My mate Carl has had a 3.5 metre flexifoil kite with a bar for ages and I had always wanted a go, so on saturday he took it out for afew off us to have a try.

He made it look really easy so I had a go and it didn't take long for me to end up in a strong patch wind which picked me up and slammed me down on the ground (I'm still sore today). Still it was quite fun having a go, but I can't control it nearly well enough to try it with a board straped on.

I was wondering if 3.5m is a good size to learn on or weather something bigger or smaller is needed.

oh dear now yourve started down the slippery slope that is kiting there is no return...... welcome to the dark side.

3.5 is a good size to start with. sounds like you were out it hell winds to be picked up by a 3.5.

find a beach and or some clean wind to practice in. alot of your problem is probably just gusty conditions. don't go out in hell winds to begin with 10 to 15 knots will be plenty to learn on

for a man that can already board all you need to do is master the kite and your away.

for me i was on the board after a couple of hours static flying. it took alot longer than that before i felt truely in control.... sometimes i'm still not in control.... hehehe.

once your zapping around on the board with 3.5 yourl start wanting abit more and you will look at bigger and bigger kites and more kites for different wind ranges....

eventually you will settle on depower kites probably your first one of those will be a 10 m beast. thats when the fun really starts to happen oooh yeah.

3.5 is the perfect size to start on. Not to big that it will drag you uncontrollably in the right wind but not so small that you get frustrated when you start to combine it with the board and get no where (happens when trying to learn on small kites 1.2 - 2m kites)

As plummet said start in about 12knots. Where you can feel a steady breeze blowing but not pushing you around too much.

Once you get a feel for the kite you will be away in no time....your a moutnain boarder so no problems controlling that board just the kite and a bit of balance to worry about. It all comes naturally eventually.