Trainer Kite to Learn in Water

Trainer Kite Choices for the Water

3 Line Trainer Kites for Water & Land

• Peter Lynn Skim 3.4m, Peter Lynn Skim 4m 

These kites are a great choice!  They are high quality, extremely durable, water relaunchable kites.  The Skim is a 3-line trainer kite that can easily be relaunched, even from the water, making it perfectly suitable for those body dragging sessions to get used to controlling a kite while in the water.   The Skim has a big wind range which makes it an excellent kite to make quick progression with. It flies very easy going in light winds, so beginners feel safe and confident flying it, but it also performs very well in high winds, where the Skim is easily powerful enough for some body dragging fun.

• Hydra II 300 (2.6m), Hydra II 350 (3.5m), Hydra II 420 (4.5m):  3 Line Trainer Kite.   

This is a simple-to-use and popular water relaunchable kite.  These kite are excellent kites in water where the waves are not too big.  Bigger waves that might crash into the kite have the potential of water logging or damaging the kite. Areas with smaller waves, and flat water are great environments for this type of kite.   The kite is super easy to relaunch and makes an excellent kite for introducing new kiters to power kiting and body dragging.

4 Line Depower Kites for Water & Land

• Flysurfer Viron – Moderate Price – Closed Cell – Land and Water

Sizes: 2.5m, 4m, 6m, 8m

This is one of the most versatile, highest quality, easy to use 4-line depower beginner kites on the market. Whether you are looking to learn kiteboarding or snowkiting or both, this kite is an excellent choice. The kite is a super-high quality closed cell foil that is specifically designed for new kiters. The different sizes offer a huge range of potential. If kiteboarding is your ambition, this kite is fantastic. The kite is sold with the control bar and lines. The lines can be shortened to half length for your first practice sessions, making your first flights safer with less power. The lines can be quickly lengthened to the full length when you are ready for full power. For water and snow snowkiting, this kite is one of the best tools for learning and progressing in the sport.

• Ocean Rodeo React II 2m: Least Expensive

The Ocean Rodeo is a nice little package that comes complete with everything needed to fly the kite. It is a close simulation of rigging and flying full size gear. Like other 4 - line inflatable kites (LEI – Leading Edge Inflatable kites), launching, landing, and relaunching will take the help of an assistant. Under the right conditions you will be able to learn to self launch, land, and relaunch. This is a great learning package that is affordable and safely introduces you to rigging and flying full size gear.

2 Types of Trainer Kites that Can Be Used on Water

1. Closed Cell Foil  3 Line Trainer Kites  (Super easy to set up and fly)

Land, Water, & Snow

In a nutshell, a closed cell foil kite allows the air to blow into the kite, but when it crashes internal sock(s) trap the air in and keep the water out.  The kite will float on the water like a blown up plastic bag.  These kites are 3-line kites and are very user friendly and easy to relaunch.

Come complete & ready to fly – No Extra Gear Required

2. Inflatable (LEI) 4-Line Trainer Kites (Rigs & flies like a full-size kite)

Water, Snow, &  Limited Land

An inflatable 4-line trainer kite rigs and flies just like full size gear.  Ultimately, these kites are designed for water and are great for practice sessions in the water.

Inflatable trainers are not for everyone, but for the right person it can be a great tool for learning.  These trainer kites allow a new kiter to learn each step of the flying process; from setting up, launching, flying, landing, and packing your kite away just like a full size kite.

Considerations Before Buying a 4-Line Inflatable Trainer Kite:

• Cost -  Inflatable trainer kites are more expensive and most require additional gear.  The good thing is, the additional gear required (harness and bar) can be the same gear you will use with a full size kite.
• Set Up - An inflatable 4-line kite will take more time to set up and learn to fly.
• Launching - They will be more difficult to launch, land, and relaunch by yourself.  When learning, inflatable kites will require the help of an assistant.  As you advance, you will be able to learn how to self launch, water relaunch, and land your kite by yourself.  So, this can be done, but it will take practice.  In moderate to high winds, it is always recommended to launch and land your kite with an assistant.
• Flying - A 4-line trainer kite has the added characteristic of sheeting in and out when flying.  This will confuse some people who do not have the proper instruction or understand how sheeting in and out affects steering, increasing power, decreasing power, stalling, launching, relaunching, etc...  It is not difficult to learn, but developing bad habits is not good.
• Crashes - For new kiters, power crashes are going to happen.  When you are flying on land you will want to avoid areas with sharp objects (ie. sticks, or crusty, icy snow).  Any sharp objects will have the potential of poking a hole in the bladder of the kite.
• Hooked In - 4 line kites require that the kite pilot be hooked into a harness to fly.  This adds to the risk of injury and requires a complete understanding of the safety systems.
• Lessons - We strongly recommend taking at least a land lesson for safety purposes and also learning how to properly set up, launch, and fly a 4-line sheetable kite.  

Note:  These considerations are not meant to be negative, but are characteristics that come with flying a 4-line sheetable kite.  Some newbies will find them frustrating if they do not have the proper training or the help of an experienced kiter.