Hi everyone,
Just joined the forum thought I would say hi.
It all started this past summer with a 10.00$ kite and is now a full blown addiction. I am currently a stay at home dad so the 10$ kite was for the
kids and next thing I know I am buying stunt kites all over eBay, leading into the inevitable Power Kites. My first real kite purchase is a HQ Rush
Pro Trainer 3M. My first flight was on a 12-15mph wind day and words do not describe the Rush it produced. I found myself craving the pull in the
power zone and backing out to catch a quick rest then back into the fun again. I have used the Rush in winds as high as 20-25mph, and have enough self
preservation to know to keep the kite in the trunk on days like yesterday where constant gusts were hitting 50 odd mph. The thought of having tree
limps surgically removed from parts on my anatomy is somehow not very appealing. The dilema I face now is in buying my next kite. I am really
interested in a power bar cross over kite much like the HQ Scout. The real question is in size. Do I stick with the 3M which on most days here
(inland Ontario) needs more wind to really be fun, or do I move into a 4m , 5m kite. I eventually want to use it for snowboarding and plan on taking
surfkiting lessons in the spring for which I have my eyes set on a HQ Neo. In the short term I am looking for a bigger challenge than the Rush and
something that will work for snowboard kiting.
My understanding is the bigger kites can do better in low wind situations, is this accurate? Are quad line 2 handle kites a must or can one go
directly to the power bar setup similar to that used by the surfkite community? Do most of you use helmets when skudding, or is it a wind condition
factor?
Sorry for all the questions, cheers Ferd. :smug:DenisLaMenace - 22-10-2008 at 12:53 PM
welcome to PKF
Since you are moving into snowkiting (and eventually kitesurfing), and you seem to have a good trainer experience, you might go to depower kites
already.
No need to go to quad-line with handles. More fun for static flying or buggy.
Depower kites will cover more wind range and are more convenient for snowkiting.
The HQ Neo reviews show that is is a very stable and forgiving depower kite for beginners with a lower budget.
Bigger budget could go with Flysurfer Pulse2. But you can still find used ones for the price of a Neo.
Closed cells is the way to go if you plan to hit water and prefer foils. Tubes are OK too but less autonomy, more fragile especially during winter.
As for recommended size, give us your weight. The average Joe would have 2 kites for winter (6m and 10m). This would cover 95%. If you can only afford
one kite, 8m is a good compromise. Yes bigger size for low wind.
If you go with non-depower kites, take smaller size. They are more powerful for same size, and you'll need more kites for all conditions.
Wear an helmet on ground all time. Your first jump may not be expected, updraft gusts don't warn, and your landing may not be perfect.
PS: use paragraphs, easier to read.
cheersBladerunner - 22-10-2008 at 01:13 PM
Buzz is right,
If you want to ride snow and water you may as well go straight to depower. The Apex isn't too much more than the Scout and will be better suited to
your needs.
Very few people use handles on snow or water.rockyrails - 22-10-2008 at 01:15 PM
Hi Buzz, Bladerunner,
Thanks
For size recommendations I am 6'2" and weigh on average 215-225lbs.
Will have to pick up a helmet, I have been lax as the Rush tends to be fairly light on the pull until the wind really picks up. Even then it is not
very lofty.
The pull really only kicks in when you fly it with intent right across the power zone.
I make my kids wear helmets in every sport so I should follow my own advice.
This is a great sport and I have only just scratched the very surface.
Hard to explain the logic behind it to non kiters.
Although my daughter (7) already flies a two line kite and is eager to fly a small foil.kiteNH - 22-10-2008 at 01:29 PM
I've got a like new 4m Scout up for sale in the For Sale section of the forum if you're interested. It's a great kite to learn flying on a bar (why I
bought it), but that won't really be big enough to get out snowkiting.
If that is your ultimate goal then it might be time for a depower. You haven't mentioned your average wind speed but I think that Buzz's advice from
above is good. Some people do fly fixed bridle kites in the winter and I think that they are more straight forward and easier to fly but I think
depower is a little more popular because you can cover a wider wind range.rockyrails - 22-10-2008 at 01:46 PM
Hi KiteNH
Our average wind speed is changing here as we move into winter. I am in Ontario and am closer to Lake Huron which gets nice 10-15mph winds in the
summer.
For the winter I have a buddy with a 200 acre farm that has nice rolling hills. The winds can be extreme in the winter going from a steady 10-15 range
to days of 30-40+ mph - usually too cold to head out on those days anyway.
cheers Ferddylanj423 - 22-10-2008 at 01:55 PM
Someone on here is selling a 7m Flysurfer Warrior for pretty cheap... it has been modified by powerzone and would probably be a pretty good intro to
depower and closed cell. If you fly it in lower winds to start, it would make a good trainer, too. When the wind picks up (but maybe not 30-40... I
fly my 7m when it hits 20... I'm pretty new, also) and youve got some experience, then it will work for your snowkiting applications too.
To get into de-power, you will also need a harness. Pads are always a good idea, as well as helmet and any other protection you might want ( I use
impact shorts when I am about to do something silly... and I use an impact vest harness, too)
Welcome to the sport... kiss your extra cash goodbye.Bladerunner - 22-10-2008 at 04:05 PM
A kite with a great reputation for sucking up the gusts and for range is the Peter Lynn arcs. Being inland this will be a huge advantage. Another nice
thing about arcs is they have an auto zenith feature. Arcs come in much larger sizes for the same wind range due to their arc shape reducing the
productive area. There only big drawback is that they need about 10mph to actaully start flying proper. That doesn't sound like a problem for you ?
Something like a 13m sounds good for your winter winds. It may be a bit small for your summer winds ? Don't be afraid of the size! Like with most
kites 2005 and newer tend to fly just that much better.
Of course, arcs are closed cell so you will enjoy this kite on land and water ! You should be sure and consider one ! Just make a post and you will
see there are a whole lot of people on here that LOVE these kites !
HMMMmmmm,
The more I think about it, the more that picking up that Flysurfer Warrior seems like a good idea ? I'm sure the seller will be honest with you about
how beginer friendly it may be ? Buy with confidence ! At $250 how can you lose ? The mod's and FDS are each $100 upgrades ? If it truly has 4:1
depower now + is more stable it should be a VERY good choice ? 7m will be a perfect size to start with !
If you come accross a 7m Flysurfer Pulse at an affordable price , leap at it ! It is a great kite to learn on that you will never grow out of !DenisLaMenace - 23-10-2008 at 06:59 AM
The more I think about it a 7m should be the minimum size for you because of your weight, and snowboard requires a bit more power than on skis. Then
get used to it, and later try to pick up a larger kite for lighter winds.
If you go for an open cell, they generate a bit more power than closed cell for same size.
Also the aspect ratio of the kite has an influence on its power and also flying ability it takes. Beginners prefer low aspect kitesrockyrails - 23-10-2008 at 07:30 AM
Hi Buzz
Thanks - I picked up the 4m Scout - thought I would moved through to a 7M in stages rather than one jump. Its that mid 40's self preservation thingy
kicking in. I still take risks just more calculations go into the method of destruction. :singing: The Rush is easy even in high winds and it is a
small kite (under 3M) and I am still not sure how big a difference each size jump makes. Hard to tell until you are flying what it feels like.
I also figured it would be good to get used to the crossover bar with a smaller kite than a larger. Then move into larger sizes. Probably end up
buying a 7m in a month or so and that is ok. One can never have to many kites. All I need to do now is dump my dozen or so stunt kites to build up a
fund.
thanks for all the input so far guys - I have spent may hours reading the posts and it is a great resource.
cheerstridude - 23-10-2008 at 07:49 AM
Yep, PL arcs are sweet, but can be hard to find stateside (used). Dual role, gust muncher, a sweet sail but do suffer on the low end of the wind
range. The auto zenith feature is outrageous.............
Flysurfers, well what can you say, great kites as well. The Pulse and Pulse 2s are hyped at the beginner through expert levels. Should do well on snow
whether its cruising or freestyle tricks.
There is a new Sheriff in town with the HQ Neo lineup. I flew it briefly but was very impressed.....................Very grunty, stable, good depower,
very Pulse like Id say.DenisLaMenace - 23-10-2008 at 08:53 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by rockyrails
Thanks - I picked up the 4m Scout - thought I would moved through to a 7M in stages rather than one jump. Its that mid 40's self preservation thingy
kicking in.
I'm 43, kiting since my 40th birthday. I took a static flying lesson and bought my first kite as a gift to myself from myself. Maybe had something to
prove but now I'm addicted anyway. I've owned 20 kites so far. Of course not all at the same time.
No previous other related sport experience just alpine ski since a little kid. No sail, paraglide, wakeboard, but now I want to try them all.
You'll end up jumping and seeking air like all of us in 1 year or 2 or less, who knows. Just go step by step so the scout 4m is a good choice from
that point of view. A 4m non depower is roughly equivalent to a 6m depower.
You'll feel like a 14yo kid when you hit water. So much trill on the water. But go for snow first much easier
I tell my wife, this is my mid-life crisis thing which is much better than trying to flirt with younger girls.revpaul - 23-10-2008 at 09:45 AM
Hi,
"Thanks - I picked up the 4m Scout - thought I would moved through to a 7M in stages rather than one jump."
when i first started i had no idea about the differences between 'fixed bridal, de-power, and C' kites'.
a 'fixed bridal' kite will have more power/pull than a depower and C kite of the same size. the 4m scout is a fixed bridal kite controlled by a (nice)
bar instead of handles.
fixed bridal kites are 'full on' power with brake input. de-power kites have an on-the-fly system, which adjusts Angle of Attack of kite, allowing
user to control amount of power at any time. the scout will be similar, in power, to a 7m de-power kite.
*yesterday's buggy fun. :wee:
i (5'10 170lb) was flying with a 12m de-power against my brother (6' 225lb), flying a 5.5m fixed bridal kite.
*his 5.5m fixed bridal is a 'race' (high aspect ratio) kite which has more power than normal (lower aspect ratio) 5.5m kite.
Paul
