Greetings! New member here... :-D

Edog1382 · Since 18 May 2009 3 Posts Wilsonville New Member

Hello all... I'm a new member. I have never kiteboarded, but I have been flying stunt kites 2 line and 4 line for many years. I just moved from Bellingham WA for a job in Wilsonville. I play a lot of disc golf but am really looking into picking up kiteboarding. I have always wanted to do it! I've been looking for a trainer kite but started thinking because of my kite expirence i would rather spend the cash on a kite i can board with. I'm wondering if any of you have an old trainer kite I could use a few times just to get used to using the bar. I don't think it would take much time before I pick it up. Then... Ill get gear and we can ride together... anyone else in wilsonville? Im moving to portland in one month. Thanks!

shred_da_gorge · Mon May 18, 09 10:05 pm

Welcome! I grew up flying 2- and 4-line stunt kites many years ago, which is ironically what got me into windsurfing, and I took lessons and started kiting last year. I flew a trainer kite for a little while, but I'd have to say it doesn't compare and won't teach you any more than you already know about the wind window. Don't bother with a trainer, save your money for lessons is my advice. Hopefully you can hook up with some friends who can start you out with informal gear and safety advice so you don't waste valuable lesson time learning setup. Go to kite spots and watch and ask questions. Good luck!

Edog1382 · Since 18 May 2009 3 Posts Wilsonville New Member

Thanks for the welcome!
I just read somewhere online that a newbie shouldnt buy used gear. Is that true? I can kind of understand the minor punctures that could be there, but if people say they are good... then... trust them?

Tommy · Tue May 19, 09 12:09 am

Welcome, edog. I'm pretty new to this as well, and have gotten a lot of helpful advice from people on this site. Definitely a good resource if you plan to spend any time kiting in the Gorge or out at the coast. I don't really know anything about stunt kites, so I'm not sure how well your experience with them will have prepared you for power kites. I'd imagine the basic principles regarding the wind window are similar, if not the same... but it certainly couldn't hurt to invest in a trainer. I paid about $220 for mine, new, which is easily the smallest chunk of shrapnel I'm EVER going to spend on a kite, new or used... Also, it's a lot of fun to fly, and down the road I can pair it up with a skateboard, or a mountain board. But if you're feeling pretty confident in your basic kite skills, by all means start talking to instructors and schools, you may find that you're well positioned to begin taking some lessons.

As for buying gear new or used, there really is no right or wrong approach, but most people will tell you that it's not all that practical for someone just getting into the sport to buy new gear, as it's probably going to take a beating, and you're not likely to have a clear idea of what your equipment preferences are until you've been at it for a while. For my own part, once I've got a few lessons behind me and I'm looking for a set-up of my own, I'll definitely be going with used gear (there's a lot of it out there, available from stores or from private sellers), and most people you talk to will probably tell you they did the same when they were getting started.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, or if you want to meet up and check out the trainer once you're down here. Cheers!

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

I would think your stunt kites were probably handles instead of a bar? Little bit differant feel for controlling the kite one handed. If you are looking to buy a trainer here are some good ones for less than $200 http://www.cobrakite.com/rush.html

Definately get some lessons, buy used gear but try to stick to stuff from the last couple years, and welcome to kiteboarding Smile

Edog1382 · Since 18 May 2009 3 Posts Wilsonville New Member

You guys are great! I loving all the input here! Yeah I mainly flew with straps. I have many hours on kites and defently understand window, powering up, crash recovery and biggest one... RESPECT for the power. I have a few hours on a trainer but think I would be a nice addition to my kites. Also a good way to get friends hooked as well.
What size would you recommend for trainer? I'm pretty small 5'9 135lbs on a good day. I was looking at the Rush3 and RushPro. Rush3 300 2 line is same price as RushPro 3 line 250 size. A difference of about 40 bucks. Suggestions?

Also wheres a good spot to fly the trainers around Wilsonville area?

I might try to make it out to help clean up this weekend. I think it would be a great opportunity to introduce myself. I live in Wilsonville and if anyone is going out there and wants to carpool, I'd probably be down. Thanks for the help!

Tommy · Thu May 21, 09 4:29 am

The Slingshot B3 is the one I have, and I like it a lot. It's a two-liner, but there's a third depower/relaunch line you can get for 50 bucks which is easy to install and well worth it. Not really sure where you can fly in Wilsonville, but I've spent some time at Broughton Beach near the PDX airport, which has been a consistently good spot (you'll see a lot of stunt kites there), also Sauvie Island, where the wind can be a bit flukey, but on a good day it's a great spot. You'll want to make sure not to fly too close to any beach goers, though. If there are kiters around, never hurts to introduce yourself, ask questions, get a hand with launching, etc., also not a bad idea to keep a safe distance as they're launching/landing.