First off, this will be a fluid post. As I find more media to share and learn my lessons, I’ll be sure to update it with best practices and the like…
Ok so you are like me and just made the most expensive, impulse buy ever and you picked up a kite. I got mine from backcountry.com when they had a 50% off coupon to stack on top of their already on sale prices. I ended up choosing a 2007 Best Bularoo, 16m. 16m is probably too big to learn with but will eventually become my low wind kite for everyday use. Most literature I have seen recommends between 9-14m to start, with the smaller kites becoming the high wind kites in your quiver. An experienced rider told me (after I already made my purchase and paid for shipping) that one can get away with a 9m and a 16m in your quiver.
- Lesson 1: Make sure that you get the appropriate kite for common conditions where you plan to kite surf.
for snow* and water
(75kg) rider
| Size (sq m) | Range (knots) | Recommended Bar Size (cm) |
| 5 | 20-45 | 45 |
| 7 | 18-35 | 45 |
| 9 | 14-33 | 45 |
| 11 | 12-29 | 45-55 |
| 13 | 10-25 | 55 |
| 15 | 8-22 | 55 |
| 17 | 7-18 | 55 |
rider
| Size (sq m) | Range (knots) | Recommended Bar Size (cm) |
| 5 | 25-50 | 45 |
| 7 | 20-45 | 45 |
| 9 | 18-35 | 45 |
| 11 | 14-33 | 45 |
| 13 | 12-29 | 45-55 |
| 15 | 10-25 | 55 |
| 17 | 8-22 | 55 |
Next Up: Harnesses? How do you pick em? I don’t really know 
But through all my searching I noticed a major trend, the old harnesses were dinky and each year kiting advanced, so did the harnesses, with bigger back supports, more padding and extra strength where you need it. That means newer=better in this case. It totally makes sense when you think about it. You are strapping yourself to a device capable of providing hundreds of pounds of lift. So make sure you get something that will provide adequate back support and be comfortable over the long haul. I purchased a Da Kine Fusion seat harness. Seats take some of the pressure off your back and also force you into a better riding position.
- Lesson 2: Make sure your harness fits properly. I’m not just talking about when you have a pair of board shorts on. If you intend to ride in the fall and spring months, don’t forget to add wetsuit thickness to your dimensions… a.k.a don’t buy to tight of a harness, you’ll never be able to get in it with your 3/2 suit on.
- Lesson 2.5: Harnesses come without the bar, make sure you order them both at the same time, or you’ll think your ready to go learn only to find out your missing the most important part of your setup
More to come when i get out of the water for now, time to go fly a kite
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