Hey

This is my 2nd post.

Im entranced by the notion of kitesurfing and am allready thinking up possibilities (an amphibious board anyone?) but i guess i better get started first.

Is an F-one mach 1 12.1m good for a beginner (i can get it for like AU$450 which is like US$275 if i want) I weigh 80kg, and we get 15-20knot north easters and 20-30knot southerlys quite regularly here (sydney).

To practise and get used to kiting and the different amounts of power etc for different manouvers can i get any two line kite? Whats some cheap but good practice kites like this???

Thanks

Dan

Beginner boards need not be particularly high performance nor expensive. Longer, wider boards are good for training. But it should be bi-directional (as this is the trend of the sport and most appropriate for tricks) and of standard conifguration.

As you become more proficient, you may desire a shorter, thinner board. There are many good boards on the market. Ask your nearest kitesurf/windsurf shop. I prefer Cabrinha (check the links section).

Regarding kites... most manufacturers selling good surf kites also make a smaller, light-power training kite. These are often just smaller versions of their standard design. It would be most beneficial to get one of these and learn not only how to fly safely, but how to control the de-power and quick release systems. Buying a standard dual-line sport kite will not really help you learn to fly power kites for kitesurfing.