Power Kite Forum - Street kite/trainer suggestions

Street kite/trainer suggestions

fast_monte - 30-9-2015 at 01:20 PM

I am looking to get into kite-boarding. I surf/SUP at Daytona Beach Florida for two weeks out of the year but live in Cincinnati OH. I have a couple of local friends that are into kite-boarding to various degrees.

I am looking for advice on a trainer kite. My goal is not only to learn to fly the kite safely, but I would also like to be able to use if for street kitting on a long board. I have been a snowboard instructor for 5 years and was able to translate that into wake boarding this summer, (behind a boat and the cable park), so I would say I have decent board handling skills. I am 5’9” tall and a stocky 230#. In Cincinnati we have moderate winds so I was thinking of getting one of the larger training kites, (4 meter). I will have to order on line, I would prefer to order from the U.S.A. so I don’t get killed on shipping and taxes.

I have read the streetkite, and the guide for newbies thread below, I just need help putting them together.

Thanks,
James

abkayak - 30-9-2015 at 01:46 PM

wow...the NPW/Peek guys must be sleeping in their bed sheets...they will be along shortly to try to take you into their cult
welcome aboard...dont pay much attention to me cause id tell you to buy a used 3m kite and fly the snot out of it

ssayre - 30-9-2015 at 01:47 PM

Welcome Fast_monte, Im in Indianapolis and street kite frequently. Where do you plan on longboarding? In other words how much room for lines will you have. If space is tight I like to use my nasa star kites on 5 meter lines. my go to sizes are my 2.5 meter and 4 meter sizes. A bit more expensive option but will cover a wider wind range would be a flysurfer peak. It works on short lines as well. If space isn't a consideration than a traditional fixed bridle kite would also work. I would plan on 2.5m and 4m sizes if you plan on using it for longboarding. 10+ mph the 4 meter is good. 15+ the 2.5 is good. Let me know if you make it to indy and you can try my kites if you like. I might have to make another work trip to to cincinatti. I'll post if I do.

ssayre - 30-9-2015 at 01:47 PM

Damn you abkayak :moon:

flyguy0101 - 30-9-2015 at 01:56 PM

Welcome aboard- I have only street skated once and it was scary fast really quick with the very limited resistance. I would go 3m also need to find something that flys well on short lines. A lot of folks are likingthe new nasastars (I have not flown them but have flown an older npw and it was not for me.) As for the 3 meter- check out the for sale that just came up- I think he had a core which would do okay on short lines and is a great stable kite ( Rian is a standup guy but I am not trying to push his stuff.) FYI we are about the same size and when I fly standing its only depower which is to expensive for pavement and space issue, but buggying (in a huge gravel parking lot- no resistance like pavement but with the addition of no traction so can really rip powerslides) my 3.5 fb is the best and I will use it in 8-10mph up to 18-20. little kites are fast and fun but even a 3m will spank you at least once -so get a brain bucket and have fun
scott

abkayak - 30-9-2015 at 01:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Damn you abkayak :moon:

you know someday i will make it to Indy and me and you are gonna party

ssayre - 30-9-2015 at 02:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Damn you abkayak :moon:

you know someday i will make it to Indy and me and you are gonna party

Absolutely and likewise when I make it over your way.

One key point that I think is important to make is I think it's most fun using a bar so you can transition front side toe side easier and ride toe side much more comfortably. Kites like the rush come with a bar. I've not tried one but there are several videos with people using them. Not nearly as fluent as me on the nasa star

but they do ok. Not trying to push the stars but the attractive feature to me is they turn on a dime flown on 2 lines where traditional foils are a less reactive flown on 2 line versus 4 line. You can street kite with 4 line and handle set up but toeside is a little more awkward. If you haven't flown any kite than learning to fly blind is step one along with learning how to read when and what to fly.

Here is one of my earlier videos.

ssayre - 1-10-2015 at 03:44 AM

This guy in Germany is probably the best street kiter I've seen on youtube. He uses a variety of kites but this particular video he is using 4 line on handles.

And here is just a cool video from the street kite capitol of the world

fast_monte - 1-10-2015 at 08:33 AM

Thanks for the info so far. I am still looking into the options. It appears that the Nasa Start kites are not readily available in the USA? The Flysurfer Peak2 two appears to sell for around $729. What advantages would the Peak2 have over a HQ HydraII Kite, sells for about $400?

ssayre - 1-10-2015 at 09:27 AM

Wow, ok step one go back and read "before you ask what kite" thread. Then I would second second the advice of getting a 4 line fixed bridle 3 meter to learn on. Then many of your questions will be answered by default. Main thing is get a decent kite and learn to fly. Hydra and rush would be good as well but you lose the benefit of how braking effects flight which is a good pre curser for kites to come.

NASA kites are a little more exotic but still good to start on. I actually have a 4 meter for sale for very little doe.

To answer, peak is depower and hydra is not amoung other major differences.

hiaguy - 1-10-2015 at 09:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Wow, ok step one go back and read "before you ask what kite" thread.

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=28759#pid27...

riffclown - 1-10-2015 at 03:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Damn you abkayak :moon:

He only said what everyone else was already thinking.

fast_monte - 2-10-2015 at 11:03 AM

I am borrowing a HQ Rush kite from a friend and longboard from another friend. I have all the safety gear packed in a bag ready to go. Should have some wind this weekend we will see how it goes.

James

abkayak - 2-10-2015 at 11:23 AM

imo..leave the board in the car...your gonna have your hands full figuring out this whole flying thing... it's not as easy as it may look...the rush is great place to start,...go to a nice open grass field not asphalt to start out...you need to be a pilot before you put the board in the equation...oh yea coastalwindsports.com read the tutorials...then you tube launching landing a power kite...have fun be careful...dont forget to take some video cause you will want this on record :thumbup:

riffclown - 2-10-2015 at 06:00 PM

Agreed ---> Borrowed Kite + Borrowed Board = Borrowed Bed as in Hospital Bed..

I Agree with abkayak. Leave the board in the cars and learn everything you can about the kite. Fly on Grass or Sand or some other substance you can tolerate a mouthful of..

Be Safe first and then adventurous based on gained skill level..

fast_monte - 8-10-2015 at 07:25 AM

Been spending some time on the board with a land paddle. I am comfortable going either direction, my turns are slightly stronger heel side. Still no wind to practice flying the kite. I will differently take it one step at a time.

Stuck inland,
James

Bladerunner - 9-10-2015 at 05:39 AM

Trying to learn to fly and ride all at once is extremely frustrating and somewhat dangerous.

Please consider going about it this way:

Learn to fly the kite. Due it to the point you hardly have to looks at it. Until your memory reflexes are set at least. Think 10 hours of actual fly time to reach this level.

When it's not windy keep riding with the Big Stick! You don't need to learn how to kick along. You mostly ride heel side with a kite so that isn't a draw back either. Work on bending your knees and getting your butt low with the heal side turns. A good posture to get used to when holding down power on the kite.

Being master of the kite will be huge when you apply it to the board! Being comfortable on the board, the same. You will have MORE than enough to think about when you combine them!

Trust me on this one!

Bladerunner - 9-10-2015 at 05:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by fast_monte

Thanks for the info so far. I am still looking into the options. It appears that the Nasa Start kites are not readily available in the USA? The Flysurfer Peak2 two appears to sell for around $729. What advantages would the Peak2 have over a HQ HydraII Kite, sells for about $400?

No need for the closed cell Hydra for streetkiting.
The Peak 2 is almost over kill?

I would HIGHLY suggest this NPW http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=30624

Susan's build quality is excellent!

Like the add says, " Long lines or short lines even 2 line ". Or even with a bar!

Long lines will give you a bigger window and more power. Short lines will make stronger winds more tolerable. A bar, 1 handed riding.

With very short lines you can actually haul this kite in and then re-deploy after you have passed something or gone under power lines. You can even fly these kites right off the bridles! GREAT for poaching back roads!

NPW pack up tiny. Great for transport and storage.

fast_monte - 21-10-2015 at 07:07 PM

I ended up getting the NPW from ssayre with the 15 meter lines. Randy is a stand up guy and great to deal with. I have flown the kit 3 or 4 times each time the wind was gust and swirly. one day there was almost 180 degree wind shifts.

I made a new set of handles out of 3/4" conduit and put slots in the end to wrap the lines, (saw it in some boring video) I put the 15 meter lines on it. I made a set of 3m lines out of braided masons line and put them on the old handles.

The winds were light today so I flew the kite a bit with the 3 meter lines. Then I padded up, (knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet) and used the long board on the pavement. It went really well. I only had a few moments of good wind. Probably only got up to 8 or 12 MPH. At the point I felt I was going fast enough I was able to fly the kite to the top of the window to the other side and used it like a drag shoot to stop and change direction.

I ordered a mountain board so I should be able to try it in the grass soon. MBS comp 95X, it should be able to take a beating.

Thanks for your help and guidance to far.

ssayre - 26-10-2015 at 07:42 PM

Congrats on the new landboard. Are you going to ride at voa?

elnica - 26-10-2015 at 08:21 PM

Good riding today fast_monte! That NPW is treating you well. You'll be on the water in no time.

shehatesmyhobbies - 27-10-2015 at 03:28 AM

Good to see that you are doing things safely. When it is time for you to start preparing for water, I would suggest a small version de-power kite, not a hydra to start your quest. There are small LEI kites that you could start learning to fly and then keep for a high wind kite later on. Nasa kites are perfect for what you are doing currently so keep flying and stay safe.

abkayak - 27-10-2015 at 10:57 AM

hummmp....maybe im missing something???
i do like kites...all kites.
maybe i should pu a bed sheet???

Randy - 27-10-2015 at 11:07 AM

This is pretty close to a bed sheet with a few lines added.

ssayre - 27-10-2015 at 11:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

hummmp....maybe im missing something???
i do like kites...all kites.
maybe i should pu a bed sheet???

I'll send you one of mine if you want to give it a whirl. You could do the 5 meter short line thing on your landboard. The 2.5 meter is a riot in good winds

abkayak - 27-10-2015 at 11:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

Quote: Originally posted by abkayak

hummmp....maybe im missing something???
i do like kites...all kites.
maybe i should pu a bed sheet???

I'll send you one of mine if you want to give it a whirl. You could do the 5 meter short line thing on your landboard. The 2.5 meter is a riot in good winds

i appreciate that...but first im gonna see if these Cquads w/ some short lines will do the job...seems to me they are from the same family??? guess i will dress up for a cement wooping this wkend...yes i will try to film...this could be interesting

ssayre - 27-10-2015 at 12:19 PM

you don't have to hit the asphalt on short line. I like this video of a guy in Australia on short line and nasa. skip to 3:54 briefly and again at 6:00 for nasa or watch the whole thing. It's a good video.

another good one with short line

fast_monte - 28-10-2015 at 10:09 AM

I have not received the mountain board yet. I am however having fun on the longboard. The NPW has been a lot of fun and has been well suited to street kiting. Some lessons learned: Pointing the board down wind when starting makes it much easier. The motion of the board takes up a lot of power that would otherwise go straight to your hands and feet when flying stationary.

Anyway here is part of my last session before my phone and the wind died.

shehatesmyhobbies - 28-10-2015 at 06:57 PM

Ah yes, getting started moving with the board headed slightly down wind. This would be the case for whatever direction you go from here whether you are on the water, on a board, or in a buggy. Always best to get started going downwind then pick the line that makes the best even power.

fast_monte - 30-10-2015 at 09:43 AM

Flying on just the bridals in super light wind.

Randy - 30-10-2015 at 09:56 AM

That's great to see! Helmet, knee and elbow pads are a very good idea. I always use wrist guards no matter what. The most natural thing in the world is to try to break your fall with your hand when getting pulled down, or losing balance. Wrist guards make that a non-event.

fast_monte - 6-11-2015 at 12:31 PM

Just got this in for grass fields. opted for the 9" tires hoping it will roll through the grass faster.

fast_monte - 10-11-2015 at 02:15 PM

No wind, but there is this,