I got my first kite!

[michael]

Try to return it back to the seller pointing you are a total beginner and the kite is highly unsafe for beginners - something you were not aware of.

Another thing, out of curiosity. I believe the schools teach to launch hooked-in exclusively (although surprisingly some people still have different opinion on this), and I wonder what about this 04' Nitro? You guys who actually have flown it - is it preferred to be hooked-in or unhooked? Since some people mentioned lack of depower, there might be a significant difference between the lesson and the actual practice.

[Dirtydbz]

the way the recon 2 system works your supposed to ride hooked or you will lose your kite of course if you bought another leash you could ride unhooked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIHpoYRqWzs

watch the video it's informative

[windhorny]

something else i thought of while watching someone relaunch today, that kite isnt easy to get back up. Something you dont want to be hastled with when learning. Alot of newer kites you just pull a side.

[dewey]

I think it has the recon 1 relaunch, not the recon 2 (slight difference). It's not a unhooked kite. I know it worked well in it's day, but would jellyfish like a motha. We made it work in 04. I only flew high aspect when I was learning, but progress would have been much faster on a kite that was more stable. If memory serves me right it has a funky material that it's made from to.

[go4kitesurfing]

As far as I know, the 04's should have Recon of the first generation (not Recon 2, unless it's converted). It doesn't relaunch like new kites but the Recon system makes it easier then most other C kites from that year. There are a few tricks to learn though. Like picking the right side to pull for relaunch. How much to pull (enough but not too much). Best way to figure it out is to go to Alameda when the wind is suitable and the tide is low enough that you can stand up but high enough that you won't get hurt when you get dragged.

[Dirtydbz]

how much does the tide rise from low to high tide out at alameda? I am so used to the gulf coast (Texas) I remember being able to walk out for what seemed forever just to get to chest high water in places. I have yet to test the waters here in the bay area so I don't have much experience in that aspect

[windhorny]

at low tide you could walk 500 feet out and still be waist deep. If thats your question. The actual height of the tide can range from -1' to 7'

[jrg]

I learned on a 2002 13m Blacktip and rode Cabs till 2005.
Here's what I know:
- will be hard to relaunch unless pumped up hard
- leading edge is fragile for places like the upper launch at 3rd, don't let the kite slide or a shell could rip it open (saw it happen twice)
- the Recon only seemed to work will when you were standing or had the board on - just swim towards the kite otherwise
- we would cut the Recon plugs down a bit to make them pull out easier
- watch for tip wraps at launch - there is extra rope for the recon that can get tangled
- we used to pull a bunch of strap and launch unhooked till we comfortable with kite control (2-4 sessions)
- figure out a alternate leash attachment point - I have seen a few recon kite floating down bay because of the stupid leash system
- enjoy the Jellyfish

[Sonny]

Make sure you use the leash, couple yeas ago, I use to drag in lost kite to beach almost everyday at 3rd from people not using the leash with Cabrinha kites.

[Pete]

well I can't say no to give but I would have to return them to you or return the favor to another new kiter or give you somthing in return eventually. just fyi I am 6'3" and weigh 180 hell I haven't even flown the kite and now I already feel like an idiot

Dude, don't feel like an idiot. No one is trying to make you feel that way, they are really just trying to help, although I know it probably doesn't feel that way right now, after you spent your hard earned cash on something that everyone is telling you sucks.

Just look at it as a learning experience, and try to give the kite back to the guy you bought it from, and get a bow kite. Best thing you can do. If not, try to sell it to someone else, cut your losses, and buy something better. That '06 Crossbow 12M I mentioned yesterday would be perfect for your learning curve and your budget.