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KristinWith kite technology evolving each and every year, kites have continually become safer, more user-friendly and higher-performance than ever. While numerous different kite styles exist, each has a unique feel, performance and safety characteristics.
Bow/SLE Kite
With a flatter canopy than a C-kite and a highly contoured leading edge, bows/SLEs tend to be available as four-line kites featuring bridle systems. Regarded by many beginners as their kite of choice, they tend to be very user-friendly, they depower quite easily and they can be used in a wide wind range.
Hybrid Kite
Falling somewhere between the C-kite and the bow/SLE, the hybrid is usually available as a five-line or five-line/ four-line convertible setup. Tending to combine the performance, feel and safety of C’s and bows/SLEs, the hybrid is a synthesis of the two other kite styles.
Delta Kite
Delta kites have good stability, full depower and a nearly automatic relaunch that is perfect for beginners and experts alike. The variations of this kite style include a delta-C, which has a more closed angle off the leading edge, and a delta hybrid, which has a different bridle location and length, a straighter leading edge and a different wingtip design.
Trainer Kite
A Trainer kite is basically a smaller two line version of a foil kite. They range from 1 to 4 square meters. They are perfect for learning basic kite skills before advancing to larger, more powerful kites. A trainer kite is a must-have when learning and continues to offer fun at any beach or when teaching your friends and family to kite.
C-Kite
Regarded as the traditional style of kite, the C-kite comes in four- and five-line setups. With a “C”-shaped leading edge, these kites offer a sense of direct feel, deliver explosive pop and are optimal for freestyle and unhooked wake-style riding. With recent innovations in their design, C-kites offer depower capabilities similar to that of bows/SLEs and hybrids.
Foil and Trainer Kites
Foil and trainer kites, also known as ram-air kites, offer an open-celled leading edge, which allows them to selfinflate once launched. Trainer kites offer a two-line bar and vary from 1 to 3 meters in size. Compared to the massive pull of a full-size foil kite, the trainer kite generates much less pull while providing an excellent and safe learning experience. Full-size foil kites range from 6 to 15 meters and are flown with a four-line bar with optional depower. These kites generate sufficient power for kiting on water, snow or land. The advantage of a foil, besides selfinflating, is how compact it can become for traveling.
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I'm just getting started..Should I go for a C-kite or a Bow Kite? I'm thinking about getting a 14M and a 10M. I'm super athletic with a skiing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and sailing background. I'm 5'11" and about 175-180 lbs..any advice/
Im just about to get started myself dude, and I'm pretty sure Im getting a Slingshot B2 training kite, because the reivews are saying its the way to learn, and my cousin started on that kite and says its awesome. You're better off perfecting the basics so that you can do those no problem with the bigger kites with bigger lift. At least that's what Im told.
The Slingshot B2 is $119 and its a foil kite, so it will also be good if you want to try kiteskating or something on land. But you'll have to buy a harness too.
So I would suggest the same for you.
Hay all,
I'm checking this out too. I have seen the HQ Hydro on the net but I have not seen any reviews. Is there any reviews out there on this? Logically it seam like a good trainer kite that can launch from water but is it as good of a trainer comapired to the reviews i have seen in the Slingshot B?
Can the Slingshot B connect into a harness?
HQ Hydro has been great!
Bought a Hydra over the winter to learn on frozen lake, found out it's better to learn in the summer. I have had a lot of fun with it so far this summer very easy, next step, pulling me in the water. Take some lessons this winter in FLA. and be ready to go next summer on the lake. Still looking to use the hydra on the frozen lake this winter.
The hydro has a couple drawbacks that I feel make it not worth the extra money. I paid $230 for mine, I haven't checked what they sell for. First, the lines are junk. Thin lines turn into birds nests. I took 800 lb dyneema lines off another bar and use them. Second, it gets waterlogged fast. It should say water resistant on the bag. If the kite sits on the water more than 20 seconds, you wont be able to relaunch it without pouring the water out manually through the flaps. If I were to get another small kite for water use, I would get a small inflatable. Hope this helps. - D
DNice, Thanks for all the info on both posts. Good advice - Andrew
JP - Buy REAL kiteboardings Zero to Hero DVD. Watch it several times. Then buy a trainer kite. Get comfortable flying it. Then get a lesson. In that order. When you first start flying big kites, there is just way too much stuff that can go wrong. It is essential to have "boat support" on water - a motorized vehicle of some kind that can come get you if there is a problem. Also, you will quickly find that there are only so many kiteable days per year. Optimizing them to start will get you through the learning curve faster and get you to a point where you are loving the sport instead of sitting on the beach crocheting with your lines. - D
Just mentioning… the first C-Kite on the list should really read "Bow/SLE." It's a misprint.
JP - You also have to consider where you plan on KBing. Best Kiteboarding makes some great beginer kites that have the performance to transition you through the advance training.
Where I am at winds tend to be light and variable or strong in a in set vector. To get around the need for multiple kites I am considering an Airush Lithium LW 13 M which has a pretty good wind range. That being said if you have the cash and are sure you are going to enjoy the sport 2 kites is the way to go.
The last model of kite I have seen is the Switchblade IDS by Cabrinha. I haven't had a chance to dry test this kite like the Best and Airush but it seems to perform prettly well at both spectrums of the wind scale equally well. The guy who owned it said he got it because it was the best all-around kite on the market (keep in mind he was a salesman looking to sell me Cabrinha package).
As far as trainer kites go with the Slingshot B2 and and save your bucks for your KB kite. Also not sure how much it will help you but (I am a pilot and skydiver) reading introduction books helps to understand the forces involved.
I had a couple lessons with a bow kite and now i would like to buy a kite… is it different to fly a c-kite or hybrid? and which should i get? thanks
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