I've been using my HQ Beamer 3m for a year now and want to step it up to some board sports. I am a veteran snowboarder and thought this would be a good place to start with the board sports. I do need some advice however, my questions are:

1. I currently use a 4 string kite with quad handles, I know I will need to get a control bar, what do you recommend? I'd like one I can use with my current kite and use with my new kite when i upgrade. When I look online at control bars there are a lot of different accessories ie chicken loop, birdie lines, leashes etc. Is there a "control bar kit" that includes everything I would need?? I was looking at the "best bar" and it seems to include everything???

2. I want a larger kite than my 3m which I could use for both snowkiting on my snowboard and then move into kitesurfing. Can you use an inflatable kite in the winter or is this a bad idea and I would require two kites?

Any help you guys/girls can offer would be appreciated in helping me make the move from my quad handle 4-line 3m trainer to board sports. I do not have the resources available to me to go get lessons, or get advice from a shop as I live in a fairly rural area and ABSOLUTELY NO ONE flies traction kites where I live.

Im fairly confident with my flying ability, and very confident with my snowboarding ability, however Im not very confident when it comes to all the accessories required to use with a control bar and harness.

Thanks!!!

Seems to me like you need a flysurfer or a peter lynn... depending on your wind conditions. You can self launch and land these pretty easily (my experience is with flysurfers).

It will do for land and water purposes, and the FS'ers come readfy to fly with bar and lines.

You will need a different kite than a 3m beamer to snowkite... there is a lot of friction runniong against the snow, same with water.

There is a kite that powerzone (member on this forum) is selling that I think would be good, depending on your conditions... please listen to more people than one when making a decision on which kite.

The kite I am referencing would be the 13m pulse for like $600... really a good price, and good guy to deal with also.

I'm sure he is better at answering any qustions about it than I am. I can attest that the pulse is a very friendly kite, as I own the 7m version.

You will need a harness, also, and protective gear would help, too.

Welcome to the forum.

Here is a good kite for your needs at an unbeatable price !

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=8019

It is complete and depower. A very good size for getting started on land. With the closed cells you can take it out on the water as well. Depower is the way to go on snow !

Get a good training video if you can't get lessons. Be SURE and learn all about self rescue before heading out on the water .

Many people use inflatables on land but you are better off with a foil until you don't crash all the time !

I looked at that kite, backed out because I didn't have the cash, with the new price drop it's a seriously good bargain, the bar and lines will allow you to buy your next kite as "kite only"... Also it's pretty much your depower kit / bar sorted, with a kite in a good size for a starter depower.

the 13m is a much bigger step up in power as well as double the price, although it too is a very good deal!

In addition it's a closed cell (I believe) which makes it a good option for body dragging and possibly getting going on a biggish board on the water.

Check into the closed cell foils in a Depower as mentioned before, also a lot of the new inflatables are made virtually indestructible and would be just as good, and in some opinions, better... Both avenues will work great for both snow and water...

I agree and highly recommend the training for safety reasons, and the depower adds to the equation... adding the kiting, depower and snowboarding all together is a handful, you should have a edge knowing both the kite and board so your learning curve should be semi fast...

Good luck, enjoy and be safe, keep us up on your progress...

you say that you need a bar to ride but there are plenty of people out there who fly handles on snow and even water. keep fixed bridled kites with handles as an option as well. yeah it may not be as comfy and you dont have depower but its something to consider.

Thanks for the input guys, i actually pulled the trigger on that 6m North! I really like what i read about the FS pulse, but the cost when converted to Canadian $$ + shipping is just not in the cards. I'll be in St Augustine in April and will likely look at something else at that time, its where I bought my beamer 3m last year.

I'll let you guys know how I make out with some pics once i get out on it!

I remember when i bought my Beamer 3m with no instruction, seemed very daunting.

WOW,

After last weekend I thought this kite was off the market ? ( way too good a kite to let go so cheap ) You are lucky you moved on it + that Bugeyed decided to let it go !

Last Sat. a person may have been able to enjoy a day of snowkiting on Fixed bridle because the wind was slow + steady. The next day when we got real wind flying F.B. would have been frustrating at least ! One fellow was out learning on a 4m Brooza but wasn't likely to advance on that kite ?

Depower is a far better choice on snow. You will like this one !