Newbie Advice

[joyride]

Hi, I'm a complete newbie to kiteboarding, in the process of taking lessons. I thought I'd start a thread for beginners. Anyone have advice on what gear to get, types of kites, bars, wetsuits etc...where to find good deals on gear, where to start kiting, rules/general etiquette to follow, and especially what not to do???
Thanks!!!

[OliverG]

In the meantime, here's some archived beginner info some may find useful:

https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/forum/kb.php?c=1

[joyride]

Thanks! Blair's Common Beginner Guide was exactly what I was looking for. If anyone has anything to add, I'd love to hear your stories...

[maxsteamer]

Hello Joyride,

Welcome to our sport..I would like to thank you for reaching out for advice before doing something that may get you hurt. " =D> =D> =D> with that said.. Now is a good time to find a "Kiting Buddy" now that you have finished your "Lessons" your still going to have a "LOT" of questions on what, when, and where to kite.

If you would like to meet our "Kiting Crew" here in "Alameda" come on by Shoreline/ Shellgate St. dubbed..Max's Launch.. and I will find you someone to kite with..I do this because I live across the street from the beach and even though the legal launch is at the shack..our crew are kiters that had a problem with launching there.

I don't want to tell where to kite??.. only that we are here if you can't find someone to kite with as it is so important that you don't kite "Alone" most of our crew ended up here because they to needed a "Kiting Buddy" and all they got at the shack site was lip service.. yelling and stink eye just because they were new to kiting.

We have our own website if you want to join and we do everything kiting together..

Max be with you " sharing the stoke

[elli]

I came across a little booklet from the IKO explaining everything from scratch. Didn't read through it, just skimmed. I think you can get it in some kite spots and stores for free if you know who to ask.
Now don't turn this discussion into pro/against IKO :)

[pipedragon]

I got a nice safe 9M Bow/SLE with Bar Bag, pump and Lines for sale in good condition that you will not soon grow out of. Send me a PM if your interested.

[windhorny]

What you want to do is buy a RRD obsession and a poison board from Live2kite. Then take a lesson from kite415, then get an IKO certification after your second day of kiting so you can open your own school and spread the love.

[maxsteamer]

I came across a little booklet from the IKO explaining everything from scratch. Didn't read through it, just skimmed. I think you can get it in some kite spots and stores for free if you know who to ask.
Now don't turn this discussion into pro/against IKO :)

Hello elli,

"Joyride" has already takin' his lessons, and just wanted to follow the "Buddy System" when kiting.. this guy is doing the right thing fo sho.. pro/against IKO ?? I don't think you can find this kinda help in a booklet?? we don't want to send the wrong message here " [-X " I have found that if we reach out to our new kiters, we can save out access at many sites and at the same time share there stoke.

[elli]

I think this booklet has some info he needs, much more organized than internet forums :) And its free. This is much more information than covered in kite lessons.

[CdoG]

well ya max
if you show up at the shack and try to teach someone
before you know how to kite your self
like you did..... almost 5 years ago
right in the middle of the launch zone
you may just get some stiNk eye
or moved off the launch zone with a voiCe that carries over the wind

as far as the crew i'm not sure that thay can comply or just need to be differnt
if familys are sunbathing at shellgate please give them 200 feet of kite free room