Hey guys,

My Godbrother introduced me to POWERKITING today, and I've checked out some vids on youtube and some other stuff and I think its really fun and I should try it (I'm trying to find a new hobby for myself since I've stopped plentiful gaming etc.)

So my question to you experts, how should I start out? What kite should I get? And any other necessary info I should know about.

THANKS!!!

-Damian

Welcome !
What state are you in ? Best thing is to meet some local flyers in your area. Most people are willing to let you try their kite and that will help you decide what kites you like. What kite were you flying with your godbrother ? how much do you weigh and what do you want to do ? ( buggy, jump, board ) This will help us out. Oh and the big question how much $ do you have to spend ?

Hey! Thanks.

I'm in California, I haven't seen anyone around. I actually haven't flied yet, but it looks pretty sweet. I weigh 240 (muscular built) and I'm aiming towards jumping and ATB boarding.

Heh... I currently have about 350 to spend, but hopefully I can get my mom to buy me a kite or two for Christmas.

Talked to him on AIM, his GB just got into it and doesnt have a kite yet, he's just excited. He has not flown b4, I reccomend PANSH if he has some flyers to help him set up, we came down to maybe the christmas package. He weighs like 250 (football+rugby) and he wants to jump and ATB. I think PANSH is right in his price range. (Sorry to beat you to your own post, just trying to get some info for u sooner) Would you reccomend he maybe start with a 5 and 2 or go right for a 6 meter or so since he can hold down a fair amount of power?

Welcome to the forum!

AAHHHH!!!! Krap u beat meee not cool!

hahaha yeaaaa
taste the sweetness of defeat!!... wait that didnt make sense but you get the point:D

where at in Cali ? If your in the norcal area your welcome to try my kites. I even know someone who can get you a good deal on Pansh

I think it'd be worth while to have at least one smaller kite to learn from. The handling is very important to learn (and learn well) and IMO the smaller kites - less than or equal to 3-ish meters - will quickly teach you how much control you have over these things and how the wind window works (where the real power is and how to get out of it in a hurry without killing the kite) so that when you get the bigger guns out you know what's possible and quickly learn the response times of the larger foils.

I'm all for Pansh if there is someone who can help with the initial setup. Can't beat the price per sq meter.

Just my 2¢. I'm new too - only 2 or three months into this but in very deep ; )

well i live in san jose, south bay area, im going up to sacramento with my cousin from the 25th until the 30th.

and thanks for the tips!

if you want we could hook up while you are here. I live 30 minutes from sac.

and the NOrcal contigent grows!!

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy Just my 2¢. I'm new too - only 2 or three months into this but in very deep ; )

Mac, you make me feel more normal with the increase in my quiver count since getting into this in April. I agree on the 3m or less for the learning. You need to be able to develop your senses without laying your life on the line every time you fly, not to mention bystanders.

so the christmas package might be his best bet 2 to learn with and a 5 for some traction

Sounds like a good bet to me. If I were to do it all over again I'd go that route....not that there's anything wrong with the route I've taken thus far (right, Beamer Bob?) - other than some kites sitting unused for a while while my skills develop. I'm happy to say I think I'm ready to take out the 7's.....once I find a wide open place with plenty of dragging room for me as I try to pull the killers off in a panic ; )

Quote:

Originally posted by damiandaszynski well i live in san jose, south bay area, im going up to sacramento with my cousin from the 25th until the 30th. and thanks for the tips!

Come by Shoreline in Mountain View during weekends. There should be few us Power Kiters out there that fly on regular basis even during light wind days.

I usually hit the kite field around 1PM. If it's blowing good I stay till sunset.

Expect low wind at the moment. If you plan on going, send me a U2U and I'll meet with you there. I've got kites of different sizes for each wind condition that you can try.

Here's me flying a 6.5m last weekend at 3.8 kt. max wind.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r101/elkiter/_MG_9993b.jp...

cheers,
e

Nice pic. Dan are you going to go to O.B. On the what is it? 12th of Jan? Dilish and I are going we need some more kites in the air that day! Call your friends and lets do this. Dagon, What do you think? Can you make it? Oh and almost forgot , Welcome damski!

Quote:

Originally posted by elkiter Quote: Originally posted by damiandaszynski well i live in san jose, south bay area, im going up to sacramento with my cousin from the 25th until the 30th. and thanks for the tips! Come by Shoreline iin Mountain View during weekends. There should be few us Power Kiters there that fly on regular basis even during light wind days.

Alright thanks for the heads up
the only problem is be getting a ride, sunday is my best bet but this xmas break im packed >< ill let you know when/if i can get over there

and also, thanks rasher!!

Quote:

Originally posted by dlish89 if you want we could hook up while you are here. I live 30 minutes from sac.

yea i let my cousin know that i might be meeting you when i go up there, so ill talk with him and hopefully we can arrange some time

I don't know if I'd go with a 2 and a 5. 3m is a big gap. My gaps are all only 1.5m. He's a big boy so a 5 would be good at some point but at his weight, I'd think a 3 and 5 is better and a 3m is a good kite to start on and keep as a high wind option. My high wind kite is a 2.5 and I'm 100 pounds lighter than him and can use that kite upto ~30mph.

A 2 will teach you but quickly become boreing at your weight.

I'm 200 lb and even found the gap between my 3m and 5.5m to be too big when learning to ATB this summer with gusty winds. The 3m is great to learn on but I often found that I would be going great in the gusts and squalls but stand still the rest of the time. I often started out a session with my 5.5, felt overpowered in the gusts, packed up and pulled out the 3, only to be disappointed in the lulls. It made me expand my comfort zone with the 5.5.

Sounds like you will be able to try a few kites to get an idea.

Don't forget other essentials like a good helmet that covers the back of your head (search: helmet on this forum) and maybe some knee and elbow pads.

Welcome to a new addiction.