Power Kite Forum

2nd kite for 13 yr old?

steve5767 - 25-1-2013 at 04:43 PM

Hi Fella's,
i have a few questions if i may.
I have a bit of experience[a couple of years] and have owned a 4 M Flexi Blade and then a 4.5M Pansh Ace.I then got my Son into it,he was using a 2M Pansh Flux and really took to it!
We then[for a reason i cant fathom] gave up kiting completely!
We are going to get back into this great sport in the Spring,i will get a Blade 4.9,but am a bit unsure what to get the Boy?
Maybe, a 3M? He had great fun with the little 2M Flux but i'm looking for something a bit more versatile for Him,something with a wider wind range,3M maybe,or would that be to much for Him,power wise? Thing is,i do want to get Him a quality kite,possibly a Beamer or Ozone Flow? mmmmm
Any suggestions very much appreciated Guys.

Snake - 25-1-2013 at 05:04 PM

How big is he? I started kiteing when I was 14 and weighed 90 pounds. My first real kite was a 4.5 pansh legend. I got a 13m Peter Lynn Venom a few months later. Small guys can hold down pretty big kite. As long as he understands the wind window and isn't looping it through the power zone in powered winds he should be fine. And BTW, I'm self taught. I learned everything I know about flying kites by myself. he should be fine if he takes it slow.

Buster Soulfly

crazyherb - 25-1-2013 at 05:27 PM

3.3M SoulFly!!
Great bang for the buck and fun kite...

http://www.pkdkitesusa.com/products/Buster-Soulfly.html

Great product support here from Jeff (BigKid) too..

RedSky - 25-1-2013 at 05:29 PM

What about letting him use the 4m Blade on the least lofty AAA setting while you're using your 4.9 upwind of him.

BeamerBob - 25-1-2013 at 07:05 PM

I cringed a bit at the suggestion of him flying the blade but then again, I used to let my son Wexler fly my 6.5 Blade IV in appropriate winds. The rule was he had to be able to hold his ground or get back to his launch spot to fly it. He was 12 and 85 lbs. I flew first every time to make sure conditions were right. With a 4m you can be a bit more relaxed about the winds he flies in but if the wind is up and down, things can go bad faster with the 4m and it won't float so well if it picks him up against his will.

Proletariat - 25-1-2013 at 11:25 PM

Beamer V 3 or 4m. Can't go wrong and it's much better kite than the flux. He can pass it on down to his children. Nobody should ever sell a Beamer. A4m at that weight will give him plenty of excitement and huge wind range, but still usable for traction.

SFKITER - 25-1-2013 at 11:42 PM

I love my Beamers they fly great. Even the 2.0M is fantastic in 12mph winds you get a pretty wicked pull still

Bladerunner - 26-1-2013 at 10:19 AM

What is the goal with the 2 of you ?

Do you think you will just want to static fly and enjoy the power or will you want to get moving ? Inland or on the beach.

Is your goal to keep your son grounded or allow him to push his limits? At 13 he will be learning and capable of growing fast in this sport.

If you think you will be buying and selling as your Son grows then shopping second hand is the way to go.

A bit of a side question. How did you find the 4m Blade and 4.5m Ace compaired?

shaggs2riches - 26-1-2013 at 11:44 AM

6m ozone access or HQ apex might be a nice place to start.

steve5767 - 26-1-2013 at 02:15 PM

Thanks for the replies Fella's.
Our goal is mainly inland recreational flying.He was very confident a couple of years ago with the 2m Flux and took to it really well,i was very impressed.I think i will go for a 3 or 4m Beamer for Him as they are said to be great kites,also quite predictable and non aggressive flyers.I'll see how he gets on first of all, then if he wants to progress to a Blade in time then so be it.
I had a 4m Blade and a 4.5 Pansh Ace,no kites at the moment.The Flexi was MUCH better in ever way.The lines on the Ace were terrible quality to say the least! But in it's defence the canopy appeared to be of reasonable quality.But just looking at white Pansh lines made them tangle and fray! Both very powerful as expected but the Blade was more smooth/predictable,the Ace was pure aggression and i felt i could not relax for a second,it tried to kill me at EVERY opportunity!...lol