Im a paraglider looking for another sport for strong wind days. Given the fact only weekends are free due to work im only able to fly realistically bettween 10 to 20 days a year. Given the same time frame (only weekends) HOW OFTEN WOULD YOU EXPECT KITE SURFERS GET OUT ON THE SEA IN THE ABERDOVEY / CARDIFF AREA. I live in birmingham and am trying to suss out if this is a realistic hobby for me

hi Andy; been there done it for years ,waiting on the tops of hills for the wind to die down, or even appear.
also live in brum.
saw kitesurfing on an extreme sports channel and thought i'll have a go at that thank you!
when i started there was very little of it around ,only in cornwall. took it up loved it , all the adrenaline you could wish for and still reasonably safe ,if you choose it to be!!!!!!!
sold the paragliders about 2 /3 years ago didnt use them, dont miss them( well was at arcachon this year whilst over in france and there was little wind and the gliders were out having a nice time, BUT THATS ALL!!)
yep kitesurfing has taken over and is obssesive!!!!!!!
come down and have a go.
oh windsurfing is far too difficult for me , i've tried it!
and every one learns at different speeds, so that answers your other post! and i'm sure you realise the only way to learn is the safe way with lessons.


[Edited on 29/9/05 by mNeil]

[Edited on 29/9/05 by mNeil]

Andy... Take a look through some of the diaries on this site, it should give you and idea of how often people are able to get out... You'll find that most people are in the same situation as you as far as only being able to play at weekends.

Obviously conditions won't be suitable every time you come to the coast, but there are probably only a few weekends a year when there just isn't enough wind ALL weekend, and only one or two when the wind is just stupid and far too much. You wold be pretty unlucky to come to Borth / Aberdovey for a whole weekend and not get out for at least a short session.

Al.

I generally ride 3-4 days a week, when you think that its possible to kite surf in as little as 10 knots up to 40 knots +, thats a huge window. Kite buggying is fun in as little as 5 knots.

get a mountain bike?

i agree with Will ; a mountain bike for getting to and from the pub works well for me. what say ye kitefish Chris? Nick the Hill?

I live in Worcestershire and try and get to the coast when ever I can, which is about every two weeks. Normally Dovey which is great for learning as I'm new to the water side of the sport.

Might be best investing in some lessons as you will be able to sus out the sport and then buy kit if your still up for it. You will progress much quicker too and learn all the safety.

Living in Brum, you're pretty central to get to any cost for wind, so I'd guess you'd be hard pushed to miss any weekend!

You're sorted for light wind days. Go for it, you know you want to....

Aye, I gave up flying too because of sitting on a windy hill too long. Took up windsurfing again a few years ago sold my paraglider last year and bought kitesurfing gear for the lighter winds this year.

Kitesurfing seems easier to learn than windsurfing, but that just maybe because I'm used to flying a big kite (paraglider) and been surfing about 16 years (still crap) and windsurfing a fair few now too..Definatley good fun though...Doesnt scare the shite out of you like when your canopy collapses though !

You had some decent wind up there lately haven't you Angus?? Have you been out on the water?

Al.

been around F8-9 last few days, but I'm working in Barra just now so leave the house at 7am and get back at 8pm when its totally dark ! Havent been out in two weeks. We are working on the west side so the best I get is just watching big surf breaking on the beach