Buyers Guides | Power Kite | Using a Board | Using a Mountain Board with a Power Kite

Kite landboarding combines a mountain board with a powerful kite, enabling the rider to gain forward momentum by using the kite to generate power from the wind.

Kite landboarding requires a large windy area with a hard packed surface and is typically performed on hard beaches, although an open field with short grass is also suitable. By steering the kite appropriately, it is possible to travel along the ground at high speed and also perform jumps and tricks.

Using a power kite with a mountain board is becoming as popular as downhill mountain boarding. It is possible to use any mountain board from our range with a power kite, although most mountain board companies now produce shorter, lighter boards that provide optimum performance.

Kite specific mountain boards are generally lighter in weight and are often fitted with the lighter weight "skate style" trucks (click here for an explanation of mountain board trucks).

Since kite boards are designed for tricks and jumping, they are a shorter in length than standard downhill mountainboards. At around 105-115cm, the shorter length means a reduction in spin weight making them much easier to manoeuvre.

A typical lightweight kite orientated mountain board

Power kites come in many different shapes and sizes and it is very important to choose a kite suitable for your needs. Any power kite activity carries serious risks - if you get it very wrong you risk serious injury or death.

Kite choice depends on skill level and user weight but most people will need a kite around 2.5m - 3.5m to provide adequate forward pull. The new HQ Scout Power Kite is a perfect first choice since it has a simple bar control system (rather than handles) and is designed specifically to aid learning.

Previous power kite experience will make learning to kite landboard significantly easier and safer. Kite skills are fundamental to kite landboarding and learning how a kite behaves prior to trying to use a board will accelerate the learning curve once you step on the board. We recommend that all beginners seek instruction and the British Kite Surfing Association (BKSA) will be able to provide details of your nearest kite school.

Read our Power Kite Buyers Guide for additional power kite information.