Hello all. I am extremely interested in taking up power/traction kiting. I have flown duel line stunt kites for many years which I love, but watching guys being pulled along the beach where I fly looks so much fun and I need to get into this sport.
Is flying a 4 line kite simular to a duel in any way?
I have money for a kite but I'm not sure what to get. I know people say start small but surely it depends on weight. I'm not a light man at 108kg and a want a kite that will pull. I think a small traction kite would generate the same pull as my large stunt kite and I want more. I am a sensible person and have a great deal of respect for the power of mother nature. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was looking at a 4m blade mk5 which is for sale at a great price. I know that some will say no that's not a good starter but others that say go for it. So with my weight in mind and that I am an experienced duel line stunt kite flyer and that I am not about to go out flying in winds over 10mph should I "go for it"
Kind regards
Graham

A 4m kite will generate a lot more pull than any stunt kite you have. while most people would say start with a 3m kite considering your weight and experience I would say its ok to go with the 4m if youre getting a very good deal on it but start of slow. Although realistically I dont think the blade is the right choice as its a high lift kite, meaning it can easily lift you off your feet in stronger winds. If you can get a 3m then go for it instead. that's the better choice and you can fly it in a much larger wind range. Bear in mind whether 3m or 4m they will both be much more powerfull than a stunt kite. And yes they are similar in the way you pilot them . even though a powerkite uses 4 lines . I also started on stunt kites a long time ago and my first power kite was a 2.5m beamer version 1.

^^^this^^^
windrider has it exactly right, its tuff to pass on a real good deal, but thats an aggressive kite
if you do it you will really need to exert self control when it should be in the air...it will definitely bite you at some point
the question is how hard

4m twister was my first real power kite. It worked out well for me. You will be more limited on the days you can fly at that size versus a 3 meter. I vote yes as long as you start out sensible.

Welcome to the forum graham! Nice to have you on board. One thing that might help us provide some more targeted advice is for you to tell us a bit about where you plan to fly and once going mobile how you plan to do it. For example, should you want to start moving in a buggy versus on skis, skates, or some form of skate board (I'm assuming all land or "Hardwater" sports here) there may be different kites that suit you better than others irregardless of skill. While there are tons of variations, one way to sort of split up kites is to look for kites that are more biased towards pulling you and those more biased towards lifting you. Getting lifted, or "boosted" intentionally is tons of fun with something rolling or sliding under your feet from a standing position, but getting boosted out of a buggy (something affectionately referred to as an OBE, short for "out of buggy experience") can be a real Code Brown moment that may take a long time to recover from. This forum is littered with harrowing tales of OBEs gone very bad, mine included.

So... Where do you plan to kite and how do you plan to go mobile? Lastly, if you plan to slide or roll with something under your feet, are you already proficient at that activity or will you more or less be trying to master the kite and the board (for example) at the same time?

Thanks for the replies guys. I bought the blade because it was an offer I couldn't refuse. I could sell it at a profit on eBay tomorrow. I understand that this kite is not necessarily the best introduction, but the blade gets good reviews and like a lot of you guys, I plan on owning several different kites for most occasions and don't plan on abandoning my stunt kites so still have them for when the wind is too strong for the blade. That in mind, as a abkayak said, would I have the self control to keep the blade out of the air when the wind is just a little too strong probably not. That is why I have listened to your advice and am looking at a rage 2.5m which I may buy as well. It too seems to have good reviews.
I want to get on wheels eventually. not decided if it will be in the form of a buggy or a board. I have no hardwater here, plenty of ocean but don't really fancy surfing with a kite. I have my kayaks for the water (not to use with a kite)(do people use a kite with a kayak?) I will be flying on the beach always. Some of the beaches here are 4 miles in length but the my regular beach, walking distance from my house is about 3/4mile in length and about 1/4 mile from the dunes to the ocean when the tide is out. Wind speed varies from nothing to 80mph constant speed not gusts. Only an idiot would fly a kite in wind you can lean into and stay upright without a kite, so don't worry, I wouldn't take any of my kites out in that.
Thanks Graham

ok...you got a great kite, dont sell it,..you want to watch the gusts w/ this one so if you have some steady onshores 8-10,12 and 2 line experience youll be fine...pretty much anyway...it will bite you at some point but thats part of the deal, it will be worth it...if you dont get super-manned at all your doing it wrong...watch whatever vids you can, check out coastalwindsports.com tutorials...this isnt a kayaking type kite but yes that is done too
rages are pretty aggressive as well so know that
where are you at? maybe one of us is around...we all like those kinda conditions, jusayin

I'm in Cornwall UK
When you say you all like those conditions, are you talking about flying in 80mph winds?

80mph might be a bit much...im thinking more open beach
be safe have fun

80 mph! Yeah, that might be a tad strong. I recently had Steffen Born make me a custom 1.5m NASA Star-3 that I think I'd dare launch in winds with gusts up to 40 mph. Maybe he can make me a 0.5m NS3 for those particularly spunky days. :evil:

Good luck! Sounds as if you have your expectations well grounded in reality.

Thanks guys. I'll keep you informed on how it goes. I know I'm gonna enjoy this, it's a different edge of what I enjoy already. I have the go pro primed and ready to go. Kite is on its way, all I'll need then is this 2.5 months of constant rain to stop.

Welcome aboard Mate! Check out PKD kites too. It is all I fly now! Here are two small PKDs @ the beach in 15-25 mph wind. Bear in mind my buggy weighs 131 lbs. alone . https://vimeo.com/80200976

And that Blade is a special kite. It's made for getting airborne, but a 4m canopy isn't gonna float ya. It will whip you like you were made of Styrofoam, but won't keep ya there. The Rages were my first kites. They are very good kites as well. Not too aggressive , built well. A bit pricey though, they are proud of them. Whatever you get always remember " Be careful,wear safety gear,have fun" . And like "Bigkid" Jeff would say " Be able to drive home afterwards".