Power Kite Forum

Hello Kiters, I want to be one of you.

oldrestless - 28-4-2009 at 08:45 AM

I am really interested in mountain boarding with the power kite. I have read a lot and understand why it is recommended you start with a smaller, beginner kite.

The thing is I really would like one that is not just beginner but intermediate as well.

A kite I could actually do something with if I progress higher than the beginner level.


Can anyone recommend a board as well?

ragden - 28-4-2009 at 08:46 AM

Where do you live?
You might do better if you can hook up with a local near you, and get some time in with them learning things along the way. Then you will have a much better idea of what you want to get and how much you want to spend. :)

oldrestless - 28-4-2009 at 08:54 AM

I live in Massachusetts.

I am willing to spend whatever it takes to get a good kite and board. I just don't think entry-level kite is a good purchase where it looks like it doesn't even pull you. Maybe I'm looking at a bad one but it's called the Imp.

oldrestless - 28-4-2009 at 09:02 AM

I live in Massachusetts.

I am willing to spend whatever it takes to get a good kite and board. I just don't think entry-level kite is a good purchase where it looks like it doesn't even pull you. Maybe I'm looking at a bad one but it's called the Imp.

bobalooie57 - 28-4-2009 at 09:07 AM

I have a 3.5m Imp trainer. This is a 3 line kite on a bar, the end lines connecting to the power lines, the center line connecting to the brake line. In 15+ winds it will get me moving, (I weigh 190) although not too fast, which I think is good right now. The thing about the Imp trainer is it is not a depower kite, which can be disconcerting in gusty winds, especially if your board skills aren't all that. It is a great kite, fun to fly, good safety in that the brake line has a leash attachment which will kill the kite when the bar is released. I still fly it on a regular basis, but I have only been at this for a little over a year. You'll see that I have acquired other kites since, so will you... ha ha ha. Bob (edit:BTW welcome to the forum!)

Looking_Up - 28-4-2009 at 09:07 AM

:D this is a great quality kite and a good kite for learning the sport in the 3m or 4m it would be a great landboard engine the guy at Tahoemountainsports.com has a ton of info on the kite and could help you with choosing the write size i have personally dealt with him and he is verry nice and full of info. Ozone just continues to blow me away with quallity and customer support so i will likely be theirs for life:lol: they also have the flow but in the bigger sizes it might be a bit much depending on your learning curve and physical ability.

Ps get some pads and a helmet safty first

B-Roc - 28-4-2009 at 09:19 AM

There are a number of us that kite / board / buggy in MA.

Where in MA are you? How much do you weight? Where do you expect to fly.

Beginners kites (i.e. low aspect - less lifty) are kites you can grow with depending upon what you want to do.

If you fly inland, they are often much better than high aspect kites as they absorb gusts better so you can grow with them.

But if you mean depower vs fixed bridle, I'd certainly recommend you pick up a cheap fixed bridle to learn to fly and how the wind window affects your power stroke before hooking into a depowerable.

oldrestless - 28-4-2009 at 09:20 AM

Yeah I'm going to get the knee pads and helmet.

Until I started reading this forum I didn't find mention of the dangers of power kiting.

I'm reading people get body armor. That kind of scares me.

B-Roc - 28-4-2009 at 09:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by oldrestless

I'm reading people get body armor. That kind of scares me.


Fear is good. I'd be more concerned for you if you weren't afraid.

I still get nervous / anxious every time I launch the kite as you never really know how much power you are going to experience until its up in the air

oldrestless - 28-4-2009 at 09:26 AM

I live in South Eastern MA and hope to ride along the beach. So I probably won't be flying in-land.

What was your first kite B-Roc?

ragden - 28-4-2009 at 09:26 AM

The thing about landboarding is this... its not "IF" you fall, its "WHEN". You will fall, and it is best to plan for that impact, rather than hope it will not happen.

You might get a little banged up static flying, but you will find that a bit safer to start with. This is where any beginner needs to start, so that they can get used how the wind window works, and how to keep the kite in the air. Crashing, relaunching, feeling the power, these are all things you will need to practice, and understand before you even consider setting foot on a board.

It sounds like a lot, but it can go quickly if stick with it. Patience is key, and always think safety first. :)

B-Roc - 28-4-2009 at 09:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by oldrestless
I live in South Eastern MA and hope to ride along the beach. So I probably won't be flying in-land.

What was your first kite B-Roc?


If you ever get up to Nahant, there are a lot of riders who call that home.

I'm ashamed to admit that my first kite was my 8.5 blade. It was not a good first purchase. Not because it hurt me but because it has such a limited range it is my least flown kite.

I had flown sport kites for 10 years prior to getting into power kiting so I considered myself a good pilot and quick study, but I still signed up for 3 hours of lessons before investing in my own power kite to minimize the risk.

I really got into the sport when I picked up my JOJO Instincts which would be classified as beginner friendly kites. Because they are so stable and reliable, they still get heavy use today - especially when flying in land as they are more stable and predictable then the begos or RM+.

oldrestless - 28-4-2009 at 11:51 AM

Hi. A little update. I found a store locally that has free loaner power kites to those looking to get into the sport/hobby.

So instead of buying one, for now I'm going to get a loaner for a couple of weeks and then go from there.

ragden - 28-4-2009 at 12:02 PM

Loaner kites? Wow. That is pretty amazing.
Make sure you have your safety gear on.
Be safe! Have fun!

Bladerunner - 28-4-2009 at 12:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oldrestless
Hi. A little update. I found a store locally that has free loaner power kites to those looking to get into the sport/hobby.

So instead of buying one, for now I'm going to get a loaner for a couple of weeks and then go from there.



This is great news !

As you see you will need about 3 kites. Low, med. and high wind.

Your 3m kite will become your high wind kite as you progress, so get a good one. Once you are better and using the 3m as high wind kite you will not mind if it is a bit more forgiving. Those high winds can be scarey with too much kite. Don't feel that a good small kite is a waste of money. We ALL go back to our 3m in high winds .

The guy at the shop won't do you wrong. The fact He sets people up with loaners speaks volumes about how good a guy he must be !

acampbell - 28-4-2009 at 12:03 PM

Excellent. A local store and local knowledge is always the best route. The loaner is a bonus. Have fun and be safe.

kiteNH - 28-4-2009 at 12:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oldrestless
Hi. A little update. I found a store locally that has free loaner power kites to those looking to get into the sport/hobby.

So instead of buying one, for now I'm going to get a loaner for a couple of weeks and then go from there.


Is it Fun with Wind?

B-Roc - 28-4-2009 at 12:26 PM

FWW is not that local if he's in SE MA, but I too would be real curious to know who is offering the free loaners so maybe I can try some new stuff out before buying.

Can you post or private message me with the name of the store?

I'm thinking it may be Seaside Kites in Hull?

WELDNGOD - 28-4-2009 at 02:27 PM

They got that from the drug dealers. You give em some for free ,get hooked, and all their money becomes yours. It is called " turnin em' on, and turnin em' out" Works every time......



Capitalism at its finest,yessiree!:wee:

oldrestless - 28-4-2009 at 06:02 PM

Yes it is Fun With Wind and it isn't as local as I would like, but an hour's drive isn't a big deal to me.

I may check with Seaside Kites and see if they do the same thing because they are closer.

Bladerunner - 28-4-2009 at 06:13 PM

Our dollar is very low these days in Canada. It would be worth checking both sides of the boarder for prices.

heliboy50 - 28-4-2009 at 09:15 PM

Well WELDNGOD, every new kiter gets told that this sport is addicting. I guess if the business model fits, why change it.:bouncy:

beachrights - 29-4-2009 at 05:30 AM

oldrestless- I live on the Cape and from your posts it seems you might not be far from me. I have a decent amount of kites in different sizes and a buggy.

I would be more than happy to help you learn how to fly and buggy. I am in the market for a mountainboard and have never tried it so it will be a 1st for both of us!

Let me know if you want to meet up or need help

Ok- I have to ask the question- how old are you? I am 42:no:

oldrestless - 29-4-2009 at 05:51 AM

Beach,
Thank you, I will probably take you up on the offer. The Cape is where I was hoping to do a lot of kiting.

I just have to see how it goes with my loaner kite first.

By the way I'm 26 years old and it's another four years before I use the :no:

It's good to know you can kite for a long time though.

beachrights - 29-4-2009 at 06:05 AM

26 and your name is oldrestless??!!!:flaming: I think we should switch names! I was expecting at least 50+! Now I feel like the old fart! By the way, I started powerkiting about 5 yrs ago so it's not age- its the mind that gets old.

my offer still stands- Though I have to get my walker adjusted on Thurday and Saturday I have to sit in the park and feed Pigeons:Ange09:

B-Roc - 29-4-2009 at 09:15 AM

beachrights you're old :rolleyes:

were you sad when all the dinosaurs passed away? :lol: