trianer kite advice
Moderator: MK
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face plant
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 11:36 am
trianer kite advice
hello all I've got a friend looking at trainer kites. I've recommended a slingshot 3 meter B3 that i really like, but he is looking at a HQ hydra 3m. does anyone have any advice, or can they compare the two? He is a kite enthusiast, not sure he'll become a kiteboarding enthusiast, but he still wants to buy a trainer. Thanks
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ice_kmauve
- Posts: 537
- Joined: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:18 pm
- Location: St. Paul, MN
Re: trianer kite advice
at that size brand is irrelevant. Color may matter more, since it might influence how often your friend ends up getting out there with the kite, which is ultimately a crucial matter.
One thing to be sure of: make sure it comes with a bar-style controller and not two handles.
a 3 meter is large enough where you have to respect it in strong winds, but small enough where you can use it boldly, so long as you can let go of it (make sure it's leashed). In the long run, it also makes a great machine for towing you on ice skates! I used a 3 meter to go all the way across Lake Mtka on skis once.
the person will need a fixed point on their body where the leash can tie off to. A climbing or kiting harness is the usual answer. Then it is important to get the brake line set up correctly so that the kite depowers and sits on the ground when you drop the handle.
Then, make sure the leash tie-off has a quick-release or some other way of ditching the entire setup in an emergency.
there should be instructions and drawings that come with these small kites. good luck, have fun.
There is a well known kiter, Jeff A, who rides a 5m slingshot foil almost exclusively, and he gets a lot of air with it.
One thing to be sure of: make sure it comes with a bar-style controller and not two handles.
a 3 meter is large enough where you have to respect it in strong winds, but small enough where you can use it boldly, so long as you can let go of it (make sure it's leashed). In the long run, it also makes a great machine for towing you on ice skates! I used a 3 meter to go all the way across Lake Mtka on skis once.
the person will need a fixed point on their body where the leash can tie off to. A climbing or kiting harness is the usual answer. Then it is important to get the brake line set up correctly so that the kite depowers and sits on the ground when you drop the handle.
Then, make sure the leash tie-off has a quick-release or some other way of ditching the entire setup in an emergency.
there should be instructions and drawings that come with these small kites. good luck, have fun.
There is a well known kiter, Jeff A, who rides a 5m slingshot foil almost exclusively, and he gets a lot of air with it.
"They call me Doctor Love.. Doctor love!!" - an obscure rock band.
Re: trianer kite advice
One thing I'd look for if you can is a 4-line as opposed to a 2-line. Just gives you a little more option in terms of depower and a little better for comparison to a full-size kite. There are some small kites like that could be a good buggy kite or landboarding kite if you wanted to play with that. My trainer kite is a 3.5m Flexifoil Rage that I've used on land for stuff, but still worked great as a trainer.
Re: trianer kite advice
Some great advice already given...I'll ad a few more
Great idea to get one with relaunch capabilities. The ones with bridles on the rear of the kite work well for depowering and putting the kite down and for relaunching. I would imagine the 4 liners would do the same. B2s and B3s have a relaunch kite available.
Also some small kites have a kill/depower that is just attached to one outside line. It's functional but it usually makes a mess of your lines. Look for a system, like the rear bridle, that would give you a more controlled depowering of the kite.
3m is a good size. The 2m are great and fast but not super stable and would never have enough to pull you, unless maybe on ice with skates.
Not a huge difference between them. Just make sure it has an easy relaunch and a good clean depower if you need to put the kite down.
Great idea to get one with relaunch capabilities. The ones with bridles on the rear of the kite work well for depowering and putting the kite down and for relaunching. I would imagine the 4 liners would do the same. B2s and B3s have a relaunch kite available.
Also some small kites have a kill/depower that is just attached to one outside line. It's functional but it usually makes a mess of your lines. Look for a system, like the rear bridle, that would give you a more controlled depowering of the kite.
3m is a good size. The 2m are great and fast but not super stable and would never have enough to pull you, unless maybe on ice with skates.
Not a huge difference between them. Just make sure it has an easy relaunch and a good clean depower if you need to put the kite down.
Tighe
Re: trianer kite advice
I do not care for the flying characteristics of the two line trainer kites. The third line acts like an on/off switch and does not allow for variable depower. If I was looking for a smaller foil, I would consider a four line model. Just my personal experience.
Travis
Travis