My youngest has been learning to kite with a trainer and a north 3.5m buzz for a year or more, but the buzz needs too much wind to stay aloft and then gets a bit twitchy for a learner in 15-20k. Tried him out on my 7m Razor on the weekend in 10-12k on the beach and he could stay aloft no feet on the ground for minutes at a time while he's strapped to me. He's about 25-28 kilos wringing wet has good kite skills self launches lands etc but I'm after some advice on a suitable maybe gutless kite for a kid. My wife has threatened to kill me if I hurt him, but he's so keen to get riding properly this season

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I am going through same with my 10 yr old.He is 42kegs and i was recomended a 6 or 7m surf dedicated kite. Aparently they tick most of the boxes a light learner will need. Easy relaunch and not too grunty being a couple.

4m ozone catalyst my boys trying. it pulls yes, but doesn't overshoot and create awkward Hindenburgs etc.
reo might be just as good, no tendency to fly far overhead.

if you tie yourself to your kid he will over fly it when without you and eat giant piles of poo.

good on you mate for getting them into it!

6mtr reo or catalyst, virtual 100% depower , a 4 would need some decent wind to generate good pull and be very twitchy, I fixed a local up with a 5 fuse, doesn't need quite as much wind and is a bit slower to react, but doesn't quite depower like the ozones, grab him a helmet while your at it , some look pretty cool now, epic kites do some kid specific harness and boards, pretty sure they do a kids kite but carnt comment on it's handling and safety

Ahem. This is the General Discussion section of the forum.

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Most nine year olds wouldn't mind a kite like this one:

Select to expand quote

Mobydisc said..
Most nine year olds wouldn't mind a kite like this one:

Well, if everyone was like "Most" then where would we be?

hi deefer
i starter when i just turned 10 (35kg). in my opinion you have to go 5 lines, and do not go smaller than a 5m.
Ive had a 4m ozone catalyst and it was way to fast with virtually no power. i had to have over 25 knts on the catalyst to get going.

i learnt on a 4 line gutless kite and it drove me crazy, it was hard to relaunch, had very little power and it was too fast.

I'm a sponsored rider for north kiteboarding, I've always had north kites although i started with a different brand, besides that, the 5m North Evo is one of the best beginner kites on the market, it has enough grunt to get you up and riding and it has 5 line capabilities. it's a slow 5m compared to other 5m on the market and it is ridiculously stable in the air.

Deefer,

the kite I would strongly recommend is the Ozone Uno 4m. Its a much lighter kite than any other 3 or 5 strut kites of similar sizes so it will start to fly without stalling around 12 knots. I tested the newer Uno 4m yesterday on very short lines in 12-14 knots, was great!

At 15 knots you have no problems relaunching it. I've been teaching kids and very light girls on it many times with great results. If you find the kite to be a bit too fast you can cut the bar to around 35-40cm wide which works great and is better suited to the kite's size, otherwise hands in the centre of the bar should be OK.

Uno 4m is a great gromm kite.
Teaching a 12 year old on one at the moment.
Yes can be pretty quick but really hasn't any bad habits.

Consider something with 2 or less struts so it will fly and relaunch in light winds.
Also line length can change the power characteristics of a kite so maybe a larger kite with short lines. That way as he grows you can just add longer lines.

Have a look at the liquid force solo
My 12 year old is learning on one and it's pretty impressive

Mine started on a north neo 7 meter he was 38 kilo, was totally fine handeled like a pro, max he went out in at the start was 16 knot. on a 5 line north bar

Thanks for all the adivice It looks like it's going to be A surf kite of some description in the 5-6m range as he's got to grow at some stage.

Cheers!

My sons only turning seven, but Jason from Westoz gave my son a go on the 4m ozone uno at sandy bay couple of weeks back.

What at we liked as opposed to some of the smaller sized kites from mainstream kite stock were the ability to stay in the air in light winds (where I'd rather teach him) and the ease of relaunch. Can now focus on the safety aspects of using a kite over and over again. Needless to say we now have one.

I started mine on a 5m he coined this in t o The5metreKid

My criteria were surf awareness = nippers and confidence swimming having head under water and safety skills.

He helps / coaches me now
Not boasting or anything


Best fun / memories .... Enjoy

cheers
AP

I agree with billy. I started on a 5 vegas and a 5 rebel . Hardest part was getting a harness to fit !!!!!! Helmet and impact vest also help as crashes will happen.
I was lucky my uncles had a finless 90cm board that was great for skimming around in the shallows learning to use the rail.Good luck.

Had a few days up north over the school holidays and started my 11 and 13 year olds on a 5m dice. It was the right size to teach them on and both are well on their way. The 13 year old probally could do with a 7-8m now as she is just starting to get up on the board.

The 5m was used in 10 and up 20-22 knots, at 10 knots hard to get a water relaunch, at 20-22 a bit much, 16-18knots not quite enough power for a beginner (13yo 45kgs) on a TT

cheers