Hi mate,

I was in the same position as you a 18 months ago and I know how daunting it is trying to pick the best gear for you and stay within a budget all while just wanting to get out there and kiting.

I'm the same size as you minus 6kgs and kite mostly at St Kilda as its closest. For my first kit I went for brand new, one kite (10m Airush Lithium), one board (F-one Unik 136x40) and probably wouldn't do it differently if I had my time again. Some will say go for two older kites if you've got the money/want to maximise your wind range but I'm not sure thats worth it. Just my two cents, but I've found that since I've bought a second kite (13m for the lighter days) I'm still using my 10m the most, I'd say 8/10 times I'm out. And when I am on my 13, its just not quite as fun (still better than nothing, but slower and less boosting with more time spent trying to stay upwind).

So I'd recommend going with a one kite quiver for your starter. I've never bought second hand so I can't comment too much on that but it is a great way to save a couple of dollars just as long as you have a good idea of the quality of what your getting and paying the right price. If you do buy second hand, I wouldn't go anything older than a couple of years and do your research on the kite model. What pushed me towards brand new was knowing that the kite hadn't been flogged and won't randomly fall apart on me, with the reassurance of a 1 year warranty. Everyone's different so whatever floats your boat!

As for recommendations... Everyone will have their opinion here and you'll hear a lot of different things, sometimes conflicting.

Size: I'd say 10 or 11m depending on the kite.

Type: Not sure if it means anything to you yet but steer clear of C kites as a beginner, they have less depower/wind range and can be a pain in the ar$e to relaunch, not ideal when you'll be stacking regularly.

Brand: All brands have they're beginner friendly kites and shops will try to sell you whatever brands they stock, it's that simple. As a beginner, you won't notice a heap of difference between the 'beginner friendly' kites except maybe easier relaunch or bar design and depower. So it's up to you to pick what you like the most. The big brands' beginner oriented kites are: Airush Lithium or DNA, Naish Park or Ride, North Rebel or Neo, Cabrinha Switchblade, Best TS, Slingshot Rally. Any of these kites would be fine to learn on, although don't discount anything that I haven't mentioned. Anything the schools teach with is usually a good bet.

My mate weighs about the same as you and he's on a 10m Airush DNA (budget version of the Lithium) and 140x40 Vox board and we have pretty much the same wind range as me. Neither of us have ever had a problem with our kites so I would recommend Airush, but that's my slightly biased opinion. The ZU in St Kilda usually have a deal for a DNA and board combo at around $1700 I think. They were great there when I did my lessons and gave me a good discount on gear as well as great help with any other issues I've had so I highly recommend going and having a look even if your just shopping around.

Hope that helps,
Sam

Sandrino said..
Hey gents, I'm new to the sport too and just got up on the board, I want to make a mention of what my frustrations are... I bought a best TS 10m 2013 (new) and an axis vanguard 135 board. I have found that the 2013 TS is a heavy kite and I wish I went 2014/2015... Because it's so heavy it likes the strong wind, being in Melbourne though, wind comes and goes, and the second the wind drops, so does the kite and man, I can't get it up once it's touched the water and the wind has dropped.

I'm going to demo the 2015 Best TS 10m and hopefully have a better experience.

Go a lighter kite bud, maybe a slightly bigger board when learning... My 135 kicks my ass most of the time but give me a bigger board and I'm up more often...

I'm sure you'll have lots of great guys giving you sound advice bud... Keep at it and no matter what you choose, spend time with it and get past any teething problems you have and enjoy the ride. MAKE SURE YOUR HARNESS IS COMFORTABLE AND FITS RIGHT!!! lol

Why don't you just buy a 12m kite to go with your 10m (heavy wind kite)?

I believe one kite and board is all you need to start and just learn to handle what mother nature throws at you, then when you have more knowledge and see and demo gear you will soon know what you want and what direction you want to head. For reference im 80kg 6'2 and started with a 12m Kite and a 138 board and with that setup ive been out in 15knotts to 30knotts(i was being pulled off my edge so i came in at that point) But now i have an 8m which is wicked fun and a smaller board and a lot of other stuff.

When you first start it is more a matter of persevering with what you have and you do eventually get used to it. i would recommend a seat or board short harness until you learn proper kite control as it will increase time spent on the water and stop your ribs being sore for a week later.

Personal recommendation is also go new but superseded 2014 or 2013 gear if you can get it. (a lot cheaper and practaclly the same)

Sandrino, how light are you talking when the kite falls out of the sky?

Both my 10 and 13m won't fall out of the sky until theres under 10knots. I can't really kite on the 10 in anything under 17 knots so its never really a problem, so are you going out in marginal conditions? Cos if your kite keeps falling out of the sky, odds are you don't have enough power to kite anyway.

Wait until the seabreezes start picking up then you won't have any problems with Melbourne wind being fickle ;) Great to see another newbie sharing the stoke!

thanks for the help !!!! what a great community/forum

tossing up between an 2015 11m gaastra spark and a 2014 10m lithium.

appreciate the suggestion for a comfy harness, so thinking from the majestic range

and then a second hand board.

any comments on this choice of kit, especially between a gesture spark and a lithium.

Cheers

How about Two brand new kites for the same price as one new or 2 second hand kites?

Have a look at switch, I have heard very good things and am about to order 2 myself, the element is their beginner friendly kite.

visit their website $witch kites .com

(wouldn't let me post the proper name so had to use a $ symbol instead of an s)