I'm a beginner and i'm trying to get an used kite but i don't know which year can be considered as safe ? is 2005 ok or to many changes since (depower and security)?
thanks
2005 is not OK. Some 2006 models are fine (ie Cabrinha Crossbow), but your better off getting a 2007 or up.
Look for bow kites.
Cabrinha Crossbow/Switchblade
Ozone Sport/Light
Slingshot Rev/Turbo Diesel
Best Waroo
North Rebel
Probably about 10 more I have forgotten also.
A kite that old will cost you a lot every month to replace the bridals and bar lines and air leaks etc.
a 2008-2009 bar almost any brand.
and a $700 Eclipse brand new 2009 kite, no second hand kite can beat a brand new 2009 kite.
the first crossbow came out in 05. its ok for a learner, and cheap.
you don't need to go new, especially when learning
2006 onwards. Cabrinha Switchblades are an ideal beginner kite. Look for the Switchblade 2 or 3 if you are after cheap and second hand.
The Cabrinha IDS kites (onwards) are very safe and easy to use.
The first generation Crossbows had huge advantages over earlier kites but they tended to spontaneously invert. That can be very scary for beginner.
Avoid old Slingshot bow kites. Especially the TurboDiesel and the Link. Horrible kites. The TurboDiesel will try to hurt you.
Some of the fringe brands can be bought cheaply and they are good kites but they can be very difficult for beginners. There are several brands that have poor low end so that you can be underpowered on a 10-11-12m kite while other riders are well powered up on 8m kites. It's fine if you know that and know how to use the kites properly but it can be a nightmare if you are dragging your bum in the water and not able to get going.
in 2005 people actualy did learn to kite.and, correct me if i am wrong, they didnt learn on a 2007 kite.Infact i think it would have been impossible for them to learn to kite on a 2007 kite. unless they were a Goobak.Then they probably would have bought a 2015 model kite back with them.If they came from 2015.If its in good nik it will serve you well.You can get new bladders made for them.
2009 North Rebel used or brand new.
This is my 3rd kite, and since i have had it my progress has jumped so far forward its been great. Gone from spending 2hrs floundering around trying to kite more then 50m to now flying all over the bay, and flipping toeside, all in a matter of about 3 sesssions. I think it is allergic to water because when ever it crashes it just flys straight back up, its absolute awesomeness.
Of course you can learn on older kites. Some people learnt on two line kites and you could also do this. However, it is not recommended and can be quite unsafe.
For the price you can get an older beat up 2007 kite, why risk your safety?
all the people who replied first and got red thumbs have given the best advice for a beginner imo.
More important than a good kite for learning is a good spot!
You will get better so quickly if there aren't hard objects in the way and people who are already good who hate you
If you can go away somewhere over summer and get two weeks in, then you'll easily be able to kite anywhere and go upwind and noone will hate you.
Can you imagine learning how to surf on a sharp reefbreak with 200 people out?
You'd be much better off at a sandy bottomed pointbreak with noone out (even if your board was totally wrong for learning)
p.s. unfortunately I can't tell you where any of the good spots are because I hate you.
Thanks for all advices
its only a faze you go through....
its only a faze you go through....
. This sport look's awesome i just hope i can pull it off as well as you guys can, then i too can be a hater
Ahhh....so the 08 Switchblades are better quality?
I have an 07 Switchblade which I learnt on and love. I would recommend that kite to anyone looking to get into the sport for as cheap as possible (could probably pick up one for 500 bucks or so) But your right, the quality is lacking a little. Compared to my 07 Ozone the material seems much more light weight. The 5 or so repairs reinforces that.
I have an 07 Naish Boxer SLE which I have learnt on and it has been a really good bit of gear. I reckon you wouldn't go wrong with one if you could find one second hand.
The thing you need to check aside from the general kite condition is the condition of the bridle and the pulleys. There is one line on each side that wears out due to a pulley running on it. I had to change these lines out on the bridle last season and get some silicon spray in the pulleys to free them up.
Looking to upgrade this season, but I reckon I will keep the Boxer in the cupboard for any times when I go out in big waves.
Slingshot T3, an excellent beginners kite. Tough, one of the easiest to relaunch, great depower basically good all round to let you progress with ease.
Constant winds,
Baz.
In addition to my first post (sorry about the duplicate), I use a Flexifoil Ion2 (2008 i think).
I don't know if it's designed to be a good beginner kite, but it works well for me and if you can get hold of one they're probably fairly cheap - being that there's an Ion4 now.
Please tell me to shut up if info from other beginners is a waste of space.
Why is that andyy?
My mate started out with 05 C kite in 2006 for a full season. He said he progressed more in two weeks when he bought his 07 bow kite.
I've never tried a C myself so can't comment, but what makes them better for learners?
