Hi All

I would greatly appreciate your suggestions and recommendations to help me select my first depower kite.

For the last 4 months I have been regularly doing static power kiting on a Prism Snapshot 1.9 first (2 lines, wrist straps), then on a Snsppshot 2.5 (4 lines, handles) and recently a Prism tensor 3.1 (4 lines, bar). I feel quite comfortable with these 3 kites in winds up to 16 kn (30 km/h) —although the 2.5 and 3.1 pull me around a bit— and manage reasonably well to control the kite and put it where I want in the wind window.
That being said, I still consider myself as a beginner and I am fully aware I still have many many hours to log before I can get to the point I would not embarrass myself defining me as a kiter...!

I am now looking to move to landbaarding and considering to use a depower kite for the first time. After a bit of homework I found that kites such as the HQ Apex or Neo (or similar in other brands, Beamer, Peter Lynn, etc.) could do the job while supporting my learning curve in a fun but safe way.
However, I have NO idea at all of the size I should look for (kind of HQ Apex 3.5 or 5.5 or bigger ???).
I am 170cm (5’ 7”) and 68kg (150lbs).

Any recommendations for one of these or something different ? Thank you in advance

Bigger

Depower kites have a lot smaller power to size ratio than fixed bridle kites and are alot gentler and easier to fly. You are doing the right thing though if you are going to get on a board. It way easier to learn on a depower kite.

The Apex is a decent enough choice. I started on a 10m but at 68kg you will probably be better off with an 8m. Don't worry, the size is only intimidating the first time you lay it out on the ground to launch it! once you have had a session with it you will be hooked.

Go get lessons. Your teacher let you try more than one kite/brand. You'll learn with safety in mind. You'll control your kite. You'll know what to do or not in case of multi rider field... how got priority.
Foldind a kite, your lines, attach a leach, what's a donkey dick, chicken loop, harness, how to read the wind... more more more....
Than you'll became a kite pilote with knowledge.

Thank you for your advise

Actually, I had my first lesson last weekend and planning to have another one as soon as wind allows...

My advice would be to think about your eventual quiver rather thn just the next kite. For example, I believe the Ozone Access comes (or used to come, I don't really keep up with the latest) in 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. Many would say that the best first size would be would be the 8, which would be true if you were only buying one. But you will eventually want more than one, and you want them spread out, like the 6 and 10. If you buy the 8, then the next one has to be 4 (really, really small for a depower) or the 12 (which many think is not a good size for an Access). If you've already bought the 8, the 6 and 10 are just too close in size to justify the spend.

That's just an example based on Ozone kites, but I'm sure you can apply the theory to HQ depower kites as well.

Here in the UK, a lot of boarders are using LEIs, which might suit you as well. talk to your instructor about it.

Thanks, jimbocz
I never thought to that before. Good point to consider before spending money !

your doing great...perfect way to approach the sport...imo its better to get moving first fb on a landboard get comfy and than bring the dp into the mix..get the board first u can get the kite when it finds you, no rush...get 8/9m for a 1st kite ..if i knew then what i know now that would be how i'd do it..but if a 12/13m shows up buy that too..your gonna anyway...have fun

I can ask my teacher to start with lessons more focused on land board !
Thank you, All, for the suggestions !

I am a little confused. You are probably taking kitesurf lessons ? A good choice.

Is your ultimate goal to ride on land and water ? Are you looking for an open cell foil or a kite you can use on both land and water ?

Their are " closed cell " foils available that will work on both. Inflatable kites work well with ATB as well. Closed cell foils are less than perfect for learning on water and inflatable are less than perfect for learning on land.

What is the average wind speed that you will fly in ? That should be taken into account . If you typically have low winds a small depower will frustrate you .

Possibly the best person to ask questions of is your instructor. He will have intimate knowledge of the winds in your area and what type gear works best.

Hi Bladerunner

I am interested in kite landboarding, not kite surfing. And the (very) few lessons I took so far were in static kiting.
The winds usually follow 3 patterns: more than 22 kn together with desert sand storms, or approx 10-18 kn with clean air, or no wind. SO, most of the time I will have to deal with 10-18 kn range.

Sounds like a good wind range for a 7.5m HQ Apex...

7.5 sounds like it would work in those winds and take you into even higher winds once you have it mastered. You will eventually want a larger kite in those winds but would probably find anything larger than an 8m intimidating .
Once you have the skills you can look for something larger with more lift for more enjoyable jumping.

If money is an issue, second hand gear is the way to go. Just be sure to buy from reputable sites.