Just wanted to do a short intro for myself.

Ive been lurking around and finally registered. I've been looking into kiting for a few months now and finally got a Imp III (3.5) Trainer Kite.

Im located in (North) Phoenix, Arizona and been using some of the parks around here to get use to flying. Sadly the winds are very mild. 5, maybe 10 mph. A gust here and there that will drag me a lil bit but then again I am 160lbs and using a 3.5M Kite

Anyways just wanted to say hi and see if there are any other Phoenix - AZ kiters!

Looking to get my skills good enough for kiteboarding by later this year!

**Picture looks like I am right next to the pole and trees when Im actually far from them

:tumble: welcome to the addition bro ... lots of great folks on here who will be more than glad to help you out if you have any questions ....

welcome:bigok:

Thanks! I will definitely be asking questions on Kiteboarding.

Currently looking at which kite to get for low winds.

Below is where I currently fly at.


[url=<a href="http://localkitespots.com/vmap.aspx?site=1325620066297&static=1]Highlands" target="_blank">http://localkitespots.<WBR>com/vmap.aspx?site=<WBR>1325620066297&static=1]<WBR>Highlands</a> Park[/url]
[url=<a href="http://localkitespots.com/vmap.aspx?site=1325620066297&static=1][/url" target="_blank">http://localkitespots.<WBR>com/vmap.aspx?site=<WBR>1325620066297&static=1][img=<WBR>200x225]http://localkites pots.<WBR>com/kitesurfing/1325620066297.<WBR>jpg[/img][/url</a>]

Welcome to the wild world of wack-os. This is a great place to get info for all aspects of kiting. Have fun with the imp and learn all the things not to do:dunno:. Then go bigger!

Welcome,

I expect when you say kiteboarding you are talking on water ?

Once you have that 3.5 mastered your next best money is lessons . You will get propelled into riding at a much faster and safer rate than going it on your own. After crashing the instructors gear up he will be able to help you decide what will work best for you and your area. Often they will have a package deal available.

Practice flying the Prism blind. Learn to feel the kite and control it without looking at it. Practice loops and downloops. If it is windy practice using the power of diving the kite to lift you from sitting to running postion ala board start.

Look at depower kites and probably LEI if you want to ride water.

Now the bad news : 5 - 10mph isn't enough for water. Good news : you can ride mountian boards in those winds

Thanks for the info Bladerunner!

Although I don't believe we have any kite instructors here or around Phoenix. Closest is about 3 hours away in Flagstaff, AZ and that is for land/snow boarding. I will definitely keep practicing and await high winds to really get the feel for it. And the sitting to running start is a good idea. Think next time we get some wind I am going to try it!

I did however, talk to a local guy who is selling a de-powered '97 12m Naish Boxer - 4 line. Inlcudes everything (except pump and main bladder) for $250. I am awaiting to see pictures of it and to actually go see it. What do you think? A good deal? Older kite to practice on. Or save the $200-300 and get a new one later? I was told no tears or repairs. Only has been flown a few times. Im thinking for that price it'd be a good starter kite as well. What should I be looking for when purchasing a used kite?

Thanks in advance for your input and advice!

I thought by 97 the Boxer had gone 5th line ? 5th line is a huge advantage for both safety and relaunch. A 4 line C kite is not your best choice for learning. That price is about all the seller will get , if he can sell it at all.

Bow / SLE kites are far more forgiving and easier to relaunch.

I would put my $300 into something else !

Good call. Blade. After talking more with this guy he knows nothing of the kite. Although I could probably talk him down to $100 bucks for everything. But like you said, better to save it and get something new/better suited for me (noob) :tumble:

Welcome to PKF, AZ. This is an amazing resource. Bookmark us and come by often!

Ok gawd another Kevin with a motorbike that's all we need

Welcome! :bigok:

Another?! Crap I better change mine then.

*pic below(attached)

Unless there is another Kevin here that flys helicopters too

Nice ride there Kevin.
Not that it compares but I have been having a ton of fun with a couple of RC helicopters that I got for Christmas. I'm sure I'm ready to try your big one when we meet !

Good move checking on here about the kite you want to buy. Folks on this forum are slightly baised toward foil kites but folks will give you an honest answer about any kite. Between us all we have flown most types of kites and can warn you off of trouble ones.

The Kevin thing is a bit of a kiters joke.
1st there is Kami but he is a fun / funny Kevin.
Then there is " Kiter Kevin" Kearney. Who made a fool of himself after going out in a hurricaine and getting caught almost killing himself on the news. This is all I can find of it. Fortunately it is being erased from the internet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUj6WKUpHZE

Wow! Ya I saw that that video in another thread on PKF. Didnt know that was someone who was actually on this forum. I think thats the most dangerous thing you can do with this sport. I am used to our motorcycle forum where at least once a week someone was killed riding. Got out of riding once I got married and my daughter was born (almost 5months old). Sure do miss riding but I have a feeling this sport will get my adrenaline fix :tumble:

I a fast learned when it comes to these things but I know I am going to have my moments. May take me longer to learn as well due to the lack of Wind here in Phoenix.

I played with some RC helicopters, the cheap little up and down ones. They are fun but never got to try out a 4+ channel one. Hear they are harder to fly than a real helicopter lol.

I am excited about tmrw tho. Supposed to get up to 11 knots here. Thats going to be the most wind we've had since I've gotten my Imp kite. So I get to get a little taste of what its really like to fly :cool2:

Here's my next kite I am looking at. For $200 '08 Royal Era 12m. Been talking to Justin about it here on PKF. Full setup to get me going I think and it sounds like a good kite to do all types of flying. Water/snow/land. Any thoughts on this kite.
Although I am 165 dropping down to 155lbs, with the light winds that we have here, almost seems like I need to go for a larger kite unless I misread the charts. Either way I think a 12m would be a kite in the middle.

Without lessons it will be a huge advantage to hook up with locals.

Are there any other kiters at any of the spots you are looking at ? If not, there is a slight chance that the spot isn't ideal ? Learning alone on water can be risky .

Having an assistant is also a huge advantage launching and landing LEI as a beginer.

Sorry I don't know the Royal brand but I have a feeling this is a far better deal than the Boxer was. Might be worth posting a thread asking about the kite?

As I am just getting into this sport. I have yet to find any other kiters here in the area. I see some members from PKF that are from here but have yet to U2U them. Once I decide and rcv an LEI I will be doing many sessions on land learning the kite and getting a feel for her. I'll have friends out with me when I try out the water portion. But hopefully by then I'll have meet some other local flyers.

Doing some searching around online for that kite and it looks like a good one. And for that price, I cant really go wrong IMO.

so,

not sure you've found this, but if you haven't could lead to some good info if you can contact the user screven...
http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2316286&p=64015...

this fella probably knows the ins and outs of the area too...
http://www.arizonaloukiteboarder.com

sounds like you have some decent riding south of the boarder for weekend trips. Nice.

Quote:

Originally posted by AZKevin I did however, talk to a local guy who is selling a de-powered '97 12m Naish Boxer - 4 line. Inlcudes everything (except pump and main bladder) for $250. I am awaiting to see pictures of it and to actually go see it. What do you think? A good deal?

A main bladder is going to cost you quite a bit to replace and I'd imagine you'll have to have one made for such an old kite.

As Blade has said, a bow kite LEI is best.

Welcome

Kitedelight, thanks for the links but that post was from 2005.

Redsky, ya I've decided against that kite due to your guys input. The guy kept dropping the price after telling him no. Haha. Still looking to get the Royal Era 12m.

Yesterday was great! 12mph winds that dragged me around the dirt with my Imp 3.5. A lot of fun but burnt my arms out pretty fast. Winds at the lake (5miles from me) were 18-20mph. If we have more days like that Ill be happy!

just like you kevin I have been creeping around the forums reading and dreaming of someday actually riding the wind.

I recently took my longboard to hamilton highschool parking lot down here in chandler and was able to do some down/up winders in the parking lot. I was so excited by it that I decided to spring for a core 95 mountain board.

I am looking for some places to ride the board so if you have any suggestions let me know.

I am using a 3m kite and as such have to wait for those gusty crazy days to really get it going.

Hey bro... Welcome to the forum!

You should just go right on ahead and start your own thread, "New Arizona Kiter" or something like that. Don't be shy, give it a try, eh? You'll get plenty of welcome and a better chance to meet up with local kiters, best thing you can do to progress and learn!

Good luck to you, if you're going upwind on a longboard with a three meter you're getting well into it!

Welcome to the Family!

And another new guy! After getting used to the trainer we finally had some wind in a low enough range for me to feel comfortable taking my 5m apex3 out for the first time yesterday. Actually met four other kiters and got a couple of good runs across the local soccer fields.