Any kite surfers/boarders out there?

[TheDoughAbides]

Yo. Sup. So i go to the outer banks of north carolina every year and yet ive never kite surfed. I'm pretty sure I'm a huge idiot for not doing this considering that the area hosts some of the best kitesurfing/boarding (whatever you call it) around.

This year i aint gon fuck up! So I finna be gettin a shitty second hand kitesurfing set up before I roll out and take some lessons as soon i get there.

So my questions to you kitesurfer of NS (if you exist) are as follows:

What brands/models of kite/board/harness should i look for as a total nub?

should i be purchasing second hand gear at all? and if yes what factors should i look for in second hand gear in terms of overall condition?

 

[Rosbif]

Careful buying second hand gear, my first lines were second hand and they broke a few times before I realised it was a false economy and got new ones, watch out for fraying or knots on the lines, on the kite check how crispy the kite feels, if it is really flexible and soft it's been used a lot, boards are fine to get second hand, just check the pads/straps aren't worn.

I like Mystic harnesses, and the Best Kahoona was a great kite for me to learn on, boards, most brands have a decent beginner/intermediate board in their lineup.

Get lessons first, better to smash someone else kite into the ground/sea than your own, and it's not easy to learn on your own.

Kiteforum.com has a lot of people who know a lot more than me who can help you more.

 

[no_steeze]

^^ solid advice there. Used boards and harnesses are fine but be wary with kites and bars. It's best to buy secondhand from a shop or kite school since if you have a problem they will usually repair it. The problem with kites is they tend to completely explode when they get old, so if you get something on its last legs you might not know it at the time but suddenly you'll have a blown out leading edge and huge tears in the canopy.

Brand is totally personal preference. Everyone has a specific kite they love and use, for me it's the Slingshot RPM. Each company will make more of a beginner kite which is generally a delta-c shape designed for consistent low end pull and slow controlled movement. Also the delta style generally relaunches much easier. Slingshot's version is the Z kite which we give lessons on, but I wouldn't recommend buying one since you'll outgrow it too quickly. I would look at a Slingshot Rally, a Best Kahoona, or Cabrinha Switchblade. All 3 are very stable all around kites that are easily relaunchable and user friendly. I personally don't love Cabrinhas since they have significantly less bar pressure than Slingshot and therefore back stall much easier, but you have no idea what I'm talking about so I'll stop.

I would say buy a trainer kite and practice flying that before you take a lesson, then when you're down in obx take a few lessons from Real (they have a zero to hero program that I've heard good things about) and then worry about getting gear. Real usually has tons of used stuff that you can look at and probably find a good deal. This time of year 2014 gear is pretty cheap since kiters are rich as fuck and buy new shit every year.

You can check new.ikitesurf.com/classifieds for cheap harnesses (mystic is the best by far) and boards, but I'd make sure you get a kite from a reputable source that will take accountability for any failure.

Feel free to PM me with more questions

 

[Rosbif]

^What he said, I learnt on my Kahoona for 3 years, then one of my last days in Brazil last year it got shredded, got a few crispy new RPMs waiting for Tarifa next week.

 

[TheDoughAbides]

Thanks homies!

One more question i should've asked:

Should I really invest in a seat harness to start or should i just man up and learn on the waist harness?

 

[TheDoughAbides]

Thanks homies!

One more question i should've asked:

Should I really invest in a seat harness to start or should i just man up and learn on the waist harness?

nvm ill pm

 

[last_tango]

Flew a bigger sized trainer kite on 4/20 and it was pretty rad.

 

[no_steeze]

^What he said, I learnt on my Kahoona for 3 years, then one of my last days in Brazil last year it got shredded, got a few crispy new RPMs waiting for Tarifa next week.

Damn I'm jealous you get to go to Tarifa. I just picked up an 11m RPM that I'm stoked to try. Everyone says it's one of the best sizes along with the 9. 2014 RPM's are selling brand new now for like $800 it's crazy. The 2015 is hardly different aside from a different valve and pulley-less bridles but everyone feels the need to upgrade

 

[Rosbif]

Damn I'm jealous you get to go to Tarifa. I just picked up an 11m RPM that I'm stoked to try. Everyone says it's one of the best sizes along with the 9. 2014 RPM's are selling brand new now for like $800 it's crazy. The 2015 is hardly different aside from a different valve and pulley-less bridles but everyone feels the need to upgrade

I got an 11 and an 8 from 2014, not as cheap as in the US, but still good prices for here (UK).

Yeah I been going to Tarifa at this time of year for a while now, it's really nice, apparently in the summer it is just insanely busy though.

 

[no_steeze]

I got an 11 and an 8 from 2014, not as cheap as in the US, but still good prices for here (UK).

Yeah I been going to Tarifa at this time of year for a while now, it's really nice, apparently in the summer it is just insanely busy though.

Yeah I think it's kind of like Cabarete in that sense. I would always rather go to a place that was a little less windy if it meant it wasn't mobbed with people. I hate kiting when it's super crowded since there're so many idiots out there who are absolute menaces

 

[Rosbif]

Yeah I think it's kind of like Cabarete in that sense. I would always rather go to a place that was a little less windy if it meant it wasn't mobbed with people. I hate kiting when it's super crowded since there're so many idiots out there who are absolute menaces

Northern Brazil is the best place I've been, busy in places, but still possible to find lagoons where there's no-one else.