I'm just a newbie looking at starting kitesurfing on my SUP and was going to get a beginner's kite, but a friend suggested I get one that I can later use with a harness as well... I'd rather not use a harness right away as a beginner, so I am wondering if anyone has any good suggestions for a beginner's kite I can learn on the water with on my SUP, but then later on also use with a harness when I get better :)

Thanks!

Dano, it's important you understand the difference between kites that can be ''depowered'' and kites that can't be ''depowered''.

2-line trainer kites can't be depowered regardless of the fact they can be water relaunched or not, even if you have a chicken loop hanging from the bar. This just means that you can choose to have the power of the kite held by your arms or from the harness, but doesn't mean the kite's power can be adjusted. These kites are primarily designed for basic training and not for traction, especially not over the water. You could use a trainer kite on a skateboard on maybe on hard snow as well as there is much less power needed to get going. You could also use them on a SUP but as I said before this won't be easy and will lead to frustrating kite tangle and non-relaunchable scenarios, especially without any training. Although it's possible, it's just not very practical.

4-line inflatable trainer kites exists as well that essentially are a smaller version of a ''real'' kite. The Ozone Uno is a good example. These kites can be depowered and use the same bar you would use on any kite. They can also be relaunched from the water. The problem is due to their small sizes, they are not capable of generating enough power to get you going in the water on a regular board. I wouldn't recommend you use these kites without any instruction even if they are small.

I don't mean to kill your buzz, but if your intention is to learn kiteboarding, your money is best spent on getting professional lessons right from the start. Trainer kites are a fun and relatively safe way to self-learn a few basics but the way you operate a larger depowerable kite is very different and will require some adjustments and professional training.

Christian

Danon,

Like cBul said, you need professional lessons.

Sure go out and get a trainer kite (with "harness ability" or not), and play with it, have fun.

But to really learn you'll eventually need to get a real kite, with a professional trainer.

We don't know where you're from, so just google - "kite surfing instructor in <<PUT YOUR AREA HERE>>"

You'll find someone reputable soon enough. Book a few lessons (or buy gear from them and get the lessons included!) and go for your life!

You will have much more fun, be safe and really get into the sport the proper way!

Good to see newbies coming into the sport - but hopefully properly.

Oh and in terms of using a kite with a SUP board - like we said - get yourself learning to kite surf on normal twin-tip boards and later (much later!) get into the SUP side of things. That requires different skills and techniques that are best taught/learnt by just kite surfing first.

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cbulota said..
Dano, it's important you understand the difference between kites that can be ''depowered'' and kites that can't be ''depowered''.

2-line trainer kites can't be depowered regardless of the fact they can be water relaunched or not, even if you have a chicken loop hanging from the bar. This just means that you can choose to have the power of the kite held by your arms or from the harness, but doesn't mean the kite's power can be adjusted. These kites are primarily designed for basic training and not for traction, especially not over the water. You could use a trainer kite on a skateboard on maybe on hard snow as well as there is much less power needed to get going. You could also use them on a SUP but as I said before this won't be easy and will lead to frustrating kite tangle and non-relaunchable scenarios, especially without any training. Although it's possible, it's just not very practical.

4-line inflatable trainer kites exists as well that essentially are a smaller version of a ''real'' kite. The Ozone Uno is a good example. These kites can be depowered and use the same bar you would use on any kite. They can also be relaunched from the water. The problem is due to their small sizes, they are not capable of generating enough power to get you going in the water on a regular board. I wouldn't recommend you use these kites without any instruction even if they are small.

I don't mean to kill your buzz, but if your intention is to learn kiteboarding, your money is best spent on getting professional lessons right from the start. Trainer kites are a fun and relatively safe way to self-learn a few basics but the way you operate a larger depowerable kite is very different and will require some adjustments and professional training.

Christian

Cool! Thanks, Christian :) The Ozone Uno looks great, but to be honest, I am not sure I will get 'serious' about it (as I probably can't afford the whole proper full-on gear setup - I just looked at the price of the kite and though, "Ok, well I guess I can stretch to $500... and then I saw the 'package' price with the bar and lines is over $1,000!!! ;)

Anyway, thanks for the tips :)

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Loftywinds said..
Danon,

Like cBul said, you need professional lessons.

Sure go out and get a trainer kite (with "harness ability" or not), and play with it, have fun.

But to really learn you'll eventually need to get a real kite, with a professional trainer.

We don't know where you're from, so just google - "kite surfing instructor in <<PUT YOUR AREA HERE>>"

You'll find someone reputable soon enough. Book a few lessons (or buy gear from them and get the lessons included!) and go for your life!

You will have much more fun, be safe and really get into the sport the proper way!

Good to see newbies coming into the sport - but hopefully properly.

Oh and in terms of using a kite with a SUP board - like we said - get yourself learning to kite surf on normal twin-tip boards and later (much later!) get into the SUP side of things. That requires different skills and techniques that are best taught/learnt by just kite surfing first.

Thanks Lofty, I think it actually will be cheaper to get lessons than to buy a beginner kite! ;)

Get some second hand gear, you'll get a whole set up for about a grand if you bide your time

Kiting on a sup is great with kids, but you get over it quick if its just yourself, a good surfboard is more fun than a sup. I think a foil wont be great, a good 4 line inflatable is a good option, something that relaunches in light winds well.

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Danonearth said..

Loftywinds said..
Danon,

Like cBul said, you need professional lessons.

Sure go out and get a trainer kite (with "harness ability" or not), and play with it, have fun.

But to really learn you'll eventually need to get a real kite, with a professional trainer.

We don't know where you're from, so just google - "kite surfing instructor in <<PUT YOUR AREA HERE>>"

You'll find someone reputable soon enough. Book a few lessons (or buy gear from them and get the lessons included!) and go for your life!

You will have much more fun, be safe and really get into the sport the proper way!

Good to see newbies coming into the sport - but hopefully properly.

Oh and in terms of using a kite with a SUP board - like we said - get yourself learning to kite surf on normal twin-tip boards and later (much later!) get into the SUP side of things. That requires different skills and techniques that are best taught/learnt by just kite surfing first.

Thanks Lofty, I think it actually will be cheaper to get lessons than to buy a beginner kite! ;)

Mate just search in gumtree for trainer kites. There are heaps under $300. You don't need fancy LE type inflatable ones. But make sure it comes with a bar setup, or chicken loop even better. I used to have the Ozone Octane. It's a great kite to learn on. Comes with 4 lines like a real kite, has a chicken loop so you can use it with a harness and has a safety leash. Those two handle trainer kites, they're for nut jobs! Stay away from them.

For a SUP many kites will be too fast. Small LEI kites certainly fit into this category.
If it has to be LEI get the slowest and lowest aspect you can find, something that sits deep in the window. A few years ago F-One made a specific LEI for SUP but they were hideously expensive for a single purpose kite.

Trainer kites will work as long as you keep them out of the water. The HQ Hydra is the only trainer foil I know of thats water relaunch-able.

I tried a trainer kite on a SUP a couple of years back, it sucked, bad. If I was going to do it now it would be with a big kite, light wind and flat water. Just like BrisKites says you don't want a fast one.