Peter Lynn Pepper 2.5M

I was given the pepper as a birthday present. It is the first power kite i have owned or flown. The flying part of this review relates to the maiden flight and first impressions.

It came in the much maligned ripstop stuff sack.

Pros: Easy to pack/unpack, keeps size of kit to a minimum, keeps costs low, easy to pocket when empty, looks cheap (maybe less attractive to theives because it looks like a sleeping bag)

Cons: Not particually protective, no additional storage, looks cheap.

The Kite: Nice purple and blue colours on this one, chikara, single stitching, velcro loop for bridle. Made a good first impression straight out of the bag, althought it should be noted i have nothing to compare it to.

Lines/handles: Colour coded power and break lines. I was surprised how thin the lines were, but they have proved themselves. The lines were of slightly uneven length, but there are clear instructions for making them equal on a slip of paper included with the manual. Why these werent included on a page in the instruction booklet is unclear, an afterthought perhaps?

Instructions: Good, all the information required to get flying is in there. Although when setting up the info from the 'how to' section of the site was equally helpfull.

Also a sticker yet to be applied so i cant comment on adhesion.

No kite killers or stake included, but i suppose that keeps costs lower.

Flying: Attaching lines and handle done easily, time to fly. Pulled the power lines, kite inflated, went up to the zennith, text book launch!. I was relieved it all worked as it should.

The pull from the 2.5 took me by surprise! I had watched videos on youtube of people getting pulled around by 2.5m kites but somehow the power was unnexpected.

The wind (according to BBC Weather website) was 12mph. Down on the beach at Minnis Bay it felt like a steady but gentle breeze. I admit i was not brave enough to chuck the kite through the power zone as i felt it would just drag me off down the beach.

The kite turned well and i felt i had control, it didnt do anything crazy or unnexpected, but was still an exiting and awesome flying experience.

One hour later....

I landed with the brakes, but not wanting to get my new toy too wet first time out, i landed it on the only dry bit of sand which happened to be directly down wind! But this worked ok, it just twisted once or twice before touching down.

To conclude: I am very happy with the kite and cant wait to go out again. I can say i am honestly surprised at the pull of the 2.5m pepper. For an absolute beginner it seems more than powerfull enough, i cant wait to get more flying time under my belt so i can find out what it can really do.