So I've been flying my beginner kite (2.something) for a while now and have gotten very good at setting it up and flying. I don't crash anymore even in strong gusty winds. It's been a blast.

I was advised on this board to take it slow progress into jumping or kite boarding.

My question is, what is my next step and when do I take it?

Great Question!!! We get a LOT of first timers and newbs here, but what about someone who has taken the beginner advice?

What is the next step? How do you know you are ready to get a bigger kite? What is a good kite to go to from a 2-3M?

there is no official license test that I know of to graduate to the next level ;-) like can you fly without watching the kite? figure 8 , ladders, etc while looking somewhere else besides the kite?

Do you need more power? is your current kite not enough power on the majority of your days?

I feel fairly confident selling people 5-6m kites when they have previous experience like yourself and still have the smaller kite. Because when you have 2 kites to choose from you will be smarter in your decision. If it feels too much for your larger kite you will pull out the smaller kite. But when you only have the one big kite to pick from is when things can go bad.

If you feel good with this kite, and your skills with said kite, now seems good, lol!

Seriously, if you upsize to a 5m crossfire or twister, and take it slow to begin with. You'll have a blast. Both of these kites are lifty, but not crazy lifty like a blade... And they seem to handle gusts pretty well... I roll a twister 5.6 and i love it, good jumping/atb machine!

Progress happens at different rates for different people.

We push our limits in this sport by nature. If you feel ready odds are that you are. Being logical about what is safe and taking calculated risks is how we all survive + get better.

I say go for it !

Hopefully by now you have a feeling for what you want to do as you progress. If you plan on riding on the water then it is probably time for a lesson. It will be money well spent. It will make you a better + safer kiter. It will also speed up the learning curve.

If you are planning on Jumping and kiteboarding on the water you may as well go to a depower kite next. This is what you will be flying in the end.

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Originally posted by Bladerunner Progress happens at different rates for different people. We push our limits in this sport by nature. If you feel ready odds are that you are. Being logical about what is safe and taking calculated risks is how we all survive + get better. I say go for it ! .

WELL SAID

When are you ready for a bigger kite? When there's not enough wind to get your smaller kites moving.
Someone, I think it's Coastal Wind Sports.com has a great Beaufort Scale guide with comments on what kites to use in what wind ... have a look for that!

So I should go with a depower kite or fixed bridle? Any particular models?

I believe from your other thread that your ultimate goal is landboarding? I have heard/seen both depower and fixed bridle kites flown with a board. I would say if you plan on eventually kitesurfing get a depower - but if you are gonna stay on land mostly get a fixed bridle? But I am no expert.

Just curious - What was your first kite?

Yes, landboarding. I have no interest in going into the water at this point. First kite is a blade.

Oh, I took kite boarding to mean kite surfing.

I didn't know they made a 2. something Blade ?

What kind of winds are you flying in ? Inland ? Usual Speed ?

For Mountain boards and jumping you can use either type of kite.

Fixed bridle + A bit cheaper, more simple, more power for size. - Less wind range ( you would want at least 2 more kites ) , a bit less safe ( hooked in ) ,

Depower foil + more wind range, more safe , easier / safer / higher / better/ more fun jumps. - More expensive, a bit more complicated bridle.

Arcs Same as depower but also auto zenith and superior gust munching. They take a little more getting used to but it pays off!

Depower kites and arcs need a good bit of wind to fly. If you have winds of less that 10mph most of the time then stick with a fixed bridle. If you live in a gusty but windy location then an arc is a good idea.

You don't NEED closed cell for what you want to do but the arcs are that way so will be able to be used on water.

I fly inland as it's close to home, but can always make it to the coast.

Oh yeah sorry, it's actually Rage not Blade.

So basically everything is safer and more fun with a depower. I think you have me convinced. I will continue to research on the message board and hopefully figure this out. See what other opinions are out there and anyone on here feel free to post your opinions on what I should get, depower vs. fixed bridle.

Yeah but you gotta get a harness and stuff for de-power ... get a bigger, used fixed bridle with some kite-killers and have a play.
Get a cheap 5m foil and have a go!

Fixed bridal kites are easier to learn on... Thats how i got my start on my board... Depowers are great on the boards, but there is a lot more going on with depowers, and if you are new to boarding, its just more stuff you have to learn at once...

Nail down a bigger Fixed bridal Kite than what you got
Get the boarding down
then add a depower to take it to the next level

I am not so sure that it is all that much more complicated to fly depower as compared to handles ? I think that transitioning from handles to depower takes a bit of re-learning . The majority of kiters that take lessons go straight from a trainer to depower without any major issues.

I would say it took me as long or longer to learn how to fly handles "properly" than it did to pick up depower ?

Please don't get me wrong. Handles will work fine and will probably be cheaper.

I am clearly Depower baised but have tried both and still fly both.

recently i sold all my extra fixed bridle kites so that i could move into using only depowers (arcs) for my landboarding... they can be found inexpensively, have amazing capabilities that fixed bridles dont offer... its hard to dial into lots of power with out being overpowered on fixed bridles... its fun in a buggy, but its not as much fun on a mountainboard...

for landboarding, i now prefer depowers.... not to mention it is a lot easier to get some floaty jumps with the arcs!

for me fixed bridle = buggy and depower = landboard/ surfing

just my opinion.... where do you kite?

I kite in a field inland and also a field that is next to the ocean. Have easy access to beach so I will try that next.

Where do you find depowers inexpensively? They seem quite high when I search the internet.

Stay away from the For Sale sections
Foils (fixed bridles) are easier to set up and stuff ... no pumps, no harnesses needed. Get a 5m and go mad!

I am getting closer to making that purchase. The amount of different kites and brands is overwhelming me. I am having trouble making a decision.

What do you guys think about a Blade 4 6.5?

If anyone can really just tell me the exact kite to get, I know it's opinion, but this is really ridiculous after a while.

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Originally posted by oldrestless I am getting closer to making that purchase. The amount of different kites and brands is overwhelming me. I am having trouble making a decision. What do you guys think about a Blade 4 6.5? If anyone can really just tell me the exact kite to get, I know it's opinion, but this is really ridiculous after a while.

A blade IV 6.5m is a great kite but to go from what you have to that kite is death on 4 lines my friend

10m Charger then !

That will give you a month or so to make up your mind !

NO ONE can tell you what is the right kite for you !

NO KITE is good for all things all the time.

Buy something and sell it if you don't like it. If you do like it buy another in another size !

Don't go too big too fast and you will be O.K. !

I love de-power also, but in this case I'm hesitant to say a de-power is for you. The main reason is you are use to flying a small kite. With a large de-power there is much to learn about being safe with that much sail in the air ... and the biggest factor is getting them off the ground. They may be gentle giants in the sky, but they are powerful beasts when coming off the ground if you do not know the correct launching techniques and skills. I think I'm going to agree with Kamikuza and say get a fixed bridal in the 4.5m-5m range. his will give you skills and respect of the larger sails.

This is just my opinion. And I'm going by what I have read off this thread. If you have other kiters around you or lessons to help then a de-power could definitely be for you. But if your on your own I feel you should get some more kite skills under your belt.

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Originally posted by Bladerunner NO ONE can tell you what is the right kite for you ! NO KITE is good for all things all the time. Buy something and sell it if you don't like it. If you do like it buy another in another size ! Don't go too big too fast and you will be O.K. !

we were typing at the same time

Very well said!

Usually if you buy a kite from the used section you can fly it for awhile and if you don't like it you can sell it with out losing much money if any at all. That is the best way to get some kite experience .... or buy a plane ticket out to see me and I'll throw you on so many kites in one day you will forget what you are looking for

Thanks for the help guys and I definitely do not want to die. So I'll save the 6.5 de-power for later in the game.

What do you feel about a HQ Beamer 5.0 and the Rage 6.0? I think one of these would be more appropriate.

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Originally posted by oldrestless Thanks for the help guys and I definitely do not want to die. So I'll save the 6.5 de-power for later in the game. What do you feel about a HQ Beamer 5.0 and the Rage 6.0? I think one of these would be more appropriate.

The 6.5m blade is not a de-power. I'm not clear if you know that or not. maybe the 4m blade will do you right on the low lift setting at first for sure.

A jump from 2m to 6m is a huge jump. you need something closer to 4m or 5m if going with a fixed bridle.

No, I thought you were referring to it as a de-power when you said "I love de-power also, but in this case I'm hesitant to say a de-power is for you." but I now realize that was for my fixed bridle or de-power question.

I'll check out the 4m blade. Thanks.

to add to your list take a look at the peter lynn twister and hq crossfire

DAY DREAMING ... THAT 'S WHEN THING S SHOULD CHANGE.

WHEN THE AMOUNT OF DAY DREAMING EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT OF FOCUS

IF IN DOUBT ..THEN GO OUT FOR A HIGHER WIND SESSION. THOSE ARE FREE

AND NOTHING WRONG WITH JUST MORE PRACTICE AND FUN

Actually the 4m Blade is a good choice. EASY re-sale but I think you will keep it !

Dakitze is correct that a 6.5 is a big jump. The 4m will allow you a wider wind range. Good kite but not cheap!