Kite Boarding

[kasavien]

Does anyone here do kite boarding, it's something i'd like to look into over the summer, but i'd like to know what kit to get for a beginner. Just looking at t few things online and it would be at least £250 for a board and kite i reckon, but what else should i look into.

Thanks

Andy

[Clingy]

I'm way too old and unfit for this but love nothing better than sitting on the beach at Watergate Bay watching them. Good luck Kas, it looks great FUN, but I'm guessing you have to be super fit.

[Wh@l3fish]

Nah, i'm a fat bar steward and I enjoy it.

kasavien, to be 'safe' you should also look in investing in a helmet and pads as these would help you if you come off.

Firstly, you should look to learn how to fly the traction kite, because it can be quite tricky to learn where the power comes from and how to harness it properly. So the first piece of equipment you should get is a decent traction kite. Something like a Beamer II or III is a good one to start with, about 3 or 4 metres in size (nothing too big to begin with - also when you get better you'll still use it in very windy conditions, so think of it as an investment!). First of all just learn to fly it, then start having a bit of fun doing big jumps e.t.c., then look to getting a board.

The first thing I recommend you do, however, is try and have a go on a kite before you go out and buy one. They can be pretty expensive bits of kit, and if you don't enjoy it, then you might have wasted your money. Usually, if you just go to a place where there are a lot of kite flyers (i'm very lucky being next to the Dunstable Downs) and just go up to someone with a traction kite and start a conversation. They're usually a pretty friendly bunch, and they'll give you advice on how to get started, and hopefully let you have a go as well. Alternatively, try and find a good kite store and ask in there. Unfortunately, these are pretty rare, so you'll have to look hard.

There are also places that you can learn to do this, but they are quite far away. I think the extreme acadamy in Newquay (Watergate Bay as Clingy says) teaches it (they certainly teach kite surfing), and also this place in Scotland: TractionKiting.co.uk - Promoting the sport in Scotland - Kite Lessons, Kite Shop, Kiting Events, Kite Festivals, Kite Gallery, Kite Forum

I would also recommend reading on the flexifoil forums for advice: Flexifoil Forums - Powered by vBulletin

Hope this helps!

[kasavien]

Cheers for the advice, my only experience of kite flying is a largeish stunt kite which i really enjoy, especially when it's windy and i can get the speed up! There's a good kite shop in york called anti gravity so when i'm back there i'll pop in for some more advice and look at getting a kite sorted.

Thanks

Andy

[Wh@l3fish]

Stunt kites are good fun, especially when they are zippy.

It's slightly different flying a traction kite, as you (usually) get four lines instead of 2, (2 power lines and 2 brake lines) and they move a lot more slowly. But you do get lots of power. You'll bulk your arms up in no time if you do it for the whole summer!

That kite shop looks good, they should be able to give you good advice. Enjoy!

[Zadock]

Keep meaning to have a go at this... you can get a mountain board and a suitable kite from Argos for undr £200. A good place to try it out would be rosili bay on the gower (if you live in the southwest).