Instead of hijacking another thread similar to this I figured I should just start my own....
Basically a buddy and I found a Prism Tensor 3.1 and a Snapshot 2.5 for really cheap brand new and I've flown the 2.5 a few times now (with winds in 20+ yesterday) and it leaves me wondering how this is so much damn fun?!
The idea was to get something cheap, learn how to fly without wrecking a spendy kite. I'm hoping to move up to something a little larger to kind of play around on snow here in a few months. Is it possible to kill 2 birds with one kite (:lol that can double as a snow trainer and then used in water down the road?
We will probably take the tensor out today and I liked the idea of being able to use the same bar/lines for the snapshot - I don't think the tensor is able to launch in water though being an open cell.
HQ hydra has been drawing my interest...
Then another question: what size? (6' 175 lbs)
Thanks for the feedback in advance!

The short answer is both yes and no. Any closed cell foil will work on both snow and water (the hydra is one example and there are many others). Any LEI will also work on both terrains although they are less impervious to damage they also require getting a pump to your kiting site which if you're hiking to is a pain. So there are options for what you want to do Kite wise.

Given what you are talking about doing I would highly recommend looking towards depowers over fixed bridle kites. I don't know the last time I'd seen anyone serious about water fly anything but depowers except when training. Unfortunately depower kites are significantly more expensive and require the use of a harness.

Couple questions before I get to why I said no earlier. What are wind conditions in the areas you intend to fly? Surface conditions (powder? Ice? Hard pack?) What do you want to do in the water?

So the no, the kite size is directly related to your body size, the wind speed, and the terrain you are trying to go over. It takes a larger Kite in general to go through powder than over ice given the same wind speed. Water even more so, since you not only need the power to get onto plane. You may find that a single Kite to do both isnt viable due to the needs for different sizes. More over, kites that will actually enable you to kiteboard may be a little scary for you given their massive increase in size (and power) over what you're currently flying. The hydra even in the biggest size is unlikely to really get you kiteboarding, however on snow you could certainly have some fun.

That is the most complete answer I can give.

go to the pansh web site and look at the adam kite.
the kites are half off right now with free shipping.
i own a 3.5 and love it! i bought just the kite and it was 84 dollars or so.
its a closed cell , so it could be used on water.
the advantage is get two or three sizes for the cost of one.

your 2nd kite is the 3.1Tensor...though very ugly it will teach you a lot about kite control
once your cool w/ flying that in 20+ its time for another step like hooking in...maybe
anyway your going to have depower kites in your future...but best not to rush it

I disagree ab, if his path is snowkiting and water then why not Learn on a depower. He can learn Kite control with his snapshot. Then move on to depower, most kiteboarders learn that way. Saves him from investing in kites that won't do what he wants.

I flew fixed bridles for a long time (toxic 6.5 in my profile pic) and I didn't progress much at all until i went depower. Especially given the janky winds I normally deal with.

To each his own I suppose.

Hmmm...my first was a snapshot, second kite was a 4m twister and 3rd was a 6.5 blade. I didn't learn true respect for a kite until the twister and then again with the 6.5. though I ultimately sold those kites and got depower for traction, there's something to be said for starting with punishing fixed bridles so you have proper respect for how fast things can happen and be able to appreciate a forgiving kite when conditions require it.

It's hard to know your exact goals when starting w/ power kite-(static flying)...but some know before they ever pick up a kite.


FYI: #1
The Snapshot is more of a toy kite and not for any real power pulling(on blades, boards, skis or buggy). "it's called a Snapshot because the lines on it usually snap and then your fun is shot.".

FYI #2
The Hydra-despite being water launchable(not always)- is used more on land(standing/static) to train in hopes of getting on water w/ water' kite. It is more of a training kite and not a kite that kitesurfers use board riding in the water. They have more appropriate kites.. bigger, better, more water launchable(and seriously expensive). Hydra might have some limited use for pulling in high winds on land....but... there are more appropriate land kites for that also.




Focus on flying the Tensor 3.1 and fly the crap out of it through a wide wind speed range 'til you can control it superbly. Then revisit your kite option and goals.

Oh... and welcome to PKF and the power kiting world!

The 3.1 Tensor is best flown with handles!

I am in Motofoo's camp when it comes to going depower if snow and water are the end goal. The 3.1 Tensor is designed as a kiteboard trainer. Using it with handles helps you learn how front and back line input effects the kite. Going to bar mode and hooking in is helpful in transitioning to depower.

I took the long expensive road to snowkiting and started out with a 3, 4.5 and 7m quiver. It did the job but taught me why depower was so valuable with the variable winds over the lake. It was only on strong wind days that I needed the 3m and a single kite worked. Since IT was my trainer kite and the one I was completely " connected to " those were actually my best days by far!

So .... I would suggest your 3.1 Tensor will work as a trainer and high wind kite going into your 1st snowkite season. Being completely comfortable with that kite will be of great value when you meet high winds. I know it was for me. You just need to get it on handles and learn how to work them. You should seriously consider going directly to depower but may want to invest with the intension to buy and sell. The best way to do that is to buy a good quality used depower that is not too old but not too new. Too old is anything 2006 or older. From that year forward a lot of the kinks were worked out and many good kites were made. Kites have developed since then. Folks on here will give you there honest opinion based on experience with the kite and your budget.

If I am correct the 1/2 off Pansh deal is for members? Search Pansh on here for the long story on the company. BEWARE !!!! I just got a message from them about shipping charges and changes!

The whole " next kite " thing gets real tricky when you want to satisfy learning snowkite and transitioning to learning on water. People who learn on water and transition to snow have an advantage. Inflatables ( LEI ) are best for learning on water and the characteristics of a good beginner LEI transitions to a good snow kite since you are over the crashing phase and good at ground handling.
Open cell depower foils are sweet for snowkiting due to the easy ground handling. Closed cell depower kites are sweet because the air retention keeps the kite in shape through rough winds etc.. That air retention can be a double edged sword and makes ground handling more of a challenge. You can re-launch closed cell foils from water but it is a struggle and you WILL crash a lot even progressing from snow to water. Unfortunately closed cell foils real winning characteristics are for race and foil. High skill required!

The good news in all this is that YES, you can use the same kite gear that is well suited to water and hard water. Where I live the greatest number of snowkiters are on their water kites since water is 12 months a year here. You can buy and sell your way their with minimal loss to but investing in a good depower foil to get you through the winter may be your best option for now?