Back from First Lesson in Maui-Need Trainer Kite Info

BizzyLizzy · Since 08 Jan 2006 15 Posts PDX via Ashland, soon Amer Samoa

I'm sure this is a frequent post, but . . . I have finished grieving that I am back in So Oregon from Maui and my wonderful first kiteboarding lesson. Now I need to figure out where to find a good trainer kite.

What size of kite and length line for a trainer? Do they come with bar and lines or do I need to figure that out as well already? Can I trust a used kite? If so, any suggestions on where to shop in OR? What about online? There is absolutely no one in So Oregon to ask this stuff of and my time in PDX is always limited and jampacked so if I can get a little of the scoop ahead of time I'll be ahead of the game. If there is any other advice you can think of I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

kiteboard117 · Since 02 Mar 2005 450 Posts PDX McLovin

I fully recomend buying a new 3 meter trainer kite. I bought one when I was learning 4 years ago and i still have a good time flying it when i cant get out riding. The trainers are bomber though so buying one used would probably be pretty safe. All of them should come with the bar and lines ready to go out of the bag. Here in Portland there are a few shops, All Surf Industy, and Gorge Performance. ASI carries slingshot cabrihna and best, gorge performance carries naish and north. Slingshot trainers are the best i have seen and ASI is a great shop(I am biased cause i work there in the summer). Also ASI has a kitenight in the summer every thursday on sauvies island so if your in town you can get a free lesson.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Are you just looking for a basic trainer kite? As in one to get your basic control down, or are you looking for something with a little power? If you're just looking for a "skill building" kite, I'd go with a Slingshot Wasp, B2, or B3 (the higher the number, the bigger the kite, and the more power overall). And again, if you're just using this for a trainer, I really wouldn't go with anything bigger. Brand new all of these kites come complete, that is with a bar, lines, and a bag. If you're buying used (which actually is probably a good idea - cheaper, especially for something that you'll outgrow quickly), then I'd double check on what you're getting.

It's too bad that you don't live a little further north and that we're not closer to summer. All Surf Industry (their shop's located in downtown Portland), has an "ASI Kite Night", Thursdays at Sauvie Island during the summer at which you can fly their trainer kites for free (with someone to help you out too, if you need it).

SlingshotKiteboarding.com - Trainer Kites

This is probably bigger than you want, but just for some sorta reference (on used prices), here's a B4 being sold on eBay... Slingshot B4

Hope this helps! Thumb's Up

EDIT: Damn Tucker, you type FAST... We pretty much said the same stuff though, haha!

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 424 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

I picked up a Slingshot B2 (~2 m^2) and it's a great intro kite. It's also really quick to grow out of. What did you fly in Maui? If your good with a B2, I would get a B3, or equivelant so you can have some fun with it. My B2 is generally used for people who have not flown a kite before.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

There are lots of people in southern oregon who kite and a shop or two

on the southern oregon coast. Where exactly are you? Sorry didn't see

your in ashland. go to floras lake (floreaslakewindsurfing) they do

lessons and sell gear and there is another shop near there called big air.

the lake is going to be by far the best spot for you to learn, I think Will

the boss man rents trainers, I would go to a regular old hobby kite shop

for a foil 2-4 meter.they have less pull than the kite board trainers but fly

the same and are half the price. I would let you borrow mine if you

promise to return it. after four years I still have one to play around with

when the wind is funky. you need to go to the lake and fly a big kite with

really short lines to get the skill rollin'. most people don't understand why

they need to fly the trainer anymore after they stop crashin' it . the truth

is you should be able to fly it around for a half hour with your eyes

closed. see you around I am sure. jason

BizzyLizzy · Since 08 Jan 2006 15 Posts PDX via Ashland, soon Amer Samoa

I am in Ashland. Where do people kite here? Since there isn't any place to kiteboard in the Rogue I just assumed there weren't any resources (my bad). So school me. Where do I go? What do I do?
Thanks to all of you that have posted replies. They're very helpful!

Elizabeth

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

go to Floras Lake and see Will Brady he's the best instuctor in Oregon

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

For Floras lake, Go on northerlies. Southerlies will not be a good time.

BK

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

why are southerlys bad??????? they sure seem fun. Shocked

gold beach pistol river, floras lake, whiskey run, those will be your local world class spots lizzy. Within a couple minutes from your house ,more than likely you will be pioneerin', unless that guys buddy who brought the first wipika to north america has been there. damn them guys. Wink

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Though I've never ridden at Floras (hopefully will get to in a couple weeks over spring break), it doesn't seem like it would be too smart to ride in southerlies (if you're launching from the northern tip). Not that I'm really concerned about my own safety or anything (I actually normally could care less), it's just that the wind down there seems to nuke when it's blowing south and I wouldn't want to get flung up onto the beach. I dunno, maybe it wouldn't be that bad if it's wide open, but since I've never seen it, who knows... If it's anything like those Cape Blanco storms, you'd be fuck'd! Rolling Eyes

tch · Since 08 Aug 2005 17 Posts

What about the local lakes - Lake of the Woods, Lost Creek, Shasta (little bit of a drive), Emigrant (I think they use that to hang glide from durring the summer), Applegate, Hyatt Prairie, Fish Lake, and the lakes south of Bend that are on ikitesurf. Don't they all get some wind from thermals during the summer time? The Rouge Valley is a sweet place to live and play - even better if you could kite there as well during the summer.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

start halfway down the west side of the lake. But most ride the southerlies at the ocean, It makes those lefts better. the wind is usually pretty good of course wind is hard to predict sometimes , and there is lots of riding in the rain, imagine riding wet. trainer now lizzie, fly it with your eyes closed, then when the gusty north at the lake or the gusty wests in the gorge come back you will be ready, so that shortly afterward you can come and ride waves for hours in the steady north wind of our oregon coast. Also there is the option of snow,we try to get to crater lake and ride the pumice deserts with 12 ft of snow on them when ever the schedule aligns. I would call floras lake and talk to will ,who knows maybe he will sell you some 05 stuff cheap. P.S the blanco wind guage is an animal all its own, the wind readings thewre are very special. best to guage wihskey run from arago or even the lake.

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

nice one

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

the thing about southerlys....

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

elizabeth,

one thng i have found on these forums (nwkite.com being by far the best, of course) is that the problem is not a derth of info, but the opposite: eryone has an opinion. . .

that having been said, my rec is to ditch the trainer. i am about two years into this, began with a b1 trainer after my first lesson. what i found regarding trainer foils was:
1. they're fun to fly.
2. they fly fast with little input, a reflection of axiom that says the that the smaller the kite the more responsive it is.
3. they are of LIMITED help in learning to fly their big brothers. once you have mastered the trainer, i suggest you ditch it. small foils, with their quick response rates, can actually teach bad habits tha may haunt you when you move up.
4. save you money (even a used b3 might cost you similar money as a used 6 or 8m traction kite) and get the gear you are going to need and BUY BOARD TIME. BT is what it is all about.
5. Def hook up with Will at floras-encouraging guy, jet ski support, shallow warm lake that is walkable if/when you get blown down wind.

cheers

jimbo

tonski · Since 11 Jun 2005 332 Posts NW Portland Obsessed

importracer - that is a sweet new avatar - give us the inside scoop on the picture. -Tonski

Elizabeth: I remember trying to learn at Floras and getting very frustrated that it is extremely hard to stay upwind (no current) and the starting point is your most upwind point (can't gain any ground). In hindsight, I wish I would have paid for a lesson from Will and had jet-ski support. That way, you don't have to stress about ending up at the other side of the lake with no where to land. Best wishes, Tonski

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

can't forget the fact that when in 50 mph gusts you can loop the trainer kite and get lofted 60 feet horizontally. it was fun