I am looking for the next kite for my young son, he is 9yrs old ~60# He has flown our Symphony 1.7 in winds up to 15mph and did great.

He was asking where the brakes are and how come he could not relaunch his kite like dad and big brother. I am looking for a 4 line kite to get him but do not want to risk getting any larger kite given his size.

I have considered the
BeamerIV 1.4
Imp Quattro 1.5
Hornet
Parastunter Quad-line foil

The para really caught my eye as it is very inexpensive, and sized just under the dual line my son has flown. Does anyone have any experience with it? The video of course makes it look like it flies like a non framed Rev.

The rest of the kites are much larger foil size than the symphony and I worry about his safety as our winds tend to change all the time. 5mph one minute a minute later 10mph and it changes fast enough I need to make sure he can land safely and not be 20ft up..

for what its worth i started my son on a 2m scout. its a bar which is generally easier to use and it really is a fairly gentle kite. he was 8 and about the same weight as your son, when he got it.
Scott

My son is ten and 55lbs.

He flys a two meter Beamer IV without any problems. Getting drug around on his backside is not a problem. :wee: If the wind gets to be too much, he will go to the symphony.

Nice thing about the two meter is, it is still useful for larger folks static flying and buggying.

Quote:

Originally posted by headintheclouds The para really caught my eye as it is very inexpensive, and sized just under the dual line my son has flown. Does anyone have any experience with it? The video of course makes it look like it flies like a non framed Rev.

You might consider one of the NABX Demo Flexifoil Sting 1.7s that Corey has on sale for $115.50.

Fair warning.... Corey is at the AKA Convention currently and the store won't re-open until after Oct. 5th.

Yes, the pricing on the Parastunter is attractive.... BUT it is an older design. The power ramp on it won't be remotely as smooth as the current generation of kites. It might be fine in mild, steady beach winds, but will tend to be more frustrating in inland or less than perfect winds.

ATB,
Sam

Wow thanks for all the input! I considered the 2m kite for a bit, and I already have one for. I had my older son flying the 2m at the same time and the winds were unstable enough he was being pulled forward a good bit, he is 100#. I did not feel comfortable putting the littel guy on it.

I made my youngest sit down to fly the symphony. I also noticed how big a difference the sizes are which is what conserns me the most. The measurements on the 1.4/1.5 power kites is a considerably larger footprint than the symphony 1.7 we have. A 2m would be even more so, and I worry about his safety.

OHHHH That link has the flexfoil sting 1.2 for even less! Based on rough math the symphony we have is 1.07Msq so a 1.2 is not much bigger!

Does anyone know could the sting be flown as a 2line to get him used to the size/speed then add in the extra lines and handles after a few days?

My kids are now 11 and 9 and they have a 1.2 Sting, 1.5 Li'l Devil and a 2.5 JOJO ET. They started when they were 6 and 8. They now weigh between 55 and 75 #s.

I generally take them out when the wind is up a bit so they don't have to really work the kite and as a result both still prefer the 1.5 and 1.2. Quad lines pull more then similarly sized dual line kites (like the symphony). They've both flown the 2.5 and both of them have dropped it to the killers as it can get to be too much too fast for them.

Its most important to me that they aren't scared and that they enjoy the experience without getting hurt so I prefer them underpowered and smiling to overpowred and scared / hurt.

If the wind is too much for them I teather a tow bar to my harness and they ride behind me on their landboard while I take the load of the kite on mine.

My son is 8, he started on a four line when he was 7. I got him a Beamer IV 1.4m. He took to it right away! He still flies it now like a little pro! If you can find a Beamer 1.4m it's a nice little kite! Very forgiving!

The Imp, Sting, and the Hornet also nice kites.

My biggest concern is that our wind here is not smooth, it is pretty lumpy. 5mph swings in a given 5min period, and wind ranges from 5mph-20mph avg. He could be flying in 15mph but gusts be 20 then could drop to 10 for aminute then back up.

I am just very worried even the small beamer 1.4 looks to be ~.7Msq larger than what he has flown before.(Symphony 1.07mSq, beamer 1.70Msq) That is close to double the foil up there taking the gusts. I hear the beamer is a fantastic kite as is the hornet, sting and Imp. Does anyone have any measurements on that little sting 1.2? I know the symphony is 165cmx64cm...

The little symphony handles them really well, just zips acrost the sky faster, without much increase in pull :-p I want to recreate that as much as possible while getting him on 4 lines..

the buster soulfly 1.5 is a good choice. Angus at coastal wind sports has them.

Quote:

Originally posted by headintheclouds The little symphony handles them really well, just zips acrost the sky faster, without much increase in pull :-p I want to recreate that as much as possible while getting him on 4 lines..

That's because its not a power kite. Its more akin to a sport kite in foil format.

As I said earlier, any 4 line kite is going to pull more then a similarly sized dual liner becase the bridle of a 4 line presents more sail to the wind then a dual liner which is designed to zip around.

That is why I have my kids fly smaller kites in bigger winds (for their size). Its way easier to have them feel some pull with a small kite and then dance it around in the lulls then get them flying on a bigger kite and get hammered in the gusts.

Just get any 1.2 to sub 2 meter kite and control what types of conditions they fly in. Look around, someone must have some stings left in the 1.2 size - great learner but I would'nt worry if all you can get is a 1.4 beamer. That will kill some of their top end but not much.

Though the 1.2 would be great if you can find one.

Thanks all!

Cory's website shows the 1.2m sting, I will hit him up after the 5th if I have not found a used one, or a beamer 1.4m

Or you can go 3 line My son started on the syphony and is now flying an HQ rush 250 pro as the next step. The Rush 250 is a bit <2m. Kite is well behaved and the bar makes it super easy for kids to fly. He's tried the 2m Beamer IV back to back and prefers the Rush, The Beamer requires more exp and finesse with handles. Next step.

Sounds like you are in the same boat as me! I was considering a beamer 1.4m myself. Opted for a 2m buster which is spot on perfect for my older son, but just a bit to much for my youngest.

HRMMMM very interesting, I just looked at the Rush pro 250, it shows as being 1.2Msq? I know my son was struggling a hair with the push/pull turn concept, I saw him turning his hands or holding them out to his sides trying to turn, I think th bar may really help with that mechanic. and knowing him he will need to go depower @ age 11 because he will be jumping. little hooligan.:evil:

Hrmmm.. How does the Rush Pro 250 compare in size to the sting 1.2? I have not been able to find any measurements on the sting to verify it's size. The rush I am seeing is only 1.3m?

I spoke with my son lastnight and he said the symphony did pull him and made his feet and butt slip a few times when it gusted.

I wonder if the bar sould be good for him too, it may be like turning his bike and feel more natural than handles?:dunno: Either way kite killers will allow him to just let go and not be worried the kite is gone forever which could make him hold on and get hurt.

Quote:

Originally posted by headintheclouds I have not been able to find any measurements on the sting to verify it's size.

If flat span measurements would help to put things in perspective. the Sting 1.2 has a wing span just a whisker under 6ft and at the center cell is just under 30" (leading to trailing edge).

ATB,
Sam

P.S. Where are you located? Near any other fliers?

Thanks Indigo! That does help a bit, just for perspective.

These are the #'s I have found with that added.
Symphony 1.7 = 165cm*64cm =~1.07m2 flat
Sting 1.2 = 180cm*76cm =~1.39m2 flat
Beamer 1.4 = 218cm*78cm =~1.7m2 flat
Rush pro250 =257cm*80cm =~2.05m2 flat

Seems like the 250 is more of a 2m, but I see many places note it as a 1.3m? Is that due to the curve of the foil, so the rush may fly more "like" a symphony than a sting possibly even though it has larger flat area? Ohh there is LE and TE curve also?

Is there any difference between the Rush III and IV, I see both for about the same price all over.

Quote:

Originally posted by headintheclouds Seems like the 250 is more of a 2m, but I see many places note it as a 1.3m? Is that due to the curve of the foil,

Likely. Flat aspect ratio and flat span are different from projected a/r and span and they are different because of the curvature of the kite and how much surface it presents to the wind once airborne and reshaped by the bridle legs.

Projected A/Rs and spans are more important then flat. Look at an arc... on the ground those things are enormous but they project much less surface to the wind then a foil which is why someone may be on a 13 - 15m arc and another on a 10m foil and both are equally powered.