Hi all

I'm new to the sport and after years of sitting on the beach dreaming of having a go, now I've started I'm keen to get a training kite so I can practice heaps and make the most of the lessons!

I'm in Perth and it seems the most common Trainers available are 2m 2 line foil kites, Peter Lynn and Slingshot. There seems to be some difference between the prices of the two, and wondered if anyone had any recommendatiions as to which is better, or any other brands I should be aware of? I'm approx 55kg female, if that has bearing as well :)

Thanks!

Hi Tashtwed,

There are two kinds of trainer kites, well three actually, but we don't need to go there. The main two are 2 line kites, and 3 line kites.

Two line trainer kites are cheap, simple and almost redundant.

Pro's - They are cheap!

Con's - The safety system (if fitted) only depoweres the kite by 50% and starts the kite doing the insane high speed death spiral until it eventually hits the ground. This leaves you with a nicely tangled line set and requires a reset relaunch to get it back in the air. They very rarely can be relaunched after crashing it to the ground. Usually need to run to the kite, reset it for launch and back to bar for launch etc. Continue until frustrated. 2-line 1.8-2.0m trainers are also incredibly fast, and although fun, aren't even close to flying the real thing so their suitability to learn kiteboarding is limited.


Three Line trainer kites are more expensive, but better to learn kiteboarding.

Pro's - They are slower which makes them resemble the speed of normal inflateable kites. They are much safer as the safety third line is the one connected to the wrist leash. When activated, they collapse fully and return immediately to the ground and rest and settle themselves in the launch position ready to go again with no tangles.
When you crash the kite (inevitable), the kite can be simply relaunched by pulling on the third line and turning the bar slightly. The kite launches off the ground and turns over ready for flight. You can have the kite back in the air in seconds without moving.

Con's - Price

We have 5 different size and types of trainer kite in our shop in Scarborough. 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5sqm trainers in three line as well as cheap 2 line 2.0m trainers from 179. Many shops will happily take the price of the trainer off the kite purchase price if you trade in.

DM

Ive got an Ozone Imp III three line which has been awesome for beginning and training (even suckered my Dad and brothers into having a go). Whilst it doesnt e fly exactly the same as Kitesurfing kites it is pretty close:

advantages:
Has a bar so teaches you similar contol to normal kite
Easy to set up
Easy to relaunch
Quick to setup and pack away
Very safe due to depower

Due to your weight they would probably recommend a 1.5m however I would suggest a 2.5m if you can as this be more usefull when you get more experienced(I got mine from Kitepower)(Im 90kg's and have a 3.5m)

Re the Uno looks good however is considerably more costly as you need a normal kite bar (which needs to be purchased seperately) and you will probably stack it more initially and not having a bladder/pump means that there is less to break.
(that said once you are experienced the Uno would be better but by then you will probably just want to go out on a real kite).

Hope this helps.

Hi guys

Thanks for the replies, it's much appreciated! I ended up getting a 3 line 2.5m Imp and am having a blast with it - took it down south on holidays and spent some quality time with it :) Hoping to really have the hang of it so I can make the most of my next lesson.

Cheers!

Another newbie here (1st post) considering buying a trainer kite.
I'm 65kg 5'7 would a 3.5m be too big as a trainer?
Anyone have experience with HQ Hydro? I was considering one of them as it could possibly be used later on for snow kiting? maybe perhaps.

thanks!!