Blue
Since 03 Jul 2007
469 Posts
I used to be
Obsessed
Mon Sep 29, 08 12:56 pmHow would you outfit 7 years old?
We are heading for a Carrabin vacation in November. My boy really wants to try the real thing. The place we go is super safe with waist deep water for miles, no break and low to mid teens side on shore wind. I figured it is as save as it can be for him to have a go there. He is about 60 lb.
Any recommendations for the following would be appreciated:
Kite: I am thinking of 3.5 to 5M bow kite.
Harness: Dakine Nitrous harness or seat harness. Do you know any specific stuff for kids?
Board: Small board. What would you suggest?
Pads and bindings for a kid. Anything out there that is ready to go, or will I need to customize NSI or other stuff? _________________ just wear sunscreen
Matt E.
Since 22 May 2008
318 Posts
West Coast Sales Rep
Obsessed
Mon Sep 29, 08 1:26 pm
I would think the 3.5 convert would be nice i took it out this summer when it was really windy it was fast but still pretty stable. I would contact big winds because they may have one that was used in the kite school last year.
FlyDunes
Since 09 Oct 2007
1034 Posts
Aloha
XTreme Poster
Mon Sep 29, 08 1:52 pmRe: How would you outfit 7 years old?
Blue wrote:
We are heading for a Carrabin vacation in November. My boy really wants to try the real thing. The place we go is super safe with waist deep water for miles, no break and low to mid teens side on shore wind. I figured it is as save as it can be for him to have a go there. He is about 60 lb.
...
Where is the place you plan to go?
I lived on the north shore in Puerto Rico for a couple of years and I can tell you that's NOT the place for a kid to learn to kite. Ditto for most of the other islands I visited in el caribe.
Most of the coast is short beaches surrounded by inaccessible sharp coral and/or lava rock, with generous helpings of sea urchins pretty much everywhere. There's a strong current running from east to west across the north face of the island, and that also contributes to big circular rips on the west side of any points that stick out into the ocean. Big surf in the winter. Dead calm and flat water in the summer. Big over-developed cummies every PM would give you a great opportunity to make your very own "top hat" video (search youtube if you haven't seen that vid).
This may not be true for everywhere in el caribe, in fact the south coast of PR might be OK, but I never spent much time there. You should just make sure to get a 1st hand report from someone who's been to where ever you are going if you haven't already been there yourself.
I imagine Florida or Texas would be a lot safer for a kid. I grew up in Florida and the beaches there are pretty benign. _________________ Lets FLY
magicmaker
Since 29 Oct 2006
895 Posts
da Hood
Opinionated
Mon Sep 29, 08 2:51 pm
at floras lake i saw a kid, probably 7-8 years old, riding a 2 or 3 meter trainer foil kite, and using a skim board to cruise around in the really, shallow water along the edge of the lake. he wasn't really trying to stay upwind, just going out and having fun on it as he was able to walk back upwind with the trainer. it seemed to work really well for him, so your boy might give that shot.
Sol-flyer
Since 21 Mar 2006
1280 Posts
Dude, where's my Bus?
Otto Mann
Mon Sep 29, 08 4:43 pm
Eclipse has a lot of products aimed for the lil rippers.
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_________________ I stretch my wings and pull the strings
Blue
Since 03 Jul 2007
469 Posts
I used to be
Obsessed
Mon Sep 29, 08 9:31 pm
magicmaker wrote:
at floras lake i saw a kid, probably 7-8 years old, riding a 2 or 3 meter trainer foil kite, and using a skim board to cruise around in the really, shallow water along the edge of the lake.
Yes, we saw him too. The kid was having tons of fun. He and some on line vids really got me thinking it is possible to at least try it. I am going to get an inflatable kite rather than a large foil, which I don't have. It seems like a bow kite will have more room for future progress
Link _________________ just wear sunscreen Last edited by Blue on Mon Sep 29, 08 9:36 pm; edited 1 time in total
Blue
Since 03 Jul 2007
469 Posts
I used to be
Obsessed
Mon Sep 29, 08 9:35 pm
Sol-flyer wrote:
Eclipse has a lot of products aimed for the lil rippers.
This board looks so sweet
Unfortunately I cannot find any kids boards at eclipse site. Maybe they don't carry this stuff anymore _________________ just wear sunscreen
marina c
Since 03 Apr 2006
318 Posts
California/Gorge Summer
Obsessed
Tue Sep 30, 08 5:08 am
Eclipse hasn't posted their 2009 gear online yet. I would just email the guys directly at Eclipse and ask Dimitri what Cameron uses. I don't think production models are available yet for the kid's boards.... Dimitri can probably give you a few tips...
However, from past interviews:
-He taught camera how to kite first between his legs
-cam has many hours on a training kite and then a smaller nano
-he then attached a bar behind his harness and let cameron ride behind him
-cameron always rode unhooked until he built up his skills so if anything went wrong, he could just let go of the kite
-I think he got a dakine XXS harness, possibly specically made since Dimitri is sponsored by dakine _________________ Marina
The Kiteboarder/ASNews.net
Blue
Since 03 Jul 2007
469 Posts
I used to be
Obsessed
Tue Sep 30, 08 7:30 pm
Thanks Marina, these are great tips.
Two more questions come to mind:
Is 4m going to fly in a low teens wind? I took some lessons on 4m in the Gorge, and recall sometimes I had to really work it hard to keep it up in the air.
What quick release would be suitable for a kid? I am only familiar with slingshot and Cabrinha leashes quick release, and judge both of them to be too hard to engage by a kid. _________________ just wear sunscreen
carolb
Since 04 Nov 2006
590 Posts
Stevenson, WA in the summer, SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
Tue Sep 30, 08 8:51 pmairrush 115 misfit
I have a 115 airrush misfit that I put on ebay that would make a good board for a kid. Since I haven't been around a 7 year old for a while, I'm not sure what size he would ride. Its a few years old but basically brand new.
marina c
Since 03 Apr 2006
318 Posts
California/Gorge Summer
Obsessed
Thu Oct 02, 08 4:40 am
When talking to Dimitri, he did not allow cameron to ride with a harness for awhile e.g. nothing to hook into. This way if shit hit the fan, cam just let go of the bar.... I think he rigged a wrist leash system like we used in the old days:-) _________________ Marina
The Kiteboarder/ASNews.net
eric
Since 13 Jan 2006
1872 Posts
XTreme Poster
Thu Oct 02, 08 6:13 am
Based on my experience teaching my 8, now 9 year old, I would not be concerned about a "kid specific" board. In fact, my younger son likes bigger twin tips--132 ish x 40 ish--because they are "smooth in the chop." He has ridden everything from 120 to 140. When you think about it it's really no different than an adult riding a bigger surfboard. Flex is nice, though.
Eric
pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
Thu Oct 02, 08 7:16 am
marina c wrote:
When talking to Dimitri, he did not allow cameron to ride with a harness for awhile e.g. nothing to hook into. This way if shit hit the fan, cam just let go of the bar.... I think he rigged a wrist leash system like we used in the old days:-)
I think no harness for the tiny tots is a great idea.... give the kid a skimboard and a 3m trainer kite and no harness... super safe and awesome practice.
wytcap
Since 10 Mar 2005
203 Posts
NW oregon
Stoked
Thu Oct 02, 08 7:36 am
There is some kid specific gear on the horizon, The board he has in the pic is a proto type, there is going to be a price point kid board coming, as well as a kites!
Our new web site will be up very soon!
Blue
Since 03 Jul 2007
469 Posts
I used to be
Obsessed
Thu Oct 02, 08 8:40 pm
Eric wrote:
Based on my experience teaching my 8, now 9 year old, I would not be concerned about a "kid specific" board. In fact, my younger son likes bigger twin tips--132 ish x 40 ish--because they are "smooth in the chop." He has ridden everything from 120 to 140. When you think about it it's really no different than an adult riding a bigger surfboard. Flex is nice, though.
Eric
Good point.
How did you modify straps to hold smaller feet in place? _________________ just wear sunscreen
eric
Since 13 Jan 2006
1872 Posts
XTreme Poster
Thu Oct 02, 08 9:34 pm
Booties, and cinch 'em down. Doesn't really seem to be a problem at all.
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