I have just decided to start kitel andboarding. I haven't done anything with power kites but i have a few stunt kites so im used to controlling a two lined kite. I live up in washington and have seen the guys kiteboarding on the water over at Jetty Island but I am more of a land guy so i was wondering if anyone had some information to help me get started in the sport. Im not sure what size/brand/type of kite i should get but the board isn't a problem as they sell them at my local longboard shop. I am a large guy and was wondering if this affects the size kite i need.

Welcome!

Standard suggestion is getting a smaller 4-line kite, around 3m or so. Learn to fly that then upgrade to something with more grunt - depending on the wind in your area - and keep the 3m for mental wind days.
Most brands have entry level kites, usually a more forgiving & stable design ... I like Peter Lynn kites cos he was a neighbor of mine but HQ is a popular cheap brand.
Re. the boards - IIRC kite-specific landboards are lighter but more rugged than ATBs ... might pay to check what the shop actually got!

... it all depends on your budget. Take my credit card ... please!

Hey thanks for the info. what brand of boards r kite specific? and will these kites allow me to progress in the sport or are there others that will be better. i kind of want a kite that will last for a long time so i dont have to buy another one when i want more power or what not. does such a kite exist?

if you are really wanting to get into landboarding, then i recommend a peter lynn twinskin (arc)... they are the easiest to fly and control, they last a loooong time... they are prob the safest kite you can use, also (but you can really dial them in)... not to mention that these are what you will need when you want to start jumping

they are depower kites, and require more skill initially to use than a fixed bridle

that said... fixed bridles are easier to learn on... though i may feel that way because that is how i learned..

in either case, i believe peter lynn makes a better kite... i have had issues with HQ products in general... not so with my lynn kites, and they are pretty much the same price

far as the board... i like ground industries, nut mbs is the other big player... the more you spend, the more you get from both sides

Quote:

Originally posted by C.allen Hey thanks for the info. what brand of boards r kite specific? and will these kites allow me to progress in the sport or are there others that will be better. i kind of want a kite that will last for a long time so i dont have to buy another one when i want more power or what not. does such a kite exist?

If that kite existed we would all have it

Boards ... erm ... ahem ... well a lot of people on here have GI (Ground Industries) boards. I've got a Scrub and a Flexifoil from decades ago :D The FF board weighs about 13kgs all up, the Scrub less than half - such is the march of progress. Newer boards are lighter, have tougher trucks (maybe) ...

Getting better - practice. A good stable kite will get you moving and gather experience. With experience, you'll be able to pull the right kite out of the boot to let you keep on riding no matter the wind.

Start off with a smaller kite - I love my 3.5m Ozone Cult. Really well made, great bag and handles etc ... a real keeper. Great kite for high wind riding and for learning in lower winds but - it's real purdy ... not sure I'd want a beginner ramming it into the ground If you're good enough with a stunter you should be ok with a nice small foil ...

OK so it sounds like a ground industries board maybe the Ak 103? and the Peter Lynn Hornet or Twister II in the 3m sizes would be a combination. Is there anything else besides these items that i will need?

Thanks for all the help btw

you will be needing pads, and a helmet... you may also want some impact shorts and a harness... the harness is unnecessary at this point, but later, with a depower, you will need one... if the kites dont come with a stake, you will want one of those, too... gloves will also extend your flying time

sunglasses are good, too... trust me when i tell you the last thing you want to do is get a sunburn on your eyeballs

Cool sounds good. I have all the safety gear from longboarding. i dont know if you have heard of it but it can get pretty sketchy going doing down the road at 30 mph dodging cars and such. so ya . gloves and sunglasses will be a good investment though. thanks

Sounds like you're ready to go!

yup now i just need some more money

oh i thought of a new question. are there legal restrictions to where i can go kite boarding or will any large field with wind work?

I believe the beaches will be off limits to you in WA

ok thanks.

There will be a bunch of intro sessions on Washington beaches this summer . It looks like our big chance to open them up to wind powerd rides if we show them it's safe etc..

U2U me you email address and I'll hook you up with the info as I get it.

Be aware going in that you will always NEED to go back to your 3m kite in big winds and for teaching friends but you WILL crave that bigger kite almost right away. Good news is you can try all kinds at these events that are coming to Washington beaches . " Try before you buy " is always best. If you can hold off buying that bigger, more expensive kite you will know better what is best for You !