Recent topics
Which table to choose
Kite setup tips/tricks
Which Front Pad
Futures Fins Alpha Fin Release
Kitesurf / Surfboard
Strapless Air Transition with heli-loop
Movie: White Caps and Summer Hacks
Lake Erie Wave Day
Global announcments
SHAPE - what makes a fast kite surf board
Make your own fins - #2 THE FIN SHAPER
Make your own fins - #1 THE COPYCAT
Build - Full wood UG Kipuna style board
Video - Jon Modica Latest Footy
Video - Trip - SDC
Video - Reo and Modi in Maui
Video - invisable - SDC
Recent posts
Re: A Work In Progress: Video by Nate Apple
Re: Movie: White Caps and Summer Hacks
Re: Which Front Pad
Re: Lake Erie Wave Day
Re: LF Skate 5'11" 2008 vs LF Skate 5'11" 2009
Re: Kite setup tips/tricks
Re: Which table to choose
Re: Strapless Air Transition with heli-loop

Hi, I'm new and could really use some help.

Welcome to losethestraps.com - the original site dedicated to kitesurfers that are evolving the strapless scene. Please introduce yourself to the forum by posting here.

Moderator: Lonny

Hi, I'm new and could really use some help.

Postby Adrian246 » Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:47 pm

First off I'd like to pay compliments on the site. I've been thinking for a while about kiting with a skimboard but didn't know till a few weeks ago that a lot of people actually did it and then to find LTS just made me think about it even more.
Now here's where it gets tricky. I'll essentially be coming into this as an almost complete newbie (15+ years surfing might help with balance and i did actually kind of start kiting (got up on the board and went downwind) but somehow never really kept it up.
For now I'm not interested in being a half mile out to sea but more shorebreak/beachbreak and 'small' waves and I could really use advice on gear.
Obviously I'll get a trainer kite and move on to a something bigger. I was looking at a Hydra 350 because it's one of the bigger trainers I could find and it's more water friendly than others but it seems expensive for a trainer especially if I'll be wanting a bigger kite in the near future (there IS a budget).
I gave a friend my last surfboard (a 6'2" WRV) a few years ago so I'll need something to stand on but should it be a skimboard (wood / foam core?) or wakeskate?
I'd really appreciate and advice.

Thanks

Adrian

PS I live in Barbados if that makes any difference in equipment choice.
Adrian246
Grom
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:02 pm
Share |

Re: Hi, I'm new and could really use some help.

Postby doc1 » Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:14 pm

all kites are good,try as many as you can before you buy one.You need more practice as well..
doc1
Getting Wet
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2009 1:55 pm
Share |

Re: Hi, I'm new and could really use some help.

Postby Lonny » Wed Jan 06, 2010 1:23 pm

Hi Adrian,

Welcome to LTS. Thanks for the kind words, and joining us here.

Honestly, I am not much of a foil/traction kite guy. I strongly believe in the benefits of a inflatable kite for water use. Foils have come a long way since I first used one in 2000, but I always recommend a later generation inflatable kite. Get a lesson make sure you are 100% comfortable using whatever kite you choose and its safety system, waves can be more demanding on your skills vs. flat water.

As far as the board goes, if you are going with one board I would go with a skim or surfboard. I love wakeskates, but based on what you want to do, which is ride shorebreak, a skim or surfboard would be better suited for that. Now, if you like the idea of using a skim, which I can confirm is a blast to ride in small to medium sized waves, I would go with a foam core/epoxy skim. There are a ton of great brands to choose from be it Zap, Exile, Victoria, Roush, etc. Check out the skim review section of the site, as there are a lot of great reviews on boards there by actual riders that use them:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=157&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

You live in a great spot for killer riding - so I am sure you are going to have a blast. Let us know how we can help you further.
Represent and get your stickers at The LTS SWAG Shop

Like LTS on Facebook

Dedicated to the progression and evolution of strapless kitesurfing!
http://www.losethestraps.com
User avatar
Lonny
Shredder
 
Posts: 676
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:58 pm
Location: Coconut Grove, FLA
Share |


Return to Welcome

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 10 guests

cron