Jcubed - 20-6-2006 at 07:44 PM
Hey everyone,
I have been looking to get into a kiteing sport off and on for about 3-4 years now, but I still have a couple questions.
First off I am in eastern South Dakota. I know of a couple people in the area that might have tried flying a half decent Two-handed kite a few times.
I don't know that anyone has really tried flying a traction kite. I have a little expiriance with two-handed stunt kites but I have never bought or
flown a foil. I am also on a really tight budget or else I would have a full kite quiver or clauset.
So my question is what kite or kites would you recommend for someone to get to train themself and a wide range of other people. I am 20 years old
155lbs and in semi decent shape. If possible, I was looking for something that would give friends and or family the expirance of traction flying
also. With all the stories of people injured, I would rather not fly alone. So I'm looking for either one or two kites that people would recommend
for a weight range of 100-250lbs, just something for people to get a decent feel of traction kiteing; including me. And IF possible, give me
something to grow into as I get better.
I am looking for high quality kites that mostly are more for skidding since from the way it seems, any kite can pull someone off the ground in the
right conditions. I need something that can take a beeting from more than a couple noobs and still keep flying. I don't really want something that
has a reputation for whipping someone in the air and getting someone hurt.
I am not sure how much money I can spend exactly at this point. so if it isn't too much trouble, any ideas for under 350$ US and under $600 US?
Thanks mucho to anyone with any ideas!
Pablo - 20-6-2006 at 08:46 PM
I'd look at something along the lines of a 2-3m 4 line foil, they can take a beating, fly good and can be used for buggying and ATB's later on as a
high wind kite.
Our local club went with a set of busters to be used for getting noobies started in the sport, teaching them the basics and into their first days of
buggys and boards. It's made teaching people fairly easy and they're a great all around beginner kite.
You can get yourself into a 3m buster for just over $200US. That's all you really need to get going, later on you'll want a 5m kite, probably
something more agressive, but I'd hold off until you see what way you want to go with the sport, the kites that are awesome for buggying aren't always
the kites that are great for ATB's, and static flying is a whole other area again.
You'll also want to look into the Radsails and Beamers, they're both also solid entry level kites.
Jcubed - 20-6-2006 at 09:57 PM
I have a pair of downhill skis and no hills to ski on arround here, I also love to rollerblade; so that is something that I could get to eventually.
But right now I am more concerned with just learning how to fly the kite responsibly. And helping others do the same. So mostly static flying. I
was deffinatly thinking a 3-4m kite unless it was a built a little better. From reading reviews, it seemed like some of the smaller more expensive
kites would pull as much as some of the bigger kites???
So far I looked a little at: beemer tsr (3.6), beemer II (3.6). Ozone LD (1.5) [if I get 2 kites]. Ozone Samurai (2.0-3.0) Flexifoil rage (2.5)
Thanks Pablo, still haven't read much about Radsails or Busters. Will look at them.
Dr-Gizmo - 21-6-2006 at 06:13 PM
Since you have only been looking at getting into kiteing you may want to look at something more in the direction of a Prism Stylus P3.... It's 2.5
meter, 2 lines convertable to 4 lines whenever you want. It's a whopping $120 delivered off of Ebay. Might not be the best traction kite out there,
but for the price it's pretty hard to beat for static work.
CyberMuZ - 22-6-2006 at 08:51 AM
Hey Jcubed,
Being one of the newer buggiers on the scene, I can still remember my progress of learning. There are a couple things you need to realize.
1. The Kite size is directly relative to what wind you are flying in and how you are flying it. It is always better to go out "under-powered" for
safety's sake.
To learn the kite with static flying I would go with the LD Stunt 1.5m. It is alot of fun. ***PSSST*** also later on when you learn how to work with
the kite you can adjust the brake lines and fly it similiar to a stunt kite. When I am static flying I can get that thing to turn on a dime. It's alot
of fun.
The LD is tough, with a very high build quality. It is also pretty forgiving to fly.
I use a Ozone Imp small to teach people with no experience how to fly a kite since it is only two line. Then move them up to the LD 1.5 to learn how
to add break lines to the equation. But you should be already past this part.
2. If you are going to use the kite with ski's or rollerblades you are going to need a different kite of kite. For boards, ski's and blades you need a
kite with "Lift" i.e. ozone frenzy, ozone access, peter lynn phantom etc.
I hope this helps.
Cheers
Todd
"Scooter"
mntboardr893 - 22-6-2006 at 01:11 PM
I am only 100 lbs and 13 years old and i have a airush 3m kite i goit it for around 200 bucks...... it gives enough power to pull my dad (200lbs) and
i can still fly it . i just were you have he kite in he air....