Hi Dave,

Welcome to Adelaide.

depends what level you are at and what you want to do, but from your post I am going to assume you are a beginner.

Depending on weight and some other factors the average kite sizes would be an 8m and 12m quiver or a 9m and 13m quiver.

Board sizes 128cm to 140cm.

Best spots for learning are anywhere with flat water.

Go to www.saksa.com.au , call one of the local shops or pm one fo the regular posters in this forum for more info.

Take the time to introduce yourself when you get to the beach and you will find a friendly and helpful crew with heaps more advice for you.

Cheers

Geoff

Blade as in Vertigo ? You should be pretty right with the two kites you mentioned.

No i dont think its a vertigo, its a blade 3 flexifoil. One without the leading edge inflation.

Ive got a airush directional board, which ive been told is good for beginners and going up wind.

Its up to you which way you go with kite style c kites are regarded these days as kites for advanced riders, but a lot of us learnt on them and they were no where as good or safe as they are now, the only downside of the c kite is the windrange is not as large meaning you will need 2 kites. Full bow kites have a much larger windrange with allmost a on off switch for power which some learners feel safer on feeling safe increases the rate you learn. But most people go for a hybrid kite as they are learner friendly have a large windrange and can suit many styles of riding freeride, surf, wake etc. and normaly have a simple 4 line setup which will fully depower.

Kites i would look at are the bandit dos if your riding develops in to a powered style a lot of guys get just one kite 10m for arround 75kg riderss and 12m for 90+ these kites have a verry large windrange 15-30kts.

or there are the slingshot rev, cabrina switch or crossbow which are more bow style and can suit riders learner to wake, surf ridders.

The other kite i would recomend if you just want to freeride and jump but not feel uncomfortable + have 5 line safety is the north rebel verry learner friendly and will gradually progress with you.

Im sure that there are a lot of other great kites just get one to suit the style of riding you are aiming at. there are a lot of forums and mags to steer you in the right direction. Boards make one of the biggest differences in learning to ride something modern aimed at learner to intermediate like the nobile 555 will get you up and riding upwind in no time. higher performance boards hinder your learning as they take more technique to get going up wind.

Get some lessons as learning from a mate can leave some of the safety things that you should know out. get down the beach and talk to other ridders and see what level and gear they are ridding.

Get in your car and come down to whyalla on the 17 jan for the kiteboarding comp check out all the new gear and meet most of the crew from SA i think that most people will be hear. The comp promotes having people on the water no matter what skill level you are at lest year we had ridders that could only body drag enter the event and some of them got some prizes. plus there will be some pro riders there going nuts riding sliders etc and a big night out after the event.

have fun and kite safe.

Went down to the beach today to practise on the beach and it was blowin about 20 knots thanks to thwe tropical low. I wasnt prepared to be dragged down the beach so i didnt go out. The wind died down about 4 o clock to about 12 knots so i took another kite that my friend just gave me ( airush trio 12m) and took that down and learnt to self launch and had some fun..

At what point of experience is it time to get on the board and have a go...I have eager beaver syndrome. Ive done wakeboarding and things like that before so its mainly kite control that i need to get good at....

Whatever you do don't make the mistake in buying two different kites from different manufacturers. Even two different kites from the same manufacturer will be different. For example a 12m Xbow and 12m SB from Cabrinha or 13m PD3 and 12m Mr F from JN Kites or 13m Fuel and 13m Rev2 from Slingshot will have different wind ranges and handle differently.

Basically keep it simple and try to get the same kite in the same brand but different size. You'll have happy kiting that way.

Hey mate, i'll send you a PM.

Dave,

Glad to hear your up and riding, any hassles or problems with your kite come back and see us at the kiteshop. We have a good crew that does downwinders from henley to here. feel free to join in then you can learn without the hassle of walking back upwind. generally meet at the shop for 3pm for the first one and again at 5/6pm for the second, wind dependant as always.
Definatly dont recomend using a open cell foil kite on the water as a learner. They dont just not relaunch they take on water and sink. Buggys and land boards are great fun though and a good lightwind alternative.

Andy