Hi,

I would really appreciate some honest advise from those who consider themselves experienced enough to offer it.

I would like to purchase a power kite that I won't want to upgrade sooner rather than later, but one that will offer good speed, good lift for jumping (static in land and beach) manouverability, good pull etc.. basically something to grow with a little and that will keep me interested, whilst I gain more experience. I am 5'11" and about 13 stone, so not sure what the best size is either.

I am looking to spend around £100-150 new or second hand. Not sure whether 2 line or 4 line would be best either and the plus & minus of them, if any? I want a bit of controlable thrill and a few moderate scares, if that makes sense.

Apologies for so many questions! Your advice and suggestions would be most welcome.

I'll start by saying I am new to the sport too but I gathered LOADS of feedback before jumping into my first power kite purchase. Figured I would share what i gathered in hopes it helps you decide as well.

Long and short of of what I was told
1. If you are new to the sport, jumping should not even be in your vocabulary. Very dangerous and the size kite you would need to learn on would not be able to float you down gently enough should you go out in crazy winds or gusts that could send you flying and end with a rude slam to the ground
2. Depending on what you want to ultimately do (kite board, snow kite, landboard, buggy, static fly) there are kites specific to those activities to get you going in the
right direction. Either way, I found 3 or 4 line are best due to their reverse relaunch capability when the kite should hit upside down.
3. A 3m or 4m fixed bridle kite should get the job done and get your feet wet as well as lend a good understanding of respect for the wind and power generated. Once you are able to effortlessly fly, then maybe look at something larger. ONE KITE CANNOT DO IT ALL.

Personally, I have become a quick fan of both Ozone and HQ kites. A bit pricy but worth it as you'll most likely keep it as a high wind kite later on. If you are thinking about doing some kiteboarding, the hydra made by hq is a nice kite for both land and water flying. For land only, I personally like the HQ Beamer, HQ Scout and Ozone Flow - all great kites that you won't grow out of and can still smack you around if the winds start to get up there. Glad I stayed away from the trainer kite specific kites as the 3 and 4 liners are a bit more versatile.

Also worth noting to be sure and wear a helmet and some pads, gusts come
unexpededly and can really surprise the crap out of you. Your first kite will most likely either come with kite killers (if you fly with handles) or a wrist leash (if you get a bar
setup) so practice letting go of the kite and get that motion ingrained as a reflex should you get into trouble early on.

Here is the rub.

A good kite for learning is NOT a good kite for jumping. Unfortunately the two conflict.

The tried and true path is to purchase a 3m 4 line fixed bridle kite for learning. The big decision is if you want to learn with a bar or handles. People who want to static fly and buggy are the ones who enjoy handles most. People looking to progress to a depower system can also consider starting out on a bar.

A 3m trainer kite has LOTS of power for a beginer and is the perfect size for becoming the master of the kite + learning to fly it " blind " . It will fly in pretty low wind but take you in to very high winds as your skills grow and eventually become you high wind kite. 4m kites end up being a bit big to keep as a high wind kite down the road ( in my opinion )

To jump you need a larger canopy. A rule of thumb is 5m or bigger. Without that canopy you can not get the float you need to come down soft. A big kite like that as a 1st kite makes learning a big struggle and isn't a safe way to go.

Check out all the great info for getting started at www.coastalwindsports.com Angus has put together a lot of the answers to your questions there !

Thanks for your response, most helpful.

Is there a massive difference between 3m & 4m? Also what is best for a beginner handles or bar?

I take on board totally your comments re jumping, I'll leave that for another day!

Oh, you want a "magic kite" that does not exist. Your "first" kite should be a small 4-line(2m-3m)to learn how to control it, so you don't break your neck while you're still learning. We get folks in here all the time , that want exactly what you want. But they are told the same thing. Oh, welcome to the PKF ! Be sure to use the search function to look up stuff you want to know about. Almost anything you can think of has already been posted, and archived for later use. Tons of info in there.
Later WG

Fixed bridle kites go up a LOT in power per Sq meter.

I find it is best to go with a good quality 2.5 - 3m trainer kite. ( notice I keep a 2.5 in my bag ) This way the kite is likely to serve you well as a high wind kite down the road. If not it is the easiest size to re-sell. I 4m fixed bridle is too big for real strong winds so sort of loses it's place in your " quiver " as you build it.

Handle provide a more refined control of your " brake " lines so better over all control of a fixed bridle.
A bar reduces that fine cotrol of the brake lines but if you plan to progress to a depower kite many prefer to start out on a bar.

I think Angus explains it pretty well on his site ?

NAT. Please do not post the same question under multiple parts of the forum.

Point taken WG!

Ok, give me your view on the following:

Ozone Flow 3m
P.Lynn Horbet 3m
HQ Beamer iV 3m
HQ Scout II 3m

What would you suggest, if any to start me in the power kiting?

Buy the Flow.

Apologies for that, but noticed after posting first topic it was on the wrong forum topic, but made a hash of tryi g to re-post!

Sorry!

Thanks WG.

I take it a choice of experience? Is there any explanation for your choice?

NAT

all of those are great first kites the ozone has been getting alot of fans . My first kite was a 2.5m flexifoil rage that I still use when landboarding in 20+ mph wind.

I just figured your evil twin was getting into the powerkiting the same time as you. It's nice when family does stuff together.

Welcome! :wee:

ATB,
Sam

The Beamer is the perennial favorite for its balance of quality, price, and ease of use with everything you need included. Nothing against any of the other options though. You'd be happy with any of them. 3m or so is about perfect for most for their first kite. Look at each kite and what comes with it when you make your choice. It might come down to which color you like best.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob The Beamer is the perennial favorite for its balance of quality, price, and ease of use with everything you need included. Nothing against any of the other options though. You'd be happy with any of them. 3m or so is about perfect for most for their first kite. Look at each kite and what comes with it when you make your choice. It might come down to which color you like best.

Time for a new nickname; XxtremeBob

Lots of good beginner kites out there and some not so good.

hey. where in the UK are you flying?

I would recommend starting with a Peter Lynn Twister II 3.0m.

You can get it from Powerkiteshop for £229 with a bar. Get the bar if you want to progress to board sports on or off the water.

This is a mid aspect kite with a fair bit of lift so it will give you a good feel for the bigger kites you will need later on to jump with.

If you are not into boarding then an ozone flow or flexifoil rage with handles would be a better starting place for static or buggies. Though I use smaller rage's/bullets for high wind boarding.

Here's the link for the twister but the other kites + lots of useful info is elsewhere on the site.

PL Twister Powerkiteshop

Thanks to all for the kind advice and links.

I live in the Teddington/Kingston Upon Thames area. There are a few good open spaces nearby, but I also plan trip to the cost too.

So many decisions to be made, but the advice has honestly been a great help.

Out of curiosity does anyone have a view on the Symphony Speed 2.5?

HQ Symphony Speed 2.5 .... 2 line, wide aspect ratio foil by Invento-HQ.

Good for bombing around in the sky, and possibly scudding when the wind is up. Not really suitable for jumps and the 2 lines instead of 4 limits its ability to be used with a landboard.

The Symphony kites are considered part of HQ's recreational line rather than their powerkite/traction line of products.

Does that help?

ATB,
Sam

The Symphony kites are ok kites but nothing compared to the others you have listed. IMO, the HQ, Peter Lynn and Ozone kites are what I consider "Professional Power Kites" designed specifically for the traction sports such as buggying and boarding. The Symphony series is what I would consider "Recreational Power Kites" designed for fun flying on the beach or for someone who wants an easy to fly kite with a bit more power than a stunt kite. This is not to say that the 2.5 will not be able to pull you in a buggy or on a board, but comparing the Symphony 2.5 to an Ozone Flow 3.0 would be like comparing a F1 Ferrari to a Chevy Camaro. The Camaro is pretty nice, but it doesn't have near the performance as the F1 and just doesn't really compare.

Like everything else in life, you pretty much get what you pay for. If you find a kite that is super cheap...well, that should put a couple red flags up saying something is wrong....especially when everyone else is paying twice as much for their kites. We don't pay the extra costs because we have rich oil executives as relatives. We spend the extra for our kites because the cheap ones just aren't worth it and in the long ones, the more expensive (nicer) kites are less of an overall expense than the multiple of cheap ones that you eventually end up wasting your money on. Believe me (and many others on here will agree) you will eventually end up buying a good kite and then dumping your cheap ones at a loss to replace them all with good quality ones. Save yourself some money and headaches and just get a good quality kite from the start.

All of the ones you listed previously - HQ Beamer, Scout, Peter Lynn Hornet, Twister II, Ozone Flow - are excellent good quality kites that you can learn on and keep in your quiver for as long as you want. You won't really outgrow them as they are all professionally designed power kites that work for our sport.

Hope this helps.

Thanks to both Sam & Happy Winds for such prompt responses:roll::roll::roll: and advice.

I think all roads are leading me to one of the 3m variety I listed previously.

I initially want to do static flying both inland and on the beach, but will consider moving into boards and buggies possibly in the future with experience.

I agree I too do not want to waste money. Instead I would rather buy better first time. I think the general consensous is that a 3m will be more than ample for a adult beginner for the flying I initially want to do and will also enable me to experience a taster of the boards and buggies should I wish to do so.

Would you guys support my conclusion? :roll:

Quote:

Originally posted by awindofchange The Symphony kites are ok kites but nothing compared to the others you have listed. IMO, the HQ, Peter Lynn and Ozone kites are what I consider "Professional Power Kites" designed specifically for the traction sports such as buggying and boarding. The Symphony series is what I would consider "Recreational Power Kites" designed for fun flying on the beach or for someone who wants an easy to fly kite with a bit more power than a stunt kite. This is not to say that the 2.5 will not be able to pull you in a buggy or on a board, but comparing the Symphony 2.5 to an Ozone Flow 3.0 would be like comparing a F1 Ferrari to a Chevy Camaro. The Camaro is pretty nice, but it doesn't have near the performance as the F1 and just doesn't really compare. Like everything else in life, you pretty much get what you pay for. If you find a kite that is super cheap...well, that should put a couple red flags up saying something is wrong....especially when everyone else is paying twice as much for their kites. We don't pay the extra costs because we have rich oil executives as relatives. We spend the extra for our kites because the cheap ones just aren't worth it and in the long ones, the more expensive (nicer) kites are less of an overall expense than the multiple of cheap ones that you eventually end up wasting your money on. Believe me (and many others on here will agree) you will eventually end up buying a good kite and then dumping your cheap ones at a loss to replace them all with good quality ones. Save yourself some money and headaches and just get a good quality kite from the start. All of the ones you listed previously - HQ Beamer, Scout, Peter Lynn Hornet, Twister II, Ozone Flow - are excellent good quality kites that you can learn on and keep in your quiver for as long as you want. You won't really outgrow them as they are all professionally designed power kites that work for our sport. Hope this helps.

We should make this a sticky somewhere. You just can't say it any better than that. I bet most on here made the mistakes that Awoc is advising against. I did, but seemed to get my money out of the cheap kites. They were on special so when the retail prices rose, so did the used prices. No way I'd go back though.

Now firmly stuck to me!

I guess I can't help myself and a beginner asking too may sim ilar questions to start with.

I'm going to plum for an Ozone Flow or Beamer at 3m....Can't wait.

No doubt once I've been out with it I'll have loads more questions to throw at you guys.
:singing:

Bring on the questions, thats probably the primary focus of what this forum is here for.

Sounds like you are on the right track, glad we were able to help and welcome to the awesome world of Power Kiting.

Quote:

I'm going to plum for an Ozone Flow or Beamer at 3m....Can't wait.

Yeah, good choice, both really good kites and the right size. My 3m Flow gets lots of use buggying when I feel the wind is a bit much for my 7.5m Apex (I am very conservative). Here's my favorite vid with the Flow 3m:

13th Beach gang rides again

You sir are a JOY to help out !

I can't t tell you how nice it is to help someone who isn't stuck on some notion in there head about needing a larger kite and thinking they will somehow save money by skipping the 3m step.

You are getting set for the best time of your life ( or at least those virgin flights were for me ! )

You have good questions. Keep them coming ! :Ange09:

I was just about to order my 3m Ozone Flow, after seeking loads of helpful advice and I was thrown a spanner in works.

Ok, my next question... I was about to order a 2.5 Ozone IMP Quattro for my son at the same time as my (first kite) an Ozone Flow 3m, when the guy advised I should move to a 4m instead (I am 5'11" and about 13 stone). His view was that the 2.5 & 3.0 were too close and there would be a better spread across a 2.5 & 4.0.

I suppose what I am asking is that is he right, but more importantly should I go for the the 4 or is this running before I can walk - Now a bit confused!

They aren't too close together if they are going to be used by different people. Presumably you and your son are going to want to fly at the same time. That being the case, you should have (close to) the same size kite if you and he are close to the same weight.

If your son is a fair bit lighter than you, perhaps you should go with either the 1.5m Imp Quattro or the 2m Flow for him while you are using the 3m Flow.

He is 13 yrs and about 7 stone.

I am keen not to grow out of them too quickly, especially my son, but I guess he can progress onto my flow, just not sure now which size to go for.

I was thinking that the 2.5 would also be good for me in higher winds where my son cannot control it.

I want to get the most out them both.

The Imp, while a fantastic kite, is less suited to high winds than a Flow. If you are going to be using it as your high wind kite, I'd recommend the 2m Flow. I absolutely love mine. If you are going to get the 2m Flow, then the 4m Flow is probably not a bad idea. Be aware, that as the size of the kite gets smaller, the speed and maneuverability goes up. The 2m Flow is very fast through the window and turns really quickly.

I personally own the 3m Beamer and couldn't be happier. My wife, 12-year-old, and in-laws had a blast this weekend in 7-10 mph winds. The previous weekend it was pulling my wife and I to the ground for some dirt pies in 13-15 mph winds. Tons of fun and the learning curve is pretty small, in just a few hours everyone was able to keep it in the air longer then on the ground.

I think the 3 meter is a good kite for the both of you, for a second kite I would pick up a larger one for the less windy days. My 12 year-old has little trouble with it and lets it drag him all over the field. It sucks being under the mercy of the wind to enjoy my kite.

Cheers!