Kitesurfing since 2003 we have tried a ton of different trainer kites for kitesurfers/kiteboarders. We tried a variety from cheap ones to the most expensive ones, from tiny ones to the largest available, from well-known brands to unbranded ones, and here is our pick.
We believe that the BEST TRAINER KITE FOR BEGINNER KITESURFERS is HQ RUSH PRO 250-350. This kite hits the sweet spot in all parameters, like safety features, ease of steering, ease of relaunch, durability, price.
Here is how we came to this conclusion. Let’s look at all of the important questions that you may have when selecting a trainer kite for yourself to practice with.
Water or Land?
Will you practice your kite control skills on water or land? Turns out it is a lot EASIER to find a place to practice with a trainer kite ON LAND. Virtually any open space that is not too crowded will do. Yes, you are getting ready to go on the water yet kite steering skills can be practiced on land. It’s easier. And finding a beach where the water is waist-deep some 50 yards from the shore could be a challenge. Our pick, HQ RUSH PRO, is designed to be used “on land”.
There are FOUR (4) TYPES of TRAINER KITES out there today: Inflatable, foil kites with closed cells, and foils with open cells, and even single skin kites are popping on the market here and there. Let’s talk about the differences.
1. Open cell foil kites.
These kites have two soft canopies, the top, and the bottom. There is a bunch of air pockets (cells) running from the front of the kite to the back. The entrance to each cell is OPEN in the front and air can enter it easily and quickly. This is why these kites take virtually no time to inflate but are very much afraid of the water since water can enter those pockets as easily when you drop this kind of kite on the water surface.
2. Single skin foil kites.
These kites have only one – top canopy. Because they do not have any air pockets, they DO NOT GET DAMAGED on an impact as much. This is an extreme design and it was created to make kite lighter for two main reasons: to be used in light wind conditions and to carry less weight while climbing up to the launching pad for paragliding. As you see, these benefits have no much value when it comes to trainer kites for kitesurfers, so, I would skip this type altogether unless you can get one for free.
These kites CANNOT be used on water because they do not have any air pockets to keep them afloat in case you drop them on the water. They will sink instantly. Here are some examples: Flysurfer Peak Trainer, Ozone GO. Below is a video from Flysurfer on mono-skin foil kites:
3. Closed cell foil kites.
These are cousins to the open cell foils family. They have two canopies, a bunch of air cells, but instead of open entry for the air, they have very few air inlets (usually just one) on the leading edge or even at the belly of the kite. Each inlet is covered with a mesh and has a sleeve running inside (see pic), so the water cannot enter inside even when you smash this kite on the water. Yes, these kites CAN BE USED ON WATER.
Closed-cell kites have some disadvantages. They take a bit more time to self-inflate since there are fewer air inlets, inlets are smaller, and airflow at the entrance is obstructed. Closed air cells have more pressure on the inside which adds rigidity to the kite (a plus), but crushing this kite creates excessive (destructive) pressure and may damage the kite after a number of impacts. And these are pricier than the previous two.
4. Kites with inflatable frame.
This is the type of kite that we use for the normal, full geared kitesurfing/kiteboarding on the water. These kites have an inflatable frame that is the most rigid, compared to foil kites, and will maintain the shape of the kite in most conditions for an indefinite amount of time. You can even use this kite as a raft! You will need an air pump to inflate this kite. These kites do not like to be dropped at all. By the way, did you know that the number that you see on the wings of a kite is the KITE SIZE, in square meters, not a model number…
These kites are expensive, we are talking some $500+. They are also the most complex as they have all the controls of a regular kite. The control bar comes with a chicken loop, so, you will need a harness to fly this kite. Now, is this the best starting point for a beginner kitesurfer? Maybe for some people, but for most of us, this could be overwhelming on a number of levels. We advise growing into this type of kite gradually, taking one step at a time.
Construction of a trainer kite.
Or, put differently, how many lines does a kite have?
Trainer kites with 2 lines.
This the simplest option, as you may have guessed. Even though 2-line kites are great for practicing, they are hard to re-launch. You will need a partner to help you, otherwise, there will be lots running back and forth for you every time when you crash the kite. Hey, but who knows, maybe this running will incentivize you to learn faster? ?
Trainer kites with 3 lines.
A three-line setup is a middle ground. Our favorite, by the way. The two lines (left and right) are for steering and the middle one is there to re-launch the kite after every crash. The centerline may also help control the pull of the kite – depower the kite, this depends on the configuration.
Trainer kites with 4 lines.
Careful here, as there are foil power kites on the market that have two steering bars (or handles rather) and these are designed for landboarding. The way these kites are controlled is different from kitesurfing and may only confuse you going forward. 4-line inflatable kites require an additional piece of equipment – a HARNESS. You will be able to dynamically control the power of the kite by sliding the control bar away or pulling it closer. This is an extra control and an additional movement that could be overwhelming for a new kiteboarder. Besides, you will not really feel that much of a difference in power given the relatively small size of a trainer kite. In plain words, this model is overkill and they should not even be called “trainer” kites, as they are fully blown kitesurfing kites with all the features only smaller in size.
Flysurfer VIRON3 is a great example of a foil trainer kite. It has 4 lines, just like a real kite, chicken loop, so, you will need a harness. It has a closed-cell construction, so, it is water friendly.
Ozone UNO and Ocean Rodeo React are good examples of inflatable trainer kites in the 4 line category. They actually are full-featured kitesurfing kites of small sizes.
Price of a trainer kite.
Prices for trainer kites for kitesurfers vary from $100 to over $500. Cheap ones do not fly well, do not respond to your steering properly, and usually are missing re-launching gear, so, you would need a companion to help you get it airborne when you drop the kite. HQ RUSH PRO falls right in the middle, with an MSRP of $250. And you can find a used one on eBay for under $200. This is our go-to recommendation since you will only need your trainer kite for a few days at the beginning of your kitesurfing journey.
Trainer kites that are $500 and up are usually full-featured kites of smaller size and the number of controls could be overwhelming for a beginner kitesurfer. Just remember that the main agenda to invest some of your time into flying a trainer kite is to learn how to steer it.
| Type of Trainer Kite | OPEN CELL | CLOSED CELL | INFLATABLE FRAME |
| Can be used on water | NO | YES | YES |
| Harness needed | NO | 2,3 lines – NO 4 lines – YES | YES |
| Complexity of use | Easiest | Medium | Complex |
| Price | $ – $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Popularity | Most popular | Popular | Not popular |
| Number of lines | 2 or 3 lines | 3 or 4 lines | 4 lines |
| EXAMPLES | HQ Rush PRO Cabrinha SPARK Ozone GO Ozone Ingnition V3 Slingshot B2, B3 North Pioneer Peter Lynn Uniq TR Flexifoil Buzz Prism Synaps | HQ Hydra Prism Mentor Peter Lynn Skim Flysurfer Viron3 | Ozone UNO Ocean Rodeo React |
Size of a trainer kite.
This is yet another decision for you to make. Your choice will depend on two factors: your weight and the strength of the wind. If you weigh under 140 lb. (65 kg) you should look into smaller kites 1, 2, 3 square meters. Over 140 lb. (65 kg) – 3, 4, 5 sq. m. If the wind is blowing between 5 and 15 mph then you can grab a larger trainer kite to practice with. 15 to 25 mph – stick to a smaller size.
How did we pick the best trainer kite for Kitesurfers?
HQ RUSH PRO is an open cell kite, so, you can only use it ON LAND and this is where most of the training is happening at this stage. There are more potions on land as to where to practice. There are THREE LINES on this kite you can use that third line as a safety line to kill the power and to relaunch the kite after a crash, so, you can practice solo. And you DO NOT NEED A HARNESS, so the setup is really minimalistic.
Price-wise this kite is not going to break your bank as it sits right in the middle of the price range for trainer kites for kitesurfers. As of this writing, we found a few options for UNDER $200, but honestly, we bought ours on eBay used years ago for half of that and are still using it alongside others as our main trainer kite for beginner kitesurfers.
Final thoughts.
The life of a trainer kite is usually SHORT-LIVED. Here is why. Most likely, you will practice with it for a few sessions and once you graduate into the big kites you are not likely to go back. Usually, people end up selling their trainer kites or keeping them to train their family members.
There is one scenario when you can keep a “trainer” kite for much longer. For example, you choose to start with an inflatable, full-blown 4-line kite of about 5 square meters or bigger. So you may be able to use it much later in your kitesurfing career in very strong, storm-like winds. Otherwise, we recommend going with a 3-line, open-cell, 2-3 sq. meter kite, practice on land, and then retire it.
Here is a related video from our PROGRAM:
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How to Choose Kitesurfing School
Can I teach Myself to Kitesurf
How long does it take to learn to kitesurf
