New to kiteboarding

[MikE mAy]

i am new to kiteboarding, but not a kook . i'm looking for some information to help me get started kitesurfing. i bought a slingshot trainer kite, and have been out flying it 4 or 5 times. i met a couple of you kiters at sugarhouse park friday night after work, and it was nice to get some help. i think i have kiteloops down on the trainer (something you guys helped explain to me) and have a solid knowledge of how a kite works and where the power zones are. i'm excited to advance to using a kite while moving (justin told me it gets a little different at this point).

anyway- looking to get out on the water as soon as possible. i'll drop by kite night this tuesday and hopefully you can help me learn how to do everything. i coach a ski racing team up at brighton, and am an avid skateboarder (both tranny and longboards). i surf when i can get out to the coast. i hope this background will transfer over to kiteboarding well. also- has anybody had luck riding a strapless surfboard with their kite out here? i've been using it towing behind a boat- and can only imagine the fun with a kite, but i'm worried about lofting and losing the board.

anyway- specific questions- can i just start picking up gear as i see deals like harnesses, spreader bars, even a board? is there any specific brands/styles you reccomend? what size kites do most of you find useful around here, in most wind conditions for a beginner? would anybody be willing to take me out with them once i get my gear and practice at kite night a little more- i'll buy the beer? i'm heading to europe for a few weeks, so i won't be back till late june, but would any of you be willing? i'm assuming it's easiest to start at south sandy beach... i checked it out a few weeks ago, and it looks like the place to start, but rush is probably closer to me. what kind of water temps are you guys experiencing about now? shorty? full suit? i can't imagine trunking it now...

thanks for your help, and like the skate community you seem to embrace beginners and share the stoke amongst your tight community.

[Mark Johnson]

If there is any wind tomarrow I will be going to Rush. I have a bigger kite that you could try doing some dragging through the water with. I will post another reply to this thread in the morning should I leave to head out .

[Mark Johnson]

Looks like not enough wind for me today maybe nextime.

[MikE mAy]

Thanks for the thought Mark. i think i am going to check out kite night tomorrow, and then i'm out of the country for a few weeks.

i'll send out another request when i get back...

[Kenny]

Munchie,

Kite night is a good place to work on kite flying skills. Everyone will probably be flying foil kites. However, most of us use inflatable kites on the water.

Your skate boarding skills will help with board handling and tricks. However, keep in mind that the sport is all about good kite control. You will find it is different to be hooked into a large traction kite compared to a trainer kite.

As far as gear is concerned, here are my basic recommendations.

Kite - either a 12 or 16M inflatable kite with a medium aspect ratio. Don't buy a kite that was manufactured before 2003. The kite designs really improved after that time. If you want a new kite, contact Jon Manwaring at Mountaintop kites.

Control Bar - This is actually the most important purchase because some designs are far safer than others. This past year several manufacturers including North, Naish, Slingshot introduced 5 line kites. The extra line not only makes the kite safer, but it also makes relaunching easier as well. I highly recommend going that route.

Board - a twin tip that is fairly long (over 140 cm) and wide. You could learn on a surf board, but it would be frustrating without the straps. Yes, I have tried kiteboarding on a surfboard and it is a lot of fun, but definitely not for beginners.
Harness - a kite specific harness is nice, however any windsurfer harness will work.

I hope that helps, please feel free to ask more questions.

Kenny

[Craig Goudie]

Kenny,

What would it take to fit my 4 line Kite with a 5th line? Having tried to
launch my kite from solid land, I've always been kinda scared to even
take it into the water, because of the launch difficulty. Do I just
punch a hole in the center of the leading edge, reinforce, and then run
it down to the bar? Or is the whole idea silly?

-Craig

Munchie,

[snip]

Control Bar - This is actually the most important purchase because some designs are far safer than others. This past year several manufacturers including North, Naish, Slingshot introduced 5 line kites. The extra line not only makes the kite safer, but it also makes relaunching easier as well. I highly recommend going that route.

[snip]
Kenny

[Marty Lowe]

Craig
If this is the Cabrrinha you bought from me, you could wrap a dog leash type thing around the middle strut then tie 5th line to that. Then just tie to the adjuster strap on the bar. keep it kinda loose, to tight and it messes with the kite. You should look into getting a safer bar than the old one you got from Doug (if that is the one you are going to do this to.)
I'll be glad to assist you in any way.

-Marty

[Craig Goudie]

Yup, that'd be the kite. So I need a safer bar huh, OK what should I own?
I think you included the bar with the Kite.

Thanks,

-Craig

Craig
If this is the Cabrrinha you bought from me, you could wrap a dog leash type thing around the middle strut then tie 5th line to that. Then just tie to the adjuster strap on the bar. keep it kinda loose, to tight and it messes with the kite. You should look into getting a safer bar than the old one you got from Doug (if that is the one you are going to do this to.)
I'll be glad to assist you in any way.

-Marty

[Marty Lowe]

Bars have been getting safer every year.
I believe that bar you have is a 2001 bar.
I did include it, but the $ for the bar/lines went to Doug.
First suggestion would be a Naish shift system.
5th line is the safety, and much easier to relaunch with.
Most 2005 bars would be safer.
Talk to Jon Manwarring for great pricing. 435-901-1420
Bars are like Ski boots, the most important part.
The kite will still be fine.
The board you have is what I started on.
Then Vern learned on it this year also.

-Marty