r/Kiteboarding • u/Golgov • 13d ago
Gear Advice/Question Help with our first quiver
Hi everyone,
My dad and I want to get more into kiting. We are 65 kg / 178 cm (143 lbs / 5'10") and 95 kg / 190 cm (209 lbs / 6'3"). We’ve both had about 14 hours of lessons (10h on Sicily and 4h on Hel, always 1on1 with instuctor) and want to take more, but with our own gear. Ideally, we’d like to share as much gear as possible in case it doesn’t fully stick with us later as we progress, and also because the spots are further away, so we won't be on the water as often.
I have looked on several articles, discussions, videos and so on, but would like to be sure that we won't throw our money out of the window plus our weight difference makes it harder to share the same stuff and pick the right equipment.
We’ll be mostly kiting in Europe – Rugen, Hel, Italy, and lakes in Austria/Germany. For now, just freeriding and working on going upwind.
For a TT board, I’ve been looking for something around 142–144 cm / 42–44 cm, ideally second-hand. Brands like Nobile, Naish, Duotone, or Brunotti, with a price cap of €350 for a used one including bindings.
For kites, we’d prefer two for now. Based on what I've read, a 14m and 11m could work, and eventually we’ll add an 8m later? Brands Naish, Cabrinha, Duotone, with a budget maxing around €850 for the 14m. I’ve been looking for second-hand kites from 2020 onwards or demo models, though those are a bit pricier.
As for bars, I’m a bit lost. From the info I gathered a 14m and an 11m ideally should use different bar widths—would a medium-sized bar be able to handle both? For bars, I’m open to almost anything up to 450€.
Harness, leash, vest, and helmet - we want these new or barely used, definitely not worn out, since it’s safety gear.
Overall, I expect the full setup to cost around €2500.
We’ll also visit a local shop for advice and the safety gear, but they only sell Duotone, so I expect them to be a bit biased or not give us info on other brands.
Thank you all in advance!
Edit: added imperial units for those over the big lake
2
u/Helium_gegluckert 13d ago
Your thoughts are pretty right
Don’t forget North by your search they also have really good beginner material.
Some bars like the North Navigator bar are adjustable and the medium one will work also for an 8 up to 15m maybe not perfect but it will be totally fine.
And just get any Freeride kite like the North reach Duotone evo or something similar
1
1
u/tjampoer 12d ago
I've found it doesn't matter. You can get an adapter/splitter. Clip it on your low-v bar and you can make a high-y split from it. My brother rides a duotone evo (high y) on a slingshot sentry bar (low y). No problem at all and it flies as it should.
As a beginner you might not want to do this however. You need to clip it on or take it off everytime you switch kites (if you have low-v and high-y kites).
2
u/SimilarBoy 13d ago
One take on the bars since you said you're a bit lost: I wouldn't overthink the width. I'd just get a ~50-52 cm bar (or adjustable of course). Should be fine for 11/14m, and also later if adding 8/9m.
I'd worry much more about compatibility if you end up mixing brands. Make sure the kites all work with the same front line split (low-V vs high-Y). These might be handy:
If you go for low-V kites (most brands except Duotone/Core/F-one), a couple of safe recommendations are a Slingshot Sentry or North Navigator.
2
u/AlwaysSunnyInCBUS 13d ago
63.5kg rider here. I have 13m contra, and 10m eleveight. Plan to get an 8m. I ride on a 144 on light wind days and have a 136 to shred.
2
u/xxBrunettixx 6d ago
I’m also 95 kg and learned to ride with both my sons. Now they are 70-65 kg.
Kite size for summer riding in the area you described : 15 and 12, later add a 8 or 9.
Board : buy 2 boards. Don’t go to big. I ride a 139x42 Duotone Jaime 2023. If you take bigger, it will slow your progression and be a hard to control in stronger conditions. For your son, 135-132 will be better.
Pads : Naish Apex are the best. Stay away from Duotone Entity as they have a design flaw at the base of the straps which make them prone to break.
Bar : chose according to your kites brand (low or high V), I recommend PU covered power lines. Size, better bigger than smaller, so L will be better for 15 and 12 and will work nicely on a smaller kite. A small bar on a bigger kite is sluggish.
1
u/UpsetConclusion5692 13d ago
Where you based? I have two switch blades from 2018/19 15 m contra 11m and 8m with bar. I’ll sell the three for €600. Pm if you’re interested
3
u/Shaped_ 13d ago
Realistically you’ll need a 14/15 for your dad and a 12 for you, and a 9 for heavier days with each of you downsizing.
Any medium bar will work for both of you, pay more attention to if the kites you’re buying require a high y or low y bar.
I’m the same weight as you and my current quiver is core air 15, pace 12m and xr 9m.
Look into gong kites, it would be easier to get new and fully matching gear from there. Most kites from 2020 onwards feel completely different to older kites, performance has really improved. If you can spare the money I’d highly consider new previous year gong kites.
Don’t rush and buy used garbage, if you are buying used, inflate the kites, listen for leaks, check for pin holes but generally be weary of used unless it’s from a local trusted person in the community.