Hi-

I am buying my husband a kite for christmas and need advice on what training kite to purchase. He is 6'1" rather athletic, 35 and picky about his gear! I have been recommended to get a 3M for him, but there is a lot of options, any suggestions would be great. (I'd like to spend no more than $150). Thanks!

buy him a seat harness and lessons...a trainer kites is good for 30 minutes.

I like this kite ---- http://www.oceanextremesports.com/catal ... -1132.html

It self launches. That's a tremendous help for someone new to trainer kites.

If you can, get the 3m.
Maybe the shop will give you a discount on some gear in the future once you buy the trainer.

Yea go for the trainer. For some people they are good for 30 minutes but other spend alot of time with them. I think it makes a little better gift than just a gift certificate for lessons. Both would be ideal for a gift but if you're on a budget maybe get a trainer/dvd package?

30 minutes LOL. I flew my trainer for over a year. The thing will never stop helping you learn. When you can fly it one handed with the bar upside down with your eyes closed from one side of the window to the other then you MAY have a chance of flying a kite. Just kidding but i can really do that with mine. Ask 30 minutes guy to post some pictures of him kiting I bet they have sea turtles.

LMAO. I probably put 50 hours on my trainer.
Like AKK says, it helps to know how to fly a kite proficiently before just hopping on the water. Too many people can't even fly/relaunch kites these days as new riders, imo.

Besides that, once you learn, it's fun to hand off to friends and/or your kids.
It's quite fun for your average person to fly a kite, and few things are more entertaining than watching a 60 pound kid get yarded down the beach in 15 knots.

seems like i ruffled some feathers! I had no idea it takes people that long to learn, flying a trainer. i read that he is picky about his geari. at 35 year old, he probably already has an eye on what he (thinks) he wants and being 35, he might hesitate to drop some $$$ on kite lessons--since he just learned to kite with his new trainer. but 3m trainer kites are dirt cheap these days and they are fun with kids so that money won't be wasted. most instructors in this area are a wealth of knowledge as for kite brands and designs and will probably save a new kiter loads of money by helping make the right choice in gear.

I don't think you ruffled any feathers.
I think AKK was just pointing out how useful a trainer can be and I was agreeing. Many people (probably most) do view it as just a 30 minute gig, not just you.
Also, I flew kites as a kid and like kites. Many "kiters" don't enjoy flying kites.... an odd twist on fate for a guy with my background.

BTW, (he is not single), but for single guys, when girls ask about kiting, having a trainer on hand is a wise move. Whip out the trainer and show them how to fly it.

This guy might help get a riding buddy into the sport (or his wife) by letting them use the trainer as well.

I just think the "30 minutes and then it's done" idea is shortsighted, so I stated so. Trust me, you didn't ruffle my feathers. I have gotten 100s of hours of enjoyment out of watching others crash or get dragged by my trainer. One girl lost her top... you are missing out.

Yeah I was kidding as well. I just don't like when people come running into the shop saying they don't need to waste money on trainer kites. They are a dime a dozen. I'm always sarcastic on the forums and it always comes off different to people who don't know me. Like someone mentioned earlier buy a trainer kite and the shop may give you a discount on the gear you purchase towards kiteboarding.

Hi guys- great input, thanks for the advice. I think this kite will definitely be used by the two of us in the park next to our house as well on days we cannot get to the water. Any SPECIFIC models you like would be beneficial... thanks for the input and good read

The Sensi is an awesome kite. I flew one when Extreme got a demo one a year or so ago. You can slam it straight into the beach and it just bounces back. Just don't get it wet or crash it into anything sharp and it will last you a few years.

I too put a lot of hours on a trainer kite before ever touching a kitesurfing kite. Having a solid understanding of the fundamentals of kiting will help maximize the worth of the lesson and later will allow you to progress much faster. Kitesurfing is almost 90% kite flying, most of us now don't think about how to fly the kite because its second nature to us.