Getting started - on a budget

[simonmcc]

Bought a couple of kites last year, a el-cheapo 1.5M one, and a PKD Buster 4.0m, which I really like.

 

Having read about and watched some kiteboarding I think I am hooked on giving it a try, but I have no gear, and limited budget.

 

I am more than happy to go with second hand stuff, and don't feel the need to have the latest and greatest, just whatever gets me started...

 

So, I need :-

• Kite, probably around 10m, prefer a depower, bar and lines
  
• Harness + harness bar
  
• Board
  
• Safety gear?

Have I missed anything?

 

I need lots of advice on a setup that will get me started, but not break my bank. I'm not going to specify a budget here, except to say as minimal as possible.

 

Thanks

Simon.

[Dan Wilson]

I think you should put a couple of lessons into your budget too as this will help you no end in choosing the right equipment for you and you will learn alot quicker and SAFER.

 

Also dont forget wetsuit, boots and gloves

[Oceag]

What kind of size are you. I have a seat harness with spreader bar you can have free. Would fit 30-32inch waist.

[simonmcc]

What kind of size are you. I have a seat harness with spreader bar you can have free. Would fit 30-32inch waist.

Check your PM Oceag!

 

Thanks

 

S.

[simonmcc]

I think you should put a couple of lessons into your budget too as this will help you no end in choosing the right equipment for you and you will learn alot quicker and SAFER.

 

Also dont forget wetsuit, boots and gloves

Already got the wetsuit and boots for sea kayaking, but would need gloves then... thanks for the pointer!

 

Will have to see about some lessons too...

[elmoncork]

I recommend you do a kitesurfing hols first. That way you'll progress beyond the beginner gear AND you'll be in a safe environment for learning. If I had my time over, that is DEFINITELY what I would have done.

[Oceag]

What kind of size are you. I have a seat harness with spreader bar you can have free. Would fit 30-32inch waist.

Check your PM Oceag!

 

Thanks

 

S.

 

Checked and replied

[sflinux]

It you are on a budget, you may want to consider making your own board(s).

With a $15 4x8 foot sheet of 1/2 plywood I can make 2 boards. For a light wind board, you want something around 150x45 cm. For a moderate wind board 140x40 cm should be good. You can use varnish to waterproof it. But I prefer using epoxy, as it lasts longer and helps stiffen up the board.

You should be able to find a second hand c-kite for super cheap these days.

Make sure you get a bar with quick releases. And I'd recommend investing in new lines as old lines tend to break.

Be sure to leave money in your budget for a good helmet. An impact vest is a good thing to have too.

If you decide against lessons, religiously read http://www.kitesurfingschool.org

 

be safe.

[simonmcc]

It you are on a budget, you may want to consider making your own board(s).

With a $15 4x8 foot sheet of 1/2 plywood I can make 2 boards. For a light wind board, you want something around 150x45 cm. For a moderate wind board 140x40 cm should be good. You can use varnish to waterproof it. But I prefer using epoxy, as it lasts longer and helps stiffen up the board.

You should be able to find a second hand c-kite for super cheap these days.

Make sure you get a bar with quick releases. And I'd recommend investing in new lines as old lines tend to break.

Be sure to leave money in your budget for a good helmet. An impact vest is a good thing to have too.

If you decide against lessons, religiously read http://www.kitesurfingschool.org

 

be safe.

 

Ok, spent ages reading some of the zillions of articles on kitesurfingschool - great resource!

 

I was considering the route of making a board, but by the time I buy footstraps, fins etc it may be as expensive as picking one up second-hand. Jury is still out on that one.

 

Thanks for the pointers!

[dave1986]

Loads of cheap good kites on ebay if you know what to look for.

 

Especially this time of year you can pick up some real bargains cos most ppl are still to scared to go out in the cold weather!

 

Just one example here : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kitesurfing-Kite-Like-New-Naish-X4-16m_W0QQitemZ140093442810QQihZ004QQcategoryZ117150QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

 

 

 

 

[faster4_tec]

as far as I've learn't already, don't just buy the first cheap de power you come across.

 

I looked, I got excited, then I got told on good authority that I'd be wasting my money (all £40 of it) and to invest in something still relativly modern and friendly, and bugger it, he was right.

 

bought a peter lynn guerilla 2 11m from a guy I know locally, and already its saved my ass twice. my friend bit off a bit more than he should be chewing and he's paid the concequences (broken bones and broken pride).

 

so yes, spend as much as you can on the kite and lines, and the rest will fall into place.

 

I'm thinking about building my own board too, as when I actually get near the water I'm likely to loose it and I don't want it to be £200 of loosable gear either.

 

theres plenty of people on here and other sites that have made their own boards inc new bindings and fins for well under the £50 mark and in just 2weeks too

[simonmcc]

as far as I've learn't already, don't just buy the first cheap de power you come across.

 

I looked, I got excited, then I got told on good authority that I'd be wasting my money (all £40 of it) and to invest in something still relativly modern and friendly, and bugger it, he was right.

 

bought a peter lynn guerilla 2 11m from a guy I know locally, and already its saved my ass twice. my friend bit off a bit more than he should be chewing and he's paid the concequences (broken bones and broken pride).

 

so yes, spend as much as you can on the kite and lines, and the rest will fall into place.

 

I'm thinking about building my own board too, as when I actually get near the water I'm likely to loose it and I don't want it to be £200 of loosable gear either.

 

theres plenty of people on here and other sites that have made their own boards inc new bindings and fins for well under the £50 mark and in just 2weeks too

 

That is exactly what I'm scared of. Can hardly afford a kite at all, so buying the wrong one is a big no no.

 

Did you learn on the guerilla 2? This is exactly the kind of information I am looking for! I need a good recommendation

 

Looking on the for sale forums here I see the Guerilla would come in at about £200 RTF, that would be around the right budget for me.

 

Making the board does indeed look tempting!

 

Thanks

 

S

[jpwuk86]

not sure if this will help as i too am an amature, but with all the gear. me and 6 or 7 mates have all started down in portsmouth and the criteria for buying 2nd hand kites on a budget as we are all students was,

 

11-12m

 

makes, naish, slingshot, cabrinha, north, flexifoil

 

2004 or newer

 

and get a complete set, with kite bar lines and pump.

 

as for boards not much guidence on them jus been told for aiming between 135cm and 140cm. mate has made one and seems to work fine.

 

hope this helps.

 

anything i have got totally wrong please feel free to correct me so i can pass it on to anyone else we manage to pursuade to get into it.

 

jon

[simonmcc]

not sure if this will help as i too am an amature, but with all the gear. me and 6 or 7 mates have all started down in portsmouth and the criteria for buying 2nd hand kites on a budget as we are all students was,

 

11-12m

 

makes, naish, slingshot, cabrinha, north, flexifoil

 

2004 or newer

 

and get a complete set, with kite bar lines and pump.

 

as for boards not much guidence on them jus been told for aiming between 135cm and 140cm. mate has made one and seems to work fine.

 

hope this helps.

 

anything i have got totally wrong please feel free to correct me so i can pass it on to anyone else we manage to pursuade to get into it.

 

jon

 

Jon,

 

What sorts of kites did you end up with then? Which are you most pleased with?

 

I have looked at a lot of kites, and some of the reviews say they are no good for beginners....

 

Thanks

 

Simon.

[POT BELLY]

I bought my first 2 kites from this forum - airush lifts 9 and 12 m with bar and lines for £200 - my first board was £150 on ebay - the most exspensive piece of kit was my wet suit at £175 - I have just finished my first hand made board and the total cost was just over £100 but I already had the footstraps and pads - my advice is buy a cheap board - i've got a couple of bits ending today on ebay - 15m Strike 2 and a Litewave board - the kite is complete, but you'll have to buy pads and straps for the board - depending on the auction you potentially could have a kite and board for £200:eek:

[dbinit]

Hi simon

 

we are luckily your closest kite shop and carry a large stock of Kites and boards, at some very very very nice prices. We also have a lot of used gear.

 

You will find us on www.kitesurfwarehouse.com . Any questions just e-mail us via the site.

 

We are currently opening a new big premises in newtownards to hold the large amount of stock that we carry.Buying locally and you will also save on postage costs , which can be £20-30 per board and £15-20 per kite.

 

 

Darren

[madmarkymark]

Hi Simonmcc,

 

I started out like you a couple of years back. I am 70kg and bought a 10m Storm 1 with bar, lines & pump etc for £100 on ebay. I also bought a Litewave 169 board (excellent starter board and still a great light wind board) for £120. I got a bump & jump genius harness for £18 (which I still use) and I use my kayaking helmet and impact vest (you can pick up either of these for a tenner). My wet suit was another £10 special from ebay. All told, I was set up for about £250 and this kit was spot on. I sold the Storm 1 last year for £120 !! and the rest of the kit is still good. If you are a bit heavier then the 12m Storm is still good.

 

Hope this helps - fly safe - Madmarkymark

[jpwuk86]

hi simon, all spent about £150 - 200 on kites, and about 100 - 150 on boards, the kites that we got as beginners are,

 

sling shot fuel, best yarga, naish torch, cabrinha co2, caution spitfire.

 

all of which are C kites, a couple of mates, have bow kites such as best waroo's which seem really nice, but a bit more pricey.

 

im no expert at all but these don't seem to unmanageable and will suit you when u progress.

 

hope that kinda helps.