Hello everyone,
I'm a beginner, just took a few kite lessons and I can't water start properly yet.
I'm starting to think about buying the equipment, to save money and to practise more. I'll probably buy some second hand equipment, so no stress in case I damage it.
What's the piece of gear you would recommend to buy top quality (and maybe new) if you had to choose one?
I should add that I've been a keen surfer for over a decade and I'm bothered by "heavy stuff" like harness, lines, heavy board etc. I mean that I like that feeling of freedom, just me and a shortboard+leash. So I wonder if a top quality/lighter/efficient board or harnness or bar would reduce that feeling of having too many "things" on and around me. As for the kite, I guess second hand would be better as it will probably hit the ground quite often while learning.
Thank you!
Hi Simon10,
Buying second hand kite gear as a complete beginner is exactly like buying a cheap second hand car without any mechanic knowledge... there is a fairly high chance you will get screwed.
I used to have the exact same way of thinking as you when I was learning 16 years ago. Just buy cheap stuff and go from there. Turns out the first 3 kites I bought second hand were all pretty much junk. This not only slowed my progression down, made it more dangerous, but was also a complete waste of money. The third kite I bought second hand was only last year's model so I thought I was getting a good deal. The very first time I crashed it the water, it broke in half and was too expensive and too worn out to be fixable. Turns out the kite was used and abused in a single year, but of course, I had no idea how to inspect a kite back then.
I guess second hand would be better as it will probably hit the ground quite often while learning.... it's actually the complete opposite. You should invest in a kite that is in great condition so that it doesn't break when you crash it, and believe me, you will...a lot!
There are other things to worry about such as the safety system, if it's beginner friendly gear or not, is it holding air, are the lines well tuned, is it the correct size etc. We go over these things in two articles from our blog:
www.kitebud.com.au/6-things-to-look-at-when-buying-a-used-kite/
www.kitebud.com.au/how-to-choose-a-kite-size/
if you're on a budget, the only piece of equipment that isn't as important when learning is the board. If you can find the correct size second hand board that isn't 20 years old, then it should be just fine for learning.
A Good quality kite and bar will last you a while, will make learning easier, faster, safer and allow to progress with confidence.
Unless you buy second hand gear from a reputable shop, I recommend you avoid buying second hand gear if you don't have a very experienced kiter to shop second hand gear with you and inspect the gear in person with you, especially the kite and bar.
I hope this helps!
Christian - KiteBud
Thank you so much for your detailed response. I got it. I'll check out your blog then. So I will shoot for new good stuff unless my instructor has some good second hand to sell (I'm not sure if I can trust him on this 100% though).
Looking at cost factor , new kite $2000....board $1000....good used $1000 kite ,board $500...Save$1500...plus beginners crash new kite often and a professional repair $150 upwards which devalues new kite resale value alot . Plus you might leave sport after having bad body smashes so new gear is already lost heaps value resale
I bought second hand kites and board. What I didn't skimp on was what I consider "Safety Items" I purchased a new bar, and a near new harness. These things I would consider the minimum for safety. Kites haven't necessarily gotten "Better" over the past 3 - 5 years, but safety systems like the bar and harness are where you need to make sure they are in top notch working order. Crash a second hand kite and you might be out of a bit of money, Not being able to use your quick release because it is malfunctioning due to age or whatever and you could loose more than just a few dollars.
I also did a lot of research and talked to a lot of people before buying second hand kites so I knew what I was looking for.
You always get good feedback and advice from guys in carpark at your local kite spot regarding kites and kiteskills , and you may buy used kites from these experienced good helpful guys , as some of us have.
Select to expand quoteDisclaimer: my reply to this post here is because I believe 2nd hand kites are actually a good choice for beginners, my responses below as to why.
cbulota said..
>Buying second hand kite gear as a complete beginner is exactly like buying a cheap second hand car without any mechanic >knowledge... there is a fairly high chance you will get screwed.
So everyone that buys a 2nd hand car will have a 99% chance of getting screwed? *cough* *cough* yeah right.
>I used to have the exact same way of thinking as you when I was learning 16 years ago. Just buy cheap stuff and go from there. >Turns out the first 3 kites I bought second hand were all pretty much junk.
All kites 16 years ago were junk. 2nd hand kites today not much older than 5 years are still decent, and there are heaps of them in Seabreeze Ads now, for a fraction of what they are new. They still fly and they work fine. Bar and lines would be the what I would get new, but even that you can bet with "high probability", the bar and lines are fine relative to age of kite.
>You should invest in a kite that is in great condition so that it doesn't break when you crash it, and believe me, you will...a lot!
Not sure on the reasoning for this, but it's rare a student (up here that is) would crash their kite. Maybe it's the wind factor, and the fact you guys fly much smaller kites to us, that will spin a lot faster and fly faster hence more risk in crashing?
>Unless you buy second hand gear from a reputable shop, I recommend you avoid buying second hand gear if you don't have a very >experienced kiter to shop second hand gear with you and inspect the gear in person with you, especially the kite and bar.
Oh please. #eyeroll
Like I said above, there are plenty of good 2nd hand kites and equipment in Seabreeze for sale right now that are not that old, and are quite safe even for a beginner.Select to expand quotetowradgi said..
>You always get good feedback and advice from guys in carpark at your local kite spot regarding kites and kiteskills , and you may >buy used kites from these experienced good helpful guys , as some of us have.
Thank you. This is the best advice on this thread.
Talk to the locals and get their advice. Most will have gear to self and are more than happy to show you what they have. Highly doubt a local will "rip you off".
rant over.
Select to expand quotecbulota said..
Hi Simon10,
Buying second hand kite gear as a complete beginner is exactly like buying a cheap second hand car without any mechanic knowledge... there is a fairly high chance you will get screwed.
I used to have the exact same way of thinking as you when I was learning 16 years ago. Just buy cheap stuff and go from there. Turns out the first 3 kites I bought second hand were all pretty much junk. This not only slowed my progression down, made it more dangerous, but was also a complete waste of money. The third kite I bought second hand was only last year's model so I thought I was getting a good deal. The very first time I crashed it the water, it broke in half and was too expensive and too worn out to be fixable. Turns out the kite was used and abused in a single year, but of course, I had no idea how to inspect a kite back then.
I guess second hand would be better as it will probably hit the ground quite often while learning.... it's actually the complete opposite. You should invest in a kite that is in great condition so that it doesn't break when you crash it, and believe me, you will...a lot!
There are other things to worry about such as the safety system, if it's beginner friendly gear or not, is it holding air, are the lines well tuned, is it the correct size etc. We go over these things in two articles from our blog:
www.kitebud.com.au/6-things-to-look-at-when-buying-a-used-kite/
www.kitebud.com.au/how-to-choose-a-kite-size/
if you're on a budget, the only piece of equipment that isn't as important when learning is the board. If you can find the correct size second hand board that isn't 20 years old, then it should be just fine for learning.
A Good quality kite and bar will last you a while, will make learning easier, faster, safer and allow to progress with confidence.
Unless you buy second hand gear from a reputable shop, I recommend you avoid buying second hand gear if you don't have a very experienced kiter to shop second hand gear with you and inspect the gear in person with you, especially the kite and bar.
I hope this helps!
Christian - KiteBud
Nailed it
