Being a college student I don't have a lot of money to blow but I think it's time to move up from my HQ Rush 300. I can't decide if I should pony up for lessons and hopefully have enough for gear later or stick to land a grab a board and eventually a larger kite or stay static and get something with a little more power. Anyone in a similar situation and have advice?

1. What do you have around for local flying fields like?
   
2. What do you ultimately want to do?
   
3. Do you have any like-minded friends?
   
4. Roughly what's your budget?
   

ATB,
Sam

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What do you have around for local flying fields like?

I have soccer fields, the beach, and https://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.819085,+-74.954910&num... I go to college in Lancaster so there are lots of open fields.

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What do you ultimately want to do?

My original plan was to get on the water but I can only do that a few months of the year. I love flying static but that can sometimes get dry and I want to get moving.

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Do you have any like-minded friends?

A few friends will fly my trainer but most are in a tighter financial situation than me and wouldn't be able to afford it their own gear.

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Roughly what's your budget?

I have a couple grand but I'd rather save some for school. I have a job and am saving but if I keep waiting the summer will have been wasted.

i have a Scrub Mt Board....will trade for a case Blind Pig or Head Hunter (others considered) and a broccoli rabe/provolone steak sandwich from Tony Lukes......just putting it out there.......Offer open to anyone.

Lessons are the way to go if you hit water . Problem is they aren't cheap. If you can't follow up with your own gear then you will lose a lot of the benefit. Ultimately this means over $1000.

If you pick up a water friendly kite and an ATB you can get moving + go out and play at body dragging . If you have skis or snowboard you will be set for winter ?

Far from your final goal but a big step toward it + a lot of fun ? Then next summer !

If I were you I would grab a used 6 meter depower foil and grab a used buggy. Then get your water gear.

A 6 meter will allow you to be safe in most winds and allow you to crash the less-expensive foil into the ground and not worry too much about it breaking.

From my experience, the buggy is much more forgiving than boarding for learning the ropes. I bought both water gear and buggy gear around the same time and can say that I have gotten 10x more use out of the buggy stuff. It is just so much easier to carve out an hour of your day to hit the buggy up than it is to carve out the half day you need to go boarding.

I also live about 2 hours from a good kiteboard beach and about 15 min from a buggy field though. IF you live right on the water then it may make more sense for you to get boarding gear first.

If you go buggying, make sure you wear appropriate pads!

ALSO, I agree with Blade on lessons. My wife and I did lessons last year and can say that they are a must to go on the water! There is just too much crap that can go wrong and if you are not aware of what to do in the plethora of bad situations you will be boned.

Think about it this way. If kite lessons save you from say one hospital visit over your entire life, the detectable/bills savings alone may be more than the cost of the lessons.... and pain

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

i have a Scrub Mt Board....will trade for a case Blind Pig or Head Hunter (others considered) and a broccoli rabe/provolone steak sandwich from Tony Lukes......just putting it out there.......Offer open to anyone.

Check your U2U

when your done kiting for the day...theirs nothing quite like a delicious IPA....this thread too shall have a happy ending.....damn i love this country, damn i love this forum