wanted: trainer kite to practice on

numberthree · Since 29 Jun 2009 4 Posts New Member

hello nwkite!

have not yet been kiteboarding but i really want to! i bought a two line kite in order to get my bearings with the wind window. then i heard that in kiteboarding you need a kite that you can load with wind from the ground (or water) and then launch it, probably one of the more parachute shaped kites. i have heard these kites are expensive and was wondering if someone would let me borrow one or sell me one at a used kite price. i am sure if i get into kiteboarding i will spend plenty, so i'm trying to not spend too much right now. willing to trade work also.

thanks #3

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

An inflatable 2 line kite is definitely going to be waaay to much to start with, especially without instruction.

You can get a 2m foil trainer for around $100. Really a drop in the bucket in terms of money you will need to spend on kiting if you get into it.

The nice thing about trainer kites is they last forever, I still have mine that I got when I started kiting 6 years ago and its still fun to fly on real windy days or skate kiting.

Once you have honed your trainer skills hook up with a good school for lessons.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 30, 09 8:33 am

Come out to sauvie tonight to gain an understanding of what the hell is going on and somebody may also have a proper trainer kite for you to play with. Our just go to gorge p and buy a 3m trainer.

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

Don't think I've ever seen a trainer kite for sale, I think people hold onto them to lets friends and interested aquantences try out or they gift them.

Agreed - Ask for Blake at Gorge Performance. He will hook you up with what you need.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Get the trainer kite. It is good investment. When I want to try something new with the kite, I pull out my trainer and practice it first on dry land. That way when you "F" up and crash the kite hard, you not blowing out a leading edge.

As you can see from the classifieds, there aren't many available used so you could always sell it if you are not using or you find this sport is not your cup of tea.

Tommy · Tue Jun 30, 09 5:22 pm

MAC Kiteboarding in Grand Haven, MI has a great "getting started" section on their website w/ lots of good info for beginners, as does Chicago Kitesurfing. Here are the links:

http://www.mackiteboarding.com/
http://www.chicagokitesurfing.com/kitedynamics.html

Not exactly sure which "2 line kite" you have now, but if it's not a trainer, e.g. a Slingshot B-2/B-3, Hydra Rush, Ozone Imp, etc., you should definitely invest in one. If you go out w/ a small LEI, you do so at your own peril, and that of anyone who may be nearby... and Phil is right: at the very least, do NOT go out there with an old 2-line LEI! Good luck.

numberthree · Since 29 Jun 2009 4 Posts New Member

my kite is just a 2 line stunt kite, a triangular shaped durable kite that i got at the kite place on broadway. not what you'd consider a trainer kite, probably just for parks and beaches. i'm looking forward to kiteboarding someday. i'm pretty comfortable with the boarding part but the kiting is still new to me.

thanks for all the good information and links and the invitation to sauvie island to get an understanding of "what the hell is going on." it takes someone to say, come out and see for yourself, for me to get the right perspective. the forum could have a whole section for beginners based on the information i've received in this post and in private messages.

one more question: does anyone know of any decent spots in the inner city to practice on land? or should i be going to sauvie island for the premium kiting experience?

much thanks, #3

numberthree · Since 29 Jun 2009 4 Posts New Member

cool!

i found a speed foil at a garage sale. its only 1.4 m but it should get me started with power kites.

i went out to sauvie island on friday night. it was fun seeing the kiteboarders, and good to get a close look at the gear. though one guy was trailing in the water the whole time and unable to get up. how was the wind on friday? is there somewhere you guys go to check the wind forecast up there?

i was also glad to find a city bus ran all the way out there, as i rode my bike out there and took gillihan rd instead of sauvie island rd on accident and it was hot as hell. i talked to a guy at the reeder beach convenience store who said that reeder beach was closed and washed up. what's that all about?

#3

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Jul 05, 09 11:08 am

Pdx airport
The beach isn't closed
Sauvie winds are hard to predict and are often subpar best place close to the city though
Sensor, spots and forecast link at the top of the page
You need a car or really good friends that already kite if you ever hope to make a serious go of kiteboarding

Fly your trainer awhile and then go to HR and take lessons. Nobody on the forum is going to support you in your quest to learn without lessons. You can seriously fuck yourself and others up. The big kites are not toys and can kill you.

Realistically you need about 2 grand and several weekends to make it happen. 4 grand if you want new gear. Two kites, two boards, wetsuit and harness.

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

We have the SS trainer FREE to try for one day. Pick it up at the shop.
Blake , Justin and Brian are out at Sauvies when it blows, look them up for a helping hand or at least a beer.

numberthree · Since 29 Jun 2009 4 Posts New Member

thanks for the invitation, gorge performance! that is the kind of support i was hoping for. in fact, everyone here has been very supportive. that is why, if i am into the sport, i hereby pledge to the members of nwkite.com, to take lessons and not be a dumb ass about it. i saw for myself that the big kites were not toys when my gf and i had to duck out of the way, as the struggling kiteboarder i mentioned before was trying to get his bearings, and his kite came whipping around the beach. i have been thinking about kiteboarding since i first found it out several years ago and have taken to the pool, swimming laps and strength training. i am also certified in first aid and cpr so i could be a good friend to have one day. and as a car-free nerd i'd also add, you can rent an economy car on the weekend for less than $20 with unlimited miles. you could also take a greyhound for about the same price, and pack your gear and kite for free as carry-on or checked baggage so long as it does not weigh more than 50 lbs or equal more than 62 inches (l+w+h) (does it? idk). you could also get some reading done while you ride to hood river. i doubt i could afford the kites if i had my own car. and finally, why the two kites/two boards? thanks.

#3

Tommy · Mon Jul 06, 09 12:00 am

I second PDXMB. Broughton Beach, across Marine drive from the western end of the airport, is a great place to fly a trainer. Specifically, not the beach itself but the sandy/grassy area above the beach. SI can work as well, but yeah, it can be flukey. When I first started playing around with my trainer, I went out there a few times. Reeder beach is a little narrow for flying on the beach, but Collins, when the water's low anyway, can work pretty well as long as the wind is from the N (if it's from the W, the trees become an issue). Broughton is ideal, though. The problem with trying to fly a trainer kite in the city, e.g., a park, soccer field, etc. is that you're always going to be surrounded by buildings and trees, which means the wind is going to be unpredictable at best. Also, sand comes in very handy for self-launching.

I applaud your car-free nerd status, btw (does Greyhound go to HR?). The reason for two kites (at least) is that you need different sizes for different conditions. A typical spread for a newbie quiver would be, say, a 7M/11M, or 7M/10M/13M. The reason for two boards is that you'll want a bigger board with a lot of floatation to start with, but will outgrow it fairly quickly. The sizes of the kites and boards you start with will depend on where you're going to be riding and how much you weigh. One good reason for lessons, apart from not killing yourself or anyone else, is that you'll get introduced to the sport on someone else's gear, and get a feel for how different sized kites and boards behave.

So yeah, fly the shit out of that trainer, and once you've got a few hours on it, consider picking up a used harness and continue flying it hooked in.