Power Kite Forum

Newbie - First Kite

rew632 - 15-4-2010 at 09:09 AM

Hey, I am new to power kites however I REALLY want to start it up as a sport / hobby. :) Could you guys please tell me a good cheap kite that I will be able to have fun with and do the odd jump? I don’t want to buy a kite I will outgrow after a few months and I learn best when I jump into the deep end. Any help would be really appreciated.
:wee: < I just like that smiley so thought I would put it in :smilegrin:

Thanks :)

rocfighter - 15-4-2010 at 11:05 AM

There are a lot of good folks on here that will give you great advise. But it is only good if you listen.
Take it slow and start smart. 3-4m and learn the basics before you go big. Big is fun but dangerous if not skilled.

bassboi - 15-4-2010 at 01:21 PM

Whats yer weight? I'm 130lbs, and this Twister II sure whips my butt in medium wind days..

rew632 - 15-4-2010 at 01:28 PM

I am around 161lbs. Just out of interest for the first few days of using a power kite how badly would my arm hurt ? lol

acampbell - 15-4-2010 at 01:31 PM

Yup, you are facing the would-be jumper's paradox: No kite that is suitable for a first-timer is suitable for jumping and no kite good for jumping is good for the first time.

Plan on paying $230 - 265 for a new....

Peter Lynn Hornet
HQ Beamer
Flexifoil Sting
Ozone Flow (but over $300)

Or pay about 60-65% of new price for used if you can find one here. But there is a good reason they do not come up often.

Avoid the last temptation of Pansh- cheap chinese knock-offs not suitable for a first timer as they sometime require adjustments that you will not yet have the skills to make without help.

And no you will not become bored with it unless you become bored with kiting altogether. Later on they will simply become high winds kites. But they will hold some value if you want to trade for something else.

Later when you are comfortable you can get a 5-6m and think about jumping. Just remember this forum has seen lots of x-rays of broken bones!

rew632 - 15-4-2010 at 02:30 PM

awwww :( no jumping for me then lol Thanks for explaining about the high wind kite part, I don’t have too much money kicking around but I can afford a kite in that range ($230 - 265). What size of kite would you recommend for me? I am around 161lbs?

arkay - 15-4-2010 at 02:34 PM

It really depends on how much wind you have in your area; but typically less than a 3m kite for a beginner.

acampbell - 15-4-2010 at 02:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rew632
awwww :( no jumping for me then lol Thanks for explaining about the high wind kite part, I don’t have too much money kicking around but I can afford a kite in that range ($230 - 265). What size of kite would you recommend for me? I am around 161lbs?


Sorry, meant to say 3meter with all that for that price range. 3m is a sweet spot for starting out, and later when you add a 5-6m you have little overlap and have a quiver with a broad wind range.

rew632 - 15-4-2010 at 03:05 PM

I Live in Scotland so it’s always windy tbh. What wind speed would be good to fly in?

And thanks to everyone who has helped me out :)

bassboi - 15-4-2010 at 03:25 PM

I was browsing around, looking at nasa power wings, and I came across this, and thought of this thread...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300...

Seems like it's within your budget :)

acampbell - 15-4-2010 at 03:31 PM

7- 10 mph or 10 - 16 kph would be a nice sweet spot for 3m for starters. Enough to get dragged around a it but not beat up to much if you make a mistake. Later on, winds over 20 mph or 32 kph are manageable.

Good luck and have fun.

rew632 - 15-4-2010 at 03:45 PM

Huge thanks to everyone :) The HQ Beamer 4 IV 4.0 metre might be a bit of a challenge but I will take everything you guys have said onboard and just use basic knowledge lol I should be all set for my 1st go :) feel free to tell me any tips and things I should / shouldn’t do.

Thanks :) :) :)

bassboi - 15-4-2010 at 04:01 PM

Well, my first kite is the Peter Lynn Twister II 4.1... It was a bit of overkill, being that I'm 130lbs, but I don't regret this purchase at all... it's a massive amount of fun, and I manage to wear myself out every time i go flying. I got about an hour and a half of flying time yesterday, and today, my whole body is sore, and I think i managed to sprain my wrist somehow.

bassboi - 15-4-2010 at 08:20 PM

I'll also add that the same ebay seller has a 3m for sale too, at the same price... I just thought it'd be a better value for a larger kite at the same price..

bassboi - 17-4-2010 at 05:11 PM

check your u2u bro