Choosing gear for a beginner

[gman100]

I am new to kite boarding. Have trainined with a trainer kite and took lessons. Now I am looking to purchase my own gear.

I am a wakeboarder and plan on using my wakeboard. I am curious what the differences are between a kite for $300 and one for $800. Are there any key features to get with a kite or do they all have the same features but just perform differently? I would like to get a kite that I can grow into, not out of. Is there a big difference in bars and harness also when it comes to price?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[zman]

The biggest difference between an $800 and $300 kite are:
* how used it is and how much life it has left - a newer kite will have more pop, better upwind, jump better, have pigtails that are less worn, have no sand in bladders, have no repairs, nipples are not streched
* w/new kite, if problems happen the shop will stand by you and help w/warranty....used kite, get ready to learn how to repair all of the above.
* Bars get a newer one with a 5th line/recon type program - makes relaunching much less painful and the learning curve, which is easy to start out with, funner and shorter.

Best advice is get a lesson from a local shop and see what deals they can hook you up with. I happen to stop by kite wind surf today - they have lot's of good new gear available and they give smokin' good lessons.

welcome and enjoy the ride, Z.

[kitebored]

word on the lessons. take their gear advice with a grain of salt as most kite schools push a specific brand.

any new kite will work.... since you want to do wakestyle tricks it'd be better to get a medium aspect kite (fuel, vegas, yarga, co2, torch, etc). consequently, these are the best to learn with too. If you buy a new kite the best bet is to just get the bar to go with it. Most if not all companies have pretty decent safety/relaunch systems right now.

As far as harnesses, most cost between 100-120 and the main difference is how they fit, so just try them on until you find one you like... Dakine is pretty much the standard but everybody will tell you that their harness is the best.

If you want to learn to go upwind you'll have to buy a new board too.

[jjm]

When you're comparing harnesses (price wise), make sure to consider what additional components you might need. The dakine harnesses seem to come hook-less, and spreader bar pad would be an additional option. Other brands will include a spreader bar, and some both bar & pad.

[Guest]

Any low-aspect or medium-aspect kite from 2003 or later is fine. Beginners tend to crash and rip kites, so keep that in mind before buying a shiny new one. Also, get a patch kit and learn how to remove and install bladders.