Patrick1599968628

Didn't kite surf, still haven't got out on the water now. We were in Kotu I think and everyone tells you about the currents. Some beaches are quite sherltered and easy to swim in, the beach outside our hotel was powerful and the waves might have been too close together for kiting (I don't really know but they hit you pretty quick). If you swim in it people come and tell you to watch out. They then ask if you'd like to buy something so maybe its just for the tourists but there aren't many people in the water around the hotels.

"start at half their offer and then build up to aroung 75% percent of their original offer or sometimes even less and don't be affraid to walk off" start off at 20% and work up to 30%, walk away and they'll give you a deal if it's worth it to them; then again if you're only talking £5 why not give it to them, you'll never buy things as cheap in this country. Be careful of the currents off some beaches as they can be very strong. If you want to go somewhere hire a taxi. Get the same bloke every time, he'll appreciate it. It's dirt cheap (cheaper than the organised days out), the driver will show you whats worth seeing and if you go to a beach or something he'll wait all day and then take you home when you're ready - you pay for the waiting time but it's not much and they're great guides and help keep all the beggars at bay etc. There are some great deserted beaches half an hour from the main areas. We went to one where there was a bar, 4 tourists and a load of fishermen. At about 4pm a coach arrived and it got busy but they were bussed back out an hour later. Beautiful day!

cheers carlos

Just got a second hand voodoo and when playing with it I noticed that only one side had the knots for adjusting the brake settings, seems to me that you should adjust both brake lines together, has part of the bridle been replaced? Thanks, Pat

Well this guy obviously doesn't know what he's talking about :-)

I'm a newbie too so can't say whats the best kit but I've been looking at second hand prices and if I were you I'd look at spending £100 on the board (apparently 150cm plus long is the size for newbies) and £300 on the kite (as everyone is saying 12-14m), should be able to get something pretty decent for that.

cheers sean, I would apologise about hyjacking the thread, but then it's a cr*p thread so I won't bother

Any differences for the flysurfers?

Can kiters agree on anything apart from wind is fun... Thanks for all the advice (again)

What sort of bouyancy aids to you guys use? I've looked on ebay but they all seem a bit bulky for when you've got a harness on to

Can't beat the Lake district On sh*t, you have

Thanks for the link and encouragement

If anyone can give a quick answer would this harness http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7183069508&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 be good for land and water use?

Hi, just got a voodoo 14. I've done/ am doing a course using LEIs but this is my first big kite so any advice would be welcome. In particular: should any particular harnesses be avoided? do you do emergency pack down the same as with an LEI? (and how does that work without the spars to keep the shape) what wind should I avoid the first time I take it out? as I said, anything else to stop me killing myself would be good, Cheers, Pat

Would a 10m flysurfer extacy make a good one kite quiver?