4 posts
Hi There,
I am brand new to the sport and I would like advice on a good trainer kite so I can get my kite skills good before lessons. I don't mind spending up to $350 tops if need be & it could be a good investment. I keep getting confused by all that I read such as should I go a 2 line, 3 line, 4 line, foil kite or not.
Any recommendations from experienced Kite surfers would be appreciated?
Cheers
QLD
742 posts
Hey there - I started with an Ozone Imp - 2.5m and still have is cuz its fun to fly and the kids love it also. I use it these days for precision flying and keeping the reflexes sharp . Oh and its a ram air kite which you can repeatedly crash without damage ( oh but avoid barbed wire fences!!)
A good trainer will fly a bit like a big kite - not like a mosquito on steroids!!
The Imp has been replaced by a new model - cant remember what. But its a 3 line model 2 for steering and one for the safety. Im sure some will say buy a small LEI kite with depower - so as to get the real kite feel but after a few crashes you might regret that choice.
TAS
463 posts
Unless you've got kids that can play with it I'd get the cheapest one you can find. You'll get bored of it long before it wears out. Once you get the gist of how yanking the bar works there really isn't more than a couple of hours worth of use in them imo.
QLD
6493 posts
The cheapest 2m 2-line foil kite you can find. Fly it till you have total control then give it to your kids, set it on fire... odds are you'll never use it again.
4 posts
Thanks Lambie,
I have just read a review & it looks great. I think the new model is the Ozone Ignition. I am 63kgs. It says that the 2.5m is best for power and balance. If your kids can handle the strength of the 2.5m I am assuming this would be suited to me. It defiantly looks like the 3 line model is best. Its affordable too at $270. Itching to get started.
Thanks again :)
4 posts
Lots of different views on the value of a trainer kite. Ill do some more research and way up the options. I just want to be get good kite skills so that when I get lessons I can get into the water quicker and feel more confident. I guess all the kites work in a similar fashion.
NSW
608 posts
I've got an ozone ignition 2.5m. As above once you've had a few hours on it, you don't look at it again. Unless you think of getting a land buggy one day. Or unless you plan on going out in 50+kt gale force conditions.
WA
87 posts
I read the pros and cons too, but reckon it'll save you lesson time if you have spent some time playing with one.
Have a look in Gumtree and other classifieds. I got an Imp in good condition for about $75.
WA
119 posts
I got a foil slingshot b2 for sale 170 bucks I learnt on it but yeah depends in what ya looking for really,
NSW
185 posts
I picked up an Ozone Ignition 2.5m form Kite Power and it was the best thing I could have done. I mucked around with it for a few weeks before my first lesson and I know it helped me a lot with being able to start to reada the kite, what is was doing etc. Still throw it in the car when I head out because either my kids or wife play with it while I'm busy also good to muck around with if the wind dies and you don't have a kite to suit the light winds. They retail for around the same price as a 1hr lesson and imo it's like having your own personal 1hr lesson ready when ever you are, they are a lot more forgiving if you stuff up launch and landings.
QLD
2060 posts
Not sure if the Ozone Ign or Imp have a chicken loop and bar, but I would go with an Ozone Octane (2,3,4,5mt sizes available), with their turbo or control bar, as both have a chicken loop so you can practice on land with an actual harness. Forget handles! Ugh. Oh and you get a ground stake too for extra safety and control. Great to untangle lines too.
The closest you can get to the real thing in relative safety the better IMO.
VIC
5 posts
Hi Oceanmind,
I brought an Ozone Ignition 2.5m about this time last year. I used it a few times and like a couple of the guys have said on here got a little bored of it after a while. Although i did buy it post lessons.
Anyway if your interested in buying it pm me as it just sits in my car these days
4 posts
Thanks everyone, appreciate your advice. I actually got a Ozone Ignition 2m 3 line for a good price through local kite school. I am enjoying the training. :)
WA
3619 posts
Waiting on delivery of the Ocean Rodeo 2M Trainer.
It comes as mini-me of a full size LEI.
4 line bar with push/pull & trim etc.
Absolutely no doubt it will increase the value of your lessons.
We hand out free loaners - 1.5M 2 line foils - & a manual to all our students.
