I want to get started in traction kiting and have been looking around at different kites and was wondering if the new access xc was for me when i get used to it i would like to use it for snow kiting and with the mountain board, for this reason i thought i would get a 6m kite( I weigh approx. 200lbs) is this good for me to start out with or is there a better kite to learn with, also i live on the southern alberta- saskatchewan borderare there any good places to shop for these things around here if anyone knows some help would be greatly appreciated.

hi and welcome to PKF

Learning with a depower is feasible. Many people do it around here. Just get a lesson when buying the kite and it will ease the learning curve, and you'll be aware of the kiting security aspects which is the most important thing to avoid injuries for you and people watching you.

The ozone access is a depower beginner kite, so perfect choice. And other models could fit into as well, such as HQ Neo, HQ Apex, Flysurfer Pulse 1 or 2 (most loved kite here :-))

At 200 lbs, 6m is a small kite which will be perfect for high winds when you gain experience. BUT FOR NOW, this is your LIGHT WIND kite. Don't go out in strong winds until you can manage the kite well.

It's strongly advised to learn on a small kite in light winds, and gradually increase as your skills improve.

Eventually later this year, you may get a 10m to complement.

I am 185, and my first depower was an access 4m. Now my smallest depower is an 8m.

ride safe.

Brian check your U2U mailbox
S

Is the Alasca 7.5 too big for me to start out with
:o

I don't know anything about the Alasca, but a 7.5 MIGHT be a reasonable size to start with. Are we talking about a first depower or your very first traction kite ever? I think that I'd recommend getting a 2 or 3 meter trainer for your first move. In fact I think that you should get one ordered today while you figure out your next kite purchase. It will serve you well, teach you a lot about flying a kite and is still something you can bust out for some fun later on and use to teach friends to kite. If you find you aren't flying it after a year you can always sell it.

As far as a first depower I started with an Ozone Access 8m last year after months of experience on smaller fixed bridle kites. I've got to say that it was quite a bit of kite to handle starting off, but I knew that I didn't want to buy two brand new kites last winter so I went with the 8m to start. If you're willing to add a second kite later on then I think that the 6m Access would be an ideal depower kite to start with. Once you've mastered it you can add a larger kite for lower winds and keep the 6m for high winds. However if you are going to try to get away with only one major kite purchase for a while then you probably ought to go bigger than the 6m.

According to the Ozone website this is the only retailer in Canada: http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/contact/distributors/38...

Quote:

Originally posted by kiteNH According to the Ozone website this is the only retailer in Canada: http://www.flyozone.com/snowkites/en/contact/distributors/38...

That is the distributor. A lot more Ozone retailers in Canada.

I live in the same corner of the world. I've sent you an email.
The closest Ozone dealer is muller wind sports in Cochrane. They do offer some lessons through the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre
www.calgaryoutdoorcentre.ca/
Go to programs, then to winter sports, then to kite skiing/boarding.

If you are not too far away I've got a 3m fixed bridle kite you can play with to learn the basics.

The 7.5m Alasca would likely be a good fit once you got the basics down.