I need something durable because they are going to inadvertently crash it 20+ times each when they are first starting to learn. I'd also like something that won't drag them across a field. This will be used for initial static flying sessions.

I was looking at a 1m Ozone Imp; but I don't know just how much nose diving into the ground it can take over the long term.

http://www.flyozoneusa.com/products/imp-quattro

Does this Pansh Legend 2m have anywhere near the same pull/power as a 2m Flow? If so; it might be too much for someone who has never flown a kite before(I've seen some carnage with a 2m Flow).

http://www.panshkite.com/index.php?gOo=goods_search_list.dwt...

What is a safe, durable 4 line kite?

The Imp can take a fair amount of abuse, but I wouldn't use the 1m to teach people because it's insanely fast. I'd recommend the 1.5m as a better choice.

The 2m Legend probably has a bit less power than the 2m Flow, the 4.5m Legend I used to have didn't have as much power as my 4m Flow.

While Pansh is cheap (a good thing in a trainer), I'd recommend something a little higher quality, both because it will likely take more abuse before failing and because nothing is more frustrating than trying to learn on equipment that's ... quirky.

When I was learning to fly; I borrowed this older 1.4m kite from a friend. It seemed like to could take unlimited impacts to the ground. In light wind; it was near impossible for a beginner to keep in the air. In more wind, the kite was so fast(darty), it was hard for them to control.



So maybe the 1.5m Imp?

Any other kite brands have a good trainer kite?

I probably should have mentioned, the 1.5m Imp isn't slow it simply isn't as insanely fast as the 1m.

Generally when I'm teaching someone to fly, I'll hand them 1 to 2 sizes down from what I would be using to buggy with. If we're on something like grass where I'd want extra power for the buggy, then I'd generally go 2 smaller, otherwise 1 smaller.

Your 2m Flow is a terrific kite to teach others with. They can easily learn on it in 10-15 mph. Of course you wouldn't want to hand it to beginners in 30. That being said the 1.5 wouldn't be any easier to learn on in 30 . The key to getting others to learn easily as Maven alluded to is wind speed not necessarily the kite. If you make sure the kite you hand them is reasonable for the wind you have that day then they'll pick up the basics quickly.

At the public clinics at JIBE, I use HQ Beamers and Peter Lynn Hornets and they take horrific abuse, being slammed into the beach all day, nose down, fast and with a big WHUMP!

I taught my buddy to fly with my 3.5 imp in 20km/h winds for bout 3 hours, the next day we were flying it in 30km/h winds he handled it fine. We both slammed that thing hard probably hundred times and it still flies fine. I just lent it to a co-worker who is gonna try it in 15-20k winds tomorrow. If he can get the hang of it and not get too frustrated then this winter I'll make the 1.5 hour drive his way to teach him depower on my 6m access and get him snowkiting hopefully in the course of a weekend.

PL Impulse 3.0 for kitesurfing and PL Hornet 3.0 for buggying

i taught one dude from no kiting experience to buggying in 4 hours. one of de best memorable sessions I had.

I guess mainly I want a kite that is less powerful then my 2m Flow and also to spare my 2m Flow from the inevitable slams into the ground.

The big problem is that the small kites tend to be awfully fast for a beginner. As for the Flow, it can take it.

Had a fly of a Zebra Z1 (umm....division of libre powersails....I think). It flew well in nasty gusting winds when lots of other kites were tying themselves in knots and falling out of the sky. It was well built, extremely stable and easy to fly and very cheap to buy. A whole bunch of us were very impressed with it. The 1.4m Beamer would also be a good choice as would the 1.5m Imp. Trouble is, the smaller the kite, the faster it's gonna be and the quicker people's reflexes will need to be! Good or bad depending on how you look at it. A 2-3m kite in less wind could be more relaxing to fly. My 2.5m Imp was my first 4 line kite and I and others have crashed it plenty - it's still fine. I couldn't believe how much power it had when I first started flying it (previously been flying stunt kites for years). It only comes out occasionally now in high winds....

I find my 3m Hornet is a bit slower and more stable than my 3m Flow but the difference between them (Flow/Imp/Beamer/Hornet/Zebra) is not huge - they're all well made, easy to fly kites.

Use a 2.5 Flexi Rage on a bar. Very stable and for beginners it's easier to deal with left and right on the bar. It's also a size that's fast, but not like a stunt kite. You still have time to react and think about what you're doing.

i suggest something like a 5-6m flexifoil blade. start out in lighter winds 8-10 work on figure 8's and steering the kite thenwork your way up the wind range.