How to Start Kitesurfing.

A friend of mine recently asked me for my opinions on how to start kiting. I figured it might be good to have my thoughts on a website that's indexed by google so more people can get my opinion. Most of the stuff you'll find here is an accumulation of good information from the locals here so it may have some wellington specific content.

Ok, first off, find yourself an IKO certified instructor and get yourself signed up for the basic lessons. Usually it'll be 2 days worth, one using a trainer kite of some sort and one on the water.

I personally bought myself a trainer kite before the lessons so that I knew the basics of flying a foil kite. I bought a Peter Lynn land kite, but they have since put out an EXCELLENT trainer kite called the Impulse, it's what all the instructors here use.

http://www.peterlynnproducts.com/

Once you're comfortable flying a kite, get the lessons and find out what kind of kites are appropriate for your area. There are three types of kites, C-Kite, Bow Kite and Hybrid, with radically different characteristics.

C kites have more power but don't handle gusts very well, so it's easy to get in trouble with them. Bows have a wide variety of power so they are better for inconsistent conditions. Hybrids try to do both, though they tend to be more complicated than most.

I have a 14 sqm hybrid and a 10m bow, if i'd known better when I was starting I would have stuck to 1 type.

Boards are a lot easier to pick. Get a big one to start, as it'll be easier to get on the plane quickly and it's a more forgiving board. My first one was a 142cmx42cm board and I was up and running quicker than the other beginners that started with me. Your snowboarding skills will come in very handy, though I hope you like riding switch, because that's what you'll be doing 50% of the time ! :)

So now for costs. You need:

• 1 or 2 kites (most people start with 1 but it's frustrating because you have to wait for the "perfect" wind for that kite. having 2 different sizes lets you get out more often and get better faster) (make sure they come with lines!!)
• 1 board
• 1 seat harness
• 1 leash
• wetsuit (depending on temperature)
• safety gear (impact vest / helmet, optional but highly recommended. I ride with a vest but no helmet yet because I can't find one that fits)

Optional gear:

• Booties
• gloves
• trainer kite

In Kiwi dollars (currently around 0.75$ CDN to a kiwi dollar)

• I got both my kites for 1050$ each used, in good nick (with lines)
• my first board was 400$ (lost it) my second was 600$
• harness i bought new (don't trust used harnesses) 189
• leash was 40$
• wetsuit depends on local climate (i have 2, paid 250 for the summer one and 500 for the winter one)
• impact vest 189 new
• booties 70
• gloves 60
• trainer kite 200

And yes, Carly knows about all these expenses :)


So total expenses when I started was about 2000$ kiwi, but i started with 1 kite (it took me about 2 months before i got fed up and bought my second one) I'm now completely sorted and it's cost me closer to 3200 before the wetsuits that i use for all other watersports

Now, things I learned:

When you are just starting out, stick with the major brands, you'll have an easier time of it. Get one of the brands that's most popular in your region, likely there will be a good rep for that brand for maintenance issues.

If you're going to buy 2 kites, buy the same brand and if possible model. I have a lot of trouble still switching from one to the other because they fly completely differently

Boards are the least important piece of the puzzle when you are learning, pretty much any big one will do.

Buying used is good, but make sure you can look over the kites. if there's damage, make sure it's professionally repaired. If it's got a lot of damage (say more than 2 repairs requiring sowing, or 1 full length of kite repair) walk away.

be patient, practice flying the trainer, and listen to the other kiters at the beach. You'll very quickly figure out who to listen to and who's an idiot. When in doubt, either rig the smaller kite or tune your kite for LESS power, not more.

You're going to get in trouble, know your safeties. make sure you do a dry run or two of the safeties in good conditions before you need to use them when you're in trouble.

Wait for the right conditions. Too light or too strong for your kite will be frustrating. bow kites have a good range of conditions, but keep in mind that gusts can be as much as 15knots over the average)