Practice kites and progression

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TGoods
TGoods
4 posts
4 posts
26 Nov 2009 8:50am
Hi Everyone,

Im keen to get into kite surfing. Ive organised my first lesson and am planning on getting a practice kite after the lesson. Once I get good on the practice kite im planning on getting a couple more lessons to get onto the board.

What size/type of practice kite would be best for my situation??

Also, If i do get good on a practice kite, is it even reasonable to expect to be able to get onto a board (with lessons) or is there another step I havent considered?

Any thoughts would be great!

Cheers
dutchy1985
dutchy1985
213 posts
213 posts
26 Nov 2009 9:11am
Use the practice kite to pull yourself onto your feet.
e.g. Lie on your back, swoop the kite, and pull yourself up as the bar pulls against you.
This should help you to get on your feet on the big kite.

My friend has an ozone trainer 2.5sqm which has plenty of pull and gives you a good idea of how powerful the big kites are going to be. Some trainer kites are a bit fairy-like and don't really pull very hard.

http://www.kitepower.com.au/catalog/product_17483_Ozone_Imp_III_Trainer_Kite_cat_253.html
koma
koma
VIC
760 posts
VIC, 760 posts
26 Nov 2009 12:15pm
I think you've got things a bit upside down... horse before the cart perhaps?

1. Trainer kite, learn to fly it. Wind window, power zone, etc.
2. Water kite, rigging, safety systems, body dragging, self rescue.
3. Water kite + board, up and riding, etc.

You don't use a trainer kite on the water, and you don't use it with a board.
You do use a trainer kite for practicing flying and learning the wind window.
2-3m trainer kite is perfect. Get it on a bar if you want to use it as a learning aid for kitesurfing. Get it on handles if you just want it for having fun.
Sasha
Sasha
VIC
103 posts
VIC, 103 posts
26 Nov 2009 12:20pm
- No need to buy a trainer kite, you'll need it just for few hours.
-then practice with the real kite, sure with the instructor first.
Good luck.
TGoods
TGoods
4 posts
4 posts
26 Nov 2009 9:26am
Thanks for that.

Koma, just to clarify - I was planning on getting a water kite and board for when i come to that, learner kite was just to practice on first.

Do I need a lesson to start off before using the practice kite or would you recommend getting a handle of a practice kite first before even gettign a lesson on a real kite (gettign a DVD even for practice kite??)

Cheers

Tom
Idiot
Idiot
WA
577 posts
WA, 577 posts
26 Nov 2009 9:43am
koma said...

I think you've got things a bit upside down... horse before the cart perhaps?

1. Trainer kite, learn to fly it. Wind window, power zone, etc.
2. Water kite, rigging, safety systems, body dragging, self rescue.
3. Water kite + board, up and riding, etc.

You don't use a trainer kite on the water, and you don't use it with a board.
You do use a trainer kite for practicing flying and learning the wind window.
2-3m trainer kite is perfect. Get it on a bar if you want to use it as a learning aid for kitesurfing. Get it on handles if you just want it for having fun.


While I agree with Koma, I have some extra stages;

1- Buy or download one of the instruction DVDs
2- Get a trainer kite with bar and trust me, you will need it more than couple of hours.
3- After you learned everything about the first 30 mins of your DVD go and book time with your instructor (this way you wont waste your instructors time and you will get the maximum benefit out of your 2-4 hours)
4- Get advice from your instructor on which kite to buy
5- Practice a lot of body dragging (it's the start of the fun)
6- Call your instructor and ask him what size board you need.
7- Come back here and call us noobs and give us red thumb
manicskier
manicskier
VIC
772 posts
VIC, 772 posts
26 Nov 2009 6:10pm
TGoods said...



Do I need a lesson to start off before using the practice kite



No, just get a trainer and fly it heaps. they are easy to use and wont kill you. Once you are confident with the trainer (looping it, flying one handed, flying without looking at it) then go and get your first lesson.

That kite you have found (the link) would be ok, but even better might be to turn up at your local kite shop and buy one from them, it will be about that same price as that

edit: this page www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=10 down the right hand side under "Kitesurfing Articles" is a whole bunch of info that will come in handy too ;-)

axis
axis
VIC
399 posts
VIC, 399 posts
26 Nov 2009 10:11pm
Trainer kites are great. I have had one for 8 years (got it after I leant to kitesurf) and still muck around with it on the beach and lend it to friends.

IMO do your research about kites - most instructors will be affiliated with a brand/s so don't necessarily discount their advice, but don't think you have no choice but to go with what they recommend.
laurie
laurie
QLD
3902 posts
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