Does anyone sell just the HQ Kites?

I just purchaced my first trainer kite, HQ Apex 4 5.5m I know I will grow out of this quickly but I cant seem to find just the kites to step up to the next size, are they available as just a kite?

Also are the lines and bar from my original kite heavy duty enough to just simply attach a bigger kite????

I am not sure how all this works

You can share bars and line between kites but it is a lot of hassle. Far simpler just to have bar and lines attached and ready to go.
Bar length is to be considered and you proably got a short one with the 5.5 ?

I couple of good sites to visit are www.kitesurfingschool.com and www.coastalwindsports.com in the tutorial section.

Let me know when you outgrow that...clocks on.

With depower foils, such as the Apex, Montana, Neo & Matrixx series, HQ sells all these kites with bars and lines. No 'kite only' option provided. But you may be able to find a dealer that will work with you,

Quote: Originally posted by chris

With depower foils, such as the Apex, Montana, Neo & Matrixx series, HQ sells all these kites with bars and lines. No 'kite only' option provided. But you may be able to find a dealer that will work with you,

I was pretty sure this was the case.
If money is the issue shop for used kites.

Bummer! Well I guess I could sell or keep it for a high wind day. So what is a good second kite to try!

Quote: Originally posted by Chrisz

Bummer! Well I guess I could sell or keep it for a high wind day. So what is a good second kite to try!

Depending on what you want to do with the kite, a size or 2 larger Apex or Montana would expand your wind range and power, while staying familiar to what you are used to.

I would reccomend a move up to a 8m but remain in the same series or at least style of kite. The next step up in the Apex 4 series is the 8m. 7-8m kites are a great "all rounder" size for snow. They will get you moving in lowish winds with some effort or line extensions, pull beautifully it average winds and has enough depower to get you by in moderately high winds especially if you double back the lines.

I'm getting the feeling that you are looking for a "one kite quiver"? Kites have a given wind range and although skilled pilots can operate most kites beyond the specified wind range nobody gets by with a one kite quiver. Not if they plan to fly a lot at least. Hold onto that 5.5m

The 5.5 is definately a higher wind kite and a good kite to learn depower on but it's not a trainer. The 5.5 is definately a useful kite on high wind days, the 5.5m is small and we use it to teach on but it is a full fledged sheetable foil and a great touring kite on high wind days or moderate wind hard surface days. You get plenty of both in Minn.:D


You can use the same bar across the entire Apex size range except the 11m. It's bar is a little longer. The shorter bars will work but performance will be compromised. Hardwater Kiting is an HQ dealer and we've been flying HQ Apexs since the Apex 1. As Chris said if you want,contact us either through PM or www.hardwaterkiter.com and we can discuss a possible KO (kite only) option.

I would love to have dozen kites but that can get expensive, I intend to buy one more kite this year. Feyd I might take you up on that offer of just a kite. Next year I might like to try a couple of different brands and maybe a kite with more lift once I have had the proper training and practice.

The lakes around here are starting to freeze, they should have 4 inches by thanksgiving then all we need is a little snow!:D

Yeah, a dozen kites would be pretty pricey.:D Fortunately today's depowers have fairly broad wind ranges and most people can get away with 2 or 3 kites and handle 90% of the conditions they might run into.

Basically it comes down to what you want. If you aren't concerned about missing a few lighter wind days then bigger than 8m or 9m isn't too important. If you don't want to rage in 40mph+ winds then not much need for a 3m.

Last time I rode in Minn. the winds were light and I had to use a 24m. :duh: Too light to really have much fun but still better than sitting on the couch.

I find it hard to believe myself but some people have other things they do in the winter and they don't need to kite every day in every condition. I guess that's possible but seems crazy to me.:D

The 8m Apex4 will work with your 5.5m Apex bar perfectly. If you decide to go the KO route let us know and we'll ge you squared away.

4" by Thanksgiving, you're killin' me.

I own a Gopro so I will half to record my first solo flight with out an instructor and post it here! I hope I dont earn the nick name crash!