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Kristin
TRAINER KITE
Trainer kites are generally between 2 and 3 square meters and come with a two-line bar and lines. The trainer kite could very well be the best training tool you have since it will teach the basics of steering left and right, flying figure-eight patterns and launching and landing before moving to the much larger kites used to pull you across the water.
KITE
As a kiteboarder’s source of power, the kite plays a central role. With an air-filled frame, inflatable kites hold their shape and float on the water, making them easy to relaunch. Kite types include: bows/ SLEs, hybrids, C-kites and depowering C-kites. Foil kites are mostly used for snowkiting and kite skating.
BOARD
Board types include: twin-tip, wake-style, surfstyle and light-wind twin-tips. Generally, the twintip is the most common board to learn on and is used during most beginner lessons.
FOOT STRAPS/PADS OR BOOTS
Securing the rider’s feet onto the board, foot straps or foot pads are one option, while boots (wakeboard bindings) is another.
HARNESS
Connecting the rider’s body to the kite, the harness allows the rider to hold the power of the kite and leverage his or her weight against it. Types include: waist harness, seat harness, impact-style and harness shorts.
BAR/LINES
Used to steer the kite, the control bar hooks into the harness and varies from 18 to 30 inches in length, depending on kite size. Incredibly strong, line lengths vary from 10 to 30 meters. Bar and line setups come in four-line and five-line configurations and all feature multiple safety systems.
SAFETY LEASH
Spanning from the harness to the control bar, the safety leash enables you to kill all of the power in the kite when you let go of the bar. It also keeps the kite from getting away so you can relaunch when ready.
HELMET
You’ll be glad you wore a helmet if you ever need it. If using a leash system on a board, a helmet is essential.
LIFE JACKET
The buoyancy and protection of a life jacket adds security so a kiteboarder can stay focused on riding. Some harnesses offer an integrated harness-flotation-impact solution.
WETSUIT/RASH GUARD
Temperature and personal preference dictate a rider’s attire. Sometimes shorts or a swimsuit are enough. Rash guards offer lightweight protection from the sun, while the spectrum of wetsuit styles and thicknesses can add other degrees of comfort.
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Even ten years after learning to kite, I still love my trainer kite.
Thanks to the slingshot wasp 2 training kite , I was able to complete the first part of my self training. The first couple of launches were a little tricky and it was blowing 15-20. got the left to right streering down and some pretty powered up circle 8's. Looking forward to certified instruction and learning to control the 12m kite. Onward and upward thanks kiteboarding magazine
I love my Slingshot B-2 Trainer. Lots of fun to fly trick style, and then I can use my bar to run down the beach and get a few fun pulling jumps.
just bought a rush 350 Pro trainer! Seems like a great kite so far. Can't wait to upgrade to a full size kite!
Just started (3 lessons) to learn kiteboarding in Aruba. I did 40 minutes with trainer kite then went to 7M kite in water. I did body surfing and tried to get up on a board today with a 9 Meter kite.. Not impressive but got briefly up.
I live in Chicago but would like to get a trainer kite so when I back in the water I have the kite skills down cold. I have the basics of flying down but it is not second nature. How do you pick the right trainer.
The best way to pick a trainer kite is to talk to someone about it. Check eBay for deals and contact the sellers for info. You can also do a google search for trainer kite sellers. Their websites should have contact information on them. Good luck.
I am looking to get into kite boarding, looking to get a trainer and taking a lesson. Check out my blog at http://www.jonathanbrock.blogspot.com
The Rush 350 Pro trainers are top notch! Very well made, super durable and great performing! I love mine.