Hello,

Ive been doing research on this sport over the past few weeks. I've had dreams of flying over fields since i was a teenager (now i'm 26). This seems like it could make those dreams come true....eventually

My Background:

Rock Climber (2yrs xp)
Pole-vaulter (5 yrs xp)
Mtn. biking (2 yrs xp)
Good physical condition.

I am 6'1 and weigh 190 lbs.
(sorry i have no conversion charts to make it easier)

What i want?

-quad lines
-price 300-400 U.S. dollars
-kite room to grow

I looked into a beamer 4 5m. However i wont be using this kite for buggying or land boarding, and i would like to be able to eventually use my kite to get lift/jumps.

I then looked into a Twister 2 5.6m. But am wondering since this is my first kite, if its too much.

I am confident in my physical ability. And I will be safe, however money is a situation as well. I wont be able to upgrade as soon as i would like to if i buy a smaller kite.
My first kite will probably be one i keep for a while (at least 1 year).

I want a strong kite, and it seems that im leaning towards a twister 2 5.6m.Looking for advice. I have read through the reviews of these kites and these jumping threads and understand the reservations people might have towards a big kite for a newbie, however i am a bigger guy.

Any and all help will be wonderful.

Thank you

P.S.
I dont mean to come of too confident. this is all i have thought about for nearly 2 weeks and i cant make a purchase decision and im ready to get a kite in my hands. Thanks again

:bigok: Welcome :bigok:

You could get away with the 5m or 5.6m if your very picky about the wind you learn in but be prepared for days of frustration because there is too much wind for your skill set to fly in. My advice is go with a smaller kite (ie 3-4m) and get that year of experience with it once you do that you will have a very good base to start learning to jump. You still can buggy and board with the smaller kite, my favorite buggy kite is my 3.5m cult. It is well powered with about 15 mph wind and I have had it out in 32 mph wind (doubt that I'll do that anymore) with out killing myself.

BTW your 186 cm and 86.18 kg or 13.57 stone

Go with a small trainer. Trust me I have done the "oh I want to be able to grow into a kite" phase and it cost me time and money. 2 yrs ago I purchased a 12m and 15m kite, new board, harness and helmet over $2500 worth of equipment right there. I took the 12m kite out thinking I watched all the videos and I can handle this. It almost killed me. I sold all my gear exepct my helmet and now here I am today 2 yrs later with my first trainer kite (HQ Hydra) just got it yesterday.
Now if I would have gotten a trainer the first time I could have 2 yrs worth of experience and with a smaller kite you can flyer it in low to high wind speeds. My large kites with no experience I had to wait for days with the lowest wind speeds that the kite could fly in.
The money was no big deal cause I pretty much sold all the equipment for more or same amount that I paid but the time is what I cant get back. Plus It scared the crap out of me so I didnt think about kiting for a few years and I also had snowboarding that took up my time in winter. Now its summer so I need another sport.

Learn from my mistake. I have just as much extreme sport background and in great shape but that doesnt matter. The kite and wind will take anyone out without any experience. Plus the trainer kite will be great for your friends and family and a high wind kite to play around with.

The thing is you don't start to really learn how to fly until you are the master of the kite. too often people buy way too big a kite and end up struggling against it and basically working on survival methods. Often these people get hurt and lose conidence or walk away. With a good 3m ish kite you can become the Master of the kite pretty quick and then start really learning to fly. Learn to fly the 3m kite ithout looking at it at all before stepping up.

Buy a good quality 3m kite , second hand like the Beamer on sale here right now. You can then re-sell at very minmal cot or effort when ready to move up. By then you will want the 3m to teach all your friends.

Hey drunkinmonk, don't let them kites sit idle in the winter - use them with your snowboard and avoid lift fees!

Where are you located at Ready to fly? Maybe somebody on here is local to you and you can meet up and try out some kites to get a better idea of what you're in for.

bobalooie57 , yes i hear ya! Thats why i got my kite now so i can practice for winter then with winter sessions and experience i'll try the water next summer.

Fantastic feedback. Thanks so much for all the help top to bottom.

Thanks for the conversion Willard.

I'm taking all of this into consideration. I think ill go with a smaller kite. 3-4m.

Im still a little worried that a 3m will be small and ill have 90% no problem with it. (10% will be unexpected gusts) But i think ive accepted that the 5m twister will just be too must frustration/hastle.

Any reservations against the twister 4.1m or should i go with a beamer 4m?

Ive completely accepted i wont be flying for a while. But skudding and skidding on the ground sounds like super fun. At my weight (190 lbs) in winds of 5-8 mph i know the twister would make this happen. Would the beamer drag me along as well or better, since the beamer is made for buggies and boards?

Im located in Charleston WV.

Again thanks for the warm welcome and quick feedback. Im really happy to have found this site. You all are great.


PS. sorry for the edit/repost

But i tried to find a link on this site that shows all the sellers available in the states however could not.

Anyone have a list of sites that sell these awesome kites?

THanks again

I have put many people in your exact situation into the 4.1m twister and it works well. Its not too big that it will hurt you as long as you keep it in lower winds to start, but its big enough that in the lighter winds it will still give you some lift so you can get the feeling of jumping. Then as your skills progress and you can get it out in higher winds your skills should grow quickly. Just make sure and remember the golden rule ... no massive jumping on a kite less than 5m because the float to land softly is not as good on kites smaller than 5m. Also get the kite on handles do not get the bar option.

dakitez
why not the bar option?

Quote:

Originally posted by Ready to fly Anyone have a list of sites that sell these awesome kites?

• Andrew at www.powerlinesports.com (Exeter, NH)
  
• Angus at www.coastalwindsports.com (Brunswick, GA)
  
• Corey at www.windpowersports.com (Las Vegas, NV)
  
• Dino at www.dakitez.com (Galt, CA)
  
• Don at www.kiteplace.com (York, PA)
  
• Jeff at www.bigkidkites.com (Renton, WA)
  
• John at www.powerzonekitesports.com (Bellingham, WA)
  
• Jon at www.kitebuggyspeedshop.com (Woodland,WA)
  
• Kent at www.awindofchange.com (Las Vegas, NV)
  
• Mike at www.bigmikeskites.com (McKinney, TX)
  
• Richardo at www.ripsessionkiteboarding.com / www.ripsessionkites.com (Richmond, British Columbia, Canada / Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada / Gresham, Oregon / Galt, California)

ATB,
Sam

The bar option is ok for the 4.1m or 3m if you want to use them on a board or scudding. The kite will still perform decent, but for jumping nothing beats the control of the handles. Getting that extra pop, redirects, etc. are much easier on handles than the standard 4 line PL bar.

Again thank you for the help and advice. Its much appreciated.

Dakitez one other thing... what would you consider a "massive jump". im just looking for something that would take me 5-10 ft off the ground and maybe glide me about 15-20 ft. what's technically massive, if you dont mind sir. :dunno:

5-10 up and 10-20 out is pretty big really...


I wouldnt even consider doing that on less than 5 meters. These days (after using a Twister II 5.6 for that exact purpose) I wouldnt do that without a good sized depower. Maybe I don't have hooj ballz, or maybe I wear a pink skirt while drinking my blue moon, but I come home without injury and live to kite another day.

I'm starting to carry Peter Lynn kites and am located over in Delaware. If you ever find yourself over my way, just get in touch and i'll let you try some kites out.

Quote:

Originally posted by Ready to fly Dakitez one other thing... what would you consider a "massive jump". im just looking for something that would take me 5-10 ft off the ground and maybe glide me about 15-20 ft. what's technically massive, if you dont mind sir. :dunno:

I wouldn't recommend going any higher than you could fall from and walk away. If you can stand on a 6' wall (wall representing your jump) and have someone unexpectedly push you off (someone representing the kite) and walk away then you will be safe. There are just too many factors involved to put a specific number on how high someone can jump and land safely. I basically figure most people can survive a 5-6' crash landing. So i like to say if your going over 6' then its time for you to step up your kite.

But remember kite jumping is extremely dangerous and I in no way recommend anyone jumping with a kite. Pilot flies at his/her own risk :saint: disclaimer covered ..

Wait until you hit your 1st 5 ft jump it will feel MASSIVE :wee:
Every new height feels massive the 1st time !
Thumbs up on the 4.1 Twister. It sounds like a good fit:cool2:
Just be aware that the 4.1 can and will lift you. It just isn't likely to float you unless you get it all perfect.

were is a good place to buy 4.1 Twister i live in american not uk

Post a new topic on here + see if you can find a used one 1st.
If not the sellers posted above are all good.

If one exists , it is always best to support your local kite dealer.

Hi Ready to fly,
I live in Elkins, WV and I travel to Charleston, WV almost every week and was a resident there for seven years before moving here. I have a couple of kites you can try out (I started into kitesports on an HQ Scout 5.0). Where are you thinking of flying in that area?

Was thinking of getting a PL Twister 2 4.1m. Ive talked to the fellas on here and they think that would be a good starter kite for me and my size. (6'1, 190 lbs)
What i really wanted to get was a twister 5.6 but am afraid (and these guys agree) its just tooooo much kite.

Its nice to see fellow WV'er on the forum. Any recommendations for places to fly in Charleston and the surrounding areas?

Maybe Coonskin Park or Cato Park? I don't think there is appropriate space anywhere in the Kanawha Forest.

There is a local kite expert in Charleston, WV (Sam-Scoop's Kites), but I haven't heard from him in long time, his website is no longer active...perhaps he's not around that area anymore.