Which Kite?

[JayT]

I currently surf but want to take up kiteboarding and would like to learn how to use / control the kite and use a landboard as a learning tool (and when I can not get to the coast) with the end objective to get in the water having a fair idea on how to use the equipment.

 

What kite will provide the best entry level performance for both land and water?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Tonster]

The problem here is that you need a lot more power for water than you do land so finding a good first kite to get used to that will be powerful enough for the water presents a problem.

 

IMHO I think you should probably look at getting a smaller kite to learn control with and then move onto something larger like a Peter Lynn Twinskin or Flysurfer as these can be used both on land or water when you are used to the technique and power of kites.

The fact that you already surf should hopefully speed up your progression big time.

[yowi]

I'd second that, I don't think you can beat the Peter-Lynn's for learning.

They are unbeatable for stability, gust absorbtion and smooth, predictable power delivery.

Their price is competitive and I haven't seen any durability complaints.

No bridles to tangle, no tubes to pump, just make sure you inflate them well before launching.

[bookie]

Might be worth getting something like a wee buster or the like (may be 3m) second hand. You can get a feel for flying a kite and ou will make much faster progress when you splash out on a Flysurfer or a PL monster.

 

You could probably pick one up for not too much.

 

bookie

[Ally]

i'd agree. with bookie. it doenst really matter if it uses a different system, a cheapish 4 liner will really help you learn to fly a kite.

 

once your used to that i'd say get a Flysurfer XTC.

[nobby]

s-arc? cheap, will take a beating and usable in the water later...??

[Odysseus]

I was in your position several months ago. An intermediate surfer, snowboarder and skater, I wanted to kitesurf. I wanted to start on land and was looking for a surf and turf kite.

 

This is what I did and therefore is my 2 cents, for what it's worth.

 

Start with a trainer kite, maybe a Bullet 2.5-3.5 depending on your weight. I started with a Bullet 2.5 and am 150lbs. Don't think of a trainer kite as being disposable. You can always use it to landboard on higher wind days. Start with static flying and scudding. Once you can scud without watching the kite alot, you should be ready for a landboard. Once you can landboard with the smaller kite, you should be ready for a larger kite. This is when you want to consider a duel use kite. I took a serious leap here and purchased a Flysurfer Psycho 2 7M. My thinking was that I would use it as a strong wind kite on water and a moderate wind kite on land. This was a big leap because of the tremendous lift the Psycho 2 can produce. I survived it and learned to jump on land.

 

Now, that is where I am currently. I can handle a medium sized kite and am ready for water. I am going to take a lesson to help me make the transition. I will be using their equipment (probably a LEI) but I plan on buying a 13M Psycho 2 to use on land in lighter winds and on water in moderate winds.

 

The bottom line is, you can't really use a surf and turf kite for your first flight experiences. At least not one that will be useful on both mediums.You need alot more power on water then on land and learning on a 10M kite is extremely dangerous on land. I have never heard (well rarely) of anyone using less then a 7M on water under any wind conditions.

 

You may choose a more aggressive course then I did, but be carefull. This is a dangerous sport. If you look for them, you will find stories of even very experienced riders being injured and killed.

 

Your existing board skills will help you progress rapidly. Good Luck