Good kite to buy?

[ricki]

Originally Posted by cw

I am new to the sport. I took a 2 day course and was able to get up on the board using a 11m "C" kite. I have decent control but need a good beginner kite.

I have the opportunity to buy a 2005 13m or 15m Slingshot Fuel at a good price.

Or possibly at 14m Cabrinha Element

They both look like a good "C" shape 4 line kites. What does anyone think?

Any other suggestions?

I think in the long run a 5 line hybrid will be better, but the C seemed easier to learn on.

C kites have a huge following and probably will be around for sometime to come. Both the Fuel and Element are both well regarded kites.

Quite a few instructors have been shifting to flat kites however for instruction as the learning curve is often shorter with them. So, for a new kiter, you might want to think over whether to go with a C kite or perhaps to shift to a flat kite. You may remember getting yanked on your face during the course depending on wind conditions? Avoiding this is easier with flat kites.