Hi all, I'm looking at getting into kiteboarding and have been tooling around the web reading this and that about the best practice for starting. So far it seems like a trainer kite is a good option to get the basics down. I'm going to keep an eye out on trademe as well as popping down to the local shop to have a look around. I'm based in Petone and Eastbourne sounds like the place to go to jump in the water and practice body dragging.

Apart from that does anyone have any pearls of wisdom they wish they knew when they were starting out? Especially when looking at buying a board and first kite after a trainer. Also, is it worth getting some lessons?

wellington is hard core. the wind is strong and there ain't much room for error on the land.

lessons are high recommended. Go see Butch in Foxton.

windwarriorkitesports.com/default.aspx

Buy a wind meter and learn about the wind. go to waikanae for your first sessions as theres more room for error.

Cheers Plummet - I can imagine it gets pretty dodgey on occasion in the Windy Capital. I haven't seen too many kiteboarders out and wondered if this is because of popularity or wind conditions.

I'm up in Waikanae a bit so will take the chance to get out on the land when I'm there. Think I'm going to go with the HQ Hydra 300 trainer kite to get a feel for the sport.

HQ Hydra link.

$265usd?

nah flag that idea. you don't need a water relaunchable trainer. get a cheaper one off butch or trademe shitter and learn to fly.

or get the lessons you maybe able to bypass the trainer kite stage and spend that $$ on lessons.

Also your'l have more idea of what to buy for your kite quiver after lessons and you may be able to get a lesson/kite deal combo.

Hi there
welcome to the Wellington scene. There is some advice on the wellington kitesurfers group about starting in Wellington.

sites.google.com/site/wellingtonkitesurf...wellington/beginning

I have also written an article here which might help.
yakers.co.nz/2008/11/

If you are looking for some lessons more local to Wellington then check out Wildwinds wildwinds.co.nz

If you need anymore help or advice just message me, happy to help.

As well as Butch in Foxton & Wild Winds in town, you've also got Kavae from Onu kiteboarding who teaches in the Wellington region. So there is choice as far as lessons go.

Heaps of crew getting into kiting in Wellington these days - it's actually getting crowded, but all a good crew & willing to help out. Just remember spots around town itself are pretty much for the intermediate to advanced only, & beginners best to spend their time up Waikanae way first.

Forget the trainer,and learning to body drag round eastbourne or petone is a bad idea,get some lessons,waikane is about the best place close to town, a trainer is only any good for the basics of initial kite control,so unless your gonna get into some land kiting its a waste of money that could be better spent on lessons.

xtremekitesports.co.nz

This is all great advice - cheers everyone. Seems like a great friendly community here.

@yakernz - those resources are brilliant - just what I was looking for as far as info on places to surf etc. Also, pretty impressive with the 2000km coast trip in Brazil.