Hi I'm from the UK and I'm new to powerkiting and would like some advice on buying a beginner power - kite.

I have a Spirit of Air Rapier which I feel really limited to what I can do with and was looking for a bigger, better and more fun kite to fly.

I came across flexifoil website and found the follwing kites Buzz
Stacker
sting

I am interested in buying one of of these kites, but could use a little advice first.

For a beginner powerkiter, do you feel that I would benefit over the rapier to learn learn and improve on my techniques before moving onto a bigger powerkite with more power.

Any alternative kite suggestions or advice would be really appreciated.

hope someone can help

Cheers

Lee

Hi Lee , Flexifoil make some great gear , not the cheapest but you get what you pay for . You don't mention your size or weight which can make a difference . I bought my ten year old daughter a Sting which is purfect for her in a 10-15 mph wind yet pulled my 10 stone on a mountain board when flown in a gale . Also do you want 2 or 4 lines ? four lines gives you more control , allows you to put the breaks on and makes launching and landing much easier. As for two lines i'd get a stacker rather than a buzz , it's been around for years but is a great kit , I have three of them and still use them . You should probably have a look at the flexifoil bullet and have a look at HQ kites as well , not as pricey and have some good introductory kites . :wink2:happy flying :wink2:Gribble.

Hi Gribble

I was a little worried about getting the Bullet for a first kite, being quite small at 5' 2" and 107lb. Also, he price of the bullet is just a little bit over my budget just now.

After reading on, a while after I posted my first thread in this post I realised that like you said the sting has 4 lines on.
because of this and the good remarks that Flexifoil receive from people reviewing them, I have ordered a sting, in order learn with and when I'm comfortable I'll think about getting one of the bigger ones aslong as they're not to powerfull for my size in lighter winds, where I may cause danger for other people.

Reading the reviews and posts I gather that the Bullet doesn't create as much lift as the some of the bigger kites, so considering my weight, I would probably opt for a bullet. I may be wrong but I get the feeling that flexifoil kites probablly the best around, despite them being a little more pricey.

Lee

Yep , Flexies are very good quality . my younger girl of 8 years repeatedly smashed the sting into the beach with no sign of wear or tear at all . Yes bullets pull hard in a good wind but don,t have as much vertical lift like a Blade has . The sting comes with kite killers safty device which is purfect for beggining as you can safely let go if it all gets too much . one other thing have you got a ground stake to park it on . easily overlooked . hope you enjoy the new kite , sure you will :singing:Gribble.

I haven't got a ground stake no, to be honest with you I wouldn't know what to do with one other than stick it in the ground and peg the kite to it when I'm not using it.

Could you please elaborate on how I would use a ground stake, maybe there's something I'm missing, due to being a newbie to powerkiting.

Please excuse my ignorance!!

Lee

As you say being able to park your kite when not in use or resting your arms is the obviouse one but its a great aid when setting up and packing down . On your sting you'll have power lines running from the top of the handles and break lines from bottom . Hook your break lines round the steak and your kite will sit half inflated on the ground . You can now leave the handles to check kite , lines , or fold flat and pop a weight on so the kite doesn't reinflate . you can now walk back to the handles , unhook and wind the lines back up without your kite dancing around like a mad thing and getting all twisted . I met a bloke once at my local flying spot who had bought a nice new 3 meter blade but no steak , having got it up and flying he then realised he couldn't desable the kite or even let go of the handles , he'd been there for a couple of hours wondering what to do before i turned up . Hope this helps gribble

I bought a 3.5m bullet as my first kite a couple of months ago, although its is a fantastic kite as, as im learning sometimes it it a bit too much is strong winds (Im 6"1 and 16st...it drags me around!) so im going to look for anthother kite for them windy days.

As gribble said, definately get a stake,as I quickly learnt, trying to set-up/ take down your kite in the stronger winds without one is impossible. As I used to go camping I just use a tent peg...does the job.

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll definetly be getting a stake of some sort in that case

I got my kite through the post, and I must say I was really pleased with what I saw.

I have yet to take it fly it, although I attempted to do so last night. When I arrived at the field the night was drawing in quickly and I ran out of daylight, and didn't get the kite airbourne.

When I set the kite up and attatched the handles before I set off for the first time with the kite, everything was untangled.. or so I thouht :D

Does anyone have any good hints on how not to get the lines tangled when packing?