Hello All,

My name is Ryan and I just bought my first Power Kite. I got a great deal on an HQ Rush IV Pro 350 and I am having a blast. I put about 10 hours in the last 3 days and feel as though I am getting the hang of it. I just have a question or two:

1) What other gear should I get besides a harness and a helmet and some pads for Kite Land-boarding? And what does a harness do?
2) What resources did you all use for learning to Kite Land-board?

Thanks for all replies!

Heya.....welcome! You got a great first kite. I started w/ that 8 months ago now I’m 10 or so foils into this. I will always remember it as my first. I put all my friends on it when they want to try flying, and still break it out for some fun myself. it was also what put me into motion first w/ a skateboard...... I think the others will agree a harness is not necessary yet. Keep logging hrs and building confidence w/ conditions, get ready for the next step. Helmet, knee and elbow pads minimum for boarding. check the resources section up top, some others will be along w/ more specific direction. try to hook up w/ some of us for airtime, it pushes everything along much quicker (where ru).Most important.......have fun/ fly safe!!

abkayak:

Thanks for the reply. Fortunately I have all the pads I need from skateboarding so that is not an issue. Also I'm glad I got a good one. As said above I am absolutely loving it. Also, I am from Minnesota in the western twin cities area. The strongest winds I have flown in so far is yesterday (~15 mph) and it for sure had some pull. Can't wait to get more experienced and a bigger kite.

yep your hooked:evil: welcome to the funny farm, support group meetings held when ever the wind blows ;-)

Cool.... like I said I got 8 months on kites, but skating/skiing all my life. I'm no expert kiter but you seem to be following the same trail I did. It was explained to me to be a pilot first. You will get going w/ that kite on a skateboard, but the landboard is totally the goal and u might need more grunt. Don’t rush it too fast, fly more and think about another kite w/ handles. I didn’t want to go handles, but was advised here to take the leap and now very glad I did. Again, be careful out there 15mph is tons of fun but must always be respected.

I think the most important padding you may want to look into are gloves.
Also, I wouldn't recommend getting a harness if you are on handles.
Most people with handles and a harness use something called a strop - which is essentially rope that
connects your 2 handles. You hook the rope on to the harness to essentially distribute the kites power
to the rest of your body so that your arms get less tired.

If you feel like you must get a harness - i would most definitely not use it in high winds.
This is very dangerous.

One time I was flying a 6m Blade in very high winds with a harness and got lofted into the road
(which was very far from where I was kiting). I immediately let go of the kite when
I hit the ground, but the strop accidentally got caught on the harness and the kite looped many
times and dragged me across the road. The skin from my palms completely ripped off.

Point is - don't use a strop in high winds and wear some gloves.