bow kite, SLE, C kite for a beginner?

steviep · Since 04 Apr 2006 51 Posts Portland, OR

I know this has probably been discussed before many times. But, I wanted some community input.

Someone I know is sold on the idea that he should get some bow kites. I am trying to steer him away because of the limitations that I feel bow kites have. I believe that they create bad habits as people learn to depower a kite rather than fly a kite to generate power. Kiters do not learn board skills like edging and using the board to help control their speed. Not to mention the tricks and freestyle limitations that come with using a bow kite after you do learn to get up and ride.

Basically, the only purpose bow kites serve is getting someone up for their first ride within a few days or getting senior citizens into kiting. No offense old timers.

In my opinion, people should learn on SLE/hybrid kites with no pulleys on the bars. Still very manageable to learn on, and most likely similar to the kite that you will want to own after learning for most of the kiting population

Please chime in with your input. Thanks! Kdude

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Though many bows are mostly meant for learning, I wouldnt say that all bows are created for this purpose. For example look at dre, he rides the switchblade which is a full on bow kite, but he kills it on it. It all depends on the bow kite you are thinking of buying. But in my opinion kites have come a long way since Cab first put out the Xbow. For my friends getting into the sport now, I have been recommending the new Slingy RPM. This is a great kite because it has awesome depower, which makes it safe for someone learning, but also after being able to ride upwind and sich it feels just like a fuel and is a sick kite for freestyle, surf and wakestyle riding. So yeah I would tell your friend that kites are getting pretty advanced these days, and that the RPM or kites like that are prolly they best kites to buy if you want to learn safely and still have a kite you can use after you are an efficient kiter.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1872 Posts XTreme Poster

I am with Ian on this. The beauty of an adjustable hybrid kite is that it can be whatever you want it to be, whenever you want it to be it. I share a quiver with my two kids and they want to do sliders/unhook stuff now, whereas I still like my olde skool dingle-dangle. Well, in about 15 seconds the kite can be well adapted to either. I LOVE it!!

As for teaching, high depower is the only way to go, IMHO. I would not wish the 2-line learning experience that I had in 1999/2000 on anyone.

Eric

Nak · Fri Apr 03, 09 1:04 pm

IMHO,

I think a great first kite is whatever 2006+ bridled kite he can get for cheap. (Unless money is no object.) He's going to thrash it anyway, and if he get's a cheap one resale should be damn near what he pays for it. If he can find a T2 or an Assault or whatever for $300 and then sell it for $250 - $300 when he's done with it, that leaves more money to buy the kite he really wants when he's good enough to know what he wants. Just a thought...