Discussion:
Beginner stunt kite recommendations
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SteveB
2009-02-09 01:13:13 UTC
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I went and bought a kite yesterday, since I have been promising my grandsons
one for a while now. A Rainbow Diamond kite, $12US. Boy, I never thought
I'd be paying $12 for a kite! I used to pay a dime when I was a kid. In
1974, I bought one that had multi configurations with different connectors
and panels, and used a deep sea fishing rod to control it. It was a lot of
fun, and certainly drew people at the park. That was light years ago in
kitedom.

I want to grow my grandsons in kitedom should they express interest in this
basic model. I think they are the types that would really get excited with
a two line stunt kite, but that is in the future for them. I'd like one to
show them what it is all about and what they can expect should they like it
and want to go to the next level.

Today, there are tons of them available. Help me out.

What I want is a sturdy kite to learn on that will take the crashes of a
newbie, be enough to satisfy my curiosity, and yet some weak performer that
I won't outgrow in a week. I figger it will cost around $35, and then with
the next level bump to around $70. Some wrist bands, and the usual
accessories. It's just that there are so many out there, and I am so
inexperienced, I don't want to spend $35 on a piece of crap. Right now, I'm
in the ranks of clueless. Please help me out, and be gentle to this kiting
virgin.

I liked the foil type kites I saw at the kite shop, and they would have been
fun on a recent trip to Hawaii. Info input on those brand names would be
nice, too. I saw kitesurfers who were getting
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY up there in the air doing this, and I
envied the youth of it all. At sixty, all I can do now is watch them, and
be excited, and know that would be me forty years ago had the technology
been available then. I did get to go snorkeling on five different days, and
for an ex-commercial diver that was first certified in 1969, and five
coronary artery bypasses and a replaced aortic valve later, that was as much
fun as I've had with my clothes on in a long time. But foil kites are a
breeze to travel with, and others types have limitations in baggage, etc.

So, kindly indulge me with some of your knowledge, Sensei kiters.

Mainly a list of top quality brands that fill my needs.

Steve
Dicky
2009-02-25 14:02:27 UTC
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Hello Steve,

Sorry you had no response on rec.kites – it is not yet kiting season
here in UK for old farts (I’m 57) unless you want hypothermia – so
maybe everybody is too busy to chew the fat on the NG

As to good advice for you, there are now so many cheap and good copies
of expensive kites, it is barely possible to make a recommendation for
you.
Most of the cheapo kites appear to come from China – but don’t hold
that against them – they have been making kites for centuries.

I have put together a rough guide for “newbie” kite flyers which may
be of help to you.
There are so many factors to consider, it is worth you making out a
check list, and take it with you to your local kite store.
http://www.poolekites.co.uk/newbies.htm

Another thought, if there is a kite club (or kite festival) anywhere
near to you, so you can see a lot of kites in action, and maybe ask to
try a few. USA kite club finder link here somewhere…
http://www.poolekites.co.uk/links/world.htm

I have not flown for nearly 2 years now, which is regrettable but as I
now do not work anywhere near my favourite flying sites, and have had
to get rid of my car, that’s just life I guess. I keep promising
myself more "me time"

Good luck to you!

Richard - www.poolekites.co.uk
n***@gmail.com
2009-03-19 17:31:51 UTC
Permalink
Hey,

When I first started kiting (a decade ago) I bought myself a 2.2 m HQ
symphony kite. I still have it. I crashed it loads of times in the
beginning and it still works fine (and actually still looks as good as
new).

My advice, unless you no longer need any, is to buy a smallish dual
line kite. You can get them reasonably cheaply online (and I am sure
at any kite shop close to your home). But ebay and amazon are two
sites I have seen HQ starter kites for anywhere between $45 and $100
(obviously depending on what extras you may want)

I hope your grandson enjoys power kiting as much as I have!


http://powerkiting.zoxic.com

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