Hi guys. I've been lurking here a while, and finally decided to join up to post. I'm looking to get my first power kite, I've been flying 2 line stunt kites for a few years, but fancy something different now. I live in Cornwall in the UK, so most my flying will be on beaches, (Gwithian would probably be my go to beach with a power kite), but sometimes inland too, depending on wind. I want to progress onto landboarding, and in a years time possibly give snow kiting a whirl whilst I'm abroad, but I'll cross that bridge when it comes. I have my eye on the HQ beamer 4m ( https://www.powerkiteshop.com/kites/hqbeamerii.htm ). I'm tempted by the 4m as opposed to the 2 or 3m as I'd like to use the kite to progress with the landboarding, and not have to add another kite as soon as I start. I should also add that I'm 15 stone, so not a light whippersnapper. I am assuming that this kite will be fine to fly with a board on, and that I'm not going to be after any/much more equipment to get me started? I thought I'd post, before taking the plunge and buying!

welcome around
i know you have a lot of stones but still vote for a 3m kite
everyone needs one...

Welcome aboard Budica! A couple of things since you're asking. Most people end up having a lot of enjoyment (and some safety and security thrown in) with so-called depower kites once they get on a land board and start moving. In essence the DP kites provide a sort of power throttle difficult to achieve with a so-called fixed bridle kite like the Beamer you are contemplating purchasing. Not saying you can't make it work, but I suspect you will enjoy yourself more on the board with a DP compared to a FB kite. DP kites require a harness which will add expense, but frankly everything you are contemplating will add expense, just wait.

The DP vs FB discussion above was for once you have mastered power kiting basics and presumes you know how to manage the land board without the motive power of the kite you're adding into the mix. For learning the basics of powerkiting, I and I suspect most others here on the PKF would STRONGLY recommend learning on a 2-3m FB, not a 4m. The 4m turns like a barge compared to the 2-3m varieties in the same quiver and will rob you of a lot of reactive training essential for mastering power kite flying. The fact that you have good stunt kite experience has you a good leg up, but power kiting is different and introduces safety into the equation which should be taken seriously.

Finally, I vaguely remember being as light as 15 stones (I'm more like 17) and if I had it to do over again knowing what I know now I'd go with the 3m Beamer (being as you presented a Beamer; I've never flown one) but be prepared to start a DP/harness discussion once you are ready to hop on the board. Also, don't worry that the 3m won't have enough umph. On a day with brisk wind it will yank you off your feet. :o

Bottom line, welcome! Have fun and let us know how things go.

I fully agree with the comments above. My first kite was a 3.5m FB kite and I was about 16 stone. First outing was in gusty winds in the mid teens and I had a superman launch that knocked the wind out of me. You will have more opportunities to fly a 3m kite and learn with it than with a 4m+ kite. Once you get the hang of it, there is always a place in the quiver for a 3m kite. I got to say that my most fun kite for being in the buggy is the same 3.5m one that launched me face first in the sand on its maiden voyage

I bought a cheap POS Chinese 4.0 to get my feet wet and then.... I was hooked so to speak and got serious. My first real power kite was a 3.2m Zebra. I could fly it powered up or soft and sweet. It was great with my first buggy for a while and then...... you know...

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