Forums > Kitesurfing Victoria

Out of the loop

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Created by ruiner > 9 months ago, 4 Jan 2018
ruiner
1 posts
4 Jan 2018 5:41AM
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Hi all, its been a good 9 years since i was in the water, and im thinking of getting back in, i kited for years, was living in noosa when i learnt, and then few years later moved back to melb. Im guessing kiteboarding has evolved a great deal in 9 years... i certainly have de evolved, had a broken back and neck, and 20kg heavier... so im thinking, maybe go grab a couple of re fresher classes, rather than buying some new gear and thinking ill be as competent as i once was. I still have a couple of my boards, one that was new when i stopped. What kite would i be looking for? im 110kg, based in melb, what year onwards? ive started reading and seems sizing required has changed? i used to use a waist harness, but thinking maybe with some fused vertibrea a seat harness would be better. any advice info would be greatly appreciated.

cheers Ran

castill0jf
VIC, 563 posts
4 Jan 2018 12:47PM
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I have back problems so a seat harness is a must. Have a few classes to catch up with security and meet new people on your own level. Buy a used kite not older than 4 years. It is better to inspect the kite before you buy. cheers

djdojo
VIC, 1607 posts
5 Jan 2018 2:57PM
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Depending on how your spine is functioning now you may like the mellowness of riding a strapless surfboard - you can ride a smaller kite in a given breeze, therefore less load through your harness, and obviously you can vary your foot position to whatever works, and if something goes wrong you just bail and no longer have a board using your legs as leverage on your spine.

As I get older I enjoy more mellow strapless sessions on my shinnster, surfboard, and foiling, cruise up and down the coast with less strain on joints. Still enjoy a crazy boosting session now and then too, but I like the options on those days I'm less energetic.

Truckloads of good used gear to be had for a song once you work out what you want. Most gear on seabreeze ads is way overpriced and sits there forever so don't be afraid to make a lower offer.

Enjoy!

Gateman
QLD, 409 posts
5 Jan 2018 6:59PM
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I learned to kite in 2004 and was just managing to stay upwind when I had kids, moved to Melbourne, life got busy (Water was cold) and didn't kite for 9 years. Still had all my gear and pulled out my Cabrinha CO2 (2003) back in 2014 after I moved up to QLD: 1st attempt, got straight up, stayed upwind and had an exhausting (yet exhilarating) 15min session. Wondered why I let this go for so long, fitness wasn't there but muscle memory was, it's like riding a bicycle.
Bought a 4 year old Switchblade and was absolutely astounded by the advances in safety, relaunch and depower, last year I upgraded to 2017 kite quiver, new board, new harness (used to use a waist harness but in my mid 40's found seat harness less fatiguing) and now kite as often as I can. As for kite size, my "go to" kite in 15-20 knots at 62kg in 2003 was a 12m, 2010 was a 10m and 2017 is a 9m on a 135 TT so yes, kite sizes and efficiency have changed.
The other thing to note is that boards have decreased in length but increased in width over the last 10 years, my old board was a 146cm but was only 39 wide whereas the new one is a moderate 135 x 42 yet they have around the same surface area. Older boards tend to be a lot narrower .... so don't just look at length.
Note that I didn't have any major injuries in my time away from kiting and also didn't put on any weight but haven't tried a surfboard yet, with back issues the recommendation above by djdojo makes sense.
I encourage you to get out and "find the stoke" again though, it's awesome.



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"Out of the loop" started by ruiner