Power Kite Forum

Beginner wanting some advice

HelsOk - 17-8-2014 at 05:06 PM

hello, sorry I have looked through the posts to try find answers but I am still unsure.
So I am a large male (104KG ish) and I really want to try kite landboarding, but everywhere I look it tells me different size kites to use, I have looked at the wind speed of where I am likely to be practicing and it seems to be around 6-7m/s so I was just wondering what size kite you think I should get and any other advice on kites, what price I should be paying and such?

Thanks guys

Bladerunner - 17-8-2014 at 06:49 PM

If you search you will find that every time a beginner asks they are told to buy about a 3m 3 or 4 line fixed bridle and learn to fly it without looking at it before moving up to a larger kite.

That is what I suggest you do. It is the tied and true method. Taking the short cut straight to a larger kite doesn't allow you to learn kite control and set reflex memory. You end up just defending yourself from the kite and not learning much while potentially / likely injuring yourself.

The 3m kite ends up being your high wind kite in your quiver and the one you can use to teach friends with. It is not money wasted.

soliver - 17-8-2014 at 07:58 PM

Most guys on this site will recommend to you a 3m kite, because what you want to do to start out is to learn kite control and the wind window. A 3m is usually really great because it can REALLY pull, but not be overpowering until the much higher wind speeds, so it's great for getting your feel for power, kite control an the wind window. The best thing to do will be to not concern yourself with the board for a while until you really learn good kite control.

RedSky - 17-8-2014 at 08:09 PM

Yeah, learn kite control and wind window first, then only later in combo with the landboard. If you start with both then it will take longer and hurt more. Get yourself a helmet, pad up those knees and get some kite killers.

HelsOk - 18-8-2014 at 06:26 AM

What do you guys think of this one?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/lines-Control-power-buggy-Sport/dp/B...

And yer I think I will definitly get some practice first, haha. Thanks for all your advice, also would I only use this one to practise or when I am ready for a board, will this allow me to move?

Thanks guys :)

ssayre - 18-8-2014 at 06:31 AM

No, I would stick with a name brand kite. It might cost more upfront but it's resale value will be much better and it will actually fly and be useful.

Stick with HQ beamer, peter lynn hornet or similar name brand kite

soliver - 18-8-2014 at 07:42 AM

Agreed 10000000% stick to name brands. If you don't you'll not be happy with what you get... the best starters in the 3m size are:

Peter Lynn Hornet 1, 2, or 2013 models
HQ Beamer, any model, the most current is the 5 (I had a Beamer V and its a great kite)
Buster Soulfly (most likely best value and a great kite too)
Ozone Octane (I had one and this is a great kite too, super stable and very good for learning)
Flexifoil Sting
Flexifoil Rage (stronger pull and slightly more advanced than the Sting, but a great, stable kite good for learning)

All of these will be relatively similar and range in size from 3m to 3.5m (all fitting into the 3m range though). Many people buy used for their first, to save themselves from spending as much on a kite that they are bound to beat up. Check the for sale section and see if any might be available.

Good luck!

This kite will likely be primarily for learning, but prove useful in the future as a high wind kite and something to hand your friends when they want to give it a try.

What MOST people do that want to get into boarding is to learn on a 3m kite like this which we call a Fixed Bridle Foil (FB for short) ... then as they get into the boarding, they use what we call a Depower Kite, which is very similar, but adds a level of control kind of like a "throttle" allowing you to put more or less power into the kite while in motion. The 3m Kite can get you moving on a board, but the best thing you can do is learn for a month or so while logging hours flying static, then start to approach movement on a board after you develop muscle memory etc.

Proletariat - 18-8-2014 at 01:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner  
If you search you will find that every time a beginner asks they are told to buy about a 3m 3or 4 line fixed bridle and learn to fly it without looking at it before moving up to a larger kite.

That is what I suggest you do. It is the tied and true method. Taking the short cut straight to a larger kite doesn't allow you to learn kite control and set reflex memory. You end up just defending yourself from the kite and not learning much while potentially / likely injuring yourself.

The 3m kite ends up being your high wind kite in your quiver and the one you can use to teach friends with. It is not money wasted.




/agree

With your size, I'd say 3m-5m and stay under 20mph (about 17.4 knots). You'll use a trainer kite for years to come, even after you've owned dozens of kites, so don't skimp, but used in good condition is fine. Peter Lynn, HQ, Flexifoil, Ozone, PKD, Flysurfer, etc. Pansh has super cheap trainers (check out the Flux), but the quality isn't nearly as high, so it won't last as long and might not survive your training.

Bladerunner - 18-8-2014 at 03:36 PM

+1 for sticking with name brand kites. The kite you posted the link to sucks. It will not work as a traction kite. It is more of a toy.

One of the best deals on a new kite is the 3.3m PKD Buster.

Used 3m kites are hard to find because most people hold on to them for use as a high wind kite + teaching friends.

Proletariat - 19-8-2014 at 02:10 PM

Yup.

I have one of those 3.3m PKD Busters and I have loaned it out to 4 different people and still buggy with it on high wind days when it's around (but more often with the Hornet). It's super cheap, but really nice quality and handling. Is bigkid still selling those?

Blade, one of these days I'm sure you'll say something I /disagree with, but it hasn't happened yet :)

hellnferno - 19-8-2014 at 02:46 PM

I started with 6m Ozone Fury FB kite.. it was alright, just a little too powerful for me to learn. Bought 3m HQ Beamer and it was perfect for me. Later I bought 7.1 Advanced Offroad but it was too complete, a few weeks later I sold Fury and Adv Offroad and kept 3m HQ Beamer for about a year with MBS Core 95. Recently I finally bought 9m Flysurfer Titan to start learn on depower kite .