Hi! I'm new to power kiting, I used to use the old kind of stunt kites and was introduced into a mini sail when I was in Tofino, BC. For Christmas I picked up a prism snapshot 1.9 and am having quite the fun with it. All ready I want to buy bigger kites and want to get in to landboarding and even buggying. My computer is overloaded with looking at kiting material hahaha. I have a bunch of questions and am looking for a bit of help.

1) I realize safety gear is huge, no problem with gearing up for me at all! What is the number one injury that people get from landboarding? All that I currently have is a full face helmet and shin/knee pads.

2)I've heard some places near Squamish BC are good for landboarding and buggying. Anyone from BC that can teach me things? Go kiting together? Good kiting shops?

3)I'm planning a trip to Oregon in a few months (probably March) Where should I stay a long the coast? Near sunset beach? (will also be surfing and mtn biking a long with kiting )

4) anyone want to meet up with us and teach us things and kite together when we're down there?! I've heard you guys are a awesome, friendly community.

Welcome! You've found the right place AND are headed to the right place. Hit Sunset Beach and I'm sure you'll stumble across a fellow PKFer. Seaside has everything you could need and accommodation options from basic to full on for you.

Before you go make sure you hook up with the Garry Point crew. THere's a load of kites out in your neighbourhood and I know the gang would happily let you have a go!

Sunset Jim, Bison, Frank and myself would be glad to give you some help. Let us know when you will be in the Sunset Beach area.

ya, ya... what they said... :bigok: Are you looking for a motel or campsite when at Sunset Beach?

Awesome, that's good to know! I was planning on looking for something nice and easy and cheap with airbnb.com. I've stayed at other places from there and have always been happy with the places. i'm probably looking at staying for about a week or so and have a nice little vacation, some tax free shopping, and indulge in the outdoor awesomeness of Oregon.. My dog will be happy about it too! We'd camp if there was a nice decent place with showers. Exploring all the options.

How do I get in contact with people from the Garry Point crew?

Welcome,

Make a post on here titled looking for Vancouver crew or something. Many of the regulars watch this site.

It is the wet season here . GP ends up with a pond in the middle and the sides are goose poop soup. I ride at Vanier park onwest winds but it is also mush at this time of year. We are waiting for Green Lake at Whistler and snowkite until spring.

Squamish is a world class kitesurf site that runs on thermal winds all summer but doesn't offer up any great land kiting. The water folks ride storm winds over the winter at : Boundry bay ( both sides ), Tswassen terminal , and English Bay. It is COLD, too cold for me !

Where in Vancouver are you ?

I have a ton of kites you can use. So do others Don't rush into buying . I am one of the very few that ride ATB here but will be happy to teach you ! LOTS of buggy nuts !

Bugeyed ( Gerald )and His Wife had an amazing room right on the beach at Seaside this fall at a good price. IT is where I would stay. I'll get him to contact you .

wet season, baaaaaah. Vancouver is a wet season all year long Not sure if I'm going to get in to the water kiting quite yet, would prefer to try land first! I've done kiting over in delta at Boundry bay and I found a nice empty beach just near the peace arch border crossing..

I'm in Surrey, so not directly in Vancouver.

Excited to learn!! Have a feeling i'll be running my money dry this year hahahahaha Can't wait.

Sounds like you have found a great place to practice over winter !

Touch base with Scudley and Dirtslide on here. Both ride at GP over the winter on good days. D'sliddy used to be our top mountian boarder and is a fantastic teacher.

You are fortunate to live in a place that you can " try before you buy " with a good number of brands / styles of kites to try. Take advantage of that !

Local suppliers of new gear are : http://www.ripsessionkiteboarding.com/
www.skycoutry.ca
Online land based folks who you can find on this forum

For water : www.airtimeboardsports.com

http://www.northshoreskiandboard.com/

Phillipe at airtime is a real ice guy and the local source for Ozone but he knows very little about foils or the land scene. Fun shop to visit but water focused !

If you are snooping around at kite dealers, also try Victoria Kiteland on the island .... I do some shopping at Horizon Kites in Edmonton (good website, reasonable shipping costs) and Vince at horizon is a PKF'r too