BayAreaKiteboarding.com

I am new to kite boarding and I am considering buying a 9m & 11m Naish charger or 9m & 12m RRD kites. Any thoughts about which way I should go? I am a complete beginner, but I don't want to buy something that I will outgrow too quickly. I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.

Also, I'm looking at either a Naish Haze or a Slingshot Ignition board. Any recommendations between the two?

Thanks

Take lessons before you even think about buying a kite. Then, buy something at least a year old. Don't even think about buying a new kite until you have some clue as to what you like.

Outgrow too quickly? This really doesn't apply to kiteboarding. Most people destroy at least one kite during the learning process. Trust me that you really don't want this to be a brand new kite.

Kiteboarding is an industry-driven sport, and the industry lives off of convincing people that every year's kite is better than last years. Do not fall for this hype before you even learn the sport.

To learn, you want kites that are forgiving and user-friendly. You won't notice any other differences until you are up and riding upwind, which is at least a full year away for you at best -- if you're a fast learner and have lots of free time to chase wind next summer.

This is the end of the (not so great) season and a bad time to start learning. Don't make the mistake of buying a kite now because you are excited about the sport, like so many others have done. Book a trip (preferably 2 weeks) to SPI or Baja during the winter and take a bunch of lessons if you are absolutely tweaking about kiteboarding, but DON'T BUY ANY KITES YET!

You nailed it Bulldog, great advice!

Thanks Bulldog, thanks Scanman, I appreciate the honest advice.

If I wait until next season to buy something, are there reliable sources for used equipment?

Thanks again,
matt

This website is a great place to get used gear.

Also be sure to check out the local shops for demo gear - usually very competitive with all the online used places, plus gives some support to the locals. Most can give excellent followup advice and service if needed.

support your local dealer :)