New Member and Interested

[nconkl1]

I'm new to the sport and interested in starting. I don't have the money (nowhere close), I'm just doing research. I live in the Tampa Bay/St. Pete, Florida area and I'm wondering what are some good spots for a newbie to board at. I was also wondering if this is a good package for a beginner:

http://www.realwatersports.com/2013-liq ... te-package

I also have no idea on what size board or kite. I have some (~4 years) snowboarding experience. I'm 150 lbs. with a size 11 1/2-12 boot (when I snowboard).

If it is, that's awesome and I'll aim for that when I get a job. Thanks for the help!

[noel]

I'm in the Florida Keys and would highly recommend taking a ride over to Water Sport West (which is in your area) and see about taking a lesson. If you buy gear as a newb from Real and have a problem with anything including warrantee, you will have to deal with them. First get a lesson as many spots in Florida are in jeopardy of bans. Don't be that guy! There are many good spots in your area and Water Sports West can help you with that info and buying new gear although you may want to start with some good used gear for cheaper. They have many great instructors that can set you in the right direction.

Also check out www.fksa.org as it is the locals forum for Florida.

[nconkl1]

I'm in the Florida Keys and would highly recommend taking a ride over to Water Sport West (which is in your area) and see about taking a lesson. If you buy gear as a newb from Real and have a problem with anything including warrantee, you will have to deal with them. First get a lesson as many spots in Florida are in jeopardy of bans. Don't be that guy! There are many good spots in your area and Water Sports West can help you with that info and buying new gear although you may want to start with some good used gear for cheaper. They have many great instructors that can set you in the right direction.

Also check out www.fksa.org as it is the locals forum for Florida.

Fantastic. I'm super excited to have the money to be able to afford it all. Can you speak to anything about a good board or kite that would be good for a beginner? Or even a package? Would that package be good for me as a beginner? Also, what is a good kite size and board size?

[slingshotucf]

Noel is right, get a lesson from Watersports West or a local school and go from there. You shouldn't worry about gear until you know how to use it.

[nconkl1]

Noel is right, get a lesson from Watersports West or a local school and go from there. You shouldn't worry about gear until you know how to use it.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense. I'm just getting ahead of myself. I don't even have the money for a lesson yet lol. I just moved here so I need to find a job first. But I really miss snowboarding and being strapped in and everything and I need something to do...a hobby lol. Albeit an expensive one!

Is WSW a good shop to buy gear from too? They have a good selection? I'd much rather deal with a real shop than one online (I know real is a real shop just in NC)

[slingshotucf]

WSW is really good. Lots of gear to choose from and they'll be able to get you set up with the right stuff for your level and style. They'll also have demo gear for less that you can get after your lessons and save some $ there.

[noel]

Watersports West is the largest shop (I think) on the west coast of Florida and has everything. The owners are awesome people. www.watersportswest.com

Need a hobby eh? Go to one of the few wakeboarding cable parks such as Revolution and learn to ride the board first. If you love snowboarding then you will love wakeboarding. Great practice for when you get to the board part of the lesson and they have kickers and rails that may remind you of the snow. The best part is that it is fairly cheap and the windy season doesn't actually start for a couple of months.

[nconkl1]

Revolution is FAR from where I am lol. That's a long drive. Would a cable park be good to learning kiteboarding too? I know you mentioned wake boarding but is it good for kite too? Noob question I guess.

Yeah I'll definitely check would water sports west when I get the money and can drive the hour down there. I've read some reviews tonight and they seem to be a good shop. Is used gear or clearance gear the best way to go? That seems to be the consensus here

[noel]

Sorry! McCormicks cable park is in Tampa and much closer to you. Kiteboarding is pretty much the same as wakeboarding without the boat/add kite. Kiteboarding is 80% kite control. Learn to wakeboard before you take a kite lesson and it will speed up you learning curve a lot. Most of the guys and gals at the cable are kiters.

Don't be in too much of a hurry to buy a kite. If you don't know how to steer it or how to activate the releases in a hurry, the kite can drag you down the beach, thru the bushes, across the highway, thru the power lines, etc.....

[nconkl1]

Sorry! McCormicks cable park is in Tampa and much closer to you. Kiteboarding is pretty much the same as wakeboarding without the boat/add kite. Kiteboarding is 80% kite control. Learn to wakeboard before you take a kite lesson and it will speed up you learning curve a lot. Most of the guys and gals at the cable are kiters.

Don't be in too much of a hurry to buy a kite. If you don't know how to steer it or how to activate the releases in a hurry, the kite can drag you down the beach, thru the bushes, across the highway, thru the power lines, etc.....

Yeah, I'll head over there sometime and learn a little bit about boarding first and then I'll get a lesson at Watersports West. Just gotta be able to afford it first, lol.

I'm just nervous to go by myself . I'll make an ass of myself probably