Power Kite Forum

How do I choose a Kite and stay Safe?

shordy - 4-11-2011 at 09:59 PM

I have read a few posts and they don't have specific answer's in regards to my specific needs.

I have been on a trainer kite for the last season and ready to move up for this new season. However in my experience of sitting back and watching, I have seen most put up their kites and then find themselves over powered or in the poo. There seems to be about a couple handful of guys who know what they are doing and these other ding bats seem to cause these dudes to shake their heads multiple, mutiple times in disapprovement.

So my question is, How do I choose the right kite size for my quiver? I am a small woman and I can't just look at what the rest of the guy's are flying cause then I will be a dingbat over powered and in the poo. Are there rules to follow in choosing a quiver or does this all just come with trial and experience?

My 2.5 rodeo trainer is fast and powerful in 20+ kn. Even had a 90kg guy give it a whirl who couldn't believe it's pull power, he even got it to boost him a little off the water. But it turns really, really quick in high winds. I have had a really good run on it but it's time to upgrade!

Any suggestions on kite brands for my new quiver?

John Holgate - 5-11-2011 at 01:58 AM

It's not so much choosing a kite to stay safe but choosing the appropriate wind speed for the kite and your skill level.

A bigger kite in lighter wind can be safer than a smaller kite in high wind....

What sort of flying are you looking at doing?

Kamikuza - 5-11-2011 at 02:04 AM

Welcome! :thumbup:

That you've identified the ding-bats puts you ahead of the curve :yes: now you need to tell us what you want to do with the kites :)

pyro22487 - 5-11-2011 at 02:09 AM

just for reference most of my kites are ozones so similar makes from other companies will work.

I suggest a 2.0 or smaller kite stat out in small wind. A 2m in 20 knot winds should be able to move you in a buggy. Not fully powered but you should be able to move. I would go smaller still an imp quattro from ozone is a good start. These kites are small very small. 1m to 3.5 m.

Once you figure out the 4 string flying get something with a little more pull. The ozones next step is either a Flow or a Method. I dont own a method but people rave about them. I do own a Flow and find a 2m to be more than enough in 25+ knots. I can move in as low as 15knots.

Its best to start out slow and work your way up. Wear your safety gear and practice.
Its always easy to go home after being out on a underpowered day, Its not so easy if you end up going home in an ambulance.

Just for curiosity what sport are you looking at getting into. The ones listed above are Fixed bridal kites.

Your kite is a LEI lol after typing all this I figure it out. sorry I don't fly LEIs but the rules are the same I'm sure, start small, don't over do it, and be safe.

Ill leave the rest of this it might help you anyways.

lamrith - 5-11-2011 at 03:53 AM

Shordy, You are well up on the learning curve and obviously posses much common sense!

As the other have mentioned now it comes to picking a kite that fits your weight, most common winds, and how you plan to use it.. Since you have a 2.5 a logical next choice is likely something in the 4-5m range, that said if your typical winds are only 5-10mph and you want to buggy a 5m will likely not provide enough power..

If your looking to kiteboard on water, everything changes as now your looking closed cell or LEI, etc..

If you share your approx location, we may be able to find a forum member that is local to you and get you out flying a few different kites to get a better idea for your next purchase.

Bladerunner - 5-11-2011 at 08:58 AM

If you take lessons the instructor will be best to tell you what to buy. They often will have a package on sale.

The fact you have taken lessons will automatically give you a pass to the smart side ! NOBODY is better than the smart locals to mentor you + sell you all their year old gear !

The right kite can often be very location + style specific . We can help but the locals will have the real knowledge.

Check out www.kitesufingschool.org

dandre - 5-11-2011 at 09:07 AM

is very easy to get hurt in this game. Staying safe is really a matter of staying on the ground and keeping speed under control, but you have no idea how fast unpredictable conditions can spring up.

Lessons, and starting small are the best ways to go. You'll pay more in the long run, but you might avoid some of the hard luck lessons some of us have had to learn...

Quiver Q/A table form

gabe - 5-11-2011 at 10:52 AM

I found this table some time ago, usefull to help to decide, do not have to keep to the make of course.
Also this:
http://www.flysurfer.com/topnews/3021-the-ultimate-guide-to-...
cheers
Gabe

quiver-table.png - 173kB

krumly - 5-11-2011 at 03:44 PM

Talk to the handful what know that they are doing. From that handful a few will not be too macho and self-absorbed to spare some time and advice for a newb who is sensible. Or at least they can refer you to a good teacher!

krumly

shordy - 6-11-2011 at 09:47 AM

Thanks guys for all your feed back. I'm kite surfing in perth and north of WA Australia. Been having fun on the water for a season already. It's hard for guys to give me advice as i'm all of 42kg, No one seems to know.

Downloaded a application from itunes called Kite Choice. Been bothering my kiter friends asking them if it's calculation are correct for their body weight and the kites they would fly in particular wind speeds and thus far it's been pretty spot on, so hopefully It will be spot on for my weight of 42 kg. The app Kite Choice reckons I don't need anything bigger than an 8m in low winds. Basicly it looks like from this app that I will be sticking to my 2.5m and I will be purchasing myself a 5m, I wont be kiting in low winds of 11kn I would never be able to relaunch. I should probably stop being cheap and go talk to the guys at my local store, I just hate spending money and I know I will walk out with an arm full of stuff. Now it's just a matter of choosing a brand i guess. My kite I have now is a LEI or SLE.

I have been looking at ozone on the net, I like the sound of the C4 but my friends reckon they know people who have tried and hate. ( I haven't really seen that brand flying on the shores of perth.) Watching the guys on the water with their kites I notice that some are floater's or lofter's as in boosting and gentle descents down and some are quick almost just dropping out the sky. I don't want a floater if thats what I wanted to do, I would take up paragliding. Any suggestions for a decent trick, good boosting, wake style kite?

Thanks again guy's

John Holgate - 6-11-2011 at 01:32 PM

Quote:

and I know I will walk out with an arm full of stuff.


Hah! yup, know that feeling. I don't kiteboard and know pretty much zero about water kites, but if you jump on the ExtremeKites website (aus) someone like Koma (Jason) would be able to give you a good heads-up about kites/brands etc. Another Jason runs Briskites and kite surfs a lot and he is well respected in the Aus community.

kitedelight - 6-11-2011 at 03:07 PM

you've been managing to go on water with a 2.5m trainer??

if you've been at it for a year, you should be able to handle a 8m fairly well. Maybe ask to borrow you friends' 8-9m when your friends are flying their bigger sizes. Then you know if you need to go up or stay at that size.

ozone c4? c-kites do wakestyle the best no doubt, but personally, I wouldn't want to start on a c kite.

I've been looking into kites that can do wakestyle well...here's a bit of a list for you....(that aren't c kites) - Slingshot RPM, Cabrinha Switchblade, Naish Park, Best taboo (better in smaller sizes I think), Ocean Rodeo Cypher and Razor, and others....lots to choose from. RPM is probably regarded as the most c-like kite that isn't actually a c-kite (but still has the depower advantage of non-c kites).

Here is a bit of a summery about kite designs and wakestyle
http://www.sbckiteboard.com/2011-kite-review-display?news_id...

ps, switch kites just started up from New Zealand (and seemingly have gotten good reviews) and are very inexpensive.

Bladerunner - 6-11-2011 at 07:46 PM

Lessons are the way to go + be respected! Conditions can be pretty extreme around Perth?
With a year of practice under your belt and a set of lessons you and the instructor will know what is the right kite.

Kamikuza - 6-11-2011 at 08:27 PM

Here's a chart ... you might be able to extrapolate from this ...

Donaldgould - 6-11-2011 at 10:04 PM

I my self learned on a PL charger 15m and they come in 6m,8m,10m,12m,15m and19m . They are a good kite to learn on and will out last your lei . g00f has one for sale on here at a good price . I have a 10m that my son at 13 years old 120pound flys well power when I am on 15m . They have auto zenith so you are less likely to lose the kite whin you are getting on your board or just taking a brack un like the lei that you have to keep your hand on the bar all the time .

Donaldgould - 6-11-2011 at 10:41 PM

And you ask most of the guys on here tand they will you the same thing .and also with the twin skin the sizing is different I fly a 15 whin the lei guys are on a 12or13m .The auto zenith is great in big surf . Go to monkeyair.com and call them they will set you up and tell you what you need to look for in a all a round kite

nocando - 6-11-2011 at 10:50 PM

Shordy there is an Aussie guy who goes by the user name CHOOK that inhabits this place as well as Extreme Kites in OZ

He is in your part of sandgroper country, my advice is to give him a HOY and he will surely help you out.

ripsessionkites - 7-11-2011 at 02:41 AM

Suggested user wind charts is only a guide.

Use your better judgement this is an extreme sport most would call it.

It's boils down to user skill level and wind range. Also your equipment plays a part as well.

You look at the all the top team riders what they venture in most wouldn't.

Be safe and learn the wind.

shordy - 14-11-2011 at 07:07 AM

Thanks, you guys are awesome. So much information. I will definantly track down chook and have a look at jason's site and thank you kitedelight for all those kites to look at. Yes I kite with a 2.5. The boys give me grieve but when they have a go on it they scratch their heads with the speed in which it turns and the power the thing can have in 20kn+ winds.

I know the winds well, I'm a sailor and surfer from way back. It's why I have enough respect to watch and ask. But I thank you guys for your wise advice.

I am having a good look at the switch kites because of their price. Nothing brand new beats it price wise. I have t'd up to give one a go. fingers crossed that I love it cause it's already won me over with cost.

Bladerunner - 14-11-2011 at 07:26 AM

You don't seem receptive to the lessons route ?

It truly is the best way to get propelled through the learning curve !

kitedelight - 14-11-2011 at 05:08 PM

oh, definitely be open to taking lessons. Having a guide to steer you through the common problems and your specific problem areas will be so much easier, and safer.

sounds like you might have ordered already? if not, you might want to wait till after some lessons. Your instructor will give good info too.

indigo_wolf - 14-11-2011 at 05:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kitedelight
you've been managing to go on water with a 2.5m trainer??


The LEI trainers are surprisingly capable, especially for smaller riders. Couldn't find anything more than static flying videos for the Riselet, but this is the Ozone Uno.

_

And for those who prefer a little more frost with their Uno



The Uno is sold KO so you match it up with whatever bar you later expect to graduate to.

The OR Rise 2.5 is sold complete with kite, basic bar, pump and VERY basic harness (more of a body strap).

ATB,
Sam

pyro22487 - 15-11-2011 at 12:12 AM

Ahhhh a road in the frost video....ok I'd do it :smilegrin: I didnt know you could fly a 2.5 and actually move. I wonder what the winds were. I may actually contemplate buying one now. Oh thanks a lot Sam costing me money now grrr. Oh well My wife is the one thats going to hurt you.
WARNING stay away from OKC Sam.

kitedelight - 15-11-2011 at 01:12 PM

wow....2.5 on the water....wasn't thinking that was likely unless it was hurricane winds! I got a chance to give an OR rise trainer a go a few months back - man that thing is fast.

indigo_wolf - 15-11-2011 at 02:20 PM

We will not even discuss how tempted I am by either the Ozone Uno or the OR Riselet... very much strike me as the Yamaha TW200 of the air. :smilegrin:

ATB,
Sam

shordy - 16-11-2011 at 10:37 PM

I'm not receptive to lessons cause I have been on the water for a season already. I can do all the turns upwind down wind stuff, dont get me wrong I am always willing to learn but I'm past the basics. my problem is finding gear to match my size and working out which kites would be safe for my size in certain wind conditions. My 2.5 ocean rodeo goes off, I even had to modify the lines on my trainer because because my arm span was too small to launch a kite without going into full power on the way up. I'm the size of my 12yr old daughters 5"2, I spoke to a training school in perth who say they usually keep kids on the same size 1.5 - 2.5 until they are heavier and taller. So subsequently I got the 2.5 Ocean Rodeo trainer but I feel I have out grown it. I want more but I dont want to kill myself either. So I have found this iphone app Kitechoice which seems very accurate thus far which helps me calculate my body weight with wind speed. Nobody else seems to know not even the manufacturers. I have tried a friends 4m ozone in 23kn which they have never even opened and loved it over the weekend. Much slower then the trainer kite though.

Bladerunner - 17-11-2011 at 07:59 AM

Sounds like the 4m flies like a grown up kite.

I find around 3m kites slow down a bit and start to act like grown ups.

Little kites are like little bees . Buzzing about.

Notice in the comments above how many are amazed at how fast the little guys are.

bobalooie57 - 17-11-2011 at 08:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shordy I have tried a friends 4m ozone in 23kn which they have never even opened and loved it over the weekend. Much slower then the trainer kite though.


I'd for sure get with this friend again! Maybe since they have never used it, they would sell it to you at a considerable savings! Or at least use it until they have need for it, then you would be on your 2.5 again!

kitedelight - 17-11-2011 at 11:30 AM

ya, wasn't sure you were actually up and running on the water....no need for the lessons then!

Sounds like you have your answer to your needed size. Nothing like trying out something to know for sure.

Bladerunner - 17-11-2011 at 06:02 PM

Have you talked to the local kite shops?
You have a truly unique situation and I would expect they would allow you to demo some slightly larger kites ? Best bet is to " try before you buy " !
Have you looked into Flysurfer ? They offer up some very good beginer / small kites.

I am curoius? Are you actually able to " Park and ride " that little kite ? Stay upwind ? If so , you may be OK on a 4m? Somehow I feel you will want a 5m for jumping. Even at your light weight.