| Amongst the myriad of terms that describe | | | | inexperienced flyer. Any kite that is too powerful, |
| kiteboarding kites lay a few that cause great | | | | usually anything larger than 3.6 m2, is not considered |
| confusion. The terms traction kite, trainer kite, and | | | | a trainer kite. |
| traction-trainer kite are often thrown about freely, | | | | So, what is a traction-trainer? A traction-trainer is any |
| yet no one ever clarifies their definition. What exactly | | | | kite that is small enough to be a trainer kite, yet is |
| are these types of kites, and how do they differ | | | | large enough to generate large amounts of pulling |
| from each other? Without further ado, let's clarify | | | | force; trainer kites that range between 1 m2 and 2 |
| this issue. | | | | m2 are too small to do this in most conditions. |
| A traction kite is any kite that provides a lot of pull | | | | However, trainer kites between 2 m2 and 3.6 m2 can |
| for the user, regardless of size. A small kite used in | | | | easily produce massive amounts of power and can |
| high winds can be a traction kite, provided that it | | | | be classified as traction-trainer kites - kites in this size |
| fulfills the former requirement; a large kite in low | | | | range are commonly used to pull snowboards, skis, |
| winds is also a traction kite, because it certainly | | | | rollerblades, and landboards. |
| generates a lot of pulling force. A kite can vary | | | | It is easy to see how traction kites, trainer kites, and |
| anywhere between 2 m2 and 100 m2 and be | | | | traction-trainer kites can be confusing. Each term |
| considered a traction kite as long as it provides | | | | describes a kite that fulfills different requirements, |
| enough pulling force - its size does not matter. | | | | and these requirements only overlap in a very narrow |
| A trainer kite is a small kite that varies between 1 | | | | range - the size range between 2 m2 and 3.6 m2 |
| m2 and 3.6 m2, and is used to teach kite handling | | | | that defines traction-trainer kites. Outside of these |
| basics. A key requirement with this type of kite is to | | | | sizes, traction kites and trainer kites are very |
| not be so powerful that it overwhelms the user - it | | | | different things. With that, we understand the |
| needs to be small enough to be safe for an | | | | difference between these types of kites! |