newbie: kite vs sail ?

[bransom]

I hung up my sailboard stuff maybe 10 years ago when my board finally delaminated and I was a little burned out on the drives. I keep getting the itch to get back into the game, and am thinking about making it kiteboarding instead of sailboarding. Although I could use some ancient sails with the sailboarding, I'd pretty much be buying gear either way. My impression from lots of viewing is that sailing is a bit faster, and I do like that zoom zoom skip skip feel, kiting obviously has the jumps. How is kiteboarding wrt sailing upwind compared to sailboarding? Any other thoughts? BTW, I usually sailed at Sherman Island, once in awhile at Crissy or Coyote Pt.

[Jtrupkin]

Well I dont windsurf but i can tell you a HUGE benefit to kiteboarding over windsurfing which is...PORTABILITY you can fit everything you need into a backpack. And your "zoom zoom" i assure you, you wont be dissapointed. Going upwind is all in technique its not hard once you learn how. However even though you have been windsurfing, I cant stress the fact enough that you need to take lessons for kiteboarding especially to learn the safety aspect. Unlike windsurfing, Its way easier to hurt yourself and others while kiteboarding. I dont want to freak you out about the danger because its as safe of a sport as any if you follow the basic rules. At sherman, crissy and all the other kite spots I guarentee you will find almost everyone willing to help you in the water and out. I hope this helps.

Jay

[wjb]

Now would be a good time to pick up a trainer kite and fly it until you can do it with your eyes closed. Come spring time with a couple lessons you will be up and running and you will know you made the right choice.

[bransom]

I have played with a trainer kite quite a bit, so yeah, I'm about ready for some lessons. I'm inland (Davis). Are there a fair number of good days on the bay between now and Spring, or should I just sit tight?

[funkiatdabeech]

sit tight. wait till April. Even if it's windy during off season - those are usually stormy winds and not really good to learn in. but in April.... hmmm, i can dream about it already..... :-)

[Proparoo]

As a current Kiter and a Windsurfer for the past 25 years, I will be happy to help you with all your questions understanding the differences between the two sports.

Funny how I thought I would kite on the lite days and windsurf on the really windy days, but after buying a smaller kite all I ever want to do now is to kite. I guess I have officially moved over to "The Dark Side"

Also, I live in Sacramento and can help introduce you to the local Sac Crew and after you get some lessons in May you can have a great time at Folsom Lake during the off season as it's less than a one hour drive from Davis and it can get pretty good from November till May.

Best to shoot me a PM and we can swap numbers. I will put you on our Wind phone tree. You can come out when it gets windy and help launch and land kites, rigging too... It's all good and great to learn the basics even if your not ready to hit the water.

[yojimbo]

I agree with the replies to your post. I also had stopped windsurfing about 15 years ago, but got back into it about a year ago.

I was out at Sherman last year, hanging in the parking lot waiting for wind, when I saw a guy in a Honda Sol drive by with a kiteboard on the back of his car. It really drove it home, he was able to fit all his equipment into that little car. I had never seen kitesurfing until I went out to Sherman. Kiting has definetly left windsurfing behind.

I learned to Kite this summer, there is a huge learning curve, and have not looked back. If you decide to pursue kiting, definitely hook-up with someone who is experienced, patient and willing to help you along.

On a 1 to 10 scale of learning how to do something I would put windsurfing at a 1, and kitesurfing at a 10. As far as speed goes, only a couple of knots, maybe less separate the speed world record for windsurfing and kitesurfing. They have had a longer time to work on speed design in windsurfing, kitesurfing design is still evolving.

Oh, and you can kite in lighter winds than you can windsurf, which translates into more sailing days.

[Proparoo]

Yojimbo,

I also agree with you but wanted to clear up the "1 to 10" scale, please forgive me if you don't agree but 1 (windsurfing) would be the hardest and 10 would be the easiest.

On thing I love about kiting, just how east it is to get good. After 5 to 10 years windsurfing you might learn to "Jibe" or as it's also known, a simple TURN.

After one full season on a kite I was what I would call a full intermediate doing good turns, small jumps and overall having a great time.

Kiting is really easy and lots of fun, it's like the differance between learning to ski and snowboard. you know what they say, "the difference between a beginner and an expert (snowboarder) ??? About 3 days"

Just one thing to remember, safety first... When all Hell breaks loose, you can just let go of a sail but in kite boarding you are hooked in so always play it safe and always take lessons from the pros.

[zgur]

Well, for one, your question is posted to a kiteboarding forum.......that aside, no doubt that kiting trumps wsrfing in pretty much every element, but most important, it's just so much f'n fun, you won't belive it. Wsurfing is very one dimensional for a long time, until you get reallllyyy good.....by then you can be a pro kiter.

I winsurfed for 20+ years, and have huge respect for the sport. It makes swens to windsurf in some conditions, like super big surf and good wind. All else, kiting simply rules. Some would say it always does.........

Easy to learn. Super fun. Transportable/Portable. Super fun. Endless progression. super fun. Quick steps to "stoke" factor. Many choices where to play - does not need to be >20 + ebb to have fun....Great in the flat water....super fun....great in the swell....super fun.....great in waves......great crew....need I go on? Did I nention that it's very fun????

Get some lessons in the spring, and never look back. No need to become a pole dancer......

get some, Z.

[davewsail]

Well, for one, your question is posted to a kiteboarding forum

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Hmm, I wonder what kind of responses you'd get from a windsurfing forum? If you posted at one, copy the responses here. I'm bored and I'd like to get some entertainment.