Beginning Gear / Starting Out

[wldlndfirefghtr]

Hello everyone!

I wanted to get into kite boarding for over 2 years now, ever since I saw it being done on my travels. As far as I can tell there are no instructors, schools, or clubs were I am from (Alaska). So I was considering purchasing a set up and basically during the summer after work, just doing some ground handling, practicing with the kite in light to moderate wind. Then when I start traveling again this winter, I could travel with it, and find a school and get some proper instructions. This way can develop the good habits, and hopefully reform bad ones. So couple of questions are:

Is this something that people would recommend doing?

For someone just learning what type and size of kite, board, # of lines, would be recommended (I’m 6 feet tall/ ~183cm, 215 pounds/97.5 kgs, guessing wind speeds around 8-20 kts)?

What are things I can do or need to consider in order to minimize the risk of hurting myself, others, or my gear.

What type of training kites are available and recommended, would like to start out focusing on the water side of things, but also get into snow also.

Any other considerations I need to be thinking and aware of?


Thanks everyone in advance!