Best products from r/Kiteboarding

I would agree, best way to save money at the start is to:

• Get standard foil two line kite and practise so that it's second nature (like £25 from amazon) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/HQ-Kites-Symphony-Beach-Rainbow/dp/B00ID4QG4O/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=foil+kite&qid=1558012195&s=gateway&sr=8-3
  
• Go to a good school - a good teacher and equipment will speed up the process massively - these guys look good - https://www.thebigblueexperience.com/beginner-kitesurfing-lessons/. It is expensive because you pay for the teaching and the equipment. In theory you could skip the school altogether but you risk your own safety, that of others, you will most likely destroy your kite (i.e. costing you more money in the long run) and put yourself off kiteing.
  
• Take group lessons, this will reduce the cost. If you are good and a dilligent student you may need as little as 5 lessons.
  
• Buy a second hand kite and board to start with after you have had a few lessons, only in conjunction with someone who knows what they are doing or through the school (they will advise size). Best to get a big twin tip board to start with IMO.
  
• Use all the free youtube tutorials available, I like these guys but there are plenty out there...https://www.youtube.com/user/alexiobussio
  
  Also consider going abroad to places where you have guarenteed wind, a week to ten days in Fuerteventura will get you up and running in a flashbut make sure your doing it with a proper IKO school, in the UK it's quite difficult to get the right wind and tide to coordinate with your pre-booked lesson.....
  
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  Good luck, it's the best thing in the world.

These are some inexpensive but super awesome sunglasses for kiteboarding. They come with a strap so they fit easily under your helmet, or arms if you don't want to use the strap. They defog themselves immediately in the wind. They are my favorite shades I've ever had for kiting, and they're only $25.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XP9GCCN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hi there. So in essence, all of them are 'foil' kites. This is what most people will use as a training kite, but are also fun to just fly.

The difference between them is the steering and attachment method. The first, and last link you posted are 2 line kites. They have 2 lines leading to the outer edges of the kite. This is unlike a kitesurfing kite. They also do not have what is called a chicken loop, which is a loop designed to attach the centre lines of the kite to the harness.

The 2nd link you posted is closest to a kitesurfing kite. It has 3 lines, 2 leading to the outer edges, and one going to the middle. As a result, this kite can be 'depowered' by pushing the bar forwards, releasing tension in the steering lines. This type of kite is the only one that requires a harness.

However, I'm sure many would argue that additions such as a chicken loop and a 3rd line on a trainer kite are not neccesary. A trainer kite is simply used to understand the basics of the power window, and kite positioning. After learning these basic concepts, students will usually move to small 'normal' (ie, inflatable leading edge) kites (usually 5 metre squared) and then on to normal kites for the conditions.

I absolutely suggest you purchase one of these kites for learning to fly and having fun, and I would suggest you get the basic 2 line ones.

Once you have used it for a while, and enjoy using it:


>GET LESSONS

Kitesurfing is a very dangerous sport for beginners. Once you have mastered the basics, it becomes very safe, but most accidents happen when beginners, without proper training or advice, purchase their first kitesurfing kite, and try to teach themselves or fly the kite in unsuitable conditions. It is absolutely no joke that if you try and fly a kitesurfing kite untrained, it can kill you easily, and faster than you could realise. These things will pull grown ass men 50ft into the air instantly.

If you arent interested in owning a trainer kite, and want to save 100$ or so, just go straight for lessons. The first thing they will do is give you one of their trainer kites to learn with in the first half our or so. Up to you.

Hope you get out on the water soon!

UPDATE: all three links you posted appear to be for kites that include a very small training kite and a medium sized beginner foil kite. You would be better off with something like this

You may want to try these. I've never kited with them, but they seal/cover your eyes completely and have good peripheral vision as well. Only down side is that the suction can be strong and you can look a bit like a raccoon for an hour or so afterwards.

Thanks for your reply. I looked up ocean rodeo trainer kite and the two i found on amazon were https://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Rodeo-Complete-Kitesurfing-Training/dp/B00IVHUM1G/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1537232731&sr=8-4&keywords=ocean+rodeo+trainer or https://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Rodeo-React-Complete-2-0/dp/B01KH10970/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1537232678&sr=8-5&keywords=ocean+rodeo. Which one would be better if I just want to learn on whatever is closest to the real thing without overpowering and killing me. Thanks :)

Needless to say installation was nightmarish. Was about $400 on amazon (no prime). We'll see how long this lasts! Looks pretty nice and I was able to get in two kites, my wetsuit, and a handful of other gear.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KNLEVTC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get these and attach to any sunglass (although you might want a hydrophobic coating)

Ski goggles are super kooky, will get and stay wet, won't drain, aren't secure, and aren't gonna do what you want

Cablz XL Original Eyewear Retention System 12 Inches ; Black Cord https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095UZJSE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1h1CCbZH0XACK

Just about every surfboard made in the last 10 years uses FCS1/2 or Futures fins. Looks like this board is using FCS 1 (but double check on that). You can order a quad setup pretty cheap on amazon. I use the ho stevie fins cuz i'm cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-Reinforced-Polymer-Surfboard-Fins/dp/B01BPJO9JM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495836291&sr=8-1&keywords=ho+stevie+fcs+quad

I always put a tether out even if there are other people around to launch/land because who knows if they will be there when you get back. Also, not a bad idea to attach something to it asking people not to remove it for SAFETY reasons, I've had mine stolen before and I'm pretty confident it wasn't another kiter that took it.

Always use a steel carabiner with your tether. I witnessed a cheap aluminum carabiner open up like a paper clip being straightened out when someone hooked a fully powered kite up to it. Apparently it had worked fine with depowered kites but couldn't handle a powered up kite.

I pieced together tether/anchor with the following:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OPKNEI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNBGF70?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00


http://www.westmarine.com/buy/kwik-tek--pwc-tow-rope-20--256050


I only use the land anchor if I can't find a tree or something else to wrap the tether around.

PS. I actually made 2 tethers out of the rope since it had the clips on the tow rope so I have a spare next time it get's lifted : )

Check out Sony Walkman waterproof mp3 play works awesome for me no need to bring along phone plus it has external mics that can incorporate outside sounds into your ear buds should be just what your looking for. Just have to tie a short line as a leash to them so you don't loose them on a big Wipeout. https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Walkman-NWZW273S-Waterproof-Swimming/dp/B00I05EFO4

per 'flat ass face', I actually would recommend the kurtis glasses moreso. They wrap around your face snug, with the velcro strap for the glasses in addition to the retainer strap around your neck. I have white boy nose, but know the flat asian face well per the sunglasses-for-girlfriend problems lol. My 'expert' opinion would be that the kurtis glasses would do the trick fine.

Sea Specs (http://amzn.to/15A9H9g), which I also used to wear, I think would not do as well. They are heavier, sit larger/harder on the nose, and don't form-fit wrap-stick to your face as well as the Kurtis. food for thought...

http://www.harakirikiteboarding.cz/upload/Image/Kite/flysurfer_cool/wacbar.jpg

If you don't leash or harness in and are somewhere where there are no people around, you'll probably be fine. Just keep in mind that having that harness point is how you adjust the power of the kite.

I'd still get a practice kite like this https://www.amazon.com/HQ-Symphony-Professional-Kite-Rainbow/dp/B000KFU744
Practice kites stay up in way less wind. I don't find it that fun to fly an inflatable kite with not enough wind. And it ends up being more dangerous because it can fall out of the sky directly down wind of you, then power up and launch you when the wind picks back up. Sketch!

Is it an inflatable kite or foil kite? Flysurfer makes some cool airfoil kites, too....

Actually looks like at least amazon UK has it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dakine-Surface-Vest-Medium/dp/B002D77P4M/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=dakine+vest&qid=1569951366&sprefix=dakine+vest&sr=8-7

My buddy uses one of these
It has a little more room in it than some of the other solutions I've seen on here, and it seems to be fairly robust.

Yep, I bought a pair of surf ear clones from Amazon and they work well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0778L2CW8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bNX8AbD0P0QD5

I got my eardrum smashed by a wave in my 20s after constant ear infections as a kid. Now I have a small pea size hole that will never fully heal. Luckily I only lost less than 20% of my hearing in the low frequencies and as an added benefit my ears always equalise at altitude. Downside is I have to wear a plug in my ear whenever I'm in the water. Your brain is right behind your ear canal and no one wants dirty sea water in there causing an infection in tissue that thin.

Take care of that ear and make sure you let it heal properly. The scaring on the ear drum will make it very easy for it to open up again.