Hi all

I'm in the market for my first depower, and have been looking at the Ozone Access 8m and HQ Apex III 7.5m... these both seem to be highly recommended as first depowers. I have plenty of experience with a 2-line trainer, so I'm not totally new to kites, though I realise there is a big difference between a FB 2-line and a depower 4-line. I'll be using the kite mostly on snow (skis), though I might think about a buggy or land board once summer rolls around. I figure it's probably best to buy used, so I've been looking here, plus on eBay & Craiglist.

I had spotted a used Ozone Access 2, and was wondering if buying a slightly older kite is advisable. It's a bit confusing to me that Ozone doesn't number their new models sequentially like HQ, but from what I could figure, the order went something like Access 2 > Access XC > Access XT. So I'd really like to know if the Access line has major improvements between models, or is it minor things (I did read somewhere that the 2010 version should be avoided, but I can't find the post now so I don't remember why! Neither do I know which one of those is the 2010 version)

Next question... I'm not crazy about getting big air (I'm not made of rubber any more!), but I would like to be able to get a few feet off the ground on my skis - no further than I can fall without breaking something, so probably 5ft max. Will these models (Apex or Access) do that for me? I'm pretty light... probably no more than 140 with skis/gear included, and will be flying in variable mountain wind conditions.

Now about a harness... I know I need one, but does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for in particular for a petite female? I'm thinking a seat harness will be much more comfortable for me than a waist harness, but I'm a bit wary of the 'one size fits all' approach of some harnesses as that rarely works out well.

And one last thing... if anyone has an 8m-ish depower that they're thinking of selling which would fit my criteria, please let me know! Thanks

The waist harness can be an issue for the females since they can ride up. That can be controlled with how you fly the kite though. My wife has a liquid force women's waist harness that she likes and it does not ride up as long as she has it tightened properly.

I have the Apex 3 7.5 and really like it. My wife flies it (about your size) and likes it as long as the wind is steady. It is a handful for her if it is gusty. I would think you would need at least that much kite to get moving on the snow (depending on conditions) but there are others on here that are in the snow regularly and will be able to give you some guidance on that. The apex 3 is not specifically a lift kite however it will lift.

Try not to even think about jumping for awhile if you are just getting to a four line kite. Give yourself some time and don't get in a rush. You will get there. You may not think you can break something from 5 ft up but I can assure you that you can especially if you don't remember that the kite is king.

I have a 2012 access I bought brand new as a first kite but didn't take into consideration I won't be able to us it because I live in New York and there is no snow. I used it maybe 3 -4 times static flying just to try it. Let me know if your interested.

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Try not to even think about jumping for awhile if you are just getting to a four line kite. Give yourself some time and don't get in a rush. You will get there. You may not think you can break something from 5 ft up but I can assure you that you can especially if you don't remember that the kite is king.

5ft does sound a bit ambitious... I'm a big wuss (and can't take prescription pain meds), so believe me, I'd want at least 2ft of fresh powder before even thinking about getting airborne! I'd like to make sure that the kite is capable of it though... but maybe that is what kite upgrades are for

@zalex820: Thanks for the offer but I think 12m would kick my butt!

Well now that you mention 12m....My wife likes her 12m Synergy....but again in fairly stable wind. It would get you moving and jumping for sure. Just remember that 12m Synergy is different then 12m "something else". Keep an eye on the kites projected area and aspect ratio. They can make a big difference in how big the kite feels for its size in meters. For example my 12m synergy is not all that different in pull from my 7.7 twister. They are very different in size though.

125 pound female here. I have a Mystic Blazer harness size Small. It gives me room for ski clothes but I can still get it just small enough so it does not ride up in lighter clothes. The Blazer is really designed with snow kiting in mind. I'm used to climbing harnesses with leg loops, plus my waist is just too small for a waist harness not to ride up so it's good for a buggy too. The Ozone harness is "one size fits all" which we smaller types know just isn't true. A lot of guys like the Peter Lynn Divine. I know that is available in XS and S.

Thanks Annie, that's exactly the info I was after I was looking at the Mystic Blazer and trying to decide between the XS and S sizes. I'm 120lbs and usually wear size 6 to 8. I was planning on putting the harness under my jacket/ski trousers so it won't get snow stuck in it... do you reckon the XS would work, or should I size up to the S?

mahgn-harness over your snowpants! under the jacket is OK if you've got a place to attach, some riders make THE KITE PANEL, a little extra zipper for the middle of the jacket(http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=12062), some riders just cut a hole in their jacket and then sew up the raw hole (several team riders have been rocking this look at winter snowkite events...)

I've now kited 4 times total, took a lesson once last year and have flown my HQ Apex III 10M a total of 3 times On my ice skates I have been able to get pulled around quite nicely on the lakes around here and it has been a great kite to learn on. I am using a Dakine Fusion seat harness with some padding on the lower lumbar and I love it! I am a guy that weighs 155 with a 32 waist, not trying to give you my specs, but it fits great. It provides some warmth as well because it is pretty thick and has a nice amount of adjustability. I have not tried to fit it on my wife yet so I'm not sure how it would fit or even what size it is but like I said, I love it. I can fit it over my winter gear with my jacket over the top and the lower zipper zipped up to open the jacket at the bottom so the spreader bar hook sticks out.

I first searched on my local Craigslist and found an Ozone Samurai II in great condition that also included the seat harness. You can get a great deal if you dig around and keep a look out. Next, I bought the HQ from a member on this forum, Barry, and got another great deal. If you buy stuff from people on the forum you will probably be fine but as with any person-to-person transaction make sure to be careful.

As far as catching air, I am 36, have been boarding for 20+ years and I want NOTHING to do with catching air at the moment. Search the forum for "lofted" or just browse around and you will find plenty of horror stories about it. Every time I fly I actually keep it as far away from the zenith at possible. If I don't want to move I keep it on the ground with the brakes or even pull the top hat if I want to make sure. This is why I like foils, I feel very safe with them when I want to make sure they don't go anywhere Now, have I lifted myself? Yes, just yesterday in about 12mph sustained but it came from a gybe where I brought the kite a little high when turning so I could feel myself going up and promptly applied some brake and came down. My point being, this will be able to lift you with no problem if you really want it to. Heck, look in the Chat forum and you will see the story from "Big Kid" or something like that about his pain meds he takes from getting lofted by a 3-4 meter kite! But I digress.

My $.02 from a newbie.

Well, don't eliminate the ARCs as an option...they are depowered kites too. I switched to ARCs right after I've practiced on my FB kites and I never thought of going back. I felt like I was cheating somehow because they are just so easy to fly, and I could eat a sandwitch while I'm riding the buggy down the beach with ARCs.

Anyway, just my 2 cents; and there are quite a few ARCs for sell on this forum I believe.

I only have 2 depower, a 13m Waroo and an 18m Guerilla. I've only had them out a few times each, but the Guerilla seems to pull less than the Waroo, oddly enough. Both have flopped around a bit in low wind and I'm always terrified of having it catch wind at the wrong time and "popping" during a gust, but I have yet to have that happen with either. Conversely, my buddy who flies a big foil at the same field has been tossed 20 feet by his flopping foil catching wind at the wrong time.

I now lean towards LEI and/or Arc for snowkiting / inland winds. The depower foils seem reliant on wind that doesn't change by 90˚ every few minutes. Caveat: I've never actually flown a depower FOIL. But I DO have bunch of FB foils, so I have a bit of an idea about how they behave.

Oh, and I'm very happy with my cushy new HQ harness and leash. I was actually surprised at how comfy it is and it doesn't ride up at all. They're oversized, too, so I bet you get a bit more fit at the low end (I'm 165 lbs, 5'9" and I think my harness is an XXL!?!?). There's a pic at the bottom of this linky (http://www.kitemare.com/harnesses.htm)

Hope that helps a little.

As far as the sizing for the Mystic Blazer- its a tough call. I have the Small but could wear an XS no problem. The reason I have the Small is indeed to wear outside of winter clothes. In lighter clothing the Small on me is just small enough as I have it adjusted in as far as it will go. I wear U.S. women's sizes 2 or 4 normally. The Blazer is a very comfortable harness for me. The leg loops are padded which makes them a tad bulky but even so I found I have a full range of motion in relative comfort. The only kite I have flown with my harness so far is an 18M PL Phantom. The harness did not ride up and was just great.

Thanks again Annie I will get the size small... should leave enough room underneath for crash shorts if I decided to try landboarding in the summer!

I ended up finding a used 7.5m Apex III, and will be taking lessons on the 9th... can't wait!