Hello,

New to the forum and power kiting in general. I am looking for some guidance on getting in to the sport.

I am an absolute beginner. I have a prism jazz stunt kite that I attempt to fly, and I love it. I want to get in to power kiting and eventually kite boarding. But, I know NO ONE that is in to this sport. I am looking for someone to introduce me to the sport and basically just show me the ropes on how to get started. I have done a lot of research online but would prefer to just meet someone who is experienced and can teach me how to fly. Like I mentioned, I've only flown this one kite-I do not have experience. Hoping to meet someone and be able to fly together while learning about kites. I am in the Killeen/Fort Hood/Harker Heights area of central Texas.

Any help is appreciated, or if someone could point me in the right direction that would by helpful as well.

Thanks!
Sarah

Welcome! Finding this forum was the best thing that could happen to you at this point. My wife and I are quite new to all of this as well but the people here thoroughly enjoy providing answers to just about any kiting question you could throw at them. The humor is thrown in at no extra charge!

Biggest challenges we face:

- Safely learning to fly progressively larger kites capable of pulling and/or lifting you and your ride. Start small, be patient, get as much flying time as you can. The learning curve extends to setting up, launching, knowing the wind window, power zones, landing, relaunch, reverse launch, packing up neatly, etc. and be prepared for line tangles that will require the patience of a saint to undo! Through all of it, SAFETY is paramount!

- Lack of open space to provide a clean, non-gusting, wind and smooth surface to ride. I'm all about landboarding and snowkiting for now...but those buggies are a real hoot! Various kiting get-togethers happen throughout the year where you can learn a ton real fast!

- Putting together a quiver of kites for your needs. Just as you wouldn't want to play golf with one or two clubs, the varying wind speeds and conditions require that you have have some options to make the most of what momma nature is throwing your way. Gather your gear slowly! You'll know when it's time to pull the trigger on something...

- Affordabilty! Wo, this stuff can be really expensive! But being here is another huge plus! Lots of awesome deals on gear and the forum tends to police itself for who takes care of the stuff that is offered for sale.

- Time! Once you get hooked, when the wind and other conditions line up, BOOM! Gotta go! Be ready for the WindAlert app to dictate your location and actions at any point.

- Finding local like minded kiters. We seem to scattered all over the country but if you find someone locally to kite with, all the better.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the world of kites. You have the right idea. A few pointers from an experienced flyer can make a tremendous difference especially early on. I live in a remote area with fairly tough conditions to fly in due to being in these wooded mountains. Another flyer noticed my posts on a forum & contacted me a couple years ago. He went out of his way to drive eighty miles to meet me & fly with me one winter day. This encouraged me & helped me when I needed it most. Best of luck to you.

Welcome to the forum, as the others say, you are in the right place!

There are quite a few fliers in TX, I would start by putting something in your title that makes it known you are in TX, not everyone reads all the post. All though with the current title, you are going to peak a bit of interest.

Someone local will chime in before you know it and help you out in person.

Welcome to the forum! Several kiters in the Texas area. Big Mike's kites is in Celina, Texas. He has a couple of events each years where people get together and board, buggy, and fly in general.

Take a quick read here, and let us know where you categorize yourself.
http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28759#pid27...

Thank you to everyone who responded so far! Ya'll are awesome! I gotta admit, I was a little afraid to write my post because I felt nervous and didn't want to be intimidated by all the people with experience. But it seems like you all are a very welcoming group!

Shehatesmyhobbies - thanks for the tip, I should've written my location in my post title. I will have to do that for my next post.

3shot - Here is where I categorize myself:

Where are you?
Central Texas - halfway between Waco and Austin

Where do you fly? (or want to)
Any park by the surrounding lakes or any field thats big enough

What kiting experience do you already have?
Only have experience with my prism jazz kite that I bought about a year ago

What aspect of powerkiting are you interested in? (Buggying, Landboarding, Kite Surfing, Jumping, etc..)
All of the above would be fun. Looking to start with powerkites maybe a little jumping then move to kite surfing. I am thinking an all around kite would be nice

What are your local winds like? (Averages, gustiness etc.)
We get some pretty windy days, I looked up the average windspeed and its 16mph but gets much higher in november and much lower in august

How much do you weigh? (Not trying to be personal, Bigger people are less likely to be overpowered by marginally bigger kites and most of us want to start you on a kite that will teach you without hurting you.)
200 lbs

What kind of budget are you looking at? (just to narrow choices)
prefer to stay under $250 if possible

Thanks again to everyone for the replies!

The most common starter kites are Ozone Octane, Peter Lynn Hornet, Pansh Flex, PKD Buster Soulfly. These are all begginer intermediate kites. On the size for you i would recommend a 3-4 meter kite the Pansh flex is going to fit your budget best.

if you ever happen to make it to Oklahoma look me up. I love teaching people to fly.

I'm just a few hours North of you. You are welcome to come fly with us when you have time. I'm in Waco every year first weekend in May for a kite festival as well. I've got a ton of videos on youtube, peruse them all, you might get some hints/pointers out of all of them.
https://www.youtube.com/user/BigMikesKites

As for getting into the sport, start with a 2 or 3 meter foil, learn the ins and outs of flying, then go from there. don't dive into everything all at once, but pick an avenue, get comfortable with that, then try something else. My .02

Welcome to the sport, you will be glad you stopped by.

Let me pojnt out that you are probably currently thinking in sport size. Don't be tempted to go big because you can get very hurt or worse. Big Mike gives great advice on a 2-3 Meter kite and I'd quickly second that. If you could, a drive to fly a few hours with him could help you make some very smart decisions.

I'd recommend the HQ Beamer 3.0 or the Skydog Powerfoil 2.6. Either would be a great choice to learn on and will make a nice buggy engine for you. Welcome to the addiction. FWIW, an all around kite is as elusive as a winged unicorn. Take advantage of Big Mike's offer and you will not be sorry.

i love this title...something most of us could have said to start out...welcome!
2-3m kite will certainly get your mind right..the 2 rules are,be safe and have fun

Yeah, the title is refreshing and filled with humility. Invites a warm handshake from me.

Quote:

Looking to start with powerkites maybe a little jumping then move to kite surfing

Forget about doing ANY jumping for a long time.....

...until the time you make another post titled 'I know exactly what I'm doing"

Just reverse the order....move to kite surfing..THEN try a little jumping :D

Sarah,

Often we recommend going here to a tutorial...


tutorial click here

Also Sarah. Resist the urge to blindly buy a "deal" on ebay. Sure there are some great kites that come across the board there, but buyer beware on used ebay gear. Stay away from the cheap knock off China kites!!!!!

Run it by the crew here first if you must use the "bay". They'll help out and show what to look for and ask the seller.

Plenty of good dealers right here on the forum that will follow up and support your purchase at a competitive price. A budget of $250- $300 will get you a very nice name brand ready to fly 3m kite. Even less money if you can find a deal on a nice used kite in the classified section here. Heck, Someone may even offer one up that's not listed. Just need to ask.

Good advise from the others on the trusty ole' 3m fixed bridle kite. Most all of us started there, and it will always be a kite that you can use anywhere for general flying or to pass along to another new pilot. Use it to learn the wind window. The power, the pull. Use it to learn kite etiquette. Use it to learn set up and pack down and how to manage your lines. I'd also recommend a 4 line kite over a bar for the simple fact of learning how brake tension controls the kite's action. Something that is muted when flying on a 3 line "trainer" bar.

I second the motion on Riff's claim to the Beamer and the Sky Dog. Great kites!!

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Great advice here Sarah,... hook up with Big Mike, he won't steer you wrong.

best option for your budget is likely the 3.3m Buster Soulfly. Immaculate quality kite and an awesome kite to start with.

I second the idea of learning to fly with a four line kite. While my Rush Pro was great for learning the wind and dialing in steering a kite through it, it lacked the control that exists with actual brake lines. It seems an entirely new dimension is added and while it is more to grasp at first, the learning curve is ramped in general. My honey at Wildwood in October is proof. This is a 2 meter Hornet, certainly in the short list of best kites to begin with!

http://youtu.be/49AQxi2FaVE

Thanks for all of the advice, I am taking everything in to consideration. I am still going back and forth on what to get, I want to take the advice to start on a 4 line kite but then again if I want to eventually get in to kiteboarding then I think I should start with a 3 line. Debating on the hornet (although I still don't know what size to get) or the impulse tr. think I might take a drive and go see big mike tomorrow to help with my decision. This forum has been great with helping me, I really appreciate all the support and how welcoming yall are!

Yes. Big Mike will hook you up. Good luck!