bushflyer

I remember when the waroo came out, I managed to get one of the first, and realised back then that this type of kite would change the sport. Safer? Great! More people leaning faster? Great! More money in the sport? Great! But at the same time, the element of going through the mill, and earning your water wings was lost a bit. The first 2 years there were times I was shitting myself going out lit, but you respect the kite and the conditions, so you stay sharp and don't ride too stupid. You can get away with a lot on a new kite, but maybe some folk are missing out on important kite skills and hard earned lessons, which can leave them in bother. I think receiving good quality tuition is BY FAR more important than how new your kite is. If it's got a small windrange you stick in it and choose your days wisely. It's frustrating ( I remember ) but it's more considered and safer. Any old 4 line kite though I'd get onto 5 lines, it makes it much safer unless in the waves, and it'll relaunch every time. If somone is getting into it and has a kiter to give them good advice, an old kite is just fine. The kind of people who go out without no advice buy both cheap and new kites. You can be rich and stupid. If it works, use it, but get good lessons and advice. And besides, after a few months on a cheap old kite they'll have the bug bad, have saved up, and will be trawling the shops looking for that bling deal!

Once you've pulled a loop and the board comes off and flys alongside you, only to hit you in the balls/ face, then you know how much water can hurt. Or my personal fave, busting a kiteloop, and landing high speed in the railey position, balls first. That smarts a bit. Yes the water hurts !

I love older c kites, combination of grunt and feel, the speed came later. If you know what you're doing, Any kite is fine. Lots of gems being laid to rest, grab a bargain! Always wanted to try the X 10 and batwing amongst others. So many good kites our there

Sailing way out back and picking the moment of entry to a wave is one of the joys of kitesurfing. That and just blasting out to get away from it all. Dies a phone in a waterproof bag not give your location? Just wondered.

Watergate or perranporth. Perran tends to have harder sand than watergate

Amazing kite, going upwind well in 8knots on a surfboard. Be sure to tighten up the backlines for more low end in light wind, but you lose some reverse launch ability

sorry for language... http://www.grunnenrocks.nl/images/news/2009/2009_10/2009_10_15_me_is_twat.gif[\img]

Check forcast go out smile help those in need ( keep the good karma in kitesports ) respect the right of way ( please ) ride your tits off go home make love to missus simples!

Very surprised to hear this, watergate has a really friendly crew of riders there who will always help you. Don't know anyone who uses FS kites there though. Whatever sport you do there will always be some dick who tries to piss on your parade. Smile, stay humble and keep at it. And firebomb his car on the way out of the car park

A foil can do everything an lei can, it just needs a bit more imput. I like both and use both,( though not sle's having a break from them) having fixed a few kites in my time I can tell you a foil will take a lot of abuse. Fixing a puncture on a one pump kite can be very time consuming, and it can only take the tiniest shard. But, the responsivness of the inflatables is handy. I'd just like to say that in my opinion, those who bash different kite types show thier ignorance and lack of experience. The new kites are great but they make things easy, skipping out some important (and sometimes hard learned) lessons. Put the time in and you can fly ANY kite well. Safetys can fail but skills'll see you through. A 12m sle or 10 depower foil will see you through nicely. No substitute for a good demo!

I got teabagged for the first time in years a few days ago. Left a hole in a choice place in my wetsuit. Speaking from my experiences, I'd just say try to always take the safe option when setting up, launching and getting ready to ride. If you cover yourself as much as possible you only have the wind to worry about. Keep it low till it's time to go!

A longer board like a comp 16 is nice and stable at speed which is nice when you start out. Make it easier on yourself by tightening the skate trucks to cut down on speed wobble. The cheap board will last till you start jumping as long as you service it regularly.

Top tip for tangles. Pull them apart like you are tossing a salad with your fingers. It's loops within loops and this will tease the out. Loosen all the loops you can see and work your way through them. Also lift as much of the tangles bridle as you can into the air so you can see what's going on. Keep it all loose and it'll work out. This is one of the most useful things I've learnt.

What year rhino? Most use the 5th line to help support the shape of the kite. Also the cabhrina bars have the 'recon'? System on them, the kites were strengthened for this, use it on the rhino and you'd damage your kite. Some other 5 line bars would work but you'd need to mod them a bit to get the tension right on your 5th line.

Hold board on toeside rail in the waterstart position. Swing the kite across the top to mid part of the window. The pressure will keep the board on ya feet. Soak it up with your legs till the edge locks in. Stay light on ya feet over chop and don't bring the kite too high and you'll stay in contact a lot easier.