Can anyone please help.
Any guidance on what to look for in a first board and what sort of $$$ I need to spend?
Of course I am on a budget.
Weigh 84kg and starting in Perth.
Have kite boards really changed much over say the last 10 years?
How old is old?
Appreciate any help.
There's plenty of people who'd know better than me, but.
Probably draw the line at about 8 years old. A 135 is a good size for the ocean. The river is for kooks.
If you can keep it under $500 I guess you've done ok. Most people lose their first boards so cheap is important.
Select to expand quotebevtay said..
Would a 141 Norh X Ride be good to start on with the goal of riding in the ocean?
+1
reliable, do everything just ok first board to get you started
my rule of thumb on price is:
- a couple of hundred off rrp if 1 season old and in good condition.
- 50% rrp if 2-5 years old, so should get something in the $400
- if 5-10 years, $200-400 depending on condition
having looked at boards with friends starting out now, you can definitely get something decent around $300, if super budget conscious
look for 5+ years old, and someone who learnt on it for a year, but changed to surfboards or upgraded year 2 and kept as a spare
have fun! 
Yes but you'll soon run out of use at 141, at your weight especially, if at a budget I'd go 135 max , big boards get you on the plane earlier and this up quicker but imho at a cost of being efficient with your kite flying skills, basically not knowing where to generate reqd power, I learnt on a Colin mculloch lost cause board 126 in today's era well below what's reqd, but I learnt what was reqd to get me up on that board through Kite movement, I stuck with it for years until 2010 North ,
boards imho haven't changed a huge amount in the last 9/10 but construction methods have , and small factors in regards pads and straps, the mculloch board would be 15 years old but still going strong and a great ride
$300-$350 is all you need to spend, spending time body dragging is free, get advanced at it and you'll progress much quicker 80% of the sport is Kite skills, here's a Dundee great board to progress on, a tad wider than your standard 133 so area is perfect at your weight for Wa, holds a great edge planes well , and will do everything to a high level in the hands of a good rider, best is the comfort level in our general coastal conditions with zero spray in your face in the chop,
Awesome thanks everyone for your input. Certainly some good points to take into consideration and appreciate your time!!
I have gone for a 137 Slingshot SX 2009 for $175 as new condition. Time will tell how I go on it.
My goal is to get onto a directional if I can master the kite as soon as I can as come from a surf background.
But first some more lessons or really how hard can it be, haha.
Next question where to start if you live in Scarborough WA?
Thanks again legends for helping a newbie.
Select to expand quotebevtay said..
Awesome thanks everyone for your input. Certainly some good points to take into consideration and appreciate your time!!
I have gone for a 137 Slingshot SX 2009 for $175 as new condition. Time will tell how I go on it.
My goal is to get onto a directional if I can master the kite as soon as I can as come from a surf background.
But first some more lessons or really how hard can it be, haha.
Next question where to start if you live in Scarborough WA?
Thanks again legends for helping a newbie.
That's not a bad board at that price - well done.
i saw from old posts you may have got a 2015 best kite cheap as well?
If you've got a comfy harness, best option is to invest some decent coin in a couple of lessons, maybe 3 - depends how intuitive and competent you are in kite and board skills - and get an understanding of the fundamentals
i know people recently that that went to Pinnaroo, I don't personally know any one on one private coaches but they're probably out there (search fb or gumtree maybe?).
the old crew have varying opinions about necessity of lessons, but I think it's a no brainer - will make you and others safer, and will speed your ability to start having fun
enjoy
