Power Kite Forum

oh no not another newbie...

skutter - 22-9-2013 at 06:16 AM

Yup, thats right - im just another nube looking for some advice.

I have been looking through this forum and others, you tube and such that t'internet can offer.

I bought a HQ scout II 3m - its a blast, dragged me about abit on the ground, lots of fun doing tripple loops etc etc.

I bought this kite with the aim of getting into landboarding and snow kiting. Im now looking for suggestions as to boards for land boarding - im6ft3 and about 175lbs (12.5 stone ish at a guess) and size 12 feet - dont want to get something too expensive for a first board but want something that is the right size for me.

Also should i invest in a bigger kite asap for landboarding? 5m + maybe?

cheers
Skutter

Bladerunner - 22-9-2013 at 06:49 AM

Welcome,

Sounds like you are working on a budget ? If so , you need to shop for a used board. Be sure to include shipping in your choice. Boards aren't exactly cheap to ship. Avoid junior style boards like MBS atom.

The choice between a bigger kite and board is a tough one. You will eventually need both. Boards don't show up as often so I would grab one if I could.

Kites lose value as soon as they leave the shop. Shop second hand quality product for best bang for buck.

If you are in Europe or GB then you may want to shop the want adds in an active forum over there. I don't think we can include the link but they are a great KITECROWD dot com . ;);)

skutter - 23-9-2013 at 12:22 AM

Thanks for that! and i just realised i posted this in the wrong place - i guess i should have put it in the ATB section. Had a look at kite crowd, looks like a good site. not so keen on having to pay money before i post there though but it aint so much. I live in Sweden places in the uk ship for free to the rest of europe if the orders are over a certain amount, but i did have problems when i won a board on ebay - by the time i sorted out the shipping and everything it was going to be only a fraction cheeper than an entry level board that was new, and at least with the new board, i get some sort of warranty as well as it being all shiny. - Judging by the wind here i think i may be able to forgo the bigger kite for a short while at least. - i live in Malmo in southeren sweden and its famous for being windy down here and there are perfect large grassy areas for flying and boarding and there are a couple of kite schools near by for if / when i want to get in the water (but its bloody cold!) Thanks again for the advice. :thumbup:

lives2fly - 23-9-2013 at 04:28 AM

Yes! get a bigger kite. A depowerable one. It will make a huge difference to your progression into landboarding/snowkiting

If you are working on a tight budget I would go for a used peter lynn venom or other twinskin kite. If not, the Ozone Access is a great place to start. Get a 10m. or an HQ Apex.

You can't go too wrong with a board. Just buy what you can afford. MBS Pro 90 is the ultimate kiteboard in my opinion but I have done perfectly well with my old flexifoil boards. Longer boards are faster and more stable, shorter boards easier to turn and jump.

Bladerunner - 23-9-2013 at 06:46 AM

The best choice changes if you are in motion or not.

A larger Blade if you are just static. A depower if you are in motion.

My 13m Psycho III was a float monster and should be in your budget ? Arcs are another option.

Michael Gaylan - 24-9-2013 at 03:49 AM

This is from experience, if you do buy something over $100.00 make sure it is insured. I Sold (eBay) a SCRUB mountain board to a fella in Washington State, and FedEx LOST the board. If it is not insured, the max return is $100.00 plus the postage THEY charged you. The worst part is it will take about 3 weeks before you get reimbursed. (reimbursement price may be different in other countries)

If you are wanting to jump on your board you will need a bigger kite, and preferably one with better lift. The smaller kites don't have enough a$$ to lift you up like you would want in the jumps. However you don't have to jump. Just a board, open field/beach and a kite. 4-9m will work well for that.

Your height/weight will require a slightly larger kite than I would .. say .. @ 5'6 and 180 lbs.

The forum here is full of people who know a LOT about the sport, and a great place to build friendships.

welcome to the world of flight!

cheers

skutter - 26-9-2013 at 01:00 PM

Thanks guys. I bought a Scrub predator as its longer board so should be better suited for my height - so they told me on the phone when i rang the shop... and i intend to use it for a bit of down hill riding on none windy days.

IT should arrive here tomorrow ~(here being southern sweden, and murphys law has forecast a low wind week end booooo!) I figure if i can get the 3m scout to scud me about on the field and on occasion pull me on my face with a big gust - it should be ok to landboard with? at least to get rolling a bit. Part of me does wish i'd bought a 4m kite instead - i bought the 3m so my missus could have a go but it is too powerful for her in all but the lowest wind it will fly in. thinking about buying a 5m kite (maybe another scout, or the hornet or twister) but also considering forking out for depower kite - probably second hand seen access xc 8m but also an apex 7.5m and apex 3 10 meter within my budget but not sure what size depower to go (i think the 10m might be too big) . or even if i should go depowered so early on. I want to get the hang of cruising first but would like to progress to jumps and tricks.

abkayak - 26-9-2013 at 01:57 PM

that downhill stuff on an atb isn't as easy as you may think...armor up before you get going...jusayin

Michael Gaylan - 26-9-2013 at 04:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by skutter  
and on occasion pull me on my face with a big gust



:smilegrin:

yep! at least you have enough sense to expect that it could happen. and murphys law applies here too lol

Bladerunner - 26-9-2013 at 06:15 PM

Congrat's on the board !

On days when the wind isn't real strong accept the fact that you will have to run downwind and walk back. The 3m Scout will get you riding and staying upwind when the wind is in the mid teens to upper 20's . ( on a reasonably sooth surface )

Tough call with the next kite. I know I would NOT go to a 5m Fixed bridle on a bar ! Depower is the only way to go from here if you want to stick with a bar.

While 10m may be intimidating, 7ish depower will overlap with the 3m you already have. 10m is a nice mid' size . With 7ish you will want for a bigger kite much sooner ? If you find you are progressing at a decent rate and don't have a lot of cash for an 18 kite quiver I would suggest a 10m ???

skutter - 27-9-2013 at 03:13 AM

One of the reasons i like the fixed bridle on the bar is to use it with a harness - i can fly for much much longer and more aggressively with out getting tired, and I see most of the experienced folk using depower kites so figure i'm better off getting experience of controlling a kite from a bar and harness. - The 10m apex 3 does sound a little daunting - especially as i was surprised by how much power there was in the 3m kite when the wind picked up....

abkayak - 27-9-2013 at 06:44 AM

we all like the fb on the bar and think thats how to roll...i fought to stay that way but was correctly talked into handles. i now know i am a better pilot for it...and we run a strop line between the handles and use a harness...i think you need to go this route...you will be getting more performance out of the kite you have....and than buy more kites

lives2fly - 27-9-2013 at 07:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by skutter  
One of the reasons i like the fixed bridle on the bar is to use it with a harness - i can fly for much much longer and more aggressively with out getting tired, and I see most of the experienced folk using depower kites so figure i'm better off getting experience of controlling a kite from a bar and harness. - The 10m apex 3 does sound a little daunting - especially as i was surprised by how much power there was in the 3m kite when the wind picked up....


I was exactly the same!! depower is way more user friendly though. Much easier and safer for landboarding. A 10m has a wind range between 10 & 20 knots (11.5 - 23mph) if you are in an average weight range.

I am just advising friends who want to get into it to go right on to depowers after they get the basics on a small fixed bridle now.

Fixed bridle still rules for static, buggy and sub 10mph winds imo

Have fun on your board! will be back on mine in a couple of months when the weather starts getting grim and I can't face going in the sea!

skutter - 27-9-2013 at 12:21 PM

Had my first outing with both kite and board today! loads of fun and not too bruised! The wind was a bit strong and gusty so i road it more across the wind than down wind so wouldn't say i got going moving super quick,( i'd guess the quickest was about 10 mph - riding on a rough grass field that isnt exactly flat) but i got moving! If id had more time i would have done more downwind riding, but there is always next time. Had some long walks back though as i couldnt ride upwind - but i expected that with my 3m kite and for my first time flying it with the board. Learnt alot from it. Had trouble with leaning back against the kite only for it to lose power and nearly fall on my face or my back side depending. Now looking at the 10m access 3 as my next kite to buy and first venture into the world of depower.. Even though after today the thought of flying a kite that big does make me more than a little nervous i figure if i bust a leg its viable excuse to take some time off work :evil: