Bladerunner
Posts: 9679
Registered: 10-17-2006
Location: Vancouver
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The right age to get started.
My Nephew just turned 3. I want to get him a kite when he is old enough to appreciate it. Right now I am not sure he even has the attention span to
enjoy a single line.
At about what age are kids ready for a proper trainer foil kite? He lives right by the ocean but too far away for me to teach him. His Dad and Mom
will help but are not kite people. They kiteboard on the island He lives on but no place right close to him so not sure he can get skilled help from
locals?
What would people suggest as a 1st kite for him? I am thinking the Sensi for it's simple 2 line design that can be relaunched? Maybe a Tensor for it's
4 line potential?
Kites: 2.5m Profoil , Quadrifoil XL kitesurfer, NPW 5 Danger.
Flexifoil: 1.7m Sting, 4.9m Blade 3, 9m Blade 2.
Flysurfer : 19m Speed 2 SA, 7m Pulse
Peter Lynn :18m Phantom, 15m Synergy, 10m Synergy, 1200 Farc, 460 Sarc, 130 Tarc, 5m Peel, 4.2m , 6.4, 8.5 C-Quads, 3.5 LS2 single skin.
Rides: Flexi / P.L. Frankin'Buggy , Shaped + straight skiis, sand skis, Coyote blades. Core 95 ATB. RKB R2 ATB .
Ken (K2)
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Randy
Posts: 1886
Registered: 5-20-2014
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I've got a Sensie 3 and think its great. The 2 line launch actually does work, though it takes a bit of practice and it is not automatic. For most
kids a 2 line is probably easier than starting out with a 4 line.
How old? Well I was at a park few weeks ago flying one of my 2 m NPW's on a 3 line bar. Small kid - I'd guess 3 came running up and insisted I let
him fly it. I said no several times (I don't really like to interact with other people's kids all that much since you don't know how the parents
would feel about it) but finally relented. To my surprise he actually made a go of it at least for a while. I'd guess with a little practice the kid
could have actually flown it ok.
So to figure out if the kid old enough just take him out sometime when you are flying and see if he wants to try it himself.
NPW Test Pilot -US99
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Suds after thuds
Posts: 275
Registered: 3-19-2012
Location: Berlin, Germany
Member Is Offline
Mood: island time
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I'll confess to scudding with my 3yr old in my lap, his hands on the bar. I think at 8 my daughter is about ready to try something along the lines of
a stunt kite; once she gets the hang of steering that, a 1m 2 line Matte. After solo flying, the next benchmark would be letting go of just one line
if things got squirrelly. Then she would probably have to fly a 1.5-2m on handles (this would be a nice high wind kite, or maybe something out of the
Born lineup). My girl likes to longboard...
And when summer happens, I think I might pick up a tiny tube for her to play with. Water being more forgiving-- before the tide goes out, anyway.
Scout II 4m
Montana VI 9.5m
Matrix 15m
F-arcs 1200 & 1600
Pulse 13m
Ozone Reo 8m
LF Envy 12m
Ground Industries Patrol 106
12.5" DOOM wheels
Crazyfly Shox 136 x42
North Nugget TT 5'2"
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Windstruck
Posts: 3338
Registered: 5-16-2015
Location: St George, UT, USA
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Mood: Get in my buggy!
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Ken, cool that you are getting the next generation going!
I know I end up like a broken SS record but SS may be a good route because of their sturdiness when pile driven nose down.
Born Kite makes a nice 1.5m two string NS3 trainer:
http://www.venturi-power.de/index.php?cat=c25_Trainer-Star-T...
Another SS option is one of PL Uniq Plays:
http://www.peterlynn.com/products/single-skin-kites/uniq-pla...
Go for it!
Born-Kites:
RaceStar+ (3.0m, 5.0m, 7.0m, 9.0m, 14.0m)
RaceStar (9.0m, 11.0m)
NasaStar-4 (2.5m, 4.0m, 5.5m, 7.0m)
NasaStar-3 (custom 3.2m)
Flysurfer Kites:
Peak-5 (2.5m)
Buggy:
Peter Lynn BigFoot+ nose & tail; midsection VTT rail & seat kit; home-brewed AQR
NAPKA Member US2815
SWATK Member UT0003
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nate76
Posts: 330
Registered: 9-9-2015
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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Mood: Lets roast some coffee
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My son is 5 years old / 40 lbs and I've been training him on a 1.8m Fluxx with pretty good success. These kites are in the $80 - $120 price range,
and mine has been holding up to the abuse well. Just had him out yesterday and he was throwing it around pretty good - making some pretty impressive
saves. And pretty spectacular crashes. So fun seeing him get the hang of it though.
For more info, you can go here: https://www.hqkitesusa.com/products.asp?cat=3
Founder/Owner Colorado Kite Sports
Specializing in Gin, Little Cloud & HQ4 foils.
http://coloradokitesports.com
Most used Kites: LC Pelican, Gin Marabou
Skis: Something w/ Marker Baron or Duke Bindings
Boards: Litewave Wing, Naish Jet 2000, OR Mako 140
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jimbocz
Posts: 224
Registered: 6-25-2010
Location: Twickenham, United Kigdom
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I'd suggest a decent single line sled kite like this:
HQ Kites Sleddy Single Line Kite - Rainbow
My boy loved flying that when he was 3. I'd get a piece of rope and tie it around his waist and loop it through the hole in the winder so it can't
get lost if he lets go. Kids love the fact that it goes up so high and they still can control it.
Perhaps you could also get him a fabric kite with suction cups designed to stick to the window as decoration.
His parents should be able to help him fly something like that even if they have no experience with kites.
I'd stay away from two line kites for a few years at least. A 5 year old may be able to fly a two line kite with a lot of help from dad, but 3 is
pretty young. That said, I remember hanging out on the beach once and my wife mentioned that we should fly a kite. I was reading so I didn't pay
much attention and neither of us noticed my son getting that single line kite out and launching it by himself even though he was only about 5.
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BeamerBob
Posts: 8308
Registered: 5-11-2007
Location: Down on the bayou
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My boys were flying 2 line kites independently by 7. I had a generic sport kite and then a few years later a symphony. For younger they need to get
used to it tugging on them so a single line is best for that stage.
Coastal Wind Sports Team Rider
Landsegler Disc wheels
PTW Hero Buggy - XXtreme ApeXX Buggy US 88 - Libre Hardcore
IvanpahBuggyExpo.com
Youtube link
Bob Muse
HQ Montana X 8m, Montana IX 12m, HQ Ignition LEI 5m,
PL Phantom 12m, 15m, Big Blu 24m+, Synergy 10m, Venom 10m, 13m , Phantom II 12m Vapors 3.8, 5.4, Crosskite Sonic 7m, PKD Combat 10.3m
Uturn Butane 2.5m PKD Buster 3m Genetrix Hydra 7m Ozone Yakuza GT 14m
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Randy
Posts: 1886
Registered: 5-20-2014
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Here's an option - can fly either single or dual line. Not really expensive either.
http://www.kitestop.com/product/hq-multi-kite-camouflage/
NPW Test Pilot -US99
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Bladerunner
Posts: 9679
Registered: 10-17-2006
Location: Vancouver
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Thanks for the feedback. I had not thought about SS.
I will think about a sled for the time being.
I think by His 5th Birthday He should be ready for a proper trainer. I think I want him to get started on a bar. If he actually picks up the sport it
will be on water.
Kites: 2.5m Profoil , Quadrifoil XL kitesurfer, NPW 5 Danger.
Flexifoil: 1.7m Sting, 4.9m Blade 3, 9m Blade 2.
Flysurfer : 19m Speed 2 SA, 7m Pulse
Peter Lynn :18m Phantom, 15m Synergy, 10m Synergy, 1200 Farc, 460 Sarc, 130 Tarc, 5m Peel, 4.2m , 6.4, 8.5 C-Quads, 3.5 LS2 single skin.
Rides: Flexi / P.L. Frankin'Buggy , Shaped + straight skiis, sand skis, Coyote blades. Core 95 ATB. RKB R2 ATB .
Ken (K2)
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krumly
Posts: 598
Registered: 12-26-2004
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
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My son, now 18, started flying an Ozone Imp .7m 2 line foil with straps when he was about 6-7. He was flying an Ozone L'il Devil Stunt 1.5m 4 line on
handles at Long Beach Peninsula when he was 7-8 and scudding behind a C-Quad 2.2 and 3,3 when he was 8. Was pretty good with a rev Supersonic when he
was 8 as well. No interest in kites now 
Man, time flies...
Flying:
1.5 m Ozone LD Stunt
2.2, 3.2, 4.2 m C-Quads
2, 3, 4, 5.5, 7.5m PKD Broozas
9m PL GII, w/ adjustable rear strap mod
Dual mode mod PL GI 13, HArc 6, FArc 12
Cab 5m Convert, 7&9m Xbow, 12m SB
Lots of stunt kites and a Rev Supersonic
Riding:
Libre Special buggy, PL Comp buggy
Line skiboards, & Lib-Tech Park & Pipes
Cabrinha Prodigy kiteboard
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macboy
Posts: 3146
Registered: 10-15-2007
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Member Is Offline
Mood: They're ALL good ideas. Right up until they become BAD ideas.
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Hey BR! So nice to "see" you still going strong and now nurturing the next generations.
I've been filling my kids stockings with kites each christmas and for special treats when heading to the lake etc. All single line still. We have some
of the ladybug bobbers which they loved when they were 4 and 1 respectively. I keep trying but the interest just isn't there so we put them away and
then try again another day/week/month/year. It'll come, I know it will. I took the next parallel step this winter and got both of them (now 9 and 5)
skiing. It'll all converge when the time is right ; )
My thought is to get them on the sort two line deltas and then move to a two line foil - something akin to the old Samurais - small, fewer moving
parts and pretty forgiving. I've enjoyed digging out the bag of single liners over the past few years but we haven't flown the ghost or the octopus in
a while. I think we should do that before our snow turns everything to muck and then we don't want to take any kites out until it all dries.
Seems a U2U is in order one of these days. I'll find some time.
KC07 - Certified Chronic
Rev Shockwave | Brooza II 3 | BusterII's 3/4/5 | Hornet 1.5
Reactor II 5.5/6.9 | AccessXC 10 | Frenzy 12 | PsychoIII 13 | Speed2 12 | Speed3 15 | SA2.5 19
Bomba 15 | Phantom 15/18 | Venom 13 | Slingshot T3 9/11/14m
Skis, Ski Skates, Nobile RM Pro, MBS Pro 90, Kailolo 5' 11" Custom Phish, Kailolo 5'9" Custom Phish, Plyboard, Proof 151,
FlydoorM, F-One 198, Coyotes, Comp XR+, and the BEST WIFE IN THE WORLD!
I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
~ Thomas Edison
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smiler8401
Posts: 51
Registered: 4-29-2013
Location: Pasir gudang , malaysia
Member Is Offline
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someone had start really early .
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1685450651534153...
Kites : NPW21 2m , NPW21 8.2m , NPW9 12m
Ozone Manta I 12m
Peter Lynn Pepper 4.5m , Venom II 16m
RRD Vision 13.5m
Ride : Radsail RKB R1
Cabrinha custom 133 x 40
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Bladerunner
Posts: 9679
Registered: 10-17-2006
Location: Vancouver
Member Is Offline
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I knew the sail boat would take up your wind MacBoy. Something you can share with the whole family. It is great the kids are flying kites but sharing
the boat with your Wife and Parents is time well spent.
Kites: 2.5m Profoil , Quadrifoil XL kitesurfer, NPW 5 Danger.
Flexifoil: 1.7m Sting, 4.9m Blade 3, 9m Blade 2.
Flysurfer : 19m Speed 2 SA, 7m Pulse
Peter Lynn :18m Phantom, 15m Synergy, 10m Synergy, 1200 Farc, 460 Sarc, 130 Tarc, 5m Peel, 4.2m , 6.4, 8.5 C-Quads, 3.5 LS2 single skin.
Rides: Flexi / P.L. Frankin'Buggy , Shaped + straight skiis, sand skis, Coyote blades. Core 95 ATB. RKB R2 ATB .
Ken (K2)
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mrdavis
Posts: 1
Registered: 3-22-2018
Member Is Offline
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Quote: Originally posted by nate76  | My son is 5 years old / 40 lbs and I've been training him on a 1.8m Fluxx with pretty good success. These kites are in the $80 - $120 price range,
and mine has been holding up to the abuse well. Just had him out yesterday and he was throwing it around pretty good - making some pretty impressive
saves. And pretty spectacular crashes. So fun seeing him get the hang of it though.
For more info, you can go here: https://www.hqkitesusa.com/products.asp?cat=3
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me too!
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adambweird
Posts: 168
Registered: 9-1-2016
Location: NW Ohio
Member Is Offline
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Ive had my son flying my small symphony since right before he turned 5. He does ok with it. Not terribly big on keeping it in the air for long
periods of time, he likes to dive bomb me with it, lol. The kites held up great to his abuse and gives just the right amount of pull for him.
HQ: Symphony Beach 1.3, 2.2.4, Crossfire II 5m, Apex II 5m
Peter Lynn: Pepper II 3m, Venom II 13M
Born: NS3 4m, 7m. NS2 5.5m
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Windstruck
Posts: 3338
Registered: 5-16-2015
Location: St George, UT, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Get in my buggy!
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The right age to start kiting with your kids is exactly when they start asking about it! My daughter has been fixating on kites lately (who'd a thunk
it?) so I got her a new drop dead gorgeous tie die rainbow single string parafoil. It came in the mail today and there was wind so out we went! This
is really, really, special for me. My daughter is turning 20 next month and is severely autistic and will live with us long term. That we have yet
one more thing to share together swells my heart. 
Bonus scoring opportunity! What building are we flying in front of in the second photo (hint: world wide headquarters for this business)?
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
[img] [/img]
Born-Kites:
RaceStar+ (3.0m, 5.0m, 7.0m, 9.0m, 14.0m)
RaceStar (9.0m, 11.0m)
NasaStar-4 (2.5m, 4.0m, 5.5m, 7.0m)
NasaStar-3 (custom 3.2m)
Flysurfer Kites:
Peak-5 (2.5m)
Buggy:
Peter Lynn BigFoot+ nose & tail; midsection VTT rail & seat kit; home-brewed AQR
NAPKA Member US2815
SWATK Member UT0003
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jeffnyc
Posts: 502
Registered: 9-5-2017
Location: NYC
Member Is Offline
Mood: In the
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Do you ever get to ride the skate ramp there? (I won't give out the answer, I've worked on videos for them, so no fair) 
Soooo awesome for you + your daughter. I hope she sticks with it! And great field you have to play in!
Foil: Speed5 18+12 | Speed3 15 | Sonic2 9m | Peak 5 4m
Arc: Phantom I 12m+18m
LEI: LF WOW 9m
FB: Flux 5m | Bullet 4.5 | Blurr 3.5 + 2.5 | Rage 2.5 | Beamer 1.8
Ride: Flexi Haize | MBS core 90 | SS Vision 140 | Mako 140 + King 165 | King Gee | SS Hover Glide | WB 5'6" | Burton Floater
NAPKA NCC-US1701
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Windstruck
Posts: 3338
Registered: 5-16-2015
Location: St George, UT, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Get in my buggy!
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| Quote: Originally posted by jeffnyc | Do you ever get to ride the skate ramp there? (I won't give out the answer, I've worked on videos for them, so no fair)
Soooo awesome for you + your daughter. I hope she sticks with it! And great field you have to play in! |
Thanks Jeff! I'd love to get her in a tandem or two man Landsailor. And, no, no ramp action for me, but you got it!
Born-Kites:
RaceStar+ (3.0m, 5.0m, 7.0m, 9.0m, 14.0m)
RaceStar (9.0m, 11.0m)
NasaStar-4 (2.5m, 4.0m, 5.5m, 7.0m)
NasaStar-3 (custom 3.2m)
Flysurfer Kites:
Peak-5 (2.5m)
Buggy:
Peter Lynn BigFoot+ nose & tail; midsection VTT rail & seat kit; home-brewed AQR
NAPKA Member US2815
SWATK Member UT0003
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Cerebite
Posts: 328
Registered: 5-6-2011
Location: China Lake Yacht Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: Is he using the same wind we are?
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Good to see her out flying with you.
We have that same kite in our single line quiver and love flying it on those rare single line days.
NASA wings -1 to 12m [mostly KM4]
Foils -2 -12m [mostly PL & Pansh]
VTT Stinger on Midi's
Another day in Paradise...
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chescab
Posts: 12
Registered: 7-16-2013
Location: British Columbia
Member Is Offline
Mood: Chasing the wind
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Pablo had my little brother flying the 0.7m buster I on a bar all by himself when he was about 4. Some of my brother's earliest memories are having
fun flying that kite. The bar definitely made it easier to fly as there is really only one way you can turn the bar and it is just like a bike which
is easy for little kids and even adults to understand. The little kite never did anything to scare or hurt him and has survived many crash landings
into puddles, dried grass, rocks, and thorn bushes, it's over decade old and still going strong for teaching little kids. There are probably a lot of
forgiving smaller kites on bars or that can be converted to bars and will get off the ground in low wind without having too much power.
0.7 Buster I
1.4 Buster 1
2.0 Buster 1
2.8 Reactor
4.4 Reactor
4.4 Buster Soulfly
7.5 Brooza
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