Hey Guys, my younger brother wants to get into kiteboarding, he took some lessons in Mexico while on vacation, and immediately got hooked. We live in Florida where winds are, well... kinda up and down, but for the most part in the 15-20 range for the most part.

The question is we're shopping for a kite and board, and even though I'm a kiter I'm a lot heavier than him, and have no idea what to suggest to him. So I'd like some input from more advance kiters.

He's looking at a 2009 Naish Helix, 8m that reasonably priced for about $350, which seem a bit aggressive for a beginner, but cost is also a factor.

2010 Naish Cult, 9m that's priced at about $450, but in great condition with bar and lines.

I ride Cabrinha switchblades, and had an Ion3 from Flexifoil, but haven't tried much, and being a noob myself I don't know much about other brands.

So what do you guys suggest?

He's 5'8" and 155 Lbs, what do you suggest for a kite and board.

BTW he's not married to Naish brand, is just so happens that these are 2 good deals that seem right, but don't know about kite type. So all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

I would go with the Cult. Great kite, and a year newer. Pretty big difference on the years. If it comes with bar and lines, and it is in good shape, it seems to me that is the better option.

I honestly wouldn't even bother with a 9 until next season. I picked up a new 9m about a month ago and have ridden it once so far for about an hour, and the season is pretty much over. Might get a session or three per month on a 12m or bigger, but I'm sure you know how our summers go...

Really even at 155 lbs? I thought I'd be safer and not too big of a kite for him to start I think the lessons were on a 10, but he just boddy dragged, and tried to ride downwind a few times.

You think a 12m, I kinda want something that will get through the summer and well into our fall.

Yeah our summers suck! lol

I really appreciate all of your input, how about for a board? any ideas?

And thanks Taut for input as well.

I'm 145 lbs and have ridden almost every day that has been rideable since october, and the only time I've really ridden my 9m recently was when it was 20-30 almost every day in November... other than that I've been on my 12 almost every session

as for a board most of my sessions are on a flat 132x40. I have a 137x42 influence for boots but it has enough rocker that I only get to ride it a couple times a month when the wind is actually over 15... this season has just been really shitty, that's why I'd say get something 12 or bigger, otherwise the summer is going to be wasted. you can at least learn to ride downwind when it picks up to 10-12 knots on a 12m

(oh and I ride 2012 switchblades if you were curious)

Good info dude, thanks, I'll pass along the info ... I have a 2011 16m SB that I'm selling (well, practically sold) just cause I've been using the crap out of my 12 (Cab SB) and the 16 isn't seeing much action, but now you got me thinking.

BTW I've been wanting to transition to boots, I'm not that good yet, I almost got the influence but decided to go with the Hadlow instead, how do you like it? I almost bought one from this kid on eBay, but he said that it sucked on the chop, and I mainly sail the ocean, no flatwater around here except the lake (Mango's)

the influence is probably my favorite board ive ever ridden. it's really easy and forgiving to ride, and pops even when you're underpowered. my other board has to load up a lot of speed before I can really pop off of it, which is fine because it gives you an explosion but it's not as simple as the influence.

as for chop, I mean i ride with boots on it in a lot of our "waves" here in south fl (as long as it's not straight onshore) and it's really easy to ride. the boots really help hold an edge in messy waves and chop and the board has enough flex that it smooths it all out really nicely. I've never ridden it in flat water, I'm sure it'd be even better there

overall i LOVE the board, it's a great compromise if you don't want a really high rockered wakestyle board that you cant ride unless you're perfectly powered on your kite. Still has some rocker though so the lightwind isn't the best, but since you buy a size bigger for boots anyway it seems to work out about the same as my freestyle board

also that lake makes me hate kiteboarding, lol.

Ll couldn't agree with u more about the lake making u hate kb. I've been meaning to hit the icw but haven't found a good place to launch and seems so darn busy.

Tnx for the info

Btw which boots u have for the influence?

I've done some kiting in the ICW up around the Stuart causeway. There are some small "islands" where the supports for the bridge are built up and they have a parking area underneath. The windsurfers typically outnumber the kiters here. You can kite on the North side of the East island on NW - WNW conditions, but there are a LOT of rocks/oysters on the North side. I prefer to kite the South side of the East island as it is more of a sandy bottom; it is best on purely SW wind, in my opinion. I have never kited from the West Island, but it is supposed to be good for a SE wind. If it's blowing out of the East at all, I'm at the beach, not in the ICW.

I would not recommend this spot for anyone who is still learning, although it is safer than the infamous lake.

http://thewindmap.com/wiki/index.php/Stuart_Causeway-North_America