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The WASP 1 meter kite is my second kite i bought after buying a ss FUEL 13. I went to my local beach to begin with my 13 meter FUEL only to have the 13 ripped out of my hands as i blew a hole in my heel on the sand and rocks. Others on the beach kindly asked me how long i had been kiting and i said today was the first day. I had never had lessons except reading the KITES book and watching video DVDs. They (other kiters) saw that i was a danger to myself and others on the beach. I could not remember everything in the book and videos as i had total brain freeze. Limping and feeling like a dummy i packed up and began to leave for home when another kiter took me to the side and told me that "I needed kite time". I am an avid skydiver, base jumper, I sail boats, scuba, surf, skateboard, and snowboard. i thought all these activities would blend me into kitesurfing easily. Boy was i wrong. But i admit i am void of knowledge in kiting, so picking up beta from others became a hobby. I would ask all the questions i could to other kiters when it was appropriate. no matter how mundane the question, i found that others were more than helpful with lots of advice. I don't have a big ego and that was VERY helpful. Others saw that i was worth teaching as i did not act like a complete jerk. I have seen this attitude in others with other activities and those with inflated heads are left outside of helpful advice. In skydiving terms i had become a WHUFFO. what's that for? What's that do. What's this about. Why, Why, Why????? Anyway... The First helpful advice i got from another kiter was, YOU NEED KITE TIME. I agreed. I found a used 1 meter Slingshot WASP 1 from Realkiteboarding in NC. It showed up one day with a free video which was cool. The used kite had sand in it which made me smile and laugh. The price was 50 bucks. great deal! I can not tell you enough how much this lil thing helped me. i discovered the wind window. I learned how to walk up the beach and keep the kite parked in a safe zone. I learned the sine wave pattern to generate power. I learned that figure 8's were what you need to do to maintain speed. I learned to "park" it in certain areas. on windy days 20kts+ this lil WASP 1 was a blast and had me grinning from ear to ear. I weigh 190lbs and the WASP would pull in heavy winds. It is easy to crash if you take your eyes off it. But i'd say that with some practice i learned that certain bar positions would make the kite figure 8 on its own. This became important when i finally entered the water again. I keep the WASP 1 in the back seat of my car. When i get a lunch break from work i usually fly it for a while as it takes little or no time at all to set up. For the money it was well worth while. My learning curve went way up. My brother wants to borrow it ...lol Next time i went to the same beach i was better mentally prepared. I did not suffer from brain freeze. I now hooked into the chicken loop and DEPOWERED the kite prior to the launch. What a difference. I was in control. I immediatly realized what i was doing wrong before. For those thinking of entering kitesurfing or kiteboarding, I suggest you get a small traction kite first. ASK QUESTIONS. Research the internet. And when you finally decide to get into it, A WASP 1 is a good way to start. Get some kite time first ! A couple months have gone by and i have had successful, fun filled days in the water. I owe it to learning on this small kite. Gradual progression was the key. Thanks Jonathan Oxx By : Jonathan oxx