be the RPM, FX, Best TS (if you can get one), maybe the dice, naish dash. Something like that. Hardcore enough that you can progress but nothing that's too over the top while you are learning. I would be wary listening to half the guys on this forum. 90% have never unhooked and would have no idea what sort of gear you want to have to ride the way you want to ride. Head to one of the local freestyle spots and talk to some of the guys. They are more likely to steer you in the direction you want to go than most of the lawn mowers on this forum.

Cheers man!
Seems like the rpm is exactly what is was looking for.
What kind of board did you learn on?
Also probably should mention that i'll stick to a spot where the water is waist-/knee-deep depending on the tide.

The rpm is a nice kite, plenty of people spend their whole kiting lives riding it. Its a bit more difficult than say the FX or the Dice in terms of learning ability, but you will be rewarded for putting up with its difficult aspects in the long run. I ride the chaos so this isn't a brand punch in any way.

I learnt on a cabrinha Excalibur. I think its a great board but that's my opinion. I wouldn't learn on a wakestyle board (generally they have grind bases and large rocker) as it will be difficult to get upwind. I ride the Cabrinha CBL right now and wouldn't suggest a board like that until you properly know how to go upwind and hold your edge. Be mindful that if you progress to unhooked riding quickly, then you will want a board you can put boots on eventually (like the Excalibur). The inserts on freeride boards just don't cut it generally. That being said, I would stick to straps until you are confident you can handle most of of control situations.

Water depth becomes a bit lame when you start crashing, but you will work that out.

Actually ended up going with two new 2018er FX (9/12) and 2018 44cm trimlite bar, got them cheaper than new 2017er rpms.
Really appreciate the input you guys gave me.