I live in Washington, near Seattle and I am researching / planning to purchase my first traction kite. Prior to this, I've only ever flown stunt kites.

If any Washingtonians who are familiar with local average wind speeds for kiting might be able to recommend a kite size?

My intentions are, obviously, to learn at first but I want to jump (more than board, as money isn't THAT abundant) eventually. I'm assuming a quad line bias is what I should go for, but let me know because I've assumed wrong plenty of times.

I'm 6'2" and weigh 175lbs. A lot of the kite shops around here haven't been awfully helpful in telling me what size kite would be good for me, I suppose there are a ton of factors to consider. I was hoping somebody here might have a bit more time / interest helping a prospective kiter out?

In regard to size, most of what I've heard is influencing me towards a 3-4m kite, but I'm afraid I'll be stuck with a kite that doesn't generate enough lift.

Also, my budget is about $500 tops for my first setup. Spending less wouldn't hurt my feelings, either.

I have read the beginner guides here and elsewhere, I just would feel a bit more confident with a few of these specific questions answered. Hope this isn't too much of an annoyance. Thanks fellas.

Welcome!
Info is what you seek, info you shall recieve, in crazy abundance too!

The best thing that can be said about kiting and jumping... A good jumping kite, isnt a beginner kite, and a beginner kite, isnt a good jumping kite (acampbell [sorry if i murdered your quote lol])

And if you really want to jump, you should get into a kite that is at least 5 sq meters... and once again, is usually too big for a beginner kite...

Your ideal beginner kite is a 3-4 sq meter kite, with little to no lift. like a peter lynn hornet, or an hq beamer are great choices. The good thing about these kites is that even after you start jumping (down the road), they are still fun to fly, and you'll use them even after you add a jumping kite, for when the wind gets a little to high for your bigger kites, or when you want to share a kite with a friend, these are great to just pick up and fly.

If you are dead set on a lifty kite... look into the peter lynn twister... as far as lifty kites go, its probably one of the more forgiving ones out there... i started on one, but ive also been flying stunt kites here (in Nebraska) for the better part of my life, so i know the wind around here and i knew what to expect wind-wise... and a RTF Twister will run you just under 400 for the 5.6m and 250-300 (i think) for a 4.1m

Hope that helped, but im sure you'll get a bunch more info too

What I would do before dropping any money down on a kite whatesoever is to talk again to your local kite shops and instead of asking them what kite to get, ask them who else flies power kites in your area and where do they hook up at to fly?

This will get you in contact with other locals in your area and from there, you can talk directly to the people you will be flying with. Things to ask them is:

What kite do they use the most (size). This will give you a good idea on what size you should get.

What kites do they like and why. Remember that most people are bias about the kites they have. A guy that drives a Chevy will usually have nothing good to say about the Fords.

Where do they usually go to fly, do they buggy or board, what setups do they like / dislike and why.

And....can you show me how your kite flies and let me try it! <-----most important!

Most kite flyers are very passionate about the sport and are more than happy to help someone else discover it. If you are decent and respectful in talking with them, then they will usually be eager to give you a chance to try out their gear. This is the best experience you could ever ask for because you can try out different kites to see exactly what all the fuss is about - and to see if you like the different personalities that each style of kite seems to have.

Most kite shops will try to sell you the kites they have in stock - even if there is something else that may be better for your needs. Most decent shops don't mind ordering something for you that they don't have in stock - but they would still rather sell you what they are carrying now. By hooking up with the locals you not only find other people who are willing to help you and fly with you but you are also figuring out exactly what you want to put your hard earned money down on.

Once you figure out what size and type of kite you want, go back to the shop and order it.

The price you are looking at should get you a very good quality kite. By hooking up with your local crowd you will know exactly what size you need and have a good idea as to the model / brand you would like. From there you may even be able to find a better deal on a slightly used kite from one of the forum members here or have your local shop order in the model / size / brand that you want.

I am a firm believer of "Fly before you buy".

Hope this helps.

Quote:

Originally posted by Gope In regard to size, most of what I've heard is influencing me towards a 3-4m kite, but I'm afraid I'll be stuck with a kite that doesn't generate enough lift.

First, Welcome

If we had a nickel for every time we heard this, we'd have, well, a whole bunch of nickels. It's a common misconception but understandable.

Yes 3-4 meters is the sweet spot for learning, but no, you will not get bored with it. Later it will just be your high winds kite that you can take out in 15-20 mph or more.

Some excellent choices are well within your budget.

HQ Beamer IV
Peter Lynn Hornet
Ozone Flow
Flexifoil Sting

The conundrum facing would be jumpers is that to jump, you really want to have 5m or more in order to be floaty enough, but that is too much for the first-timer and would present a risk.

Spend your $200-260 on a good 3-meter foil. then bank the rest of your $500 and while you learn, save up for a 5-6 meter kite that is lifty, like a Peter Lynn Twister or HQ Crossfire II.

Then you will be set for a wide wind range. You always end up with more kites. It's just the law of the jungle.

take this from a guy who jumps ALOT--NO JUMPING!!!! not for a few months at least--that way you will learn how to really control a kite in many conditions and then you can work your way into it G R A D U A L L Y ............

Quote:

Originally posted by kitejumper take this from a guy who jumps ALOT--NO JUMPING!!!! not for a few months at least--that way you will learn how to really control a kite in many conditions and then you can work your way into it G R A D U A L L Y ............

thank you

Ok, I came here for advice and that's what I'm going to take away from this... so, no jumping. As disappointing as that might be, I'll just have to kite a lot until I'm ready. But for now, no jumping. So, naturally I'm now even more anxious to get to that point.

It seems amongst the Seattle area land kiters, Ozone is pretty popular. I found a couple guys flying an Imp Quattro (3.5 meter). I didn't get to fly - they were about ready to go home - but I chatted for a minute and they love the thing. I also found a shop that is selling the whole setup with handles, foil, etc., for $275 which is well within my range (and leaves me enough for a headstart on a lifty kite once I'm ready).

Also, thanks for the welcomes and great information! I'm not responding on every point made because of the amount of info I got all at once but I read through it all and you
guys all seem great, thanks!

Edit: Oh, and I still haven't been able to figure out what would be better to start with, handles or a control bar?

Quote:

Originally posted by Gope Edit: Oh, and I still haven't been able to figure out what would be better to start with, handles or a control bar?

Some like the simplicity of the bar and the ability to free up a hand for a moment. You give up the finesse over the brakes that you get with handles and that is valuable in light winds.

Later on, with a strop (line between the tops of the handles) that can hook in to a harness, you can free up a hand for moment with handles, too.

The Flow and Sting are available with bar instead of handles for a little added cost.

So really, I will be fine with whatever the kite I end up buying comes with (or is in stock) and can base further purchases on preference? I'm used to handles, flying a 2 line stunt kite, but the control bar looks fun to use (and once I start jumping, looks like a better tool for hanging on w/ out pulling too far to one side - correct me if I'm wrong).

As most of the kites I'm looking at come with handles standard, I'll just take the hint and work on handles until I start expanding my quiver and other accessories.

I used to be a huge supporter of bars ( with crossover brakes ) fixed bridle kites. It turns out that with handles you have a lot more brake control . This allows you to be a lot more creative in your flying.

Unless you have plans on flying a depower kite I would suggest you will get a lot more pleasure out of a kite with handles.

Gope

U2U sent

I went into a local kite surf shop today and spoke with a man there about starting up kiting. His advice was to get the Sensei 3m training kite, $170, for starts and then branch out from there. He was pretty adamant on beginning on a dual line with a bar, saying that quad line would be moving too fast and that a dual line is better for learning wind zones and such. He also wanted to throw in a $35 kite surfing DVD and a $300 5 hour lesson (on the water). Considering I'm not planning on going straight into kite surfing, I'm passing on the lesson and the DVD, but I wanted to know your collective opinion on the Sensei training kite, and whether or not it is a good idea to start with this or simply invest in a higher performing kite. He also said they price match any static internet or in-house pricing, spent quite a bit of time with me explaining the basics and didn't try to push me into a sale, so it seemed fairly honest. Thoughts?

Honestly that does not make sense, unless I take the pessimistic route and think that he wants the Sensei sale and a subsequent 4-line sale when you realize you want more.

Really a Sensei is a fine kite, very common in kitesurfing schools ('cause they often don't know a lot of other foils), but it's not really any slower than a 4-line, so that does not add up. All of the 4-line kites that should be recommended to you can be flown like a 2-line (just ignore the brakes until you want to try them). Honestly I cannot tell you how many strangers, aged 7 to 70 I have handed a 4-line kite to (appropriately chosen kite) and most of them are able to accomplish a reverse launch using the brakes right away after they crash the kite on its nose. They crash the kite because they do not have the reflexes yet, not because it was going too fast. And then they figure the whole thing out (basic flight anyway) in anywhere from 2 minutes to two sessions.

Always support your local shop when you can, but this leaves me wondering.

Edit/ Add: Sensies are popular in schools because all they are needed for is teaching the basics of flight dynamics and navigating the wind window. Almost any inexpensive 2-line foil can do that. If you are going straight for kitboarding (with lessons), then OK, but if you are talking general kiting on land, then start with four-line.
I'm thinking this guy just knows water kiting and is following the party line...

6 of one half dozen of the other. Learning on a bar might be a tad easier only because you have less to think about. Most kitesurfers/kiteboarders learn on a bar because thats what they will end up using anyway( depower kites are on bars) For us the trainer kite is exactly that, we learn to fly a kite with it, then its pretty much forgoten, as its to small to kite on water with.
Static flyers and buggiers, and to some extent landboarders prefer the 4 line kite, as someone said 4 lines gives you more control and easier relaunch. Also in use on land the trainer can be usefull as a high wind kite (on land you dont need as much kite to get moving).
2 line with a bar will get you flying for cheap. but might get board of it dosent do tricks like a stunt kite)
with 4 lines you can use a bar or handles, more options, more contralable, can do more with it. but will cost a bit extra.

The kite shop guy might not even really be familiar with 4-line "trainer type" foils. If its a straight kite surfing shop then inflatables might be all they really know.

Like Angus said, the 2 line will be fine if you want to move right on to a tube kite or depower. But if you are going to spend much time flying on land and flying static then spend the extra few bucks on a 4 line kite and you'll be glad that you did.

YUP ,

The shop owner is thinking / advising as though you are going to be a kite surfer. With that in mind he is right.

The Senei isn't too bad for a 2 line. It is one of the only truly relaunchable 2 lines. It doesn't come with a D-loop so you will need to buy one if you want to practice being hooked in.

i'd get the ozone

I would hook up with a local flyer and get some hands on with his kites, most kiters will be more than happy to let you fly their kites, then you could make a good decision on what you want to do, who knows you might even buy one of his kites.

This is mostly what I was thinking. A lot of what he was saying seemed to be taking too much precaution. I have flown plenty of stunt kites and am familiar with wind zones and navigating 2 lines. I honestly don't want to get stuck with a 2 line kite and a 2 line bar if it isn't necessary - and yes, most of my kite flying will be land. In fact, I told him specifically that I doubt I'd be getting into kite surfing all that soon if at all (way more stuff to buy!).

From this, I think the sensei is scratched off the list. Back to looking at quad line kites! I'm pretty sure I'll get the hang of it quickly. Again, thanks for all the advice / feedback!

HQ Beamer. Great beginner 4 line kite. You will even keep it and get your friends hooked as well.

OK...

Tested some kites, did some research and watched the wind averages for local and semi-local spots.

Bought an Ozone Flow 4 meter.

Flew it today. Wow. Fun, fun, fun.

The wind speed map I checked out online said where I kited today had 6 mph winds, the wind was going from a dead still to a steady breeze and I'm almost certain it was faster than 6 mph, but I won't pretend to know exactly how fast the wind was. Doesn't matter. I had a BLAST. And now I'm really sunburnt.

I didn't go with the 3 meter kite size that everybody was suggesting, simply because I tested a few out and I felt comfortable with the amount of power that 4 meter foils generate. And honestly, I'm very glad that I did.

Getting up early again tomorrow and kiting the snot out of it. Maybe I'll be looking at mountainboards sooner than I had planned.