Shorey

I would have gone over and said something, but I wasn't able to as I had my own responsibilities to take care of. On reflection, I would have helped the guy out - I'm not a hater and line cutting isn't my bag. Wihout a doubt I would have directed him over to Bantham as he was clearly a classic case of newby, not enough air in the kite, not sure about water so sticking to the land until he got the feel of the wing etc etc. The result was a constant dumping of the kite onto the restricted space of the causeway (the beast had only just done it's last run on the falling tide.) No harm done. Luckily.

A big congratulations to the utter twat who opted to launch an under inflated kite on the causeway today when he was surround by children and families playing. On such a restricted space, in light gusting conditions with a jelly fishing kite it was the most idiotic and selfish thing I've seen in years. If I hadn't had responsibilities of my own I would have been cutting your lines. So, if it was you with the black kite with pink front edge, get lessons because you looked totally out of your ability zone and obviously don't know what the hell you are doing, don't launch and hang about on a crowded beach for over twenty minutes and next time, keep your desire to get stoke in check until the causeway provides enough safe space to launch. Your actions today could have had horrific consequences. Grow up, be responsible and don't put the sport or others at risk. Rant over.

I can't quite believe I'm saying this, but if you are in Cornwall, get in touch with AirJam (there I said it) they should be able to point you in the direction of a decent kite school. That should then get you water safe and allow you to use a range of kites to see what you like best.

I disagree with this. AirJam are in Newquay which is about 2 hours from Torquay on a good day - crow flight and our west country roads are very different. If it's a quick session you want (which is how I interpreted your post) then don't bother with north Cornwall in the summer months. Stay local, to Torquay and most, if not all, wind directions will be covered.

May well do. Let me speak to the other half and see when she wants a lesson - can I do a down winder as part of a lesson?

You're about 30 minutes from Exmouth which will provide kite surfing in almost all winds. Going west you are about 30 minutes from Bantham which is on of my favourite spots for anything from Souh o South West. Torquay? Sorry to say I have lived in Devon for a long time and never actually been there. Hope you have a good weekend.

My signiture block is so out of date. I own nothing but a lid at the moment - but I may well borrow back the 16m and take that as you suggest. Tiverton. Good roads from there to the north coast and south so you are actually set pretty well for any wind conditions. I favour Bantham and Exmouth on the south coast, and also the far west of Cornawall - which from you will be about 1 hour 45 on a good run. when you get down, it's worth making the tirp to somewhere like Edge Watersports in Exmouth or Sea Breeze a bit further down the coast, they's be able to give you a much better handle on where to go. Failing that, I knwo there was a thread on here about Devon spots a while back, the search function may throw it up for you.

Now now! To the rest of you, thanks for the feedback. I'm obviously not as clued up as I had hoped to be. I'm sticking with the Ion 12m option. thanks again. (Kiting Colin where were you mang! you are normally so quick off the mark!)

Thanks for the info. I'll try and post a few picks on my return. I'm really sceptical about taking my kit out - we're doing a bit of travelling around when we are there. I know it will cost me, but can I use the stuff out there if I have a lesson (I could do with instruction on jumping and landing safely)?

So, I should stop being a wimp and actually get the Ion then. Thnks for your response.

So do I need to take some gear - I reckon I'll only get two days in max - would be so much easier to borrow/hire?

Booked two weeks out there with a company called toescapeto who are based in SA. I reckon the wife will have a few words to say if I'm out kiting all the time. I take she can have a lesson there? That would be the best thing, she learns whilst I get to play! Can't wait.

Good point. I'm only registered here - I'll take a search of the forums you suggest though. Thanks

And anyone else who isn't too bored to help out! (Colin you offered some sound advice last time round dude!) I had a false start about two months ago, my ear got infected again so I didn't pull the trigger on the 12m Ion I was about to get. Reading here, I see that the Ion DOES NOT have 100% de-power, this matters to me as I feel qafe knowing that if I pull a toggle or what have, the kite will die totally. So, is the Waroo 12m a better "1 kite fits all" option for me (10.5 stone, 5ft10) over the Ion? What is the cost of the Waroo with bara dn lines, over the Ion? For the record, I'm not a retailer, I spend threedays a week in a glass tower in London and have absolutely no interest in sparking the Waroo v Ion debate an have people get all antsy in their pantsy. Thanks

Having had a flase start two months ago with a re-current ear infection, I'm quite glad I've stumbled over this thread. I'm a competant kite boarder. I've been using a North Vegas 16m most days, opted for discretion rather than valour on the windy days. Found the 9m Flow very punchy (personally) and didn't feel confident under it. I WAS about to pull the trigger on the Ion, but read here that it lacks 100% de-power. In my book, this is important. So, is a Waroo a better bet. Cost wise: 12m Ion v 12m Waroo? Is 12m the correct size too (I'm 10.5 stone, 5ft10.) Seeking a 1 kite does all option and will accept that on flat days and major blowy das I'll be in the hutch.

Pinewood Village Beach Resort, nr Diani - Mombassa area. 15th August. Are you working out there?

Kenya to be precise. Anyone kite surfed there? I'm going for two weeks and don't know whether to take any kit, or use the stuff they have. (This includes questions like, do I take my own wet suit - if indeed it is needed - do I take my own lid and harness?) Any advice would be appreciated.

Wait a few years - actually, wait until 2011 - and the largest resevoir in southern England will be right on your door step. You can thank Thames Water. They are progressing well with plans to flood a massive area in the Vale of the White Horse. Mean whiles....keep driving to Wales.

Oh Spudley spudley - and the rest of you very sad fuktards who haven't got the point about location and insurance...... read it AGAIN. My opinion clearly states that the RULES ARE DIFFERENT THERE (Hampstead.) Since the last ice age ended all Londoners have known that kites and the Heath go together...it's accepted. The increasing use of beaches that were once only the domain picnics, plywood surf boards and wind breaks is a shock to the system of many and they (jo bloggs) really don't understand the apparent take over or danger according to the reports I'm currently assessing..... the body of opinion weighted against kites is fecking enormous.The private beaches that I'm advising on aren't able to pay sky high premiums and the land owners are cacking themselves about a claim. Incidently, I have flown on Hampstead Heath in the last few months with my nephew and a home made one string. Some lad with a Blade actually packed down and helped us out..... he didn't need to and we accepted the risks because they are historically placed on the Heath....common sense, his words.."I was trying to figure a 360 but thought better of it with you guys about." Brains not ignorance. Appologies for the thread hyjack. Blame Spudley. The vid still doesn't float my boat. The end, from me.

LEAVE THE KITE! Cervinia offers some f#'king amazing off piste as it's so close to Zermatt. Been to Zermatt now for the last errr..... 8 years or so. Get a chopper to fly you up to the ice fields on the shoulder of the Matterhorn where there is some very awesome off piste stuff going on. Also, get some skins and a guide and go up the Breithorne...major powder there. Actually, there's probably potential for a kite at Cervinia...lots of groomers that can get busy. A nine m LEI or something that will handle fairly regular winds (it's high up.) Let me know how you get on with the kite if you take it... I'm off there in the new year for a few months. Enjoy - oh...break a leg.

I owe a big appology to Muppetdude. I didn't read his thread correctly and made the assumption he wasn't impressed. I also need to point out that, whilst I kitesurf and surf, I don't represent the kite surf community and/or their opinions - I speak only for myself. I've looked at that vid again and stand by what I said, I'm not in the least impressed by its content or the way you have both managed to take my initial comments and quote them out of context. That is clearly a well populated beach, and no matter what you say the guy in the england shirt is well within reach if you wipe out and your kite goes a bit nuts. My point was that, whilst it's acknowledged you don't have that luxury of space on land, I can now totally understand why there is so much ill feeling amongst the non-kite community to close land boarding down in certain areas. I think maybe it's the "need for speed" crap at the start followed by a not so awe inspiring 3mph kiteboarder that first cracked me up..... Learnt to kite in 1998..on land....in big wide open spaces..like the Sahara dessert for three weeks. I will never patronise stuff I don't think is good...like that vid. Further, I'm now working on a contract for six months that will result in either the closure or continued use of a kite beach up country. It's my job to advise the client, I haven't visited the site yet, but now I can see where their concerns come from..... they have insurance but legals have confirmed it won't pay out if a passer by or a kiteboarder is injured or claims against them.

I can understand where muppetdude is coming from. I wasn't that impressed. In fact, I thought that was utterly embarressing. Furthermore, I'm fortunate enough to surf and kite surf where land boarding hasn't taken off yet - or simply isn't worth while - and I'm really glad. If the beaches round here were torn up like that on a windy day I'd be upset and I can now fully understand why so many areas are being closed down. Clearly where that vid was shot there was no designation, jo blogs public were all over the place and you kids are throwing tricks that you clearly haven't mastered yet (therefore not focussing 100% on where the kite is).... not too smart, I hope you are insured and I hope you don't drop a line through some bystanders flesh anytime soon. If I've upset anyone... well..... bollocks anyway.

Where the feck have you been?! The strong winds have been rolling in for about a month and a half now. (With this week being the exception so far.) 9m Fuel by the way.

Literally opened a Can-o-worms..... wormeries are awesome! They eat my left overs and then their sh#te helps my plants to grow. Love it. Appologies for thread hyjack.

Hear you too Gillstah, but it's a perspective thing IMHO. Andy Murray is mighty young, Amir Kahn is still young. American chicks are playing world class golf in nappies. Gymylastics chicks are young...in fact..they's passed it by the time they are 12. Jenson Button was about 21 when he got an F1 drive. Tait was mighty young to get an England shirt in Union. The pakistani's are playing a cricketer who made his debut at 14 in Test Cricket. Youth is coming to the fore in almost all sports, the wider public appear to want dedication over many years...consistent performers against the odds. Redgrave and McCarther types. Looking at the sport itself, you've got Sam Kirby down in Exmouth doing the demo's for the Crossbow and he's about 15 I think..... put simply, he's excellent and there must be others like him and AH all over the world. Now, if you consider the age of the sport and the younger generation, they tend to have more time on their hands to nail the new moves. I'm not trying to undermine the fantastic (and I mean that) effort of AH, but I am saying the sport lends itself to those younger than you and I. Worse still...the sport it judged by people who decide outcomes. The sports that tend to get up there in the lime light are those that aren't judged and present a clear outcome. I've opened a can of worms, I've said my piece and am stepping away. Work beckons.