We were buggying last weekend when a Mom asked how she could get her teenage son into kiting. They have access to a small beach on Lake Michigan (no idea which part) and he’s never kited before (I think she said 6 feet tall/ 200 LBS).

I told her I’d send her some info and recommended getting lessons. Feel free to add info and links. This is heavily biased toward Nasa wings so please add info about other kites but not ones that will kill a noob.

WHERE TO GET INFO AND HELP:
1) Look at getting started for a good overview: http://www.chicagokitesurfing.com
2) Forum to learn about Land & Snow based kiting: http://www.powerkiteforumns.com
3) Forum to learn about Water based kiting http://www.kiteforumns.com

WHAT KITE TO FLY:
NPW kites are great to start out on. They are also known as Nasa Power Wings and Nasa Para Wings and Nasa Wing and Nasa kites. Kitemaker on this forum makes these but the only version sold commercially is the Nasa Star 2 which is a really sweet kite. Nasa kites are the safest kite to start on if you want to skip lessons. You can’t hurt the kite and if they crash into someone the only thing you have to worry about is a line cutting them.

US distributor for born kites: Jenslundy@yahoo.com

Nasa Star 2 is set up to use with a bar but can be flown with handles http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=25345

Nasa Star 2 showing how easy it is to fly and even shows it being used with a Stand Up Paddleboard http://www.kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2368704&p=68642...

Nasa Start 2 showing how safe and easy it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX2KtcO4a3U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG5XnQqcV8Y

Nasa Start 2 on short lines and a land board at start of video. Shows you can play in tight spots or high winds and still have lots of fun. Put on longer lines to get more speed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a13RQf1EB7g

Nasa Start 2 on short lines and a skateboard in the city. I do this with rollerblades http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2xSq9Tf1AU

Nasa wing on short lines in a parking lot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG1Kt7M79VI&list=PLF3DBE0...


WHAT TO RIDE:
Buggies are nice and you can get them used or new. They are bigger than mountainboards or coyotes. A mountainboard or Rollerblade Coyotes don’t take up much space in a car so you can bring them along on vacations even if there's only a chance that you'll kite.
Mountainboards are skateboards on steroids.
Rollerblade coyotes are in-line skates on steroids. They can cost $200-$300 on Craigslist. Not made for years and not well received in the marketplace until someone started to kite with them. Great if you are a skier since you can jump on them and use with no training.
Coyotes at a small beach with fixed bridle kite and handles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1-hdPTLWpA&list=PLE8A7C1...
Coyotes at a small beach, Peter Lynn depower kite and bar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-Yqe4RllOk&list=PLE8A7C1...

WHAT TO WEAR: Helmets at a minimum. BMX/Skateboard helmets are better than road helmets since the back covers more of the head. Consider knee pads and elbow pads. Also cheap work gloves to protect the hands.

Should be in General Chit Chat forum but can't figure out how to change.

I can make any size nasa wing. You can choose you colors for the kite.

Susan (npw goddess)