Recommendations for a tiny trainer kite for kids?

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

So my wife just sent me a link out of the blue to a kite, and said that she wants to get one for the kids, and so "she could start learning".

Of course I'm ecstatic, since I haven't been pushing, but hoped she would come around! Smile

So the question is, do any of you have recommendations for a tiny kite that small kids can use?

I never had a trainer kite, so after the wife gets going, I will def. buy a bigger trainer kite, but for now, I want one that has very little pull.

This is the one she sent to me http://kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ozone_dpsquirt.

Thoughts?

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

Any small 2m trainer will do. I always have taught mostly on those slingshot B2 trainers. 2m seems like a good size as it has a little bit of pull, but isnt just crazy all over the place like a 1m. 3m and bigger will be a lot of pull that you dont need when learning how to control the kite

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

We always have a two line trainer in the car, you're welcome to use it any time you want. We have a four-line trainer as well, an Ocean Rodeo 2m that actually can generate a lot more power than the two line. Its a LEI kite too, I wouldn't trust kids to it without being there hanging on to them. The OR kite has always flown pretty weird... supposedly the lines are meant to be all even, but it flies like crap like that... seems like it can barely have any tension on the back lines in order to fly at all, which makes it limited for learning purposes. But it may be a bit of a moot point, as it self-destructed the other day, and I'm not sure if I'm going to bother to get it fixed! If you see Nate at Jones Beach again, ask him what he uses for small LEI trainers. I don't think I'd by the OR 2m over again.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Nate uses airush 2m for trainers. Both two or four line LEI.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Er they are both 2 and 4 line, so you can hop between harness or no harness.

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

So is it better to buy a kite that can create more power, and is more stable, and hold on to the kid while they fly it, or to get a very small kite they can fly on their own, with you as a backup in case they actually do power it up at all?

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

insert lesson argument here ------>>

i have mixed feelings about new folks on trainers. I guess it is a thrash level, past experience type of thing. Some people are ready for more right away, some people are confused by what you are trying to accomplish with the trainer, works great as a progression tool for others.

The scariest things i ever see are husbands teaching wives. Both get fuming at each other, anger creates a stickier situation, and on occasion this is happening while a cargo ship and the wife are out in the channel.

It sounds like you have some kite experience and probably know better what you need than i do. Im just sayin'.......

Id invest the trainer money in a lesson where they plug her in according to her ability to execute and progress. You might end up spending a couple hundred more and just have to share your quiver in the end.

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

That's one way to look at it. The other is if you want more of your buddies to join your kiting addiction, get a trainer.

zipperline · Since 02 Aug 2005 66 Posts Hood River

Get one of the Airush 2 or 3 meter inflatable kites from Pepi @ 2nd Wind..

They are awesome.. My son has one and it works great for learning how to relaunch and body drag..

Foils are great for learning how to fly but after a few days you will need to get an inflatable kite to progress to the next level..

Jonpnw · Tue Jul 24, 12 12:02 pm

Ha Ha Ha

My wife flew the B2 until she was so damn sick of that thing. She finally said I AM READY FOR LESSONS!!!

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

I would NEVER try to teach my wife to kiteboard. Professional instruction is good for safety, and good for my marriage. Smile

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

I have to disagree with all of you saying just to go straight to lessons instead of buying a trainer. Im a certified instructor and I can guarantee that nothing is a bigger waste of your money than taking a lesson without ever having flown a kite before. In our 2 hour land class you get way more out of it if you already know a little bit about how to fly the kite. Instead of crashing the kite trying to feel it out for 2 hours you can actually use the time to practice skills that will help you when it comes to riding the board.

In all honesty if you come into the class already knowing how to fly a trainer kite, you will be up and riding on the board in less than four hours.

So please buy a small trainer kite and let everyone fly the crap out of it!! They will have a much better time when going to take lessons finally!

Slappysan · Since 13 Jun 2012 309 Posts Obsessed

If you want them to learn proper kiting then definitely get a real 4 line SLE kite at the 2-3m range. You can trim the kite and fly it unhooked and it's as good as a 2 line kite. The big difference is a 2 line kite will be $200 and a real kite will be $550.

I would get a 2m Ocean Rodeo Prodigy, it's been designed to fly well in small sizes and an ideal intro kite. (I don't think the 2m is in production yet, but should be soon, smallest listed on their store is 3m atm but you'll need a bar with that which is another $350, I'd expect the 2m version to come with some 1/2 strength bar and lines. You probably already have a bar and lines you can use with the 3m though).

Epic make a nice looking 4 line 2.5m trainer and have a bar designed for kids as well so that might be worth a look, it's called "Tutor". Here's a detailed video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPJ8jgNmWU0 comes with a bar but it's only for light wind land training.

I would also suggest skipping the 2 line / unhooked stage all together, as flying a 2 line or unhooked you are forced to deal with the full power of the kite. When flying it 4 line you can just let the bar out to depower. Also keep in mind that a 4 line kite has a way bigger wind range than a 2 line kite. I have a 1.8m 2 line foil and it's hard for me (75 kg) to fly in 12+ knots so my wife and 5 year old son can't really ever fly it or they'll get turfed.

Buy a good harness with a sturdy back handle though, and don't let them fly without you hanging on.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

http://www.2ndwind-sports.com/product.php?productid=1657&cat=226&page=1

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

Trainer kites are always good to have around. The best thing you can do for the trainer is to put a harness loop on it, old windsurf loops work, so the person feels the pull in the harness and not in the arms. Some people worry about safety, rightly so, but use discretion. Ie; don't hook someone in and walk away. Power strokes should be done on the butt not the toes. If your worried about being overpowered, get a short set of lines. I mean really short for the little guys/gals, like 2m (you should be able to find some old extensions that no one wants). You can also take the existing lines on a trainer and fold them in half essentially. Run the lines out, bring the end of the lines back to the bar, and then make a larks head with the lines where they are folded. And for goodness sake, walk around with the kite one handed, the correct one. Kites like to move and very rarely are we ever stationary when kiteboarding. A good understanding of the wind window will dramatically increase the success rate of a student. For the kids, hell, everyone, make sure you keep it fun. As soon as it becomes work, yikes.
-Micah

Aeolus · Wed Jul 25, 12 8:00 am

Simple, high value = 2m 2 line foil. For $115 you can get some of the basics across. Why not start there? Good reasons for the other items out there, but dollar for dollar it's hard to beat owning a simple 2m.

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

I have an Airush 2m inflated 4-line trainer and a 2 m foil. You are welcome come by and test them out.