I have been training on a HQ Rush Pro 3, 3m for last 4-5 months and been out in different wind conditions from 0-30s. Mostly scudding and some minor jumping (not in a rush to get big air yet). I feel good about handling the kite and have also tried blind flying with success.

So I guess now that summer is over debating what equipment to get next, a landboard for fall season or snowboard? Is a 3m big enough to pull me on a snowboard? I'm about 175lbs, 5'7


thanks

My suggestion would be an Arc :D . 13m-ish would be perfect for your next kite.

EDIT: woops, I read it wrong... The above part would be my suggestion for your next kite :P . In higher winds you could get going on the board, i found it hard though to stay upwind with my 3m. I'm in gusty conditions though so if you have more steady winds it might be a bit different. And which board depends on what your conditions are like. do you have lots of snow? more areas with snow than areas with no snow? etc...

I'm about the same size a you are.

3m is likely too small to pull you on a snowboard unless the wind is over 25 knots. (I never use my 3.6m HQ Beamer any more) Flying a small kite in strong winds is not really a good way to learn how to snow kite, or landboard. In those conditions, the kite goes too fast to concentrate on riding which you'll need to do when you are starting out.

Focus your $ on getting a larger kite (12-14m) that can give you plenty of power in the 10 knot range, then think about boards (land / snow depending on snow conditions / preference) If you don't get a lot of snow where you live, you can get a lot of use out of a landboard in a soccer field.

In many locations, it's hard to get the perfect combination of snow / wind. So to ensure that you can ride in the widest range of conditions, most active snowkiters have 2 or 3 kites. A good 2 kite quiver is a 7m & 12m. A good 3 kite quiver, 6m, 10m, 13/14m.

Some advanced riders add a 4m as a storm kite to their quiver for 30+ knots. Riding in those conditions is limited to speed runs (for most people).

Here's local Ontario instructor Paul Berube riding a 4m in 30 knots. Note how fast the kite is moving in the downloop at 1:29...


You should have a lesson to fly the kite sizes I'm talking about.

Have a great season.

Wait ... wait ... just hold on a minute guys. Do you feel comfortable throwing him into a 10m+ depower with only experience on a trainer??

I don't .... I'm thinking something more like a 4m fixed bridle. Or maybe even a 5m since he does have the rush for higher wind days.

EDIT: I still stand with my above post, but I think I misread the question. It appears the question is landboard or snowboard. Not what kite.

EDIT TO THE EDIT ... above posts changed their posts so now mine doesn't look like it makes sense. It did with the original posts.

Quote:

Wait ... wait ... just hold on a minute guys. Do you feel comfortable throwing him into a 10m+ depower with only experience on a trainer??

Isnt that what most kiteboarding schools do?

Quote:

Originally posted by snobdr Quote: Wait ... wait ... just hold on a minute guys. Do you feel comfortable throwing him into a 10m+ depower with only experience on a trainer?? Isnt that what most kiteboarding schools do?

snobdr does bring up a good point. Lessons are always recommended. And if your instructor feels you are ready for a larger depower kite and is there to help you that is great. But if your learning on your own with no instruction then I stick to my previous post.

Quote:

Originally posted by snobdr Quote: Wait ... wait ... just hold on a minute guys. Do you feel comfortable throwing him into a 10m+ depower with only experience on a trainer?? Isnt that what most kiteboarding schools do?

I imagine so but that is with an experienced instructor standing at your side. I've made big leaps like that with an experienced rider standing beside me to get me through that first flight and make sure I get into a comfort zone. Being out there by yourself can be less safe and more intimidating to a flier with only 3m trainer experience.

I don't know... i think that if he's been out in winds above 25mph on the 3m kite he's definitely ready for a step up. He knows the window, has felt the crazy power they can pull... a 5m fixed bridle is what i went to next and i think that a 13m arc and a 5m fixed bridle pull about the same. I personally think that a 13m arc is safer than a 5m fixed bridle...

As you can see, there's different ways of looking at your next step sinclair . If you have someone that can show you the ropes then I still would vote for a 13m arc depower kite. Or if it's not an arc something around the 10m range if you're going for an opencell foil depower.

I have to agree with forgiven, my first kite was the Ozone 3.5M Imp trainer, I had intentions of snowkiting, and this was recommended by my kite 'mentor'. My second kite, also at recommendation of same, was the 8M AccessII. It was brand-new, but 2 year old model and the price was a steal. Never have regretted that purchase. I had flown the Imp enough that I felt quite confident going to the Access.

Quote:

Being out there by yourself can be less safe and more intimidating to a flier with only 3m trainer experience.

Dosent matter what your on, one should never ride alone. Always best to have a buddy just in case.

I live in Chicago and still scouting out sites to practice, currently been practicing at the beach. Is the snow more forgiving?

I have been thinking about upgrading to a 6-10m kite with depower capabilities, from my understanding that would allow greater adjustability in varying conditions. High throttle in low winds and low throttle in high winds.

regarding instructions, I missed the summer season but maybe I could take snowboarding ones. Any suggestions for locations?


@f0rgiv3n: yes, was more asking about getting a landboard or snowboard, but maybe your point is a 3m is to small to learn snowboarding

@william_rx7: cool video, guessing transition from snowboarding to kitesurfing should be easier

sinclair, I've never ridden in Chicago but I've heard about guys getting in some snowkiting at Grass Lake


This spot looks interesting too, but hasn't been confirmed.
Schaumburg


You might want to check-out the www.chicagokitesurfing.com forum for local info.

Yes, snowkiting will significantly shrink your learning curve for kitesurfing.

Quote:

Originally posted by snobdr Quote: Being out there by yourself can be less safe and more intimidating to a flier with only 3m trainer experience. Dosent matter what your on, one should never ride alone. Always best to have a buddy just in case.

There's that telescopic view again.

1. Dakitez questioned suggesting a 10 meter depower for someone with only 3m trainer experience

2. Snobdr suggested that is what kiteboarding schools do.

3. I commented that at a kiteboarding school, you have the benefit of a seasoned flier standing beside you and it is less safe and more intimidating to make a big leap in kite by yourself.

4. Snobdr speaks of it being unsafe to kite by yourself. True, but not remotely on track with the discussion. Just argumentative.

BB you are obviously another that dosent like me. There is no argument in what i said. A statement was made about kiting alone. I posted my feelings on that. If you dont like that im straight foward and speek my mind then dont read what i post. Its that simple.
And you tell me my statement is true, but i have no buisness posting it?

@william_rx7: great info, hope to explore those sites sooner than later