Kite Surfing

slightlycrazy

Hi. I was just wondering if anyone will help me get started on kite surfing?? What type of board, kit do i need? How much they'll cost and whatever else i need to get started.

Evil Phil

Dunno much about kitesurfing myself but http://www.kitesurfing.ie/ have forums so you could try there too.

Mr. Flibble

I'm just getting into it too.

How heavy are you?

Most suggest a 12 meter kite to start off with. You'll get a kite known as a LEI (leading edge inflatable). These are designed to be used in water as they wont sink when you crash it and can be relaunched from the water.

If you were boarding on land you'd get a foil type kite which you don't pump up. The benifit of these is that you dont have to pump them up and there's nothing to burst on them when you crash them into land. Many foil kites coem with handles not a bar, but you'll want a bar for kitesurfing.

There's a board here for sale at a decent price which may be suitable. 165cm is plenty big enought to start on. I got my board from the same guy 2 days ago. Ask him if its suitable for a beginner, he wont lie.


Definatly get all your gear 2nd hand. It costs a fortune new. I'd get a kite that comes with a bat and lines and harness as it will be cheaper and easier than finding them seperatly. I got my kite/lines/bar/pump & harness(albiet a useless one) for 375 in france. I'd budget 450/500e here tho.

Do you know anyone at all who has a kite? I suggest you get your kite and learn how to set it up and fly it and then get a lesson. I really didn't want to throw away money on lessons but getting at least 1 is really worth it. They're 120e in most places for 3hrs.

If you get a kite and have no idea how to use it contact me and I'll meet you on dollymount and show you the very basics (im only starting too remember:).

As Evil Phil says, I'd direct your questions to kitesurfing.ie - much more kiters there than here.

Mr. Flibble

just saw when you posted that. did you ever get a kite?