Are trainer kites worth it?
-
- Joey
- Posts:1
- Joined:Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:04 pm
- Contact:
I just moved to Alameda, and I'm thinking of taking up this great sport next season. In order to get a jump on things, I was thinking about getting a trainer kite to practice with during the winter, so when I take lessons in the spring I'll have some kite skills.
I'm a paraglider pilot, so I have an understanding of flying a wing, reading the wind, etc., and I also understand how important it is to have muscle-memory level skill with the wing/kite.
My questions are:
1. Does it make sense to work with a trainer kite over the winter? Are they similar enough to real kites in their flight characteristics that doing so will make it easier to learn how to kiteboard?
2. If it does make sense, should I get a 2 line or a 4 line?
3. Where would you recommend getting one from, and what makes/models would you recommend. I'm about 200 pounds, and don't plan to use it for snow or skating, just to practice for kiteboarding.
4. How much should I expect to pay for a good trainer kite?
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
I'm a paraglider pilot, so I have an understanding of flying a wing, reading the wind, etc., and I also understand how important it is to have muscle-memory level skill with the wing/kite.
My questions are:
1. Does it make sense to work with a trainer kite over the winter? Are they similar enough to real kites in their flight characteristics that doing so will make it easier to learn how to kiteboard?
2. If it does make sense, should I get a 2 line or a 4 line?
3. Where would you recommend getting one from, and what makes/models would you recommend. I'm about 200 pounds, and don't plan to use it for snow or skating, just to practice for kiteboarding.
4. How much should I expect to pay for a good trainer kite?
Thanks in advance for your opinions!
- davewsail
- Regular
- Posts:362
- Joined:Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:17 am
- Location:Folsom
- Contact:
Yes, get a trainer. If you just want to use it for practice, get a cheap 2-line kite (T-foil has a cheap one ~$40) and go at it. You need to be able to fly the kite with your eyes closed and pull off the normal kite maneuvers like sining easily before you go to a full size kite and board. The more time you spend practicing, the less time you'll be paying someone in your lessons for basic kite skills.
When Bruce was teaching me on the levee last year he had a saying: "I charge the same for swimming lessons as kiteboarding lessons." His point was to practice enough ahead of time so you're not swimming.
When Bruce was teaching me on the levee last year he had a saying: "I charge the same for swimming lessons as kiteboarding lessons." His point was to practice enough ahead of time so you're not swimming.
Team rider for Sheldon Kiteboarding and North
-
- Valued Contributor
- Posts:266
- Joined:Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:26 am
- Contact:
- adamrod
- Old School
- Posts:1534
- Joined:Fri Sep 15, 2006 5:35 pm
- Location:SF
- Contact:
-
- Old School
- Posts:1072
- Joined:Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:59 pm
- Location:Santa Cruz, CA: Alameda, CA: BayPoint
- Contact:
- windhorny
- Old School
- Posts:4039
- Joined:Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:47 pm
- Location:Alameda
- Contact:
It is in general bad advise to say, nah, dont bother with atrainer kite. But the reality is that certain people have more inate knowledge and pick it up quicker. You need to know a hell of a lot more about the wind than a kiter does but they are still different sports and doing something wrong could hurt you or others around you. Like Rey says, if you get a 3 meter, it is at least still good for a traction kite on land. The other thing nice about the foils is self reliance. With any inflatable you will need to have a helper and want to be in the water when playing around. One alternative might be to get a 7 or 8 meter LEI and practice on a 15mph day out on the water. Once you feel comfortable go get a larger one and use the 7/8 for the storms.
-
- Regular
- Posts:590
- Joined:Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:26 pm
- Contact:
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests