Ok so, my friend bought his first traction kite and had flown a few times when I decided it was my time to try this madness named power kiting. The day I tried my hand at piloting the winds were between 8-10 mph with lulls and very few gusts to abut 12 mph. How difficult could this be? I strapped on the kite killers and picked up the handles to the Peter Lynn Twister 2 4.1m, and up she went. I was impressed right our of the gate with the amount of power this kite could generate in lower winds, then again, this was my first flight. Needless to say, I'm hooked and I am about to purchase my first kite. I was looking at the Twister 2 5.6m. I know, I know, beginner kites shouldn't really exceed 4m, but where I live (Naples, FL) the winds rarely blow above 20mph unless a hurricane is on top of us. (Hmmm, hurricane force winds?) I kid, I kid! Seriously though, I weigh approx. 185 - 195 pounds and wind conditions would usually be between 7-15 mph. Would this kite be a good place to "jump off" into the traction kiting world?


Thanks!

You will get much more use and learn much faster with the 3m kite. This kite has lift also which isn't ideal for you to learn with, but if you are careful with your wind choices, you can work with that. You might want to look at the Hornet to reduce the lift. You could also consider an HQ Beamer III (old model you might find a deal on) or Beamer IV in the recommended 3m size.

7-15 mph is not light wind for kiting unless you are talking about kiteboarding on the water. If you spent some time on your friend's 4.1m then you could start with the larger kite, but be careful. And remember that the larger the kite, the smaller the practical usable wind range. My Hornet 3m is usable from 5 mph to 25 mph, yielding a range of 20. My Reactor 10.8 is usable from about 2 mph to 7. The Twister is a lifter kite, further limiting the range in which you and keep your feet on the ground. 5.6 is good for jumping, just don't think about 20 mph with it.

That 3m kite will be a handful in 15+ winds. The 5m will try to kill you in those winds (at first). I would seriously recommend the 3m for now. Then pick up the 5 later.

That 3m kite will always be fun to fly, even when you have a lot of flight time. I watched a guy pump a 2m to over 20mph in a buggy this past weekend! What a rush!

I agree with Beamerbob,

BTW, welcome to the forum and our addiction, I mean sport

The hornet is a fantastic kite, I love this lil kite, I just sold my 3m and plan on getting a 4m... one thing I'd like to mention is that I've been flying power kites for 7+ years and I'm still buying these so called beginner kites, point is you'll never out grow them so getting one now is really not a bad idea because you'll own one eventually... might as well start off with one and work your way up, you'll fly the more advanced kite with skill when you get one and appreciate the technology behind them...

The biggest that I might feel O.K. recommending is a "4m" Hornet, Beamer IV, Ozone Flow, Flexi Blurr and even the U-turn Helium II, based on your weight and wind conditions...

Edited WOW only BB had posted when I started this reply...
Everyone makes a great point here

By the way you live in an area that has, I believe a few pilots/kiters that would most likely let you try some of these beginner style kites so you can make a experience driven decision... some shops have demo kites to try and that helps...
I have to admit the Twister II is a great kite by all means, the question is, is it the best starter...

Mougl, What are you going to do?? Bug, ATB, just fly??

I LOVE my 3.5 Blurr in the bug up to about 23 or so, more wind I'm looking at a 2.5. I do like to be athletic with it and move the kite and loop to generate power and smiles...smaller kites are faster...I'd go with everyones' suggestion of 3 or 3.5 for a first kite, then you won't be grounded by too much kite(or hurt) on days from 12-20.
Grab that 5 as a second kite after you develop some skill. I have both, I fly my 3.5 90%.

I've started out with an Ozone Flow 4m and it really is a great beginner kite. Its very predictable and stable even in very nasty gusts. I would wholeheartedly recommend it

Im not planning on boarding/buggy piloting, mostly just freestyle stuff. Eventually I'd like to get into kite surfing, but for now I want to be able to hit the beach, or an open field and have some fun. After readin all the replies here, I've started looking into the smaller sizes (4m and below) as I don't intend to kill myslef learning more about this addiction, er I mean sport. I'm about to go flying with my friend again today as the winds are looking amazing! We have about 13-15 sustained at the moment so I want to see how his kite handles in these conditions. Again, he has a Twister II 4.1m.

Thanks for all the input!!

Quote:

Originally posted by bobalooie57 I watched a guy pump a 2m to over 20mph in a buggy this past weekend! What a rush!

Corey hit 29.2 mph with his Beamer 2m on Sunday... I was right behind him and he was cooking.

mougl

good to see you hear asking questions. These guys will not steer you wrong. Let us know how you guys like the 4.1 in a little more wind. And just have it in the back of your head when you are flying the 4.1 today that if you had a 5.6 you would be feeling about 40% more power than your feeling with the 4.1. Are you ready for that?

a beginner kite, in low/normal winds, is an advanced kite in high winds.
get experience and add power later.

Quote:

Originally posted by revpaul a beginner kite, in low/normal winds, is an advanced kite in high winds. get experience and add power later.

So true...I moved the brake line up one knot on my sting 1.7 and in 14-16 mph it is FAST, and was scudding my 6'2", 165# friend all over the place. In higher wind, that thing is a handful.

Hi mougl

I am a newbie. I had the same questions. You're in the right place and doing the right thing by asking. I struggled with the "beginner" label whether it was applied to the kite or to my skillset. I wound up buying 2 kites on day one. A 4m Beamer and a 2.4m Sting. So my "average" between the 2 kites was the recommended 3 meters. I can say this in hindsight, knowing what I know now, IF (a big IF) I was purchasing only 1 kite it would be the 3m Beamer. I think a sensible beginner can handle a 4m kite but you don't get to fly it as much as a 3m kite. What we need as beginners is flying time otherwise known as practice. And IF (another big IF) I was thinking of jumping as a newbie on my first kite, I'd forget that idea for now. You can look throughout this forum (I did) and find many many threads on the perils of being a 'jumping newbie'. There seems to be certain combinations of words that just don't go together for beginners.

1st kite = 5.6m
1st kite = lifty
newbie = jump
jump = safe
etc etc

I am curious to see what you think of that 4m Twister in sustained 13-15mph. I am 185lbs and I'd love to try it but I don't think I'd run out and buy a 5.6m Twister for my first kite..... unless of course I could rationalize it by buying a 3m kite at the same time :bouncy::bouncy::bouncy:

if you were to ask everyone on here with a lot of experience if they have ever been hurt flying(and they were to answer honestly) the answer EVERY time would be yes---so THAT should tell you something right there..... these are the MOST experienced and knowledgeable kiters here and yet,they still get hurt at times-so.........BE CAREFUL-BE SAFE --yes,it is exhilirating,but somewhat dangerous--even with every possible safety measure in place--on the other hand hundreds if not thousands of people die every year tripping over a crack in the sidewalk on their morning walk--so i say get that 3m out and live a little:P

Quote:

Originally posted by DonaldLL Hi mougl I am a newbie. I had the same questions. You're in the right place and doing the right thing by asking. I struggled with the "beginner" label whether it was applied to the kite or to my skillset. I wound up buying 2 kites on day one. A 4m Beamer and a 2.4m Sting. So my "average" between the 2 kites was the recommended 3 meters. I can say this in hindsight, knowing what I know now, IF (a big IF) I was purchasing only 1 kite it would be the 3m Beamer. I think a sensible beginner can handle a 4m kite but you don't get to fly it as much as a 3m kite. What we need as beginners is flying time otherwise known as practice. And IF (another big IF) I was thinking of jumping as a newbie on my first kite, I'd forget that idea for now. You can look throughout this forum (I did) and find many many threads on the perils of being a 'jumping newbie'. There seems to be certain combinations of words that just don't go together for beginners. 1st kite = 5.6m 1st kite = lifty newbie = jump jump = safe etc etc I am curious to see what you think of that 4m Twister in sustained 13-15mph. I am 185lbs and I'd love to try it but I don't think I'd run out and buy a 5.6m Twister for my first kite..... unless of course I could rationalize it by buying a 3m kite at the same time :bouncy::bouncy::bouncy:

Very well put D...

Its great that a (sorry :saint: ) newbie as yourself come and share your experience and knowledge with people in the learning stage you where in a few weeks ago...

I think your comments should weigh a lot with someone not far behind you in starting out...

I know I can appreciate comments from others in similar situations I'm in, when looking for info myself...

I give you and extra wind points...

Wind was around 12mph, not too many gusts and that Twister II 4.1m was a blast. The only thing I wanted was more power. Got a couple short scuds in, didnt want to attempt a jump just yet. (I'd prefer to keep my bones in one piece) As a newbie out for only my second flying session, I'd say I did pretty well. Kite only took 1 spill, launching was smooth, was able to power it up with ease, and I think I scared the crap out of my friend who was filming me with a few dives Overall, I love the 4.1 and will continue to fly it, though I did order the 5.6. I know its more kite than I can handle at my level but my buddy and I will be flying together at all times soooo, in lighter winds I can use the 5.6, and when the wind picks up to over 10-12, I can trade off with him. I'll keep posting as I progress, and the video of today should be up soon!

Yup, I'm hooked!!!

Quote:

Originally posted by kitejumper if you were to ask everyone on here with a lot of experience if they have ever been hurt flying(and they were to answer honestly) the answer EVERY time would be yes---so THAT should tell you something right there..... these are the MOST experienced and knowledgeable kiters here and yet,they still get hurt at times-so.........BE CAREFUL-BE SAFE --yes,it is exhilirating,but somewhat dangerous--even with every possible safety measure in place--on the other hand hundreds if not thousands of people die every year tripping over a crack in the sidewalk on their morning walk--so i say get that 3m out and live a little:P

Wow, you offer up something that profound on your 6th post? I never thought about it that way, and you are very correct. I'm sure the regular posters here have all had some injury at one time or another. I'm also sure they have all been yarded a time or two and remember it like it was this afternoon. I can tell you the kite, wind and sky conditions of every time a kite has had its way with me. You jump in any time here.

just my two bits: I recommended a 4.1 twister to a 20 stone guy here on the forum back around chrsitmas, and four months later he was back on the forum saying the kite was too much for him and he was ready for something easier. He did say he had lots of strong inland winds, though.

and size isn't everything. jumps under a powered-up 4m with the wind around 20 miles an hour are fast and exhilirating, jumps the same height under an 8m canopy are slow and floaty.

finally, there's no way around it: to play with the wind this way you'll need more than one kite. It's best to start smaller and cheaper as it greatly reduces the risk of injury, never mind all the other reasons, that one alone should do it.

my first kite was a 5m ace. I flew it once, got a 1.4 snapshot (bit bigger than a postage stamp and 2-line) and flew that thing to rags before getting going on smaller 4-line kites. I've been trying jumps for about eight months now, and it's just now coming together to become consistent and controllable. You'd get there a lot faster with locals to help you out though, I'm pretty much self taught.

BB: nice shout-out you did just there.... (your post just prior to this) I reckon kitejumper might just have few more hours under ripstop than his 6 posts let on....:frog:

mougl, congratulations on your first kite! Man I remember that feeling like it was yestersday.... uhhhhh, well it was not much longer than just yesterday. It's nice that you have your friend's 4.1m as a backup and you have purchased a very nice kite in that Twister. I might even be a little jealous :dunno:

Please do us a favor and specifically please do me the favor of posting a review in the Kite Review section once you get that baby up in the sky. With you and I having similar level of experience I'd like to know your impressions of the 5.6m Twister. Good luck, have fun, and have R-E-S-P-E-C-T for your new 'friend'

BTW, you have a a fellow Twister 5.6m owner (Drewculous) that has a post in the Kite Review section... check it out.

I was gonna say - buy both the 3m and 5m. The sub-3m 2-line kites are dirt cheap and you can use them to get your friends hooked and sell them your old gear and you've got options, depending on what the winds doing ...

beamer bob--well,sir, it is more than 6 posts-that is a new login as i couldnt use the other name for some reason.....i have not yet been hurt(thankfully),but then again ive only been at it a year now---not sure what to make of your post--my concern is for this newbies safety--THATS IT--have a nice day sir

Quote:

Originally posted by kitejumper beamer bob--well,sir, it is more than 6 posts-that is a new login as i couldnt use the other name for some reason.....i have not yet been hurt(thankfully),but then again ive only been at it a year now---not sure what to make of your post--my concern is for this newbies safety--THATS IT--have a nice day sir

Nothing to make of it at all. Prima Facia. No intention to offend, just a compliment. Your depth of understanding the dangers of this sport didn't match up with someone that just started hanging around here. Furbowski understood my intentions it seemed.

beamer bob-thank you,i am learning and will always be ,no matter how long im kiting---thanks to all these great people here that so generously share their knowledge---i think i hear the wind howling--GOT TO GO:wee: