Recommended Kites for Beginner/Intermediate Rider?

mdwilli · Since 16 Aug 2013 5 Posts Kook

I'm getting ready to purchase some used kites and need help choosing them and building my quiver. I will be kiteboarding mostly at Floras Lake in winds from 10-25 mph. I weigh 160 lbs. I'd like to have 3 kites in my quiver. I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2100 Posts PNW Bigfoot

You don't have to buy all the same brand and or model kite, but it sure helps out when rigging. . . just have to learn one routine.

Just try and get a used kite with low miles on it. I learned on C kites back in '03 and things have changed. Might want to stay away from those so I have heard. Personally, I loved c kites; especially on the bottom turns of a wave (powerful and consistent pull).

Just get a kite and brand with a good reputation. Another question to ask is what do you plan on doing in the future? flat water, tricks, chop riding, wave riding?

mdwilli · Since 16 Aug 2013 5 Posts Kook

I don't think I'll get in to doing tricks. I'll be riding on flat and choppy water and ride waves in the future.

I've been considering Slingshot Rally and Z kites as well as Best Kahoona. What other kites should I be considering that have a good reputation?

Freeride Kiter · Thu Nov 14, 13 10:10 am

The Ocean Rodeo Rise kites are great for beginners and intermediate riders. Ive flown my Rise quiver in all kinds of conditions for kite boarding, skating, buggying and snowkiting. Easy relaunch, super stable and reliable. There are more and more showing up online and at OR dealers at very reasonable prices.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2100 Posts PNW Bigfoot

ecameron · Since 29 Jul 2009 90 Posts PDX

its what I pull from. fly the hell out of the 6 if its 7m wind.. get a beer if you can't get the 12m up. that's my theory at least.

WindLogik · Since 09 Feb 2009 95 Posts Hood River

I have some delta kites and also have some hybrids. I like to use the deltas early in the season, because if I do something stupid, they are really easy to relaunch. I think delta kites would be good for a beginner.

My first kite was a used delta. I bought something cheap and trashed the crap out of it. I like that approach, because your not worried about scarring your gear while you're learning.

mdwilli · Since 16 Aug 2013 5 Posts Kook

Thanks for the valuable feedback. What other kites than mentioned above should I consider?

Bettyboarder · Sat Nov 16, 13 9:41 am

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2026 Posts Windward

it could be that industry's is over that Cool

how long have it been? Twisted Evil

mdwilli · Since 16 Aug 2013 5 Posts Kook

Jonpnw · Sat Nov 16, 13 1:11 pm **Beginner Kites**

Slingshot Z, Slingshot Key, Slingshot Rally, Best Kahoona, Naish Ride

Stay away from C kites or high performance kites.

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

I kite mostly at the coast with a 6'2 surfboard, for me (200lbs), the perfect 4-kite quiver is 5,7,9,11. A three kite quiver would be 5, 7, 10 or 6,9,11. A two kite quiver would be 6, 9 or 7,10. But there's more you need to know, kites sizes are actually relative due to measurement differences, foil power generation, etc.

I flew many years with one brand/model. The benefit is they rig the same and the sizes are consistent, going from a 6m to 9m really is a 3m difference. Now I have a whole assortment of kites (Caution, Blade, Naish, Epic, Slingshot) and have been surprised to learn that each model is quite unique size-wise (ie, a 7m isn't always 7m), something to be aware of when building out a quiver.

This summer one afternoon I was perfectly powered on my 9m. I decided to try a new 7m I had picked up before calling it a day and I ended up being overpowered on it. This was quite bizarre, going from a 9m to 7m and getting overpowered. This is what got me into comparing sizes. By just laying out my kites, I learned some very interesting things about their relative sizes. (a 7m cut bigger than 9m, 10m bigger than 11m, a 6m almost the same as my 9m, etc).

I emailed a few of the companies about this, got a personal reply back from Dimitri (Epic), he told me that my 6m is exactly 6.46m. I heard back from a Caution rep that my Mayhems were cut small that year. I've seen threads saying similar things, like how a 14m Rally was the same size as the previous years 12m Rally, etc. My 7m Fuel (2011) appears to be an 8m when compared to my Naish kites (and others). Just my 2 cents.

Jeremy

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

If you'll be riding waves, wave kites are now mostly all 3-strut with compact bridles. These kites won't have the pop like free-style kites have, but are probably great kites to learn with due to the power control / extra strength. I researched all the wave kites (as these are the kites I've been buying), and came up with a list of over 30 kites that are available, quite a big selection. If you can DEMO a kite, do it.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Another one to put on your list might be Naish Ride.
I would consider going 12 ride and then 10 either ride or park and then 8 Park...or all rides. Great combos.
The rides are also great wave kites.

I have a mixed quiver.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

Windance has a bunch of used Rally's in stock and they ship. I've heard they're similar to my airush lithiums, which I love. I'm 170 and my 6,9,12,17 gets every possible day. I'd start with 9 &12 and a big kite will most likely be another model. For the coast You'd might like 7,10,14. For the gorge 5,8,12. Naish Rides and OR rises seem to be good beginner kites too that are even cheaper. I really liked my 2009 OR Mako 140x40 as a beginner board. It's hard to pearl and keeps its edge when overpowered. I still use it in overpowered conditions like Rooster.