Me and a buddy of mine are set on getting into the sport. We need some beginning pointers tho. We will ride in Grand Forks, ND on the flatlands, using a snowboard on open fields. Winds vary from about 7 or so to about 20 average. We both have extensive sailing and snowboarding experience, and are both pilots, so we understand how the airfoils work. We need some advice on beginner gear. We dont mind starting on something a little bigger and better because we would really like to grow into something we use for a long time (we've realized this sport is a bit spendy ). Any advice is good.

Gear we already have,
Snowboard, gloves, harness,

think we need/want (feel free to correct us lol)

5-8 m 4 line traction kite
whatever bar system that allows for variable power (pulling for power)
lines of course

Please help us! We dont want to spend our money on something we will grow out of, but also not something we will never learn on our own.

Thanks!

good day ,
did you fly a multi engine the first time out? well a trainer of sorts well allow development of skills and reflexes you need to make it a little friendlier only about 10hours and go from there.
accept the fact that to buy a kite that you want grow out of will be dangerous an frustrating. a small trainer kite will help loads and be safer, this is where you will most likely go to for utility
APEX
SCOUT
MONTANA
go to coastalwindsports .com
take alook

Quote:

Originally posted by flyboy15 Please help us! We dont want to spend our money on something we will grow out of, but also not something we will never learn on our own. Thanks!

You are straddled with the classic misconception of how to get into the sport. I had my pilot's license before I had my drivers license but it did not stop me from getting the crap kicked out of me a few times. Bigger is not better to start and will frustrate you if not hurt you.

Normally you want to start with something around 3 sq. meters, but arguably on snow you could safely start with 4-5 meters, but forget about 8m for now.

The kind of kite you are talking about with a bar and variable pulling power is called a de-power kite and is not recommended for first timers without help.

Consider somethng like an HQ Scout in 4m size. It comes on a bar, but is fixed bridle (not de-power). It has a strap for optional use with a harness, but start out un-hooked until you understand the kite.

You will never grow out of your first kite; it will only become your high winds kite later on and you will liekly have a soft spot in your heart for it.

After some experience with that, you can get a de-power foil. An HQ Apex is an affordable choice and a good start- great for snow. For a little more bucks A Montana will give you better preformance and is still easy to fly. There will likely be some used Montana II or III 's on the market by the time you are ready since the IV's are coming out this winter.

I mentioned the HQ brand because you are already concerned about cost , and HQ represents a good value for the money.

good advice................heed! I would think due to its water relaunch (waterproof), the Hydra would work well on the frozen stuff, especially on wet snow.........................:dunno:

I would add the third to the already great advise you have got. The scout is a wonderful first kite I would 4m is a good size it will let you know that there is power there but will not have enough to break anything much. I started with 20 years sailing experience it helps a lot but does not prepare you for the unbelievable potential power. Start slowly Angus is right if you go too big too quickly you will break something (yourself and or kite gear)

Quote:

Originally posted by goldendmd good day , did you fly a multi engine the first time out? well a trainer of sorts well allow development of skills and reflexes you need to make it a little friendlier only about 10hours and go from there. accept the fact that to buy a kite that you want grow out of will be dangerous an frustrating. a small trainer kite will help loads and be safer, this is where you will most likely go to for utility APEX SCOUT MONTANA go to coastalwindsports .com take alook

Hey thanks all of you guys for the info. I appreciate you looking out for a new guy, and i believe this will change out decisions. And no i didnt start in a multi engine, we really just had no idea where to start. We made that range based on what other people were saying around the site. And i want to clarify that i put in the flying and sailing experience to show that we have some idea of whats going on, but by no means did i mean that i was just going to be able to pick it up and run. These tips help alot keep them coming!!!

I think if you contact your local shop www.windpowersports.us

I'm sure they'll be able to help you. Looks like they do lessons too, so you can try before you buy and get an idea of what kind of gear you can grow into.

I agree with the info so far

While it is much easier to learn on a smaller fixed bridle kite you will want to move to a depower for your second kite. A depower kite will allow you a much larger wind range, it will be better at absorbing gusts and safer over all for snowkiting.

You won't exactly grow out of your 1st kite but it will become your ultra high wind kite as you progress. Having a smaller kite to work things out on will speed up your learning curve fast ! You will become the master of it much quicker and THAT is when the learning really begins. You will be able to try new things with less consiquence. I got my 1st rides on snow with a 3m JoJo so the power is there

Perhaps you and your friend could share the smaller kite and each get a depower to move up to as soon as you feel ready ? Will you ever be planning on riding on water ? If so you should be looking at Peter Lynn arcs, Flysurfer Pulse or Pulse II, or the new HQ Neo. These kites all have " closed cells " and so can be used on land or water.

check out www.kitesurfingschool.org for general info.

The first kite I flew was the Ozone Access 4m. It's a depower kite. I had a 1.5 hour lesson by the vendor on how to fly and use the kite with all the features a depower offers.

Then I practice about 25-30 hours before going to snowkite with it. I must say that a 4m was a bit small, so the next day I wen to buy the Ozone access 8m

My second day of snowkite was on the 8m in a steady 15 knots. I was well powered and easily managed the kite. Was able to go upwind that day. I got hooked.

SO learning with a depower kite is feasible, if you :

- get proper training for the kite (a lesson is recommended)
- use the kite in static mode in low winds (below 10 knots) the 4-5 first times.
- practice safety release, landing, launching, reverse launching, know your kite
- be aware about winds (uddraft, obstacles, gusts, ...)

and wear safety equipment

I have one question as well:

This year will be my first year snowkiting and I have my 3m beamer and my 5m ace, I plan on using these two kites? I know most people use depower when snowkiting but I just can't afford it! :P I'm hoping I'll still be able to get movin' with these kites in average winds of like 15mph, does snowkiting require more or less pull than kite landboarding? I know I can even get moving with my beamer on the landboard a bit with 15mph(not a lot but I can move). My brother only has a 3m legend and i'm going to be taking him with me, We might be taking time to share the ace?

You need WAY MORE POWER in my opinion. You might be able to make some downwind runs, especially with the 5m but I don't think you'll have any chance of staying upwind in winds of 15 mph. You'll need stronger winds or bigger kites to snowkite. Also walking upwind through the snow in ski boots and dragging skiis is not fun.

Are you going to ski or snowboard? I've heard that you need more power on a board than skiis. The type of snow will also make a huge huge difference. If you're on hardpack you can get away with much less power than in powder.

I would say that 12-15 mph is really the bottom end that I can get moving on my 8m Access and really more like 15 to 20 mph is the sweet spot for that kite for me. Sorry.....time for a bigger kite in my opinion.

Ouch.... Lol... Alright well that's the information I needed. I will be snowboarding. I guess I'll see what I can manage

I'm certainly not suggesting not to give it a try. Just warning you that you may find yourself in need of more power.

Right. Well I think I'll give it a try once to see how it feels . It will definitely be a learning experience lol.