Hi, I'm very new to this sport and so have lots of questions!

I have been thinking about buying a kite for some time. I am interested in kite jumping and maybe also landbuggying. However, many websites say that beginners should start off with a smaller kite first and then move onto the more powerful kites; is this necessary?!

Is the best starting point buying a kite, or are courses recommended?

With Thanks

Best route is always a lesson. If that isn't available then a good 3m kite to learn on is the way to go.

You will ALWAYS have a use for a 3m kite.Introducing the sport to folks + those big wind days. That is why you see so few for re-sale.

Over Christmas I didn't pack my 3m and it cost me a day out in the snow with TONS of wind !!

I started my 4 line experience with a Beamer III 3m. It was my goto kite earlier this week at the beach. My 5m was too much and I wouldn't even think of getting the 6 out. That made the 3 the fun one to fly. First in the quiver, last to be put away.

Thank you very much guys, I'm now off to search for a 3m kite on the Internet!

Just out of interest; would you say that the majority of people participating in this sport are male, or do quite a few females do it also?

Oh and does it matter if the kite is a 2 liner or 4?

Cheers

I have 2 line delta (triangle shaped) kites and a 2 line HQ symphony. The deltas I have are zippy through the sky but don't pull much. The symphony is zippy and pulls too. The 4 line kites will give you more control that you will appreciate. I enjoy all my kites but enjoy the 4 line foils the most. Realize you probably won't end up with just one kite. Whatever you buy, you will still have fun with later even after buying bigger nicer kites in the future.

Coastal Wind Sports Kite buying guide

Girls do well in this sport. I think the majority are YOUNG middle aged men ??? ( See the link on how old are you )

I think it is well worth paying a little extra and getting a 4 line kite.
With the brakes you can relaunch when you crash by reverse launching. You will use that feature a LOT at 1st !! When you need the 3m for high winds later the brakes help with safety and control.
You can always fly a 4 line as a 2 line but you can't go the other way.