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Recommendations for beginners kite

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Created by Synch64 > 9 months ago, 20 Apr 2020
Synch64
NSW, 2 posts
20 Apr 2020 11:26PM
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Hi I'm just learning and would like to buy my first kite, but not sure how much I should be spending and what to look for.

psychojoe
WA, 1799 posts
21 Apr 2020 6:13AM
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The right way for a learner to buy a kite is go to your local shop buy what they tell you. The shop will provide a warranty and give you informed local advice. Feel free to go cheap on the board, most people lose their first one anyway.
Be ready to spend $$$. They might have a deal on last year's kite, forget second hand, too risky for learners

littlewing
QLD, 151 posts
21 Apr 2020 12:10PM
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lol second hand kites are not risky at all, in fact reccomended as you will likely trash it. Basically anything these days would be fine to learn and progress just avoid c shapes if possible. Cant help anymore without weight location etc but anything newer than 2015 should still be good enough nic and safe enough at reasonable price.

THE PIN PULLER
WA, 465 posts
21 Apr 2020 2:20PM
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Swapped a Nokia 3210 for a Flexi foil 12m kite back in the day no lessons needed back then learn fast or get hurt ??????

26 Apr 2020 7:20PM
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I"m a school so I'm bias but go get lessons at your local kite school and take there advise . Not all gear is made for a beginner and wind conditions vary all over Aust
Hope this Helps
George

saffe
VIC, 9 posts
25 May 2020 5:57PM
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Keep in mind that your first kite you will probably only use for a few months until you start getting a feel for what you like.
If you have an experienced friend who can help you check the quality of second hand gear then go down that route and then go and buy new from the shop
my first kite and bar back in 2017 was a 2014 CORE XR2 for $650 and was perfect for my first 3-5 months until I went and bought new gear as I knew I would stick to the sport and knew more what I was looking for.

Kit3kat
QLD, 139 posts
3 Oct 2020 5:37PM
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the gear is all so amazing these days.
I'd personally stay away from Cabrinha due to the lack of traditional bar structure.
I'd stay away from anything more than 4 lines.
I'd stay away from C-style kites (Cabrinha chaos etc).

wave kites are usually a bit easier to relaunach but these days I'd get a big air kite because everyone wants to have at least one and they are easy to use.

I.e. In the UK I would get a 8m big air kite and then for summer later a 12m kite of a different variety. Either another big air kite or maybe a wave kite or hybrid/beginner kite as an allrounder for easy relaunches in summer.

I currently just have a 10m mono quiver for north queensland.

Keaw Yed.
WA, 200 posts
3 Oct 2020 6:15PM
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Ask the kite shop if they have any x demo kites or last season's kites.

Keaw Yed.
WA, 200 posts
3 Oct 2020 6:15PM
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Ask the kite shop if they have any x demo kites or last season's kites.

Gateman
QLD, 409 posts
6 Oct 2020 1:15PM
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Select to expand quote
Kit3kat said..
the gear is all so amazing these days.
I'd personally stay away from Cabrinha due to the lack of traditional bar structure.
I'd stay away from anything more than 4 lines.
I'd stay away from C-style kites (Cabrinha chaos etc).

wave kites are usually a bit easier to relaunach but these days I'd get a big air kite because everyone wants to have at least one and they are easy to use.

I.e. In the UK I would get a 8m big air kite and then for summer later a 12m kite of a different variety. Either another big air kite or maybe a wave kite or hybrid/beginner kite as an allrounder for easy relaunches in summer.

I currently just have a 10m mono quiver for north queensland.


Why stay away from Cabrinha? I think that is a subjective opinion. I started on Cabrinha in 2003 (I think most people buy the brand they did their lessons on as a first kite since the shops/schools usually have ex demo or last season kites on runout)

Over the years I've owned Cabrinha and Liquid Force (both flew on same bar) and every time I updated a kite I've done a demo on at least 3 brands. Current quiver is back to all Cabrinha after doing demo on North/Duotone, Naish and Cabrinha. Different models though: largest is Contra for light wind, Moto for all around ease and playfulness (as well as handling gusty conditions well), 9m Switchblade is still one of my favourites and have a small drifter mostly used by the kids.
Guess you get used to a certain "feel" over the years and gravitate back to it.

KiteAddicted
59 posts
8 Oct 2020 7:08PM
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I bought a new learner kite -airush DNA and got lessons thrown in. Was my way of managing cost. In my case its true that learning on new gear is hard on the equipment! However was able to sell and trade up when I felt I was ready. Wouldnt criticise second hand gear if in good condition and made within last 3-5 years. this is due to safety systems getting better. As someone else said stay away from c kites. my second kite was a slingshot rally- delta shape and easy relaunch. fun forgiving kite to fly. Shop around as it's free and talk to locals including people on this forum. They will usually give their opinion and then make up your own mind. It's all part of the journey of learning about the sport. Good luck!

TomSmith2000
QLD, 6 posts
9 Oct 2020 5:34PM
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Any low aspect kite. Some good brands are Duotone/North (Rebel, Evo), Cabrinha (Switchblade), Core (XR series). Recommend second-hand (less than 5 years old as a rule of thumb with no major repairs). You will likely crash it a bit in first 6 -months.

The size will depend on your weight and local riding conditions, but opt for slightly bigger rather than smaller because under-powered kites are difficult to fly for a beginner.

thuffam
QLD, 42 posts
10 Oct 2020 5:58AM
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While i recommend talking with your local shop, 2nd hand gear can be a prudent choice as many people give their first kite a hard time.
Also, once you are confident at riding you may want to change or add to your gear.

As mentioned, the size depends on your weight and the wind conditions at your local spot.

Smaller kites (8m and smaller) turn and move much quicker than larger kites. I recommend large kites (10-14m) for several reasons.. 1. They move slower . 2. More powerful (the most common mistake I've seen beginners do is pull the bar in too much, and stalling the kite). 3. It means you can go out in lighter wind conditions.. this is a major safety point. And it also means the water will be not as rough as a windier day.

I recommend surf style kites (Drifter, Reo, Neo etc).. as they stay in the air in more situations ie they drifter easier and are more mellow (powerful kites like Rebels and Switchblades are a lot of fun, but when beginning can yank you off your board).
Also.. and this will.be contentious, learn on an surfboard with no straps rather than a twintip (i taught my son, took him only 2 hours). They solve then main learning hurdle (stalling the kite) by keeping planing.

Hth
Tim

DoggieCharm
3 posts
10 Oct 2020 6:20AM
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Guys, thanks for such useful information. For me it will be as useful as for the author of the topic :)

theDoctor
NSW, 5765 posts
11 Oct 2020 12:49AM
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Kiting is for the gays
You sound do something else
Unless you're gay

Gateman
QLD, 409 posts
11 Oct 2020 10:28PM
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Select to expand quote
theDoctor said..

Kiting is for the gays
You sound do something else
Unless you're gay


Wow, I always respected your input until now "Doctor". Over the years you've had valuable info and good references but really?

THE PIN PULLER
WA, 465 posts
22 Oct 2020 7:59PM
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Always rig for the lulls

Bowerboy
NSW, 141 posts
28 Jan 2021 5:00PM
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I bought a 2020 11m duotone neo and bar for $1600. It was barely used and seems to be too good for a beginners kite. However because it is a modern drifter kite it was stable and predictable with easy de-power. I only crashed it hard a couple of times, and now am not crashing at all (touch wood). I am sure it helped me progress quickly. For example the easy depower, and good shape helped me learn body dragging quickly. Also the better kite helped me nail upwind kiting almost immediately. I think if you can afford it get the best equipment you can. You only live once so get the safest and best you can.

Zigs
NSW, 67 posts
29 Jan 2021 6:02PM
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My first kite was a 10m north evo from 2011 I think (kite in my profile photo)
I didnt struggle learning on it at all
I did pop its bladder the other day though
I got it for 100 bucks with a harness and a bar



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"Recommendations for beginners kite" started by Synch64