Hi all, after a couple of lessons, i've just bought myself a full kit of kite surfing gear! Keen to get out with it as much as possible and it would be nice to have people around to help me along the way.. I'm off to the cooks beach (coromandel) for a couple of days from 26th - 28th Dec, then up [far] north to Matauri Bay on the 29th till the 3rd Jan.

Just wondering if there is anyone out there who might be going out for a kite anywhere near(ish) those areas who might be interested in meeting up? It's a bit nerve racking thinking about going out without an instructor but i'm gonna do it!
Any tips of where to go round those areas appreciated - somewhere quiet, preferably shallow, where i can have plenty of space and not annoy anyone. I'll probably just concentrate on flying/handling the kite and body dragging till i'm at a level where i can try out the board.

Cheers,
Tim

Stick with your instructor if you still don't feel confident, especially if you have not been taught any board together with kite skills yet - more cash I know but you will then enjoy yourself more when you are more confident

The greatest advice given
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Apart from-

presuming you are a good swimmer
presuming you understand rips/tides
presuming you are never going to let your kite go astray in a way it could affect someone else
presuming you are not going out when you are unsure everything is going to stay under control
presuming you know your safety is going to work and have tested it for REAL more than once
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"IS KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE" from solid object above flat ground - ie trees, rocks, cliffs, other kitesurfers, dogs, humans (this will really cock it up for everyone), banks, walls, buildings, protuding rock or coral reefs, floating objects, boats, trees, windsurfers, poles, rocks, boulders, markers.
and a real 80m would seem to be an absolute minimal distance if you are learning in under 17 knots

This info is not a substitute for less or no quality lessons

NJOI

Where abouts in the Manukau do you live?? You live next door to a very good harbour and contrary to popular opinion it's a very good place to learn as the winds are very steady... no instructor needed.

When you come back from coro the boys from the eastside can show you how itz done. you'll love this sport... just a matter of finding the best beach on the day.

Cheers,

Ian > thanks for the advice, I will most probably get another lesson to get a grip on staning up on a board, was just touching on that at the end of my last lesson - i've got the theory, just need the practice! I've got a good feel for flying the kite, and would be comfortable doing that without an instructor before taking my next lesson. I certainly know safety is the most important thing with this sport when learning and will be keeping my distance from everyone and everything!

thrasher> I live in Manukau Heights, my first lesson was at Ihumatao which is pretty easy to get to from here, then the other one at Glendowie. it's good having shallow water to learn i guess!
Will certainly try hook up in the new year..
Merry Christmas everyone... i got myself a kite surf for xmas woohoo