1) What size kite board should I buy? You don’t need a large board to learn on. You will progress out of your first board within about a week. So for your first board to buy, we suggest a person of 85kg (or more) start on a board with dimensions of around 130cm to 140cm length x 30 cm to 40cm width with a fairly square outline for staying upwind.

2) How does tail shape and width affect the board? Width: The wider the board, the more surface area you have – thus creating an easier planing board. The outline gives you rail contact with the water: a straighter edge gives more contact and better upwind ability. Tail shape: The point of the board you push against to pop off the water. A fuller tail creates more pop, but it has a downside – in wave riding it tends to catch more. A more surfboard shape prevents this, but does not have as much pop. Most experienced kiteboarders have 2 boards in their kit. One for `pop` and one for `surf`

3) Where to I put my footpads? To find your natural stance close your eyes, shift your feet, stop and then look down at the distance between your feet. This is your natural stance. Freestyle boards have a wider stance for landing manoeuvres .

4) What is the difference between fins? Fins are a budget question. All fins work. However, a fibreglass fin has less vibration at speed and is a more stable and smooth ride. A g10 fin (highly compressed 80g cloth laminated with epoxy resin) has a very thin profile with an even curve to create lateral resistance without vertical lift.

5) Do i use a surf style board or a twin tip in the waves? For pure wave riding with a small kite on a smooth down the line wave a surf style wave board will work well. The downside is that we all don’t often have those conditions and you have to gybe. These boards are not suitable for jumping because off the surfboard construction. Twin tips are cool for edging hard, boosting big air and freestyle moves, but when your are doing down the line wave riding, they don’t bottom turn and top turn that well.

6) where should i buy? Easy.  Cosmic kites, our sister kite school in Long Island, New York.  Not only do you get a 10% discount if you use coupon code “EXTREME10″, but they will treat you right!