So I've been considering moving my kids (ages 10 and almost 8) from fixed bridled kites to a 4-5m depower (they currently fly a 1.2 sting, 1.5 lil devil and occassionaly my 2.5) this spring when they get back out on the landboard but I have two concerns:

1) not sure if their arms are long enough to be able to push the bar out and depower the kite while landboarding?
2) harness for small kids... I know they make them but where do you get one and how do the sizes run for kids fits?

I've been really happy with the depowers I picked up and find them much more enjoyable to ride with. Anyone have any experience with young kids on depowers and how they do with harnesses??

Coming from a shorter flier...

I don't know about other kites, but I have issues with my HQ Apex I sometimes. I'm 5'6" and have trouble reaching the trimstrap. I need to add an extension or somthing so I can adjust on the fly. I do find the throw a little long for my liking too - If I had a couple more inches on my arms it would be comfortable.

Though I don't have any experience with kids on depowers, I can see there being an issue with this particular kite. I guess it would vary from kite to kite though as I don't have a problem with the Turbo Diesel.

About harnesses, I have no idea...

Hmmmm, the 5m Apex is one of the kites I had in mind for them.

Thanks for the feedback.

All of the HQ depower kites that I've used have the bars laid out for someone with longer arms. The bars with my Ozone's are much better. You could try one of the older Accesses that have the clam cleat so that they can do adjustment other than just the bar throw. For that matter, Feyd might have a 5m 05 Frenzy coming up for sale, price currently unknown.

For the trimming on the apex just do what I do. I added little extensions. There is a youtube video though of what looks like a 10yr old girl on a 5m Montana kiting on ice .

My 7m pulse is one kite that I could comfortably use with my short arms ?
Maybe a small outlaw ??

Yeah I too am one of those vertically challenged typed people (5'6"). My arms make it real hard to adjust the trim strap on the scorp. I usually have to try to adjust by pulling down on the depower line slightly and quickly making my adjustment. A bit of a pain in the ass but not too bad. Wish there was a way to set it up lower down without losing bar throw, and depower.

my son is 8, about 50 lbs and about 4 ft tall. He flies a hydra 300 that was modded to depower by Powerzone. On the ground the throw is a little long but once the kite is in the air it is fine. It is a relatively simple depower setup with no other atjustments to reach. He uses a trainer harness with a wichard type quick release. It adjusts to fit him fine and I can adjust it to fit me too. I also got that from powerzone. So far all he does is static and try to jump sometimes.

hiya all, been a lurker for quite awhile (didnt feel i had anything to add being new to big kites)
i have a 12 year old about 90 lbs. we got a hydra 350 about a month ago, (thanks dino, dakitez had me my kite as fast or faster than anything ive ordered on the internet) any way its a blast and we both like to fly it. we are getting ready to get a bigger kite this summer to try out windsurfing.
now for my question, ive seen a few talk about hydras modded to de power, since i already own the kite im not going to pay all over again for a modded one. i understand the liability involved in showing mods to others, and its probably why i haven't seen some one show how to do it, iv got a fair to good idea how could do it, but would like it if some one could show the way or least a good picture so i can see how its been done.
im sure playing with a lil depower for a while will ease my parental worry about sending my kid out on the water . her skills are good and getting better every day. and modding our hydra 350 will only add to them im sure.

Quote:

Originally posted by highazakite hiya all, been a lurker for quite awhile (didnt feel i had anything to add being new to big kites) i have a 12 year old about 90 lbs. we got a hydra 350 about a month ago, (thanks dino, dakitez had me my kite as fast or faster than anything ive ordered on the internet) any way its a blast and we both like to fly it. we are getting ready to get a bigger kite this summer to try out windsurfing. now for my question, ive seen a few talk about hydras modded to de power, since i already own the kite im not going to pay all over again for a modded one. i understand the liability involved in showing mods to others, and its probably why i haven't seen some one show how to do it, iv got a fair to good idea how could do it, but would like it if some one could show the way or least a good picture so i can see how its been done. im sure playing with a lil depower for a while will ease my parental worry about sending my kid out on the water . her skills are good and getting better every day. and modding our hydra 350 will only add to them im sure.

I of course can't speak for powerzone but I think if you contact him and send him your kite he will mod it. I don't think it is a simple process. Doing mods for kites is part of his business I think. Best thing to do is contact him.