Hey gang,

I can't f@%$ing stop . Holy crap!

So I am interested in heading into the kitesurfing direction and will probably piece together what I need to get started.

I have found a nice used Slingshot Compstick with 25m lines for $150.00. Because I am a newb and don't really have anyone to ask questions to I am not quite sure what my options are?:puzzled:

Can I use this control bar on any brand kite?

If you are going to be kitesurfing, I'd recommend getting a lesson first, then look at a used complete kit. Yes you can interchange bars, and that can save you some money, but sometimes you need to tweak bars to work with different brand kites. It makes things a lot easier if you have the same kind of bar across multiple kites (ie: one North bar and 2 North kites), if that makes any sense.

I don't know enough about the Slingshot kites and bars to make any recommendations there, sorry. I would ask how old that bar is. 150 seems a little pricey for a bar, depending on the age...

I'm with Rag on this- learn from my mistakes instead of "getting" a great deal whn you are not sure what you want/need will cost you more money then getting the right gear first- also agree that buying the "pair" kite+bar at the same time helps you knoww that the gear is rightand the technique needs work- really sucks to be "doing it" right but have an eqipment error that you dont know about.
Scott

the compstick is very versatile, age like Ragden mentioned is its only negotiable, the main can get ragged quickly if used with hi pressure set up but in general tidy set up. the below the bar trim is best used static in motion can be hard to pull in, definitely easier to let out on the fly.

but sounds like a start, if you are gonna piece meal a set up . i would advised it requires considerable experience to jump bar sets cross brand and type. not so good to start with and a lesson will help a ton. not a bad deal if its in good shape like 2011/12.

Thanks guys. Advice taken. I plan to take a lesson, probably in late April unless any of you want to show me at SI I will be watching closely anyway.

I have to remember that deals come and go. They will always return at some point.

I will try a class and then make a decision.
Thanks,
James

Ok, so deals come and they go...

This guy got back to me. Answered all of my questions extensively much in the ways that you have, not just answered to sell me something.
Anyway, in his reply he also mentioned that he has a 11m Best Waroo that could be shipped to NC for $350 as a complete package.
I am not sure of the year yet but the photos he attached look good. Color is light blue

I am awaiting a relpy on the year, hole, tears, rips, bladder condition

Am I jumping the gun again or would this be a good starter kite for surfing?
Thanks again,
James

You really need to read my blog on this. That is a great price on the Waroo, it is a good kite. The problem is that you may be throwing money down the tube. Your goal is to get on the water and the way you are going about it may seem like a great way to do it on a budget.....but in the long run it is a great way to spend tons more than you are expecting.

If you slam the kite on the ground and destroy it (which is very easy to do on these types of kites), you just tossed $350.00 down the drain. That money would have paid for a full lesson from a qualified instructor, with the perfect gear for you to use in the right conditions. If you pile-drive the instructors kite into the ground and destroy it ... he just goes and gets another one (maybe a little disgruntled) but at least it didn't cost you anything extra. You also have the ability to try several types of kites, different harness's as well as different boards and control bars.

Here's the real problem..... Say you get that Best Waroo and launch it in the wrong winds - then you get lofted (cuz that is what those kites are designed to do) and get slammed into the ground. You could sprain your ankle, break a bone or worse, end up in the hospital laid up for a lengthy amount of time ( and yes, there could be even worse things like fatalities). What is that cost compared to a couple hundred bucks towards a qualified instructor who will know the conditions, select the right kites and be there to give you all the safety information.

Here's a link to the blog is you want to read more:
http://kitethoughtsfromthefield.blogspot.com/2010/11/kite-su...

Hope that helps. Be safe and you can continue to enjoy this awesome sport with all of us!

2007, 2008, 2009 are the good years for a Waroo.

Early versions of the 2006 had seam issues, and I *think* the later releases of them were supposedly fixed. The 2010 Waroo wasn't really a 'true' Waroo with respect to shape and performance. The 2010 Best Bularoo has the classic Waroo shape and performance.

Waroos make a great beginner kite and you can still use it when you've hit the advanced stages of kiteboarding on water. $350 sound pretty decent if you figure $250 for a kite with no leaks and no unfixed damage or shoddy repairs, and $100 for a bar with lines in good-excellent condition.

As far as the size, it will depend on your weight, board size, and wind speeds it's flown in. I weigh 155lbs and an 11 would probably work for me from about 16 or 17mph on a big board to 25-28mph on a medium or small board.

Getting a lesson before this would give you more insight as to what you'd need.

Edit: What Kent and the others are saying is sound advice. Getting a lesson before buying gear will be the way to go.

So... just out of curiosity, I looked up the city you live in, and how far you are from the Outer Banks. Basically 5hrs in good traffic for you. That is not a bad commute time (some people would kill to live that close).

My personal recommendation? Call up one of the instructors from that area, and spend a weekend out there. Or if you can muster it, a week. Lessons are NOT cheap, but the location is well worth it.

If you are flexible for weekend trips, head out there every chance you get. So much shallow water that is great for learning, and almost any wind direction is rideable.

There are lots of GREAT instructors out in that area. Some are smaller personal shops, some from the larger shops (Real and Kitty Hawk). Do some research, call some folks.. set something up.

Ok, I will take a lesson first.
It makes the most sense and the older I get, the better the path of least resistance looks.
James

Quote:

Originally posted by PBandJ Ok, I will take a lesson first. It makes the most sense and the older I get, the better the path of least resistance looks. James

Regardless of where you decide to head for your first lesson, post it. Maybe one of us can come and hang out with you. Give you pointers after the lesson.

The real key to learning is what happens AFTER the lesson. Sometimes simply having someone nearby to keep an eye on you, offer pointers, correct posture, or just cheer you... Can make a huge difference in your progression.

All good advice above but I see things just a little different.

You seem like a sensible person. I take it by your quiver that you have put some time in and have your basics down . You know that you want to progress to water . If that Waroo and bar are in good shape then it looks like as good a deal as you can expect . It is a good kite for learning / progression. Nice size as well. Not a lot more power than your 5.6m and lots of depower. I don't think buying it would be the biggest mistake ? Yes deals come around but that is about $100 less than I usually see Warroos going for RTF.

Lessons are for sure the way to go but with some work you can practice almost all of lesson 1 on your own. You have 1/3 of it down with the kite control and wind knowledge you already have. There is a ton of video + info on body dragging , upwind dragging, self rescue ... online. If you can demonstrate to the instructor that you have those skills he will move you to board starts etc. as fast as he can. He wants you to get as far as you can in each lesson. Taking a day or 2 to yourself between lessons is a big advantage IMHO. Shops sometimes will rent you a board but not usually a kite. Having that Waroo and being familiar with it you could possibly get away with 2 lessons ? Saving $ 350 ( the cost of the kite )

I have heard more than one person say they regretted not having a kite right after lessons . Repeating things when fresh is a real advantage.

YES you will crash the Warroo a bit. Take it out in proper winds and such and you can reduce the odds of crashing bad. My suggestions depend on you being by a body of water to practice. Crashing on land increases the odds of damage , of course.

This is just my opinion and I wouldn't be giving this advice to a young whipper looper. You seem reasonable and safety minded.

If you don't have a harness get one and start flying hooked in.