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abarna21 · Post by **abarna21** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:16 pm

hi,
I just moved to berkeley from chicago and fell in love with kiteboarding.
I am a good snowboarder, so I assume i'll learn fast.
I just bought my first kite (2006 fuel slingshot 13m) and i'm hardly waiting to try it.
I didn't took any lessons and I want to launch the kite asap. would not go in the water for maybe 2-3 weeks until i'm confident flying it out the water.
I know I should have gone with the trainer kite first but.......I got a good deal on this one so.... :(
My question to you is: How difficult it will be to learn on the kite that i have?

Appreciate any answers and suggestions.

Thank you

reyrivera · Post by **reyrivera** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:21 pm

That is a difficult kite to learn on specially a big kite, you are probably better off selling that kite and get a bow kite instead. That kite is awesome in the hands of somebody who knows how to use it, but a very dangerous kite for a beginner.

What is your weight, that will also be a factor how you can manage to control the C kite that you bought. You might want to fly a trainer kite and get some lessons before you actually fly that kite.

It does not matter if you are a badass with other sports, your learning curve may vary based on how you pickup the technical details with wind conditions.

Your learning curve will be faster with a bow kite, and your survival rate will be better.

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:36 pm

You only know what you have flown. meaning I know many that have learned on that kite and have done fine. relaunch sucks on those old fuels compared to newer kites where you just pull a steering line. I say if you have it, go ahead and use it. TAKE LESSONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the range on that kite is not great either so go out on a perfect wind day. Be smart about it. When in doubt dont go out.

elli · Post by **elli** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:06 am

You should fly a trainer first.

super_monkey · Post by **super_monkey** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:50 am

Aha, no lessons, no trainer, no buddy who has been doing it for years? You will trash the kite and get discouraged at best, at worst you'll end up in a hospital having to worry about the hospital bills of the people you don't remember mowing down. Good luck with that.

maxsteamer · Post by **maxsteamer** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 1:34 am

Hello Super_mon,

You are Sooo right!!!!! A guy today got a C/kite on e/bay and rigged in front of my condo here at "Shellgate Beach" I saw him try to launch it with sand on the end of the kite? so I ran down to ask him if he needed help?? he told me to stay back as he was about to launch... it was not windy just yet, so I said OK!!and he pulled the upper line and the kite flew into to the wire fince and popped!!! I ask him if he was OK? he yelled why didn't you grab it!!!I replied.. you said to stay back. he gave me the finger, so I gave him thumps up and said thanks for the show see ya next time.

Max be with you"

"

funmilton · Post by **funmilton** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:19 am

This original post almost reads like a joke, a bad one at that...

This guys needs to be careful, flying a 13M C-kite with no experience for 2-3 weeks out of the water??? Nuts, good luck buddy, get insurance, and tell your family you love them.

Get lessons. Period.

CdoG · Post by **CdoG** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:48 am

I would not do it, at Berkeley.............
i would go to see max at shellgate in Alameda
hes all full of kite love, and just might give you some

abarna21 · Post by **abarna21** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:01 am

Thank you all for your input. I will take some lessons next week. I see that it is very important and i realize why.
I did not want to go with a trainer kite ( $200 + ) to learn with because people told me the same thing when I learn to ride a motorcycle and I bought a " beginner's" bike ( $ 5000) and in 2 months I had to sell it to buy a real one and I lost 2500 on the deal.

I DO realize how dangerous it is and I know you all think I'm just another idiot out there but I want to try to make the best with what i have and cut some costs. I don't even want to go in the water until i learn well enough to control it on the grass.

funmilton · Post by **funmilton** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:09 am

Cheers to you for erring on the side of safety. =D>

Experienced kiters still use trainers, you will benefit from owning on one. They can be found cheap or used. There are always several around at our kite beaches and people will allow you to use, just show up and ask. You can learn allot about the physics of the wind and the mechanics of a kite with little danger to you or others.

Enjoy the sport and be safe, your life is about to change.....

BayAreaKiteboarding.com

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