100% do not buy new .......when you are learning your kites tend to get quite punished and there is nothing wose than seeing your brand new $2000+ kite slamming into the beach, rocks water etc....... then in 6 months it looks like a bag and flys like it is 3 years old.....
Buy a Bow / Hybrid from 2006/7/8 onwards I would say a 10m .... far easier to learn on and many come with massive depower , many will argue that a C- Kite is better and for unhooking and loops they probably are although I have no trouble doing either on my SBlades ... I ride both SB's ( Bow/Hybrid ) and Fuels (c) and I can guarantee you will find a bow/hybid far easier to learn on.... get one second hand learn on it then when you can kite confidently without dropping your kite ( under normal circumstances ) think about stepping up to a new kite and decide if you want a C kite or buy another Bow/Hybrid.
Buy an Inflatable : Nothing wrong with foils at all..... in fact they have massive grunt are great in the light wind etc....... but you will find a far greater range of options in the inflatable market and many many people prefer the inflatable ( just check the numbers at the beach compared to Foils )
Buy a waist harness : There are many pro's and con's to both styles of harness, but by far the majority use waist harnesses, but it depends on your physical shape, style of kiting etc....
a seat harness :
Cons :can squash your frank and beans a bit, they do somewhat restrict movement, they look like you are wearing some sort of incontinence pad/nappy. Some find it an awkward kiting position with the chicken loop pulling from a lower centre of gravity
Pro's : good if you have back issues, if you have a small chest ( waist harness can ride up a bit ) some find them a better alternative for longer distance kiting or longer hours ( personally I think if a harness is comfortable after an hour it should be for 5 hours ) each person is different.
Waist Harness :
Pros : you will look more like one
, better flexability and range of body movement , no squashed nads, no nappy look. Different kiting position +/-,
Cons : must be fitted correctly or it will ride up , not suitable for all body types, some riders complain of back issues etc.....Some take a bit of wearing before they are completely comfortable... ( mine is 5 years old the only bit of equipment that has never been upgraded or replaced and wont be until it dies .....Mystic Warrior 1
If you plan on ripping it up once you get to that level ie: trying tricks, unhooking etc.... buy a waist harness now ( neither style is easier to learn with as long as they are fitted correctly ) otherwise you will want to buy one later on.
If you have any of the above issues ( back pain, small chest etc... ) and are probably more content to just ride around with a few boosts but generally just cruising ( nothing wrong with that and just as much stoke ) perhaps lean towards the seat harness.
Age may also play a factor in this as to what your intentions are. I would say that about 90% of riders use a waist harness but those who use a seat style have just as much fun and have just found it more comfortable.
Twin Tip : A twin tip probably is best for learning as they are not as fragile as surfboard, you dont have to gybe like some mutants and all surfboards and probably easier to control. That being said if you have no intention of riding freestyle or wake style but want to kite and
surf the waves just start on the surfboard. Twin tips work fine in the surf as well but if you want to really surf the pocket, drive off the bottom turn and hit the lip like a surfer you need a surfboard or even possibly a mutant. ( that magical unicorn the Air Rush Hammer spings to mind)
, buy second hand and make sure you check it out before parting with the hard earned ( lay kite out on lawn or other check the leading edge for wear particularly the stitching and seams, check that it holds air, check for repairs ( many kites will probably have minor repairs some with none. nothing wrong with a professionally repaired kite and you will have to use a bit of your own judgment here
eg: few years ago i was going to sell one of two identical red 12m Switchblade 2's One had been used about 3 times but had a huge repair right down the guts of the canopy the second was used for about 12months but without a single repair a mate of mine bought the barely used but big repaired kite as it was a far better prospect.......
look for stress lines in the ripstop ( canopy fabric ) and or the feel of the fabric if it feels crisp it is probably quite good if it feels a very soft or limp it could be bagged out
whatever equipment you choose I can at least guarantee a quality stoke and hours and hours of it.
Hope some of this helps
Welcome to kiting
