oscar? Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Hey guys, im taking up my first of three lessons, some time this week, so i need to start looking at gear. I was thinking about getting the harness, then the board then the kite. Im looking at a harness to suit my semi slim waist. Im about 160cm tall. I weigh around 60 kg. So yeah. A kite recommendation, that is around 07, 06'ish is is mint condition, a board that is 06, 07'ish, that is also in mint condition. and finally a harness, that i will buy new. Thanks heaps guys. Links to reviews, pictures posted & sites with the kite, board or harness on it would be heaps of help. Thanks heaps, Oscar. I also thought this thread might be help to someone else starting out, that is around my height and weight who dosent have aclue what to look for. Quote
oscar? Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Posted January 30, 2008 What is this set up like? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&item=250210230651&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI Thanks. Quote
koma Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Harness: Mystic Warrior or North Styler if your after a waist harness. Dakine Fusion if you want a seat. Your probably going to be an xtra small size given your height and weight (unless you've got a beer gut already). Board: Anything you can get your hands on thats a twin-tip and ~130-138cm long and ~38-40cm wide for your weight. The Force Industry boards are getting some fantastic reviews from other guys & girls around Melbourne and they're available brand new for about the same as most boards are second hand! I'd recommend having lessons to the point where you get up on the board atleast a couple of times as your instructor will put you on a nice big 'door' style board. Once your up on the water there's no reason to buy a 'door' board unless you want to keep it as a light wind board. Kite: ~9/10/11 metres + 2006 or newer + SLE/bow/hybrid = HUGE SELECTION! Pick a colour that you like and something that's in your price range. Given it's your first kite you don't need to be looking at reviews like 'boosts huge with infinite hangtime' or 'freestyle weapon', but i will recommend that the more depower the better. Kites that i used to get going included GK Sonics, Ozone Instincts and Best Waroo's. Of all three i liked the Instinct the best, so i bought one. My two mates i got kiting ended up buying GK Sonic's because they were cheaper. Speaking of which (minor pimpage) i've got my '06 11m Ozone Instinct for sale right now as i just upgraded to an '08 Naish. PM me if you want details. If you were buying gear i'd recommend buying a harness first so you can use it whilst yor having lessons, then a kite, then a board. There's no point having a board if you don't have a kite to use it with; and besides... you'll spend the first few sessions or so just flying the kite with you in the water body dragging (or atleast you should). Quote
koma Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 What is this set up like? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&item=250210230651&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI Thanks. Puhleeeeez don't buy your first kite gear off ebay without atleast inspecting it or better still, having someone who knows kites inspect it. With so little detail given it screams dodgey. Whilst i don't recognise the Liquid Force bag i'd warrant a guess that it's probably a ~03/04 c-kite with very little depower which is definitely NOT the most friendly kite to start with. "Medium harness"... well thats not very descriptive. As i said in my first post your probably a small or Xsmall. Far better to try harnesses on in a shop and buy a new one that fits you well. The board, well without any specs its a bit hard to tell but it looks like an ~04/05 Liquid Force thats ~136-138cm long guessing by the size of the footpads. Nothing special especially considering its not a bargain. Quote
oscar? Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Posted January 30, 2008 Okay, thanks heaps Koma. Lots of help here. and now i have an insight on what i should be looking for. Im thinking of looking for a board & harness on 'SeaBreeze,' or heading down to RPS and having a look. Thanks, Oscar. Quote
JKS Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Oscar ... if your budgets a bit tight make sure you buy the harness and kite first ... that way you can still get in a fly when the wind in right. Sand dragging and/or bodydragging sessions with your new kite will teach you heaps and beat the crappers out of taking just your new board to the beach I use a best waist harness to surf .... reasonably comfy and priced,my Dakine pro limit seat harness comes out when landboarding (good butt protection) Happy Days Quote
oscar? Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Posted January 30, 2008 Okay cool, thanks again. I've also decided on how im going to go about buying things. 1. Lessons 2. Harness 3. Kite And ive decided on going for the Mystic Warrior, North Styler or the Best Waist Harness. Heres a couple of things im looking at. Advice on which are & which ones aren't for me would be great! http://www.extremekites.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=5699 http://www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Classifieds/Gear/2006-Ozone-Kites-Instinct-11-metre.aspx?id=e04e&search=0nJvRyfYPfA9IcdHHpyIeXvraE8BD%2fRz4jGukDt51uG4gkUit0Thsg%3d%3d http://www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Classifieds/Gear/2007-Ozone-Kites-Instinct-Sport-2007-11M-15M-11-metre.aspx?id=ehi9&search=0DTMbK3hcE7tUDej%2bfBQ43a0gs%2fY0vmIY8%2fMLP5Y0XM%3d Are any of these suitable for me? Thankyou, Oscar. Quote
oscar? Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Posted January 30, 2008 Ok guys, Im really keen on the Ozone Instinct, The Mystic Warrior & I havent looked into boards yet. - The Kite - Okay, so far ive been told that being a beginner, i should be looking for a arge 'Depower Range' & an easy launch kite. Does the Ozone have these features? - The Harness - So far ive only read rave reviews on it. Im really happy to buy this soon. Is it the right product for me? Thankyou very much, Oscar. Quote
oscar? Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Posted January 30, 2008 Harness: Mystic Warrior or North Styler if your after a waist harness. Dakine Fusion if you want a seat. Your probably going to be an xtra small size given your height and weight (unless you've got a beer gut already). Board: Anything you can get your hands on thats a twin-tip and ~130-138cm long and ~38-40cm wide for your weight. The Force Industry boards are getting some fantastic reviews from other guys & girls around Melbourne and they're available brand new for about the same as most boards are second hand! I'd recommend having lessons to the point where you get up on the board atleast a couple of times as your instructor will put you on a nice big 'door' style board. Once your up on the water there's no reason to buy a 'door' board unless you want to keep it as a light wind board. Kite: ~9/10/11 metres + 2006 or newer + SLE/bow/hybrid = HUGE SELECTION! Pick a colour that you like and something that's in your price range. Given it's your first kite you don't need to be looking at reviews like 'boosts huge with infinite hangtime' or 'freestyle weapon', but i will recommend that the more depower the better. Kites that i used to get going included GK Sonics, Ozone Instincts and Best Waroo's. Of all three i liked the Instinct the best, so i bought one. My two mates i got kiting ended up buying GK Sonic's because they were cheaper. Speaking of which (minor pimpage) i've got my '06 11m Ozone Instinct for sale right now as i just upgraded to an '08 Naish. PM me if you want details. If you were buying gear i'd recommend buying a harness first so you can use it whilst yor having lessons, then a kite, then a board. There's no point having a board if you don't have a kite to use it with; and besides... you'll spend the first few sessions or so just flying the kite with you in the water body dragging (or atleast you should). Okay, i just took great notice in this. Looks like ill be talking to you & the guy in mount Waverly about buying a kite. Yet again, thankyou. Quote
JKS Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Oscar ... IMHO 1. Dont know about the LF so best I dont make anything up 2.The 06 Ozone is 100% the better of the 3 links ... good sturdy stable kite .. the bar has a few dangly bits which can be prone to tangles (so the rumors go) But kite has goiod de-power and easy to re-launch. These are 2 of your main concerns to start with. 3. The last link ... looks like the 11m is sold and your nuts if you get the 15. It will spank you. Buying 2nd hand is best when you start as you will crash this kite more than the next few kites you buy. Let it be your sacraficial learning kite ... but respect it and treat it well all the same. Taking into account the kite you get is second hand ... base your pickyness on the $ and the year of the kite..... cheaper and older means you are going to answer Hmmmmm to a few of the following. Check it holds solid air for at least 3 hours (overnight is better) If there are wierd lumps or bumps in the inflato parts this is NOT COOL. Ask the seller to fix it or get a $250 discount .... that should cover your time spent friggin around with it ! Check the Bar/lines/bridles for knots, fraying or damage - they are vital (they are expensive to replace... $150 - $200ish just for 4 lines) Check the straps work properly on the bar (trim straps can twist or slip) and MAKE SURE the Quick release works under load (this may save you life) Test it Test it Test it !!!! Check the canopy for marks/wear/rips ... even tiny holes. They can cause problems. The 'crisper' a canopy feels the better The Leading Edge (Big curved inflato part) cops the brunt of the impacts ... have a good look over the LE, especiall the tips (ends) as this is where a lot of wear will be obvious, especially near attachment points as the lines/pulleys can rub. The Trailing Edge (other end) can have wear on the tip of the struts from being dragged around on the beach ... this is also usually where they will pop in a big impact. Kites can be repaired and may have patches ... this is cool as long as they look neat and tidy. Look for sail tape that may be peeling away, stitching that may be fraying or patches that are twisted or deformed. Phew ... I'm excited ... I wanna go buy a kite Happy Days Quote
oscar? Posted January 30, 2008 Author Report Posted January 30, 2008 Oscar ... IMHO 1. Dont know about the LF so best I dont make anything up 2.The 06 Ozone is 100% the better of the 3 links ... good sturdy stable kite .. the bar has a few dangly bits which can be prone to tangles (so the rumors go) But kite has goiod de-power and easy to re-launch. These are 2 of your main concerns to start with. 3. The last link ... looks like the 11m is sold and your nuts if you get the 15. It will spank you. Buying 2nd hand is best when you start as you will crash this kite more than the next few kites you buy. Let it be your sacraficial learning kite ... but respect it and treat it well all the same. Taking into account the kite you get is second hand ... base your pickyness on the $ and the year of the kite..... cheaper and older means you are going to answer Hmmmmm to a few of the following. Check it holds solid air for at least 3 hours (overnight is better) If there are wierd lumps or bumps in the inflato parts this is NOT COOL. Ask the seller to fix it or get a $250 discount .... that should cover your time spent friggin around with it ! Check the Bar/lines/bridles for knots, fraying or damage - they are vital (they are expensive to replace... $150 - $200ish just for 4 lines) Check the straps work properly on the bar (trim straps can twist or slip) and MAKE SURE the Quick release works under load (this may save you life) Test it Test it Test it !!!! Check the canopy for marks/wear/rips ... even tiny holes. They can cause problems. The 'crisper' a canopy feels the better The Leading Edge (Big curved inflato part) cops the brunt of the impacts ... have a good look over the LE, especiall the tips (ends) as this is where a lot of wear will be obvious, especially near attachment points as the lines/pulleys can rub. The Trailing Edge (other end) can have wear on the tip of the struts from being dragged around on the beach ... this is also usually where they will pop in a big impact. Kites can be repaired and may have patches ... this is cool as long as they look neat and tidy. Look for sail tape that may be peeling away, stitching that may be fraying or patches that are twisted or deformed. Phew ... I'm excited ... I wanna go buy a kite Happy Days I now know a lot more than i did 5 minutes ago. Thanks a lot! Oscar Quote
JKS Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Cool Oscar .... my pleasure .... just make sure you post pics Happy Days Quote
koma Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Okay, i just took great notice in this. Looks like ill be talking to you & the guy in mount Waverly about buying a kite. Yet again, thankyou. Hehe, yeah i actually laughed when i saw that you linked to my for sale post on SeaBreeze! Give me a shout if you want to check out the Instinct. Would be happy to meet you at the beach if the winds blowing and show you how it goes. Can say that it's a fantastic kite and took me from basic board skills when i had an old C-kite to progressing heaps over this season. PM me if you'd like me to send some photo's through to you of it. Now i'll try to stop hijacking your thread and let you get back to it. Quote
.Joel Posted January 30, 2008 Report Posted January 30, 2008 Okay, i just took great notice in this. Looks like ill be talking to you & the guy in mount Waverly about buying a kite. Yet again, thankyou. Oscar, the guy in "Mt Waverley" is me The 11m is sold and long gone. Forget the 15m as it is too big as your first kite. Go follow Koma's 2006 Instinct for something better suited. Jason @ BrisKites is also clearing out some really good kites at good prices in the For Sale / Wanted section here on Extreme Kites. Take a look there too. My suggestion is go into a shop and try a harness on first. I purchased my GF's Mystic Warrior from RPS in Elwood only a couple of weeks ago and it was about the best buying experience I have ever had with kite gear. Walked in, spoke to one of the guys then within 2 minutes he had grabbed about 5 different harnesses and sizes and she started trying them on. Narrowed it down to two harnesses then hung off their testing loop off the fence out the back and she picked the one that offered better comfort. Grab a harness then lessons. That way you can use your own harness and get familiar with it and used to it during the lessons. A harness is something you want to make sure you get right because if it is the wrong size or comfort it will shit you every session. Regards, .Joel Quote
oscar? Posted January 31, 2008 Author Report Posted January 31, 2008 Okay Joel, i will go out this weekend, buy my harness, save a little bit more, do my lessons, then buy the kite, then the board when im ready. And yeah Koma that would be great if you could email me some pics of the kite, im really interested. And maybe next time your thinking of coming down to Hampton for a surf, just give me a buzz, and ill come check it out. So yeah guys, this has been so much help, more replies are welcome, and very helpful! Thanks, Oscar. Quote
oscar? Posted January 31, 2008 Author Report Posted January 31, 2008 Okay ive made my mind up, 100% sure on what i want. Im gonna get Mystic Warrior Harness (white & black), Ozone Instinct 11m kite and the Force RX board in 135. Hows that sound, Joel, Kona? And ive been told to get this board from some guy out at Burwood who has a shop. Details of this shop would be great. Oscar? Quote
koma Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 Sounds remarkably like exactly the gear i have! Will look forward to seeing another Extreme Kiter out on the water soon. We'll have to organise something like a down winder and a BBQ when all the recent beginners are at a safe and confident level! Maybe the end of summer? You should be happy with all the gear you mentioned. Be sure to test go try on the harness and spend a while walking around the shop wearing it as well as hanging from the 'test bar' to be sure it's comfortable. edit: Oh and the address of Force Industries is 107 Highbury Rd, Burwood. (ph: 9808 0500). It's listed on their website (force.net.au) with a link from the front page to their 'new showroom'. Quote
haydenz Posted January 31, 2008 Report Posted January 31, 2008 you can get an Force board from kite power... thats were i got mine from Quote
Steve Posted February 3, 2008 Report Posted February 3, 2008 Still got plenty of those Force boards, they are a real bargain. Also lots of ex demo gear now going into the clearance section, and there are some superseeded 07 Ozones that are brand new going into the clearance section too. https://www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/product_17178_Kites_Reduced_to_Clear__Sydney_cat_345.html And more options here too. https://www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/category_345_Kiteboarding_Kites.html Boards here https://www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/category_344_Kiteboards.html Quote
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