Power Kite Forum

Hi

plumajp - 7-3-2011 at 01:35 PM

Hi there people,

I'm new to the site, I have not power kited before, my birthday is coming up so I'm researching this sport as I fancy a bash at it.

When walking my dogs along the beach I always gorp at the kite surefers and scudders on the beach with massive kites and would love to have a go.

I will be posting another topic asking for advice on what I need to start etc.

But anyway Hello, my name is shayne and im from Porthcawl, South Wales. and am allway walking along Coney beach, Aberafon Beach and Swansea Bay.

John Holgate - 7-3-2011 at 02:55 PM

Hi Shayne. You'll soon get pretty addicted to flying these things. I would suggest you start with a 2-3m good name brand foil. ie: Flexifoil rage/ Ozone Imp, Flow,Method/ Peter Lynn Hornet/HQ Beamer/Zebra Checka/Z1 all well made kites suitable for scudding/buggying and general flying and having a blast. Start off in light winds because even a 2m kite will drag you along the beach in 20mph and do you serious damage if you mess it up. There's some great info on Angus's Coastal Wind Sports site and there's some good info and vids in various thread here.

Have fun and welcome to the addiction!

rocfighter - 7-3-2011 at 05:47 PM

Welcome to the funny farm. Listen to John and those you meet with experiance and you should do fine. Like John said start small and safe. Helmet, gloves, knee pads for start at least.

Seanny - 7-3-2011 at 08:07 PM

HI :P

Welcome to the forum :D

Listen to these guys, and you too will become a master in the art of piloting oversized grocery bags!

You'll also be a master of draining your wallet on them as well. :saint:

plumajp - 8-3-2011 at 01:05 AM

thanks lads, i intend on taking it slow to start off with.

i have been searching the net for a kite but I'm not sure on what size to get, I've seen a few 2.5m ones but feel they wont have enough power to lift me when i progress.

so I want a 3m one to start, i have found one on Ebay, see what you guys think, should I avoid or buy?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390...

I'm roughly 6ft and 16.5 stone so it's going to need to be at least 3m to drag my fat ass I reckon.

MY budjet is £100 at the moment to get me started, as im getting married in June and she will kill me if I spend any more.

John Holgate - 8-3-2011 at 04:21 AM

Not enough power to lift you??? You should not even be thinking about that yet. Start with a 2.5-3 get really good with it, learn to fly it without looking at it. My 3m Flow will certainly lift me off the ground in a decent wind, but because it's small, it has no 'float' - so it drops me fast (i'm talking really small 'hops') Don't try to jump on a 3m kite. Because if you do, one day you will get lifted high in a gust but you won't land softly!! Ask around - there's too many titanium plates on this forum already.

Do some youtube searches on kite jumping disasters/accidents and you will soon see exactly what I mean. Power kites are great fun but they must not be underestimated. Take it easy and have a blast!

PS: haven't had any experience with Radsail kites - I would recommend you buy from someone that can give you back up (should you blow a cell in a nose down crash) and that knows what they're selling you - ie: a kite shop.

edit: Or buy from one of the lads here in the for sale section.

csa_deadon - 8-3-2011 at 04:55 AM

try this link for a llist of shops in the uk: http://www.kite-shops.com/kiteshops/country/Great%20Britain/

Hey PTW looks like this one is almost in your backyard!

Lots of resources in your area.

Bladerunner - 8-3-2011 at 06:56 AM

You found a great place for asking questions.
+1 for the instructional section at www.coastalwindsports.com But support your local kite shop / dealer.
In general you get what you pay for in this sport. Throw in those few extra shillings for a name brand kite. It will serve + sell much better in the long haul.

Get a good 3m trainer kite and get flying with that group on the beach. You can learn a ton just by watching and then doing. If you plan to head out on the water I highly recommend lessons. You can learn a ton pre-lessons with a good trainer.

John Holgate - 8-3-2011 at 01:54 PM

while you'll see a 2-3m kite labeled as a 'trainer' occasionally - they are still very good kites for buggying and fun when the wind picks up. This is one of my fav sessions with a 2m Beamer & 3m Flow: Too much fun on 13th Beach

TRP - 8-3-2011 at 02:01 PM

I picked up a Beamer III, 3M off of e-bay for just under $140.00 (USD) I can't recommend it highly enough. Great kite. Excellent fun to learn with.

Welcome to the forum. :)


T

plumajp - 9-3-2011 at 01:00 AM

that 2m trainer definetley has enough pull, fair play, i didnt think it would pull you across the sand that strongly.

I'm going to my local kite shop in porthcawl on Saturday to have a look and see what they have.

thanks for the advice and welcomes so far.

Bladerunner - 9-3-2011 at 07:49 AM

Power per square meter is greater in smaller kites.

I think you will get a lot more out of a kite on handles than a bar as far as learning. Odds are if your local shop is water focused they will lead you to a bar. It sort of depends on what direction you want to go what is best for you.