Advice?

[uptightandwhite]

Hello all, not sure if this is the appropriate forum but I'll give it a shot....

I am enjoying my progression in this sport immensely. Although, being new to the sport, the amount of choices that are available for gear are somewhat daunting. In the interest of saving money and riding to my fullest potential, I would really like some of your opinions on gear.

I am looking to do mainly freestyle type of riding in the East Bay area, mainly Alameda or Bay Farm.

1. What Kites would you recommend for progression in freestyle riding for a rider weighing 170 lbs. taking into consideration 12-25 wind conditions here in Alameda.
2. Any harnesses in particular that seem to excel above all others?
3. Any board/binding combinations that have caught your eye recently?
4. What would you recommend for the best all around control bar for multiple kites?


Thank you for any and all input

[windhorny]

I love your screen name.

[K. Cliff]

uptightandwhite, Windhorny means he likes north kites a whole lot and you should try them before all these slingshot kites take over. You'll like them both. Just pick one big one and one small one. That goes for boards too :).

[Greg]

uptightandwhite-
What Keven and Yuri are attempting to say is WELCOME to kiteboarding in general and BAYAREAKITEBOARDING.COM specificly!

Please be gentle, they both suffer from SlingShot envy.....
Enjoy-
L.M.G.

[maxsteamer]

"Caution" boyz still rule the "South"...up North ??? now thats a no brainer!!!

[Greg]

I guess what were learning is: Kiters are all pretty biased about there gear.. and around here were pretty playful about that fact.
For REAL advise, you have to go to North Carolina.. :P

Just Enjoy- Kiting is pretty fun no matter what you ride...
L.M.G.

[OliverG]

Please be gentle, they both suffer from SlingShot envy.....
Enjoy-
L.M.G.

SS envy is an affliction that's difficult to overcome and stems from the knowledge deep down that either an 09 RPM or Rev2 and a Lunacy 129 or 09 Misfit 136 is as close as you can get to perfection, has no equal and they would have no choice but to succumb to the gear, which is why some on other brands cannot bring themselves to try the gear. It would be all over! :shhh:

[recoprianto]

As you may already be able to tell. You will not get an unbiased reply to your questions. Try the gear and find what works for you. Most of the major brands are available for demo here in the Bay Area. Ride them and make your own decision. Whatever gear that you are comfortable on and ride consistently will be the best gear for you which most likely will be Wainman Hawaii Rabbits and Blunts.

[kitenaked]

Ollie:

Ride the 9m Smoke and the 130 Blunt, then we can re discuss perfection!

[windhorny]

It's funny because i started to write about the Rebel but then erased it. but now the words have been put in my mouth.

This is like when you go to buy a car and 10 car salesman bum rush you. Just try some different kites. Most 08 and up gear is gonna get you far. Maybe you are used to something already, like light bar pressure, C kites, 5th lines, pink wingtips, etc. I am on the North team so i will shut up on how much I love the rebels.

Either way, a rough answer to what you might want to start with for your weight and skill would be a 10-12 kite and a 130-140 board.