Training a 5 year old???

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[kiteflyer82]

I want to start teaching my 5 year old son almost six how to fly a rev. Looking for some advice. Also what line length and what rev wold be the easiest to teach him?

[Gamelord]

Line length = min 75'.  Shorter lines will make the kite faster and more difficult to control. 

Kite = EXP.  Cheapest but still flies just as good as the others (for a beginner) - less worries when it gets bashed into the ground several times.

Patience......a must.

[mikenchico]

Taught a daughter at 6 or 7 on a Rev 2. A bit quicker but the pull was manageable unlike the only other option at the time the Rev 1. She was a natural so it didn't take a lot of training for her to get the basics and once they have those you let them experiment themselves, they figure it out.

[Kitelife]

I'd make sure any Rev for someone that size (smaller body and weight) has enough brake in the settings, especially if the wind is up... There's a balance of course, you want enough forward so it's easy to launch, but not so much that they get jerked out of their shoes.

Ian Willoughby, Alex Mason, Joe Loranger, all started Rev flying when they were a similar age.

Wrist strength and hand size are also factor for leverage on the handles.

Some good discussions on the subject (and many more with a little browsing)...

http://www.revkites.com/forum/topic/4409-my-leaders-your-thoughts/
http://www.revkites.com/forum/topic/3152-do-you-adjust-knots-on-top-or-brake-line/

The EXP is a fine start, as is a Rev II (or B2)... But you might need to whip up some leaders.

[Jeepster]

Assume you used a Rev II to start a six year old down the quad route.  Would you use shorter than standard handles to help offset their reduced wrist strength and reduce the inputs?  You would not use "finesse" as a adjective to describe my grandson ... even on a dual line he over powers it. 

Cheers,
Tom

[Kitelife]

If the youth doesn't take "calming" input well, shorter handles on a II might be a plus.

[kiteflyer82]

Thanks for all the advice, I think that is a good start. I just got an rev 2 that looks early 90's but it's never been flown and I'm not sure if I'm willing to sacrifice it with my 5 year. Thanks John for tempting me on the B2. I already bought two revs this week.

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