VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a new hobbie and windsurfing/kite boarding has peaked my interest!

From my little knowledge wind surfing seems like the better choice for a beginner?

Anyone willing to take the time to share some knowledge would be greatly appreciated! Ie. how much should I spend? Where should I buy from, where is a good place to learn? I live in sooke about 10 minutes from gordons beach.

Thanks for your time,

Andrew

hey andrew, we must seem like a secret society or something but if you go to gordons on a windy day you can get all your questions answered.. mainly when guys are coming off the water not in a frenzy to get out. the kite beach is a bit up the beach from the WS launch.
in the meantime you can do some reading in the forum, there are many discussions about the topics you suggest. I think Nanmoo posted these same questions about 6 months ago and now he is out slashing waves.

Kudasurf

Caution: Addiction

May throw your life off balance while waiting for the wind.

KudaSurf wrote:From my little knowledge wind surfing seems like the better choice for a beginner?

Hi Andrew:
Only you can decide which one you want to learn first. The smart people do both. Kiteboarding is generally quicker to learn but every person is different. Living near Gordons would be sweet and you should be able to get out 3-4 times a week from May-Aug and practice in the lighter wind earlier in the day. Stop by the beach on the next sunny/windy day and talk to a few people. Both sports are great so just decide which one suits you more. Get a warm 5mm suit cause you'll be in the water a lot at first.

Sooke Basin might be a good place to learn too tho a bit gusty I guess but lighter winds and a bit safer. See buy and sell section for gear.

Like snowsports I would suggest to ski/windsurf first, snowboard/kitesurf later, it is difficult to take up something harder after learning something easier but hey, your choice Very great similarities with the two types of snow/watersports. As a boarder I think you are less in touch with the elements of water, more with the air.....just my perception mind you, people differ lotsa threads on that too on here

Why not try'em both? Take some lessons (professional lessons, not your well meaning buddy's) and decide. If you tend toward the more technical side of things, like speed, like a surfy feel, are pretty independent, and enjoy a physical challenge, windsurfing may offer you an interesting/fun experience. If you like the idea of wakeboarding or surfing under a flying high-performance, inflatable boat that also offers the option of floaty jumps, kiting may be it for you.

Both sports are incredible, but very, very different in feel and sensation. What I love in one is sometimes missing in the other, so I tend to do one or the other as conditions dictate. I agree that kiting seems quicker to learn initially, but both sports offer great challenges (fun ones!) as you travel up the learning curve.

Watch some You-tube videos of high end kiting and windsurfing to see what is possible and which sport suits your natural idea of what might be more fun.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply!!!

I have decided that I will start with kite boarding lessons as it appeals to the skydiver in me!!!

Thanks again,

See you guys at the beach,

Andrew

If you have any questions at all just ask.
I can help you with all of you kiteboarding needs. and lessons,
Chat soon,
See you at the lake.
www.strongkiteboarding.com:)

Hey Ac,

Checked out your website, looks good and lots of good reviews! So how many lessons am I going to need. If you could give me a ballpark figure of how much I should expect to spend that would be great!

Thanks,