Beginner Choices

Hi (from Perth)

I've just started out learning to kite board (had 3 lessons), and have purchased a board (RRD 135 x 39) and Pat Love seat harness. Now i'm after a kite that will make my progression as easy and pleasant as possible

Does one such kite exist?

My requirements are - easy re-launch when I can't touch the bottom of the ocean or river, 100% depower so I don't get dragged along too far from my board, simple rigging procedure, high build quality to take a beginner's stacks, good handling characteristics. Do I ask too much???

My research and discussion with kiting people seems to indicate that an SLE is the way to go (bow vs hybrid?).

In terms of size, I would be thinking an 8 or 9 (I weigh 75kg) and would be looking in the 2nd hand market (seabreeze.com.au), so not wanting to spend a fortune, say something around the $500-600 mark (inclusive of kite, bar, bag, pump).

This will probably confuse me even more, but if these were 4 kites to look at, what would more experienced kiters recommend

1. '07 RRD HyperType 9m
2. '07 Liquid Force Havoc 8m
3. '07 Naish Torch 8m
4. '07 Flexifoil Atom 9m

I understand it is a very subjective question, and probably every response will yield a different answer, but maybe, just maybe, one of these (or an unknown outsider) will pop up as the general favourite. I guess time will tell

My best mate has a Naish Torch and I used it to learn on, awesome kite well suited to beginers.

Jimmyz on the money

ahh the 8m torch will be too small for you mate. i had a 10 as my main kite in perth for a bit of this season and my weight has fluxuated between 72 and 76 over the time.

most SLE and bow type kites are really nice for learning.

If you want to buy second hand id say look for like a 07 waroo as they are pretty affordable and you will like it when you start learning to jump. i cant comment on the havoc as i havnt flown it. The Hypertype isnt that great, you need to be carefull with the tuning as they hindenburg(fall out of sky randomly) if not set up right. from what ive heard from people the atom is a really nice kite to ride aswell..

New you can look at the 08 havocs. i fly Hifis which are the higher performance 5th line versions and the Construction is pretty darn tough! lots off instant depower on the bar and even more so on the Havoc, easy relaunching and they are real nice to fly. but yeah i dont know how the 07 compares to them, ive heard the older liquid force kites wer a little dodgy but for 08 they really did step their game up and the gear is pretty top quality.

the DNA and flow are alright kites to learn on but once u progress past the basics the dna is pretty hopeless, the flow will serve you better but with your weight it is tricky to pick between the 10 and 7 as they are pretty damn grunty and really should have a middle man between the two sizes.

DONT get a kite with a 2:1 pully system on the bar as they make bar pressure wayy heavier and take alot of feel away from the kites.

where would you mainly kite?

I had an 07 liquid force havoc and sold it for an 08 airush flow. Best desicion i ever made. Airush are built solid and fly wickedly. I think something different broke almost every time i took my LF havoc out until eventually it ripped in half and i sold it cheap.

G'day MY,

Ive been kiting since Nov 07 and bought a second hand 2007 Waroo 13m kite. Im a bit heavier than you at 92kg and am very happy with the kite. Im just still mastering the art of wishing I could stay up wind.

The kite has plenty of depower, easy to rig, 6 knots on the back lines to tune it depending on conditions, and the 2007 Best Bar is great with the front lines going through centre of the bar so you dont get tangled mess when kitelooping. It doesn't have the one pump system, but thats no biggy. It also has safety through centre of bar, or you can hook on to either of the No **** release handles. I use saftey on these in strong winds (round 25kt), but you have to de-tangle when kitelooping if you hook in there.

Relaunch is real easy both in deep water and on your own. Landing it is not so easy on your own in stronger winds. Anything more than 16 or 17 kts it just wants to keep on flying if you pull on the up tip front line to try get it down, so I just pull safety or use NSR handle if > 20kts. But most of the time theres someone there to land me.

During my lessons I used the schools new FONE bandits (13m) which was also a dream to fly, but a lot more exy than the Waroo.

The waroo has a good wind range for me (about 13/14kts to 25-27kts). The manufacturer spec says 11-23kts for a 75kg dude. If you buy a second hand one, ask about the condition of the fibreglass battons, as most of mine were busted when I bought it (didn't know any better). There not expensive to replace (three bucks each) but had to look around for ages to find a shop to get replacements. Kitepower got them in for me no probs.

It turns real well when powered, and sheeted out (a little slower when sheeted out). When the wind is real light (ie 10kts) you need to keep the kite moving, or it will tend to want to fall out the sky, but thats the same with any kite at the bottom of its range.

Over all, Im very happy with my purchase, and would highly recommend to a new kiter.

Good luck.

Thanks for the input guys. Appreciate you taking the time and effort

I think I may have sourced a 2008 North Rebel 9m for a pretty good price (less than $700), and it seems to get good ratings as a beginner friendly kite with some potential to progress

Will let you know what happens

Hey dude, you might be a bit underpowered on a 9m Rebel, I have a 10 at 65kg and am fine in 15 to 30kn. Otherwise it's a great choice.

PURCHASED

One slightly used 2008 North Rebel 9m (hot blue canopy/hot pink leading edge and ribs) with all the bits, for $650

I describe the colour so WA kiters can see me coming and give me a wide berth

Thanks to everyone for their advice and comments Can't wait to get out there and start learning how to use it.