Hello...

Trying to decide which kite to start out with.

I do not live near a major city and there are no kite dealers in my area so I am asking the forum for some help...

I live in N. Central Illinois out in the country where I have lots of flat open space and the winds are always blowing... (Lots of wind turbines going up in my area)

I am 5' 9" @ 185lbs and have never flown a power kite.

I have not snow board but very good slalom water skier (traction kite would seem to me like be like being pulled by a boat... however I'm a noob and could be totally wrong I also like the idea that kites ( even multiples) are a lot less than boating and are greener!

After reading the forums, I have narrowed down to 3 kites.
Ozone Method (either 2.5 or 3m)
Ozone Flow (3m)
Peter Lynn Hornet (3m)

I was thinking of starting with handles and also may pick up a zone turbo bar.

After learning to fly the kite...I would like to work into a land board or a buggy.

I am thinking of a fixed bridle kite to start with and eventually add a de-powered kite later down the road...

A couple of questions?

Would the Method with a turbo bar and handles be to much kite to start with?

Would there be another kite that maybe I should look at?

What body gear besides the obvious helmet, knee elbow pads and gloves would you suggest? (butt scud pads?)

What harness if using a bar?

Thanks for everyone advice in advance...

jt

I would go with the 3m Flow. The Hornet is very nice but does not do quite as well on the Turbo Bar. The Turbo Bar uses (very roughly) 70% brake/ 30% front lines when turning the kite. Ozone kites seem to prefer using a little more brake input when turning - the Hornet prefers slightly more front line input. It still works ok on the bar but not as well as the Flow or Method.

The Method doesn't have the low down 'grunt' of either the Flow or Hornet - to get the best out of it you need to get it moving fast. In gusty conditions, it's a bit harder to get smooth power than the Flow. I would start with the Flow, but the Methods will make better buggy kites a little later down the track. Mind you, some of my favorite buggy sessions have been with a 3m Flow.

Like this one: 13th Beach Gang rides again video

Also, our youngest club member rides a landboard and 3m Flow and does very, very well with it.

Hey Jt just wanted to share my opinion on buying a small kite. I purchased my beamer 5m from a local store here in Chicago about 2 months ago and I'm already looking into getting something bigger. Anything less than a 5 meter kite will almost surely be replaced if you enjoy the sport as much as I do and will want to progress. Not to discourage you but had I known what the size of a kite can do before I got mine I would look into something bigger. I guess if you have the bank roll for multiple kites then disregard this post :p

Oh btw if you want a 5 meter beamer V let me know xD

If you've got wind turbines around you that means it's a good spot for a windfarm - I think a 5m would be too big for a first kite in that instance. Stick with the 3m (Beamers are good kites also and will fly well on the Turbo Bar - but start with handles).

Once you dial into everything and start building a collection of kites, the 3m will become your higher wind kite. It's a very versatile size.

JVT, Viper is correct in the long run but Listen to John! you will be a much better flier and maybe just maybe stay in one piece! nothing worse then trying to fly OVER POWERED, messing up and ending up in the emergency room. Find some used kites at low prices and then go for the one you want when you are ready and know you are not going to kill the new kite. I have seen to many people jump right into a brand new kite and have it do a swan dive on them and within a second have it made into a pile of blown cells and only good for a wind direction flag.
This is an addictive sport and people are selling and buying all the time. you should have no problem finding a used kite at a great price to get you going.

My two cents :puzzled:

It sounds like you understand already that Viperkids advice goes against those who have a lot more experience. I don't doubt he is picking things up fast I'm not sure he gets the big picture.

What he doesn't seem to be grasping is that at 1st you want to get as many hours under the kite as possible. If you only have 1 kite it should fly in all winds. The 3m will do that + show you what real power is on high wind days. With Viper's method of bigger and bigger kite you will have to sit out the real strong wind days . I am concerned that he won't know when to pack up and end up overpowered + in trouble soon!

I agree. If you have wind turbines you have wind and a 3m is the way to go. The Viper or Flow are good choices. Both will work as high wind engines later.

jvt, good idea to ask. I agree with JH and BR on starting with a 3m open cell fixed bridle on handles. I am 5'8" and 200lb and still use both of my 3m kites landboarding and snowkiting on days when the wind is gusting over 20mph.

For added body gear I wear impact shorts mainly for extra tailbone protection. Over doing it since my seat harness has padding too.

You can use a harness with handles or a bar. It sure takes a load off your arms and gives you longer sessions. For handles you use a strop to connect the tops of the handles and you need a 2673 quick release and snatch block. For a 4 line bar you need a quick release "D" ring or chicken loop.

Since you most likely can't try before you buy you will have to do some research to see if you want a seat or waist harness. You can also get different spreader bars (hook, spinning hook, roller or pulley). I prefer the seat harness since the waist harness rode up my beer gut into my ribs.

Unfortunately you will find that you need more than one kite. Fortunately there are many on the forum who regularly change their quiver and offer a good selection of used kites at affordable prices.

Take it easy and enjoy a great sport.

I would go even smaller a 2m flow is good in 15 mph winds in 25+ winds it is a buggy machine. A five meter in 20 mph will haul a 160 pound person and a 60 pound buggy down the beach very fast dare I say to fast.

good words from lostfox above!

and def I agree w BR, hours spent flying lets things settle into the subconscious a bit and allows you to develop skills like collapse recovery which are dangerous to develop on the big kites.

My two cents: go with the hornet if price is a factor, that kite on handles will teach you plenty. 2m --- a bit too quick to be fun when powered up, the 3 is a good size. If price isn't so much of a factor then holgate's suggestion is good. I personally prefer handles whenever possible.

If you're not in a hurry, consider waiting a month or so and keeping a close eye on the used kites here, you'll save 50% or more over buying the latest at retail prices.

I think Chuddy's still got her 3m Flow in the for sale section.....

It is indeed:
Ozone Flow 3M RTF - pics added

ATB,
Sam

I'm hoping this is the right place to ask....I've recently started kite water lessons and have a good basic understanding for a beginner. I prepped for my water lessons with an Imp 3.5 trainer with bar. Is this suitable to use to transition to a landboard? I'm looking at the entry level MBS or similar. My primary concerns are training for the water kite when I can't get to the water, having some fun and avoiding injury. Weight is 170. Winds are 10-20 in the Texas coastal area.

Thank you for any help

Jake

You'll need a bigger kite for landboard, it takes quite a bit of power. For 10 mph I'd be flying a 6.5, but more likely an 8, 20 I'd be OK on 4m. You'd roll with the imp in less than 20 but IDK if it would power you upwind.

Thank you for the info. What are folks talking about with the 2/3/4 m kites? Snow, ice, much heavier wind, etc or more efficient designs that generate more power? I got teabagged pretty hard last week (yep...that new) on a 7m in about 25mph gusts, can't imagine that kind of a beating on land.

As today is actually my first day here I'll keep the newb questions to a minimum. Please let me know if there is a more appropriate thread for this, I didn't run across one when I looked.

Thanks again for the info, any help is greatly appreciated.

7m Lei?

There is still a lot you can practice on land to help you on the water.

Fly one handed . Learn to do it without looking at the kite, sitting. ( board starts )

Fake board starts if it is windy enough to get powered. Sit , dive kite, have it lift you, run 2 stepps downwind then 10 yards cross wind. This help you with getting up + timing the second pump of the kite.

Practice kite loops and downloops.

Body drag in strong winds. Just don't expect to relaunch.

Thanks for taking the time to give me advice. I'm having a great time so far and am really looking forward to becoming competent and returning the favor to some other new guy someday.

I would like to say "Thanks" for everyone suggestions, ideas and links...

I will start out learning the kite (probably a Ozone flow) with handles and I also picked up a like new GI Patrol 106 ATB that I couldn't pass up the price of $225

After gaining experience, leaning to static fly the kite and staying upright (mowing the grass) on a ATB, I would eventually move on to a de-power kite and bar...

I would like to ask just a few more questions.

I am having a hard time visualizing a strop / harness connection with handles. Does anyone have a link or photos or videos links that show how to fly using a strop and then later connect to the harness ? There were great shots of the release system. (Thanks canuck)

It appears that a seat harness would the choice for buggies (which looks like a great time...Thanks John!!!)... and snowboarders may use a base harness. Are harness shorts any good or is the HQ harness a seat or base harness? Is there a harness that is the best of all worlds sitting or standing?

Do you have any good books, dvd's or internet web-sites (vimeo, youtube, etc) for basic instruction that you would like to share???

This forum has been wealth of knowledge! Thank you!

jt