new guy question

[Chanco]

I'm fairly new at this, a longtime sailboat sailor and part-time windsurfer, but I'm 59 years old so I can't get too crazy right away. I've got a 3M kite that I've been playing around with and would like to move up to something that could move me on skiis or a snowboard. What should I look for, and where do I look for good used equipment?
Email to: chanco@visi.com if I don't come back to this forum very often.

Thx,
John C,

[steveb]

John, how much do you weigh? Do you intend to kite on water or just snow.
It'll help guide our answers for you.
Dorians our oldest Kiter and I think he's 73 so you have a few years left yet

[TJ]

If you are disclosing Dorian's age, you should disclose yours Mr.

Are you scare of us knowing how old are you?

[Chanco]

I weigh 208, 5'9", start on snow, but maybe water next summer.

[steveb]

TJ, I'm happy to disclose my age......I'm older than you!

John.....Simplifying things you have basically 2 choices, A foil kite or an Leading Edge inflatable. (LEI) LEI's there are many brands and some suttle differences between the various designs, but basically LEI's are designed for water , the inflatable part is a frame work which once inflated helps the kite float. Leis will work on snow too.
Foils look a little like square parachutes, they get their shape from the wind moving through them. They're designed for snow and land applications but sink when on water ( there are a few exeptions Peter Lynn / Flysurfer and HQ kites have water relaunchable foils but that's muddying the water a little) Generally foils are thought of as non water kites.
Most of us end up with 2 kites, one for lighter winds 10 to 18 ish mph and a strong wind kite typically 20 to 30mph. For someone your weight your lightwind LEI would be between a 14 and 16m, your stronger wind LEi would be from a 9 to 11m.There's all kinds of factors involved here, where you expect to ride, what kind of boards you have, are you aggresive or prefer caution etc.etc.
Foils your lightwind would be from a 11 to 13m, you highwind 7 to 9 m.
Sources for used kites are the classified section here, http://www.kiteforum.com http://www.ikitesurf.com and ebay.
I'd suggest getting your high wind kite first, the smaller size will make learning your snow kiting easier, then pick up your second kite later as your experience develops.
There are a number of schools in the area and I'd strongly suggest booking a lesson, it's just a safer way to learn.
If you see a kite you're interested in post a question about it on Lakawa.There's so many riders logged in here that most kites have been tried by someone at some point and we can give you good information about the kite.
The Lakawa side bar has the contacts for most our local kite shops, all the local guys are knowledgeable and helpful and you can trust their guidance, they'll not steer you wrong.
Good Luck.See you out there

[steveb]

I forgot to mention that there's a kite event at Swede Lake on January 3rd and 4th.
It'll give you an opportunity to see many kites and talk to their owners. A number of the local shops will have people at the event with kite demos and the knowledge to answer questions.

[GrahamMansell]

I got a great new setup from Ikitesurf.com a litlle around the time of November. I am 16, weigh probably 165 pounds. i bought a 13 meter Best Bularoo, and i love it. I think its a great intermediate kite, and also depowers nicely, too.


if you have any other questions shoot me a email.

i can help out if you like.......

Graham