Short answer NO
Sure you can use any kite, but their are far better ones, its physically a heavy kite and without line tension all the time it is prone to fall back and turns like crap with any slack in the lines.
Depends what you call wave riding? Some swear by them. Me I didn't rate it - at all in the surf and yet my brother seems to make it work just fine. Then again he is all about TT powered riding.
The pivot turning (with some stalling) has said to have been reduced, and more forward turn in the 2013 so maybe Fletch can look out for this?
There are much better wave kites I agree, but the rebel does other things like boost so well. It is a great freeride kite that can be used in the surf.
But if you want to stick to north, and ride SB, then I reckon the Neo would be worth a look.
Rebel is a good allrounder rather than wave specific, ie It does waves well but there are other kites out there that do waves better.
Flaws in the waves as compared to wave specific kites are that it is a bit slow to turn in anything +8m and that it is sometimes difficult to dump power when riding down the line. Its also in the lower wind ranges a bit slower to respond.
Its a good kite but if you want wave specific there are better. REO or RRD Religion come to mind
I used to ride Fuses in the wave but now ride cats ( obviously Reo's are better)
Depends on how you ride, myself being a surfer I dont like being powered, I'd rather park the kite and use the wave and let it drift. Others like to fly the crap out of their kites and let it lead them around the wave.
Fuses/ Rebels were too powered in turns for me and drifted poorly, but others love them in the surf.
Just got in from riding a 2013 8m REBEL.
(rode with a Polyester WHIP 5"8)
Ive ridden REBELS back in 2010, then went to FUSES and then EVO's.
Although i only rode the kite for about 2hrs, i did notice a few things that have differed from previous years.
The 2013 doesn't stall when wave riding, which the older ones did.
However it didn't feel as grunty as the previous years.
Back to the original question???
"IS A REBEL A GOOD WAVE KITE"??
well it depends on how you surf.
If you park and ride, like i have been lately then go for an EVO or PARK or REO.
If you like to steer your kite through your turns, ride fast and hard and give it plenty then the rebel is definitely the best option.
Don't know if this helped.
As i always say, get a demo and try.
I reckon it would boost huge if your that kind of person too.
Yeh good observation fletch. Same with the 2012 really. Did it forward turn or did you find it would pivot turn stall a little that accelerate out?
can change settings on bar (put it on the black knot) and inside kite lines (put on second knot) to give kite more grunt and be more responsive than how they come when purchased, it also results in more bar pressure. Guess they try and have the kite set up more beginner friendly when new.
dont ride waves so not sure this is what you want but good for JBFletch who says they have lost grunt anyway..
I custom set the bar out of the box,
there is a lot of tweaking you can do regarding length of depower from bar.
and knot settings.
Also the northkites.com website is really helpful regarding the new knot setups.
The kite flew really fast, and had plenty of power.
It just cant sit still.
I tried to unhook and ride in the shore-break but it was mental.
"Was like getting my kite hooked on the back of a mental giant seagull."
Back to what i said tho, if your a beginner, ride hooked in and like to fly your kite down the line, this kite is great.
I also used the 10m for racing in Melbourne last week and it pointed as high as the ozone edges and north Dynos.
Yeah the REBEL is a little different from previous year, but is still a great all round high end freerider.
If you want stability in surf go the EVO or even the NEO (which alot of the north team is riding)
cheers
I used to ride a rebel.Has lots of good points but back stalling was a issue unless the wind was really over powering.The other issue was the fifth line.If your kite starts rolling in the surf it can tangle up and even tear your kite.Dont get me wrong the fifth line saved me more than once when i had to dump the kite.Try a three strut purpose built wave kite,rrd religion ozone reo cab drifter, and etc find a dealer and test as many as possible .all the best
I jumped on airush lithiums this season 9m & 6m. The 9m has surprised me for for its smoothness and ease of use...13kn-22kn..Normally I would be on smaller 6 or 7m enjoying having more kite there for a change. Very stable smooth pivotal everything you dont want in a freestyle kite but love in a surf kite. I think previously the 8-9m was to grunt they have smoothed out the power delivery...it goes good on the reduced lines at approx 20m.
can someone pls clarify the term 'back-stall' in this context?
does it refer to losing power when
- riding in, by turning toward & drifting the kite back in the window,
- or when going back out, losing airspeed & power when working over the break?
any suggestions appreciated for keeping a rebel powered on the way back out, apart from keeping the pedal to the metal that is....
I'm sure they mean your first one, closely related to drift.
Going out, use the apparent wind of the kite. Lift kite slightly from 45 to 10 o'clock, ease off your rail, ease of the power a bit, but point your shoulders in the direction you want to go, hence develop a slight pop, then as you go over the kite will naturally fall back to 45 and fly the kite forward by sheeting in a little as you edge. Float if you like over the break, lose a bit of ground, but the speed you develop allows you to drive the kite around the window. Yes we are after all flying a kite, its 90 percent of the game.
No instability at all, like nothing on the edge man. Rebel was far more unstable and required far more bar input. No have to disagree there fletch man but hey it's all dependant on how one rides and what one observes.
Yeh the Neo sounds real good hey.
Unfortunately I aint no "money bags" so i need something that does it all.
The REBEL is a great kite that rides waves and races well.
I still Have a 2012 EVO that i use when the surfs poop but when it's big an hollow an fast the rebel is always there with quick turns and gets me out of trouble.
I think for the majority of people there is better suited kites for waves, but me personally the REBEL is fine.
Yep and there is no problem with that fletch. Agreed the rebel is just fine in the waves, good choice for you.
Rode the 10m 2013 REBEL in a gusty 20knt NE today.
Surf was clean but about waist high on the back hand.
i was surprised at how well the little blue monster did.
unkhooked, sitting still and working it.
Did all 3 pretty nicely.
And sheet does it whip around on those mk 3 gybes.
Changed my view big time.
Sorry EVO your out, i have a new love.
