Trainer Kite Intro
Trainer kites are smaller entry level kites used mostly as a teaching tool for the sport of kiteboarding. One of the simplest ways to begin learning kiteboarding is to spend time flying a trainer kite. These kites mimic the same flying characteristics that larger power kites have, but with some differences. Beginner trainer kite exercises start with basic flying 101 like powering and de-powering the kite, steering, finding the wind window, and advancing to complex drills like water-starting and getting up on the board. The convenient part is that you get to practice with the trainer kite on your schedule and you get to skip the $100 per hour basic kiteboarding lessons. Please note this is not a replacement for lessons. A trainer kite will help you save money on lessons but only on the basic skills and fundamentals of kiteboarding. Using a true power kite that uses a harness and generates kiteboarding flying power must always be used with proper supervision. In this write up, we will help you to save money and help you make a more educated decision on this crucial kiteboarding purchase.
Right and Wrong Trainer Kite?
The best way to improve progression faster and really get all the benefits is selecting the proper trainer kite. Everyone has different goals and budgets, so there is not one kite for everyone, especially since these trainer kites can become very expensive (up to $400) in some cases. What is the right trainer kite? Well, since there is not a one size fits all approach to purchasing a kite, we found a very effective approach. One of the most important deciding factors is defining your kiteboarding goals. Too often people try to get too much out of a trainer kite by expecting it to do everything. While trainer kites are very flexible (more flexible than any other power kite) they cannot do everything. Also, there are many things other kites do better. It’s like that old saying “Jack of All Trades and an Expert in NONE!” A great way to establish your goals is to go out and fly a kite! There are some very affordable entry level trainer kites for under $80. This Skydog first foil is $64.95! And you can add a Progression Beginner kiteboarding DVD for only $24.00 more. You cannot go wrong with that deal. Even if you grow out of the kite quickly this will help you explore the sport and see where you want to be because selecting the wrong trainer kite can ground your kiteboarding dreams. Besides, these smaller kites are tons of fun and great to give family members and kids to use. Remember bigger trainer kites generate lots of power and improper flying can destroy your investment and leave you grounded. It’s always best to learn with some sort of training wheels at first. So take your time and find the right trainer kite to fit your needs.
Trainer Kite Reviews
There are some reviews online, but most are from fly by night internet merchants that wouldn’t know how to find the wind window if their life depended on it. We test and stand by all of the trainer kites and gear we sell, from kiteboarding to electric skateboards. I started my store to help people stay away from the kite junk sold on eBay and at retail outlets, so be cautious about who you buy from if you can’t call the seller or you are buying from a PayPal button on a site that hasn’t been updated since the 90’s. Is that who you want to trust for current and correct information (not to mention giving your credit card info to non-PCI Compliant source)?
Trainer Kite Quality
Another attribute to take into consideration is trainer kite quality. I will break this down into five categories. Below we will cover kite sail construction, bar, line, bag quality, and warranty.
Kite Sail Construction:
The sail is a very important part of a trainer kites construction. Trainer kites are mainly foils with two varieties, open cell and closed cell. Open cells are a little more robust to crashing but closed cell technology has come a long way and is almost as durable. When inspecting a kites’ sail, check the reinforcing along the trailing edges and leading edges. The thickness of the material (it should not be too thick, because weight is a kites’ enemy) and the stiches that hold the trainer kite together. Please note these are not designer jeans so it may not be PERFECT, but if you see one side missing something that’s a flag. Remember anything that’s flies’ must have balance and symmetry or you will crash and burn.
Bar Quality:
Some bars are better than others but comfort, control, and safety are the most important. Having a bar that allows you to help depower the trainer kite is nice (most kites use a wrist strap for this). The premium trainer kites come with three lines which fully depower your kite and send it tumbling down. Also the third line is helpful in launching. Remember if the safety or depower fails on a trainer kite three words, JUST LET GO. You are more important than any trainer kite on the market and most times the kite can be retrieved without any damage or difficulty.
Line Quality:
Make sure all lines that you are receiving included with your trainer are true Dyneema lines. This is also known as Spectra, and is a special braided line built for extreme load and abuse. A few brands color code the lines and attach them at the factory to give the flyer a true ready to fly experience. Some manufactures won’t include these lines because they are expensive, and instead you will get cheap twine or standard kite line and in one trip out your trainer kite flies away free as a bird. Remember you get what you pay for!
Bag Quality:
Certain brands take into consideration that carrying a trainer kite can be a chore, so they take much pride in offering you a true sling or back pack style bag. This makes it so nice because they have pockets for boards, meters, and drinks to carry. This also makes it easier to resell and you have a nice case for your trainer kite.
Warranty:
Why spend your hard earned money buying something from a manufacture that is not going to stand behind their trainer kite or even the retailer in that matter? Every product before we even think to put it online must pass a quality check, which includes a warranty. We don’t sell JUNK! We never have and never will. Some manufactures go above and beyond the call of duty. Please note this is not an invitation to misuse or purposely destroy or damage your kite to get a new one. We will know. But if you make a mistake, tell us and we will help get it back in the air and flying again, because that is our goal.
2- Line vs. 3 Line Trainer Kites
Trainer Kites started with two line control system and recently evolved into 3 line variations. Both trainer kites use the two main lines, one on the left, and one on the right to steer. The difference is the third line (on a 3 line model) is attached directly to the foil and is used to aid de-powering and relaunching the trainer kite. There is a lot of controversy that surrounds which is better 2-line trainer kite or a 3-line trainer kite. I will now give you facts not opinions and you decide for yourself. Two line trainer kites are the most popular and we recommend and sell more than any other trainer kite. They are affordable, easy to setup, fly, and produce the best performance (power) per dollar in most situations. The HQ Rush 300 is a prime example and a top seller worldwide. Three lines are newer and have advantages over the 2-line trainer kite counter parts. These are the cream of crop built to be true performers, and perform they do. The Rush Pro and The Ozone IMP Trainer Kite series are beasts in their 3.5m configurations. Powerful and stable, they do tasks some of which the bigger power kites are a custom. Now there is one more example of a three line and there is only one of its kind. The Hydra by HQ Power Kites. The Hydra is different because it is a closed cell foil which means it can go in WATER. Not only that, it re-launches on water even BACKWARDS! There are video examples online, of grown adults deepwater starting on a real kiteboard with the HYDRA. That in itself is truly amazing. This trainer kite carries a premium price and can have a long waiting list due to its popularity and short supply. So as a general rule of thumb, 2-line give you value and 3 lines give you that extra performance edge, but are these enough to justify the cost? You decide.
4 – Line Trainer Kite Hybrids
Today you can get kite hybrids that boarder from a True Power kite to a Trainer kite. One trainer kite for example, is the HQ Scout Power Kite. This is a very flexible flyer. It allows you to ride without a harness (better safety, and agility) It is powerful enough for landboarding, snowkiting, kite skating, buggying, and anything else you can dream up. The only place this trainer kite fails is it is not water friendly. We love this trainer kite because it offers unmatched performance per dollar for a power kite.
Wind to Weight Ratio
Another two aspects to consider for selecting your trainer kite is the weight of the flyer and the areas wind speed range. To be successful in kiteboarding you need a proper power (wind) to weight ratio. Trainer kites are powered by wind so depending on your areas average wind speed you may want to go up or down in size. Also the trainer kite flyers weight may also cause you to step up or step down. We will give you a suggested range for both Wind speed and weight.
Trainer Kite Wind Ranges
Below is a suggested trainer kite size, but please keep in mind these are very general suggestions, without any knowledge of what goals you are trying to accomplish with your trainer kite.
Beaufort Scale Wind Ranges (4-21knots, 5-25mph, 20-39kph)
Suggested Trainer Kite Size for People:
- · Under 150 lbs: 1.3m2 – 2.5m2
- · 150 – 180 lbs: 2 m2 – 3.5 m2
- · 180 – 200 lbs: 2 m2 – 3.5 m2
- · 200 + lbs: 2.5 m2 – 4 m2
Feedback, Comments, or Questions?
On behalf of all of us at Shadeonme Action Sports Store we thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and practicing proper kiteboarding safety. Kiteboarding is a dangerous sport but it does not have to be. Taking proper precaution, knowing your limits, asking questions, and taking lessons no matter what your skill level you are, will make this a safer sport for decades to come. If you have any questions, or comments please email or call us.
