By Robert G Murray
When shopping for a trainer kite, some believe that an inflatable style kite is a better choice than a foil; after all, they are more like the kiteboarding kites that are used on water. Although buying an inflatable might at first seem like a smart move, there are key differences between the two styles that might change your mind. Here are the top three reasons why I recommend a foil trainer over an inflatable one:
* Foils are less expensive.
Foil trainer kites are less expensive than inflatable ones for a number of reasons. First, they are much simpler to make. Foils are composed of nylon squares that are sewn together - a simple feat when compared to the complicated air-bladder installation an inflatable requires.
Second, foils can come in two, three, or four line setups - ranging from cheapest to most expensive, respectively. Inflatable kites must come with four lines, meaning that you can't choose a less expensive, two line version.
Finally, a foil trainer does not require the use of a harness like an inflatable one does. In order to use an inflatable properly, including its safety system, a kiteboarding harness must be used. Buying one adds an extra $50-$100 on top of the price of the kite.
These three differences can drive the price of an inflatable trainer kite to more than double that of a foil.
* Foils are more durable.
Foil kites are very durable. Their construction is simple and easy to reinforce, making them very hardy kites. In addition, their open cell design allows air to escape when the kite is crashed, preventing a surge of pressure from damaging it.
Inflatable kites, on the other hand, have a delicate air bladder that must be pumped up to give the kite its shape. This bladder can burst if the kite is crashed severely. Considering that trainer kites tend to be crashed often and are used primarily on land, purchasing one with an air bladder can bring a lot of headaches - and added expenses.
* Foils are easier to learn on.
Launching and landing a foil kite is easy to do and can be done solo. In addition, three and four line foils can be re-launched backwards, eliminating the constant need for a helper.
At the trainer kite stage, safely launching and landing an inflatable requires two people. Also, every time the kite is crashed it must be manually re-launched - a time consuming and irritating process.
At this point some may argue that an inflatable kite gives beginners a more realistic start in kiteboarding, since they are identical to the kites they will use on the water. This is not necessarily true. A trainer kite's real purpose is to learn how to fly a kite properly - starting on dry land. A beginner's priority is to learn kite handling basics, and to master the introductory skills required to fly larger kites. Starting on a more fragile, difficult to fly, and potentially frustrating kite is not the best way to achieve this goal!
Starting with an uncomplicated and durable kite will save you money, and will help to develop your skills faster than otherwise. After all, a rookie jet-fighter pilot does not learn to fly a fighter plane on a smaller-but-just-as-complicated version of that plane. Instead he starts on a simple aircraft, one that might not remotely resemble an advanced fighter, but one that still teaches the fundamentals that he needs to know before upgrading to more complicated aircraft. Learning to kiteboard is no different, which is why I suggest that you start with a foil trainer kite.
When shopping for a trainer kite, some believe that an inflatable style kite is a better choice than a foil; after all, they are more like the kiteboarding kites that are used on water. Although buying an inflatable might at first seem like a smart move, there are key differences between the two styles that might change your mind. Here are the top three reasons why I recommend a foil trainer over an inflatable one:
* Foils are less expensive.
Foil trainer kites are less expensive than inflatable ones for a number of reasons. First, they are much simpler to make. Foils are composed of nylon squares that are sewn together - a simple feat when compared to the complicated air-bladder installation an inflatable requires.
Second, foils can come in two, three, or four line setups - ranging from cheapest to most expensive, respectively. Inflatable kites must come with four lines, meaning that you can't choose a less expensive, two line version.
Finally, a foil trainer does not require the use of a harness like an inflatable one does. In order to use an inflatable properly, including its safety system, a kiteboarding harness must be used. Buying one adds an extra $50-$100 on top of the price of the kite.
These three differences can drive the price of an inflatable trainer kite to more than double that of a foil.
* Foils are more durable.
Foil kites are very durable. Their construction is simple and easy to reinforce, making them very hardy kites. In addition, their open cell design allows air to escape when the kite is crashed, preventing a surge of pressure from damaging it.
Inflatable kites, on the other hand, have a delicate air bladder that must be pumped up to give the kite its shape. This bladder can burst if the kite is crashed severely. Considering that trainer kites tend to be crashed often and are used primarily on land, purchasing one with an air bladder can bring a lot of headaches - and added expenses.
* Foils are easier to learn on.
Launching and landing a foil kite is easy to do and can be done solo. In addition, three and four line foils can be re-launched backwards, eliminating the constant need for a helper.
At the trainer kite stage, safely launching and landing an inflatable requires two people. Also, every time the kite is crashed it must be manually re-launched - a time consuming and irritating process.
At this point some may argue that an inflatable kite gives beginners a more realistic start in kiteboarding, since they are identical to the kites they will use on the water. This is not necessarily true. A trainer kite's real purpose is to learn how to fly a kite properly - starting on dry land. A beginner's priority is to learn kite handling basics, and to master the introductory skills required to fly larger kites. Starting on a more fragile, difficult to fly, and potentially frustrating kite is not the best way to achieve this goal!
Starting with an uncomplicated and durable kite will save you money, and will help to develop your skills faster than otherwise. After all, a rookie jet-fighter pilot does not learn to fly a fighter plane on a smaller-but-just-as-complicated version of that plane. Instead he starts on a simple aircraft, one that might not remotely resemble an advanced fighter, but one that still teaches the fundamentals that he needs to know before upgrading to more complicated aircraft. Learning to kiteboard is no different, which is why I suggest that you start with a foil trainer kite.
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