starting thAIRapy: The Trainer Kite Myth

What does "trainer kite" mean?
Our main focus here is on your “trainer” kite. It's very important you understand what "trainer kite" means:

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 smaller than kites used on the water, 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 as "trainers" are not the same! Many kiteboarding companies market "trainer" kites to those just learning with an attractive price. While they do “fly,” most of these tend to be undersized lower quality kites. The wrong kite will 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.

And, cheaper models are, well, cheap. Face it. You're going to crash the kite. Probably a lot. While there's no indestructible kite, you want a high quality kite, which can take the abuse you're about to give it as you learn all this new stuff.

When we use the term "trainer ," we are referring to a true power kite. It should be sized to your body weight and used for practicing control techniques and power handling simulations in a various environments.

Lines Matter! Which Trainer Kite Should You Get?
See air's kite sizing chart for details on which kite size is best for training (click on the "sizing guide" tab above).

dual line - recreation

Uses: Recreation only. Not recommended for power kite training.

Pros: Least expensive. Simplest to set up and launch. Easy to fly. Can be used with bar or handles. Weighs the least, allowing to fly in very light winds.

Cons: Gives false sense of power kite control. No safety system. Most difficult to self  re-launch after a crash. Usually only available in smaller sizes for basic sport kite flying. Usually made of lower quality materials unable to with stand impact (i.e. repetitive crashing during training). No tuning ability.

3-line - training safety & relaunch
Uses: Kiteboard training. Basic traction and learning to ride ground based boards.

Pros: Wider range of use as they behave more  as a true power kite. Will fly in very light winds (5mph+). Third line adds critical safety feature (can stop kite instantly by releasing bar). Also doubles as re-launch helper after a crash. Less expensive than traditional 4-line kites.

Cons: Costs more than basic 2-line kites. Can only be used with a bar. Not as durable as more performance based 4-line types. Limited tuning.

static 4 line - entry level power kiting
Pros: Power kite training. Buggy racing. Basic riding on ground & snow based boards.

Pros: Can be tuned for variety of wind ranges. Can be flown on bar or handles . Same safety and re-launch help as 3-line models. Best durability of the static line kite types. Can be used for training and / or learning basic riding skills on land.

Cons: More expensive and more complex to learn. Learning to fly with handles is very technical (but gives precise control).

dyanmic 4-line (de-powerable)
Uses: Pure power kiting: kiteboarding, kite surfing, snow kiting. Kite ground boarding.

Pros: Safest of all kite types. Offers "on-the-fly" power control (AKA de-power ability). Broad application range. Offers widest wind range of all kite types. Best at re-launching. Offers most power.

Cons: Most expensive. Most complex to learn. Most models come in sizes too large for training. And, for those that do offer smaller sizes, they typically need stronger winds due to weight.

There's only 2 kite styles...
See air's kite sizing chart for details on which kite size is best for training (click on the "sizing guide" tab above).

Ram Air
Air rams into cells and creates a more effecient flying wing. Looks like a pillow or matteras. Has no rigid frame. Bridles are used to give it shape. 

Uses: Most popular for training. Land based power kiting. Certain closed cell models can be used for basic FreeRide style kiteboarding.

Pros: Less expensive than LEI's (see below). Most efficient in generating power. Quicker set up and take down. Have instant braking ability to stop the kite. Takes up less storage room.

Cons: Does NOT float on water.Many lack the performance FreeStyle and Wave riders prefer.

Leading Edge Inflatable (LEI)
Inflatable frame gives kite a more rigid structure, much like a wing. Doubles as safety allowing the kite to float when downed into water.

Uses: Primarily kiteboarding & kite surfing. Though there is a large influx of LEI kites being used in snow kiting and ground boarding.

Pros: Safest to use in water sports. More models available for various disciplines (FreeRide, FreeStyle, Big Air, Wave, Racing). Offers more performance.

Cons: Most expensive. Slower rigging and packing. Smaller sizes can be very touchy and finicky.

Which kite should i get?
To properly learn basic power kiting techniques (used in all kite-sports), we recommend using either 3-line or 4-line ram air power kites sized to your body weight. The 3-line models have become the most popular as they offer the best combination of price and features. It's essential to start off with equipment similar to what you'll be using later.

Some feel learning with a 2-line kites is easier are quicker. This is true as they are less complex. However, many students training with 2-line kites often gain a false sense of "power kite control". Though they learn the basics of steering, these smaller under-powered varieties do NOT act like true power kites. Students usually end up spending more time and money learning than those who train with 3-4 line models (with  safety / relaunch systems).

Learning with either a 3- or 4-line power kite involves more elements and takes a bit more time...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 their main goal is usually all about processing students quickly. Reality is, 3- and 4-line kites are safer and offer a wider range of conditions to fly in. And, it's quite rare to find someone riding any board with a dual-line kite. In fact, most companies don't even make them other than for economics.

2-line kites do have a training purpose. Some people do better taking baby steps when learning. That's when it makes sense to first start with a 2-line kite, then graduate to either a 3- or 4-line model. And since the 2-lines are much less expensive, it lowers that money barrier. air does offer dual-line power kites in small sizes for training on tight budgets, smaller riders, and those needing a little extra time with learning.

air once offered the traditional kites labeled as "kiteboarding trainers," but have discontinued them. They just don't do the job in helping new pilots train effectively. For 2-line models, 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, HQ). Always remember, you get what you pay for.

Properly training with the right equipment, be it 2-, 3- or 4-lline kites, will help you get  "on the board" faster. 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 in a race car.

The best thing about training witha true power kite is when you're done, you have a kite designed for  land based kitesports (wheel or snow based vehicles and boards). On land, there's less friction and no need to levitate across water. You only need a little power to get moving (i.e., I can push my 3 ton bronco down the street with a meager 1/16th 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).

trainer kite sizing chart
The size ranges listed below are to help you choose a power kite to train with based on your body weight. This chart is meant as a reference guide only, and not a training manual. Power kite sizes and types used for training can vary widely based on more than just your body weight.

These are typical power kite costs proper for training, not recreational ram air kites or "trainers". The range includes both dual-line and premium quad-line kites.