Thinking of getting a smaller waroo. I have a 17 but being by myself most of the time the 17 is a challenge to launch even just moving it around the rocky beaches around here are a hazzard due to the size. I'm thinking maybe go out in more wind and a smaller kite might make my life a little easier. I'm 210 lbs right now but going to the gym and working on getting under 190. Would a 11m be a good size. I don't need the new stuff so I have found a couple of 2007 kites for sale. What should I be looking to spend? Anyone have one? Also I have never successfully ridden in the water so take that into consideration.

Is there any way you can take lessons ?

Lessons aren't cheap but they are worth every penny. Not only do they teach you important things like self rescue and how to deal with traffic but they boost your learning curve dramatically . You will be able to use their equipment and the instructor will be the best person to advise you on a good size kite for your area. Being able to fly and ride on land is a big help in lessons but it by no means replaces them.

Sorry, I know this isn't the answer you are looking for but it is the best advice you can receive. You get what you pay for in this sport. Going at it with old gear ( not that the Waroo is too bad ) and without instruction can be frustrating and unsafe.

I have considered lessons this summer. A little expensive and 4 hours away is why I held back last summer but ya definitely on my list.

surprised no one has said avoid pre 08 equipment for safety reasons..am i right??....lessons are nice for sure

Read somewhere a guy should stay away from 2010 waroos. Not that I'm stuck on best kites. Its that I'm not real sure about switching over my best bar to work with other kites so I play it safe.

I am glad you aren't put off by my answer.

I don't know poo about Waroo but from what I have heard it is one of few 07 kites that was popular. I did not know the safety system changed post 07 ?

I assume that you will be using the same bar / safety as on your 17 ? That is likely a large bar and so 11m is about as small as you want to go .

If you are going to go for it on your own do yourself a BIG favor and get a quality instruction video. Watch it until it is burned in your brain. Don't skip learning self rescue BEFORE you head out.

I do appreciate the advise. I have watched days worth of you tube videos and hopefully some of that will come into play when i actually get some time on a beach. Self rescue and body dragging are the first things to work on and also having a wife on a jet ski just in case "all hell brakes loose". Do you think an 11m is too small or should I be looking at a 13m? I do have a 13 Venom but i am deathly afraid with the gusty winds around here and the number of times i have inverted this kite on land that taking it on the water would be suicidal.

I had a 17m Waroo ('08) awesome kite!

*in point form for simplicity*

- The 11m will work fine on your bar, it is a standard 4 line SLE bar, that being said, just about any 4 line SLE, Delta, Hybrid kite will work on your bar.

- Don't limit yourself to Best because they really are not :D

- I am also 200lbs and my combination that gets me out in just about every condition except nuclear wind is a 11m and a 17.5m, so yes a 11m (like a Waroo) would be a good pair for your 17m at your weight.

- As for getting up and riding, that's another topic and not to Hijack your post, but its as much the board as the kite when you are starting out. A good clean consistent wind, a nice big flat rectangle shape board, and a couple of redbull and you will be riding in no time.

*Don't be afraid of too much wind, you can hold down a lot more kite on water than on land, and you need it when learning. That 17m Waroo will get you running on the water between 14-20mph at your weight and having some good fun!

It may seem like a lot of wind, trim your kite accordingly, but TRUST ME if you have not been up on a plane on the water, unless you have enough wind you are going to simply slog down wind and be VERY frustrated. Trying to ride in <12mph as a beginner is not going to be successful.*

Good Luck and safety first. Don't mind the guys preaching safety and lessons too much, while it is a great idea to get lessons its not always practical unless you live in SoCal or OBX

Keep us posted!

older waroos are totally fine kites if you get one that has been looked after. the reason why they were so cheap when they first came out was the build quality wasn't 100% and as a result they didn't like taking a beating, but as I said, if you find one that's been looked after then you shouldn't have any problems with it

What else could I be considering for a lower cost kite. Are the slingshot kites worth trying? Seems like one pops up on eBay once in a while for a decent price.

Being that you are from the land locked state of SD, is there any reason you wouldn't consider a foil? Do you only fly when you get to the beach and is getting on the water your sole intention?

Water is definitely my goal. We have alot of big lakes around here. I have a 13 Venom that I use for the buggy which covers most of my land and ice needs. I live on a lake so I think I would get plenty of use from a lei. I would even like to try water skiing and maybe knee boarding..

Hmmm. Air rush access. A kite made for short lines. Anyone have any experience with one of these. Great concept for a guy like me with plenty of water around just not alot of beach to launch.