I have been learning on a Sling Shot 2m, and have had success kiting on my longboard. I want to know what is the next kite I should get? I have more access to water and would like to learn to kite surf but still have the oppotunity to use the ATB with one kite. Can I get a LEI depower and use it with the ATB? I want to move up to the next size range and not jump up to something big quick. I want to enjoy the steps and fun of learning a new kite and not just go to something and be afraid of it. I looked at the Ozone UNO an the Sling Shot 2010 Key HD , and 2011 Fuel both 5m am I looking in the right direction?
Any info will help. Thanks,

Hey Parish,
IMO, I'd go for the slingshot key. I think it would be something you could always us in the future. Seeing that you already have a 2 m trainer, the key might just be a good step up. I'd suggest staying away from the Fuel. It's a C kite that won't have as good depower range.
Did you get hold of any other kiters there In your area?

Hi

Kitesurfing is confusing in that you start with a big kite and move on to smaller ones when you get better!

The best way to gain the confidence to start kitesurfing without scaring yourself off through making bad decisions is to do an IKO kitesurf course (usually 12-15 hours over 3 days) This will teach you evrything form absolute basics to getting up and riding on a board for short runs and it will set you up to continue learning by getting out an practicing yourself. You need a lot of power in the kite to ride on water so you cannot work up to it slowly like you can on land. if you are underpowered on water you will sink!!

What weight are you? at 80kg (about 170lb) I started with a 12m kite which is the right size for the ideal learning conditions of 15 - 20mph winds.

A 5m Slingshot fuel would work for me in 35mph minimum - its not a good learners kite.

Yes you can ATB with a kitesurfing kite but you will want one 2-3m smaller than you would use on the water in the same conditions and if you are inexperienced enough to crash your kite often, slamming it into the beach is a good way to wreck it.

Spend your money on lessons and start with a full size kite for your weight.

Im going to look into lesson, just impatient ad want to buy something now. But will wait for now. Still looking for locals.
Thanks,

Wait until you get a lesson, you dont want to buy kites you are going to just turn around and sell or store in the closet because you dont like it or cant use it. 5m is too small. My girlfriend uses a 5.5m on water in 30+ knots of wind and she weighs 120lbs. I am on an 8m in the same conditions and weigh 175lbs. 30-40knots of wind is not where you want to be as a beginner. Lighter wind & bigger kites are slower and more forgiving.

Safety first, kiting is dangerous if you dont know what you are doing, get a lesson to learn the safety! You can self-teach yourself other things but the safety you need to know before using a kite on your own. You are attached to a depower kite, its not just a matter of letting go like a trainer. You can die, loose limbs/fingers to lines, break bones, etc simply because you don;t know how to react when things go wrong. And things go wrong all the time when you are learning.

By the way, if you are in the US I have a 12m switchblade IDS for sale. It is a good beginner kite, easy to relaunch, tough construction, and not super fast turning like my other kites. $350 shipped without control bar. Any cabrinha IDS bar or any modern 4 line bar will work with this kite.

Take lessons first though!

The 12m Switchbalde would be an ideal kite to start with for your average 70-90kg rider If you are heavier than 90kg you might want to start with a 14m...