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I need help making a decision for buying a kite
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:43 pm
by downhiller
Hey,
Alright, so now the new season has started, I was looking at buying a kite. I have pretty much narrowed it down to 2 kites. They are the Liquid Force Assult and the Best Waroo. I do not have that much kiteboarding on the water experience because I have only taken one lesson on the water. But I can landboard with my trainer kite very well. Which kite would sort of be better for doing everything and with a wide wind range? Also, I weigh 110 pounds. Which would be better a 9 meter or a 7 meter?
Thanks.
Zander.
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:20 pm
by average_male
Where is your primary/target kiteboarding location?
As far as the kite question, try before you buy, some shops will let you demo kites for a fee (goes towards your purchase) before you decide.
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:43 pm
by downhiller
Oh, I will be mainly kiting at the delta and a little alameda...
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:01 pm
by litewave125
Hey.
You weigh 110bls the good is 6m bow kite works best all around between 10- 20 miles wind range, the max you can go with 9m after.
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:13 pm
by KirkTalon
People are pretty passionate about what kites they ride. I have been riding Waroos for 3 seasons and find them very forgiving and a safe kite to get your stuff really together. I am now investigating other kites (I still plan on riding a bow for the safety factor) and hear great things about North and Slingshots...
If cost is a factor the fact is that you can get 2 Waroos for the price of one of most big named kites (a 9 and a 12 is what I ride mostly, but the new ones come in odd sizes, so a 9 and a 11 or 13 will do you)
Again, now I am opening my horizons and trying other kinds but I will not diss a kite that has helped me progress tremendously and not let me down...
Best of luck
Kirk
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:25 pm
by litewave125
Oh'.
if you a pro' and want to test out the kites at any kite shop before you buy it ! the kite shop will welcome you to try out demo " but only taken one water lesson i don't think the kite shop people want to see you up on top of a tree.
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:10 pm
by Sonny
downhiller wrote:Oh, I will be mainly kiting at the delta and a little alameda...
You probably will not find a single kite which will work for both the Delta and Alameda unless you plan on sitting around a lot waiting for the right condition. In general, I ride a small kite at the Delta and big kite at Alameda.
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:24 am
by windhorny
start with a 9. At your weight that should cover you in the 15-20+ range which is what you want to be learning in. Dont bother kiting alameda if it says less than 15. It takes much more skill to ride light wind than it does to park your kite and work on your board skills. At your weight you would definately want a 7 at some point.
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:46 am
by downhiller
Alright, well, I know where to demo a liquid force assult, but do you think live2kite would let me demo a waroo?
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:54 am
by KirkTalon
Sonny is dead on...not to many (ok I mean no kite shops) shops as nice as they are would not demo anything to someone who is starting their baby steps into this great way of life. (unless you would consider hey yah, you can look at it a demo)
Not only it would be a huge liability issue (like letting a 10 year old take a shot gun and some shells to the back lot of Walmart to try it out), but who really wants their demo stuff ruined preceded by the sound...ooopsss!!!
Take a few more lessons, try the schools stuff under instructors supervision, get riding and then we will all be able to give you our enlightened opinions.
Also would be afraid of you trying to figure things out on your own having access to your own kite this early in the ball game.
Not trying to harp at you, just trying to keep you and all of us safe...feel free to contact me for any help I can provide you with.
Kirk