What is the difference between traction kites and trainer kites?

by Joe

I have heard practice kites be called trainer kites, and traction-trainer kites. What is the difference?

Comments for
What is the difference between traction kites and trainer kites?

Mar 18, 2009

And the difference is...
by: Glen - KiteboardingEvolution.com

Trainer kites are small kites that are used to teach the basics of kiteboarding. To do this properly, they need to be small and only range between 1 m² to 3.6 m² (even though I call them 'small', these kites are still really big!)

A traction kite is ANY kite that can be used for propulsion. It is any kite that generates a lot of pulling force, and there are no size limits on them. A traction kite can be small or massively huge - provided that it generates a strong pulling force!

Here's the thing - some trainer kites can generate a lot of pulling force and can be called traction kites. When does this happen? Well, small trainer kites don't generate that much force, but when you get above 2.5 m², they can create a lot of force. So, trainer kites between (approximately) 2.5 m² and 3.6 m² can be called Traction-Trainer kites.

Kites that are bigger than 3.6 m² are not trainer kites - they are full on traction kites - and can not be called traction-trainer kites.

Thanks for the question and I hope this helps!

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