not all kites are created equal . . .
So you know about kite control. You understand the importance of Kite Zen. And, now you're ready to start what will most likely become the most addictive thing you've ever tried.... thairapy is now in session!
Before starting, there’s a few must haves you’ll need:
- A small power kite sized to your body weight
- detailed guidance with control techniques and simulation exercises. Can be done with air’s kite zen class, or by training video.
- room to fly (many find soccer fields, empty parking lots, and school yards work great)
- time (15 – 25 hours total)
- patience
In the rest of this article, we’ll focus on the first item, your “trainer” kite. Before we do, "trainer kite" must be defined since it has two meanings:
1 - The word “trainer” itself is misleading. To "train" often means learning in risk free environments. However, in power kiting, a trainer kite is neither risk free nor emulates a simulation in any way. Though small, a trainer kite is still a power kite. If used improperly or in the wrong conditions, you can hurt yourself, your gear, and your mental state.
2 -Kites labeled "trainers" are not always great Many kiteboarding companies market "trainer" kites to new kiters with an attractive price. While they do “fly,” most of these tend to be undersized lower quality kites. Many usually limit what you’ll learn, often giving new kiters a false sense of kite control. Basically, they are toys meant for recreational purposes only, even in the larger sizes.
When we use the term "trainer kite," we are referring to a true power kite, sized to your body weight, used for practicing control techniques and power handling simulations in a various environments.
To properly learn basic power kiting techniques (used in all kite-sports), we recommend using quad-line power kites sized to your body weight. Since 99% of all riding is done with 4-liners, we feel starting off with the equipment similar to what you'll be using later is essential.
Some feel learning with a dual-line kites is easier and quicker. This is true as they are less complex. However, many students training with dual-line kites spend more time and money re-learning kite control when flying hose kites with a safety / relaunch system (3 & 4-line kites).
Learning
with a true quad-line power kite involves more elements and will increase
your learning curve...but has huge benifits!.
Some schools stick with two-line kites throughout land and board training, promoting safety and quicker learning as benefits. This is partially true as a main goal usually stems around processing students quickly. Reality is, quad-line kites are safer and offer a wider range of conditions to fly in. And,it's quite rare to find someone riding with a dual-line kite. In fact, most companies don't even make them other than for economics.
Dual-line kites are great, too. Some people do better taking baby steps when learning. Also, those dual-lines are typically much less expensive, lowering that money barrier. We do offer dual-line power kites in small sizes for training on tight budgets, smaller riders, and those needing a little extra time with learning.
We once offered the "kiteboarding trainers" but have discontinued them. They just don't do the job in helping new pilots train effectively. For dual-liner, we stick with those companies specializing in land kiting, which is where most of your training will be. These are “true” power kites in smaller sizes (i.e., Ozone, Flexifoil, PKD). Always remember, you get what you pay for.
Properly training with the right equipment, be it quad- or dual- line kites, will DECREASE your "on the board" learning curve when ready to start riding with larger kites. Think of your trainer as a go-cart...it's got enough horsepower to get you around a parking lot, and if you crash, it won't be as bad as a high-speed accident on the highway.
The best thing about getting a true power kite is when you're done with your training. Since you have a kite designed for towing, many use the same kite for land based kitesports (wheel or snow based vehicles and boards). The great thing is that on land, there's less friction and no need to levitate across water. On land, you only need a little power to get moving if you're on top of snow or wheels (i.e., I can push my 3 ton bronco down the street with a meager 4 horespower of body strength).
Want to know more?
Then contact air's creditable kiteboarding school to help guide you master kite zen! In the meantime, we’ve developed a trainer kite size chart to help show you what to expect with sizes and costs (see below).
