I'm looking to begin power kiting and to someday snowboard/landboard behind one. I know I have many hours to log before I get to that point and I also know that the kite I need to start with will likely not work for that.

With that said, I'm 125lbs and I'm looking for one that will give me a good workout (pull me around a bit), without putting me in danger. So far the ones I've found to fit, are the 3m Hornet, one of the Beamers, or the Tensor 3.1.

Any recommendations for one of these or something different?

Each of the kites you mention are a good fit, looks like you did some homework.

Tensor, great stable intro kite

Beamer, again stable and predictable

Hornet, stable, powerful, a little more jazz then the previous two IMO

Any of these kites in the 3m range would be a great fit.

I do believe I have a demo Hornet 3m if you are interested. If not good as well!

Welcome to the sport and get your self a helmet even when flying static! Some knee pads and possibly elbow pads may help you as well. These things can be great fun, but even at this size can turn on you in the blink of an eye.

Maybe not as many hours as you think are needed before you can start thinking about adding a board! The more time you put in with your trainer kite, the easier it will be though and it will give you a taste of powerkiting without spending a lot of money.

Any of the kites you mention will be good to start with, wear a helmet and be cautious with the wind speeds for your first 2 or 3 sessions.

Good size to start with indeed.

You should understand you will need a small quiver of kites eventually. A 3m CAN pull a board ,buggy or skis if wind speed is strong enough. So this will not just be for learning.

Starting out you should use your 3m at lower wind speeds only and build up to where it is pulling you for some scudding on dirt or sand(at beach)....sand being easier to scud on. If it can begin to drag you....it can begin to pull you on board , buggy, skis, skates..whatever. When wind increases to the point that it is pulling way too hard and fast or you feel out of control, that is when you get a smaller kite, like a 2m- or if you don't have..... then it is time to put away your kite before you get hurt and wait for a different wind day.

Conversely..... If you get no pull at all with your kite you go up a size or more.

When considering wind speed ALWAYS include gusts. If wind is blowing 10-15mph(or forecast for such) and fairly steady...... perhaps you can handle that fairly well let's say. But if the forecast is 10-15 with gusts to 25, that is a whole different game.

Best to learn basics in steady wind day anyway. Later on you can take it out on a gusty day.

Part of learning is not just how to fly kite, control, move and position in wind window, but also what size kite to use (or that you can control) in different(maximum) wind speeds.

What is the wind speed? See your local forecast to start-but actual on- location wind can be totally different...or forecast was just wrong. A wind meter can help.... but realize wind above is even stronger. Experienced kiters can guess fairly well the wind speed by feeling it blow.


The Learning curve is different for everyone. I had one guy in a buggy in a day...though he crashed it a bit, he had a few successful short runs. I had ice skates on w/ my first kite session and rode on the ice(though it wasn't a foil kite and was on shorter lines). Maybe not typical.
Plan on flying static for several sessions anyway. Your ready only when you can FULLY control kite: launch, land, 'sine', hold in many positions in wind window(full power position or lower power position), put in zenith, turn kite one way and then the other(pull you one direction, then the opposite).

Best to fly w/ experienced flyer. You will learn the right ways and much faster. Do not fly near people, power lines, buildings etc.

An all season sport. You can coast at 10 mph or go 50+mph ! Your experience, comfort w/speed and risk, or desires will dictate.

This IS a family sport too!

Welcome

Thanks for the welcoming and the help. I can see I'll enjoy it here.

@shehatesmyhobbies. I'd definitely be interested in your hornet. What do you mean by "demo" though? Feel free to email me as well...

If you think you like it here…wait till you have a board under your feet….welcome!...so much fun ahead:wee:

3m Hornet, Beamer, PKD Buster or the Ozone equivalent. I'd agree all are great kites for a beginner. Just don't buy new unless you're dead set on a pristine kite. You can save a bundle by inheriting someone's well-taken-care-of kite.

Thanks guys! I went with a 3M Hornet and also got a 1.5M Beamer V for the slow wind days.