k4te - 1-7-2007 at 12:13 PM
A friend has a power kite that we messed around with one day...and i had so much fun :D
I really want to get into it (just jumps etc for now)
Where could i get, or could you guys give me some info on how to get started?
I just have no idea what kind of kite to buy, and after that...how to fly it! even simple things like how you launch it, all the lines (looked
confusing when my friend was doing it all :/), how to steer it, the different types of kites there are (4line, 2 line, with/without frames) etc etc...
I will have a read around on these forums but its probably all going to be a bit advanced for me haha.
any help greatly appreciated 
B-Roc - 2-7-2007 at 02:09 PM
If you want a power kite, forget about kites with frames and spars (unless you want an Arc, but you likely don't yet).
How much do you weigh?
The general rule is to start out with a 4 line foil flown on handles with kite killers and its safer to start with a smaller kite (2 - 4 meters) with
a lower aspect ratio.
Reading forums is the best way (try the flexifoil site too for more reading and vids) to learn the sport if you are alone and can't fly with others.
think of your handles as a bicycle handle bar - pull right, kite goes right. Brakes come in to enhance turning performance.
Its not that hard and the bridles on good kites don't need adjusting so don't even worry about that.
Buy a kite (small and less lifty at first) take it out in low wind and you'll put things together quick and if not, you'll have specific questions
that are easier to address.
k4te - 2-7-2007 at 02:55 PM
thanks for the reply.
I weigh about 8 stone...have found a 2.5m flexifoil that is affordable and sounds like what i should be looking at. Hopefully even if this doesnt
offer much lift (?) i'll be able to get the hang of flying it and learn about winds and stuff.
After much searching i've also found a place nearish to me that offers beginner lessons so i'll check that out if i can afford it, as i dont really
want to cut corners and end up plummeting to earth haha
Cheers again for replying and if anything else comes up i'm sure i'll be bugging you guys on here again! For now i'll read a bit more and try and make
sence of the mysterious kite flying language that doesnt make much sense to me yet
awindofchange - 2-7-2007 at 04:54 PM
I think the 2.5m would be an excellent place for you to start. Go with that and you will be able to work into a larger kite later.
k4te - 3-7-2007 at 01:00 PM
just making sure ive got it right; i should be looking for a power kite and not a traction kite? From what ive got traction kites are generally more
powerfull and used for buggies/boarding?
im looking at this....Flexifoil Sting 2.4m (£120). Good choice or is it worth while finding a secondhand one? Thanks for all of your help!
acampbell - 3-7-2007 at 01:29 PM
Power kite/ traction kite is a pretty ambigous distinction. Flexifoil for example refers to their two line kites as power kites which are intended
for all around recreational flying and their four-line kites as traction kites, which are meant to pull something. But of course a two-line Stacker
can pull a buggy and any four line can be used for all around recreation.
So no matter the label, get the entry-level kite you can afford- two-line or four in the right size range as discussed above for starters and you are
sure to have fun. Then you'll better appreciate the choices for your next, probably larger kite.
Bladerunner - 3-7-2007 at 05:12 PM
Something you should know is that with a 2 line kite relaunching can be almost impossible at times and you can spend a LOT of time setting up after a
crash. If you buy a 3 or 4 line fixed bridle ( another name for power or traction kite ) you can " reverse launch ' the kite when it crashes saving a
LOT of valuable fly time. The back lines also work as brakes making them a bit safer and more entertaining to fly.
The only way I could justify recommending a 2 line kite is if it was almost free. The extra bit of money for a kite with brakes is worth saving up for
!!!
k4te - 4-7-2007 at 04:31 PM
Cheers for that, v useful, especially the info about 2/4 lines.
So i want a 4 line, about 2.5ish meters...sorted. now jst to find one 
What size do you need to get a decent amount of life for jumping (not for now, just out of curiousity)
(also...any difference between the two shapes of kite eg rectangular flexifoil 10 and the slimmer ended sting/buzz etc? Is the rectangular one for
stacking?) sorry for all the probably very stupid/newbie Q'S!
Bladerunner - 4-7-2007 at 04:48 PM
To a degree it depends on your weight and the winds in your area. You will probably get lifted at some point with a 2.5 / 3m but there is a good
chance of coming down fast. Usually at about 5 meters a kite has a bit of float.
Might as well mention the 4.9 Blade now. It is sort of the smallest ( and best ) small size to jump with. It is also dubbed " the widow maker "
because you need to control it well or it will let you down hard.
Get the 3 and fly it while you figure out what will be a good size and make for your next ( jumping ) kite in your area.
k4te - 6-7-2007 at 01:22 PM
i think it was actually a 4.9 blade i flew that got me into this general power kiting muddle :p but yeah, it was a rather windy day and i was a bit
scared of it!
are we approving of the Flexifoil Sting II ('07)?? either 2.4 or 3.3??
acampbell - 6-7-2007 at 01:50 PM
The Sting is a great zippy little kite. Haven't flown the 3.3 yet but by extrapolating from my experience with the 1.7m it should be a great
performer.
It is not a powerful kite like the Rage or Lifty like the Blade but is is a tough little bruiser you can fly in stupid high winds and still be stable.
One of the locals has a 1.7 and loves to fly it 25-30 + winds. He'll be taking it to Iraq shortly to try out in the desert winds.
Bladerunner - 6-7-2007 at 02:09 PM
Here is a link to a page I put a bunch of good sites for getting started.
http://www.skypilotkiteboarding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47...
Unless it generally blows more that 25kph in your location I would go for the 3.3 m kite. If it is often above 25 kph the smaller kite may be a better
starter.
k4te - 11-7-2007 at 02:19 PM
thanks guys, you really have been v.helpful. I'm clearly the most indecisive person ever....
final decision on the sting; 2.4 or 3.3?? Am i likely to get any lift of the kite at all? If not i'll probably just go for the 2.4 and save a few
quid, but if theres the chance of getting a few baby jumps in i might splash out! Also would the 3.3 be pretty easy to control for someone little like
me?!
Bladerunner - 11-7-2007 at 04:41 PM
I would go for the 3.3. I'm not familiar with the sting but generally find that around 3 meters a foil starts to act like a grown up. It produces lift
/ pull like a big boy and turns a bit more like a larger kite. At 2 meters the kite buzzes about like a bee on a string and doesn't produce a lot of
pull until it is so windy it goes even more fast. I haven't tried a 2.4 ?
acampbell - 12-7-2007 at 05:43 AM
I like Snowbird's way of putting it. I think 3 3.5 is a sweet spot of wind range and practicality in a kite bag. But I've still been lifted and
spanked hard by a 3.5 when I got sloppy and forgot to pay attention.