I really wanna do some jumping when i get a bit better ( ive been using my bro's stacker 8) and i dont wanna buy a kite sized 4m to learn on then have to spend more money on a 5m to start jumping cause im 14 and i dont have an income :sniff: . but would it be stupid and uncontrolable if i got a 5m hornet or a 5m radsail whilst only weighing 113 pounds ( 53 kg or 8.35 stone ) and would it be really uncontrollable .

It would only be stupid if you flew it in stupid conditions. I weigh 145# so I'm a bit more than you and as long as you start out in lower wind conditoins to get used to the kite and its power you'll be fine. You do have some experience after all and the wind window is the the same no matter what kite you fly.

At your weight, I'd think you'd do OK with a 5m though its useable range is not going to be as wide as the 4m so keep that in mind. More float but less days you can use it. Conversely you could fly a 4m more but might not be able to jump with it as much. Do you really want to be just jumping all the time or flying and catching some air when you can?

My guess is a 5m kite will start pulling you by 10 and be more than a handful by 15 but I've not flown the hornet so I can't really comment.

I know my 5.5 can be a beast in 15 mph gusty winds but if the winds are just below that and smooth on the beach, the kite is still great.

:eureka:


start with a lawnmower before that first kite... then mow some neighbors lawns and make some cash... then you will have an income, and will be able to get other fun kite stuff down the road...

this plan, if successful, will get you able to buy the 4m first to learn how to fly it (though most here would recommend a 3m.... besides, the 3m is more fun when the winds are a little high) AND a 5m kite for down the road when you want to start jumping.

its a bad idea to start kitejumping first thing... unless you like broken bones and setting off metal detectors

Quote:

Originally posted by dylanj423 :eureka: its a bad idea to start kitejumping first thing... unless you like broken bones and setting off metal detectors

LOL

I've read all your posts on wanting a kite, wanting to jump, etc. Please take my advice, and the advice of all others here and do NOT buy a 5m kite. Sure you could handle it in light winds (6-8) but anything over that and you can find yourself in a lot of trouble very quickly. At 10 mph+, an average 5m is going to pull like a rabid rhino to the inexperienced pilot. (Trust me, I've been there) I am a prime example why you shouldnt start above the 3m area. I bought my Twister II 5.6m after a few sessions on my friends Twister II 4.1 thinking I could handle it with ease, I was wrong. I just purchased my second kite, a PL Viper 2.6m. MUCH smaller! I should have bought that one first because there are a lot of days I simply just cant fly because there is too much wind and it's too dangerous to send the 5.6 up. I've already tried jumping with my 5.6 and yes, it gets me off the groud nicely but even being in the 5.6 size (floaty size) if I dont redirect the kite while im in the air, the landings are PAINFUL. In fact, I just got home from a session today where I was getting 5-6ft jumps and nice landings because on an 8 footer, I forgot to redirect and BAM! The ground hurts. Basically I need to spend more time with my feet on the ground practicing the motions before I go up again. Now heres the thing, the wind is unpredictable as a woman (sorry ladies but its true) you never know what conditions are going to be like once you are out on the field and ready to launch. I can't tell you how many times I've set up in 8-10 mph winds and before I know it my session is cut short because its kicked up to 18+. If I had started smaller, that would be no big deal. Smaller kite = larger wind range you will be able to fly in. With a 5m, you are VERY limited so in reality you will be logging far less flight time while getting your kite control and basic piloting skills in order. I'll stop rambling now. ;-)

Please dont try to "jump into jumping" right out of the gate. Get a smaller kite and practice practice practice first! Learn from my mistake! Trust me man, smaller kites can be just as fun as the bigger ones, not to mention when guys like me are sidelined because the wind is just too heavy, you will be out there zipping around laughing on the inside because all we can do is watch you fly!:wee:

Fly safe!

oh and btw...


I weigh 189 lbs. and my 5.6 still has its way with me in heavy winds....food for thought.

Pay attention to the Wealth of Experiance both good and bad that find on this forume

I started flying kites about nine years ago with stunts then a rapid progresion into power and now my wife in two weeks is in the sport Untill a short time ago i only had one kite a little devil 4.5m and i got lucky with it because at almost 300lbs i can hold it down upto a gusty 20mph but it is still a handfull and i am constantly in a struggle to stay on my feet when the wind is up there but the recent purchase of the Sami 2m for my wife was the best decision i have made yet because i can take that thing out and use my buggie when things really get nasty

and as far as jumping is concerned 5m isn't big enough if that is what you really want to do in this sport it just dosent have the float so get really good with a 3m and you'll ocasionally get some air then when you can fly the kite backwards with your eyes closed you should have enough experiance to stay safe

fyi my brotherinlaw got picked up on the 2m sammi yesterday in about 17mph winds he is about your size so get yourself a good small trainer that you can really ring out and when you master that take it up a few notches

Best of luck and be patient mowing those yards is a fast way to expand a kite quiver for $25 a pop (or More):cool2:

Quote:

Originally posted by B-Roc It would only be stupid if you flew it in stupid conditions.

Right tool for the job and all that

Quote:

its a bad idea to start kitejumping first thing... unless you like broken bones and setting off metal detectors

Dang you hit me right on the dot. 9 major bones and counting.

personally, if this is your first kite. i don't think you would have as much fun. Being overpowered isn't as fun as being in control (IMHO)

Let me add that the small kites will kick your ass till you get used to them and then that kick you ass some more, they are a blast even when you've been flying for 7 years and create a ton of energy in the right winds... I fly my 2.6m Viper as often as I can before and after I do jumps, so buying a smaller kite now is an investment for future fun... I started jumping on a 3m and moved up to a 5m and now I'm on 6.5m and 7.6m kites and I'm 190lbs but love to fly the 2.6m kite as often as I can... It's fun to get a small kite to scud you across a field of grass and feel the power of them... it really hones your skills also...:wee:

Lots of great advice on here and I'm sure your getting your fill... and you made a smart decision by asking these questions, because now you have the knowledge, it's what you do with it that is going to make or break you (sorry for the pun :saint: )...:singing:

Quote:

Originally posted by Kamikuza Quote: Originally posted by B-Roc It would only be stupid if you flew it in stupid conditions. Right tool for the job and all that

I gotta agree here too
I think you'd be able to handle this kite...sometimes
But where you are new to these kite you should start smaller just because mistakes hurt less when you are taking baby steps... a five may not get much use from you anyway because you are so light... i weigh 225 and my 5.6 can throw me around really easily in the wrong conditions...
All that being said, if you like kites, and you want to get one of your own, get a smaller one, you'll eventually get many, many more! Hey... Christmas is right around the corner... buy the smaller / less expensive one now, and make mom and dad pay for the bigger one later... you'll get more out of it later anyway

i weigh 115 lbs and my 4m ace is getting to be too much for experienced kiters of our weight after 20mph.

as for the 5m id say that anything more than 15mph until you learn the kite well is without a doubt going to be painful.

the ace likes steady wind, but youll learn to like the excitement it provides in gusts.

take it out first in 10mph and then work your way up over the course of a month. if you fly daily or every other day you should be good to go in a month.