Hi, new to the forum here. Flew a friends kite yeas ago and enjoyed it and then saw a few in the sky the other day and figured I would buy myself one for the summer hold.

So what to get?

What do I want? I'm a 6ft4" and 110kgs, a tree surgeon by trade. I want a powerful kite which I can grow into skill wise. I don't want to get bored with it after a few sessions. I don't have current plans to use it with a board buggy or skis etc. Just me, a bit of scudding and jumping once I get better but that's it.

I stay in Scotland, east coast and regularly get decent winds up to 30mph. Probably start off using it on the beach.

Budget of £200 give or take a bit. So what do I want?? Open to second hand suggestions too.

Cheers guys :-)
Peace

Hi and welcome, what to get???? If your wind range is generally 20+mph then it maybe worth trying a smaller size @ 2m to start with, I picked up a 1.8m rage of fleabay Ready To Fly (RTF) immaculate for £50. For lighter wind then obviously the size needs to go up @10mph you'd be looking at more of a 4m and your quiver will start to grow :D Scudding is not a problem with any traction kite, but for jumping you need a different kettle of fish, a lifty kite like a Flexifoil Blade or de-power. I would look around you can get very good secondhand stuff where ppl have just tried it out, or bought a kite for a certain wind range and never used it.

Good luck

Welcome,

I think most of us came into this sport with similar expectations as you have. Thinking it will be best to " grow into " a kite. Unfortunately that isn't the best way to go. Folks who go that route and survive usually say they wish they had started with a smaller kite.

1st thing you have to accept is that no single kite does it all. You will notice that we all have more than one kite in our signature.

You will NEED a smaller kite for those strong winds you describe and that will be the best place to start. About 3m is usually a good size. This game is ALL about kite control. If you start with a big kite you will spend all of your time protecting yourself from the power. A smaller kite will serve up TONS of power when the wind is up!!!!

Jumping is a whole other thing. You can get lifted by any size kite but need something pretty big to provide float. To jump you need to be able to fly and control the kite without looking at it. We do this by setting memory reflexes and that takes time flying.

I suggest you go the tried and true route and look for a QUALITY used 3m-ish 4 line fixed bridle foil. You should be able to get one for just a bit more than 1/2 your budget, used? Plan on buying / NEEDING a larger kite for lower winds and jumping. You can save for it while mastering the 3m. You won't really grow out of the 3m. You will just need more and more wind to get a rush from it.

I suggest you shop reputable kite forums. If you shop Ebay etc. check on here to see if folks think a kite is good quality before bidding.

buy a 3m...put it up the first time in 10mph wind...at some point in the first 45 seconds you will know you made the right choice....after that buy all the bigger local kites you can find from 1st time flyers who went larger w/ their 1st purchase
have fun....welcome aboard

Hey eclectic - welcome to the forum - where do you live on the east coast? There are a couple of Scottish lads on here on a fairly regular basis. There is good info here and you could also look at the Scottish Power Kite Association and Kite Crowd to see if there is anyone close to you. I get over to visit (stay in Broughty Ferry outside Dundee) and buggy quite few places along the east cost and have met many good friends that i'm sure would give you a crack at something to try out.
I've stood (leaned) on the beach a few times when the winds have been cranking 50-70mph and thought I didn't bring anything small enough and just hold my jacket open a bit and go!

Quote:

Hey eclectic - welcome to the forum - where do you live on the east cost? ....

hi markrite, I am just south of Edinburgh, close to Dunbar. It can be really gusty at points but generally we have a stiff offshore breeze. Will definately check oot the Scottish Power Kite Association and the kitecrowd forum. Cheers

Quote:

I suggest you go the tried and true route and look for a QUALITY used 3m-ish 4 line fixed bridle foil.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. Useful info. So I now have the clear idea to do as Bladerunner et al. suggest and get me a 3m kite. 4 line. Fixed Bridle? Foil... Am off to get googling some stuffs and get a better understanding of whats out there and what is considered quality gear. I will try to find some second hand kites but initial looks have been fairly poor. Going to check out kitecrowd forums later on see what the craic is over there. If not I can buy new, seems from what you say that my budget is adequate.

Does anyone have any specific recommendations for a 3m kite?

What is the deal with handles etc. Do I want a bar or handles or what?

All the questions!?! I will settle in soon, am buzzing about getting this thing ordered and in the sky. mwahahaaha! :-)

ok so I read some internets. I narrowed it down to;

Ozone Flow 3.0m

HQ Beamer 3m

Peter lynn hornet III 3m

any of those will do...pull the trigger

I've owned all of them although not the current models and would be very happy with any of them. Of equal quality is the PKD Buster, Flexifoil Rage, Zebra Z1. All quality stuff. Start with handles - more fun for static flying and more control than a bar. You can always get a bar later on if you feel you have a specific need for one. Some tips here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZVCD-Kzu9k

+1 for all brands mentioned with handles.

If you end up shopping new I think PKD Buster is good bang per pound. However you go about it, go in expecting you will want a second kite. You can buy 2 used kites for almost the same cost as 1 new if you are patient and shop around.

Be aware that even a 3m kite will be too big for some of the winds described. It is always the right choice to pack up and live to fly another day when you feel it's too strong. As your skills grow you will be able to control the 3m in some very strong winds. At 1st, not so much! :smug:

There is plenty of opportunity to throw your money at the wrong kite. Folks on here all want you to get one that will do the job now and down the road. Avoid impulse buying and get peoples opinion of your choice before laying your money down.

Don't be fooled by Markite. He types with a Scottish accent but he speaks like a Canadian EH!

P.S. Big points for listening to advice on here. We all want 1 magic kite that does it all but have found out that doesn't exist. We seem to find that bigger isn't better but MORE is better when it comes to the right kite size.

Go handles to start with, you will get the maximum kite control and will learn how a kite reacts to both push/pull and adding brake pressure.
Kite wise any of the big names will fit the bill to start static flying: Ozone, Flexifoil, HQ etc not in any order, I bought my wife a 4m Ozone Flow, but kiting was not really her thing and we sold it for the same as I paid for it, so buy wisely with advice and you won't loose out.

Use your kite killers too or you'll lose your new kite in that off-shore breeze to the North Sea. Avoid flying altogether if the wind is too high 20+mph or too gusty, especially too gusty. Your strength, height and weight will be no match for an angry 3m kite and you'll be ragged dolled. Start in low wind and be mindful of people and obstacles downwind of your position. Take care, have fun.