Hi guys,
Just taken to the waves on a directional board.
In the market for newish kite (prob have to go for last seasons)
Suggestions?
3 strut vs 5 struts - does it really make any difference?
What qualities should I look for? Quick turning? Park and ride?
Thanks
GD
you want fast turning, lots of depower, low aspect, good drifting.
typically these are 3 strut kites. each brand will do one.
ozone reo is a good choice.
3 strut over 5 strut any day,in most cases the lighter the kite the better the drift,but you also want a well balanced kite so you can give it a heap of slack and it won't fall out.
Ozone reo is officially the best wave kite on the market...
All others are inferior.
If you're 100% into riding waves, get a wave kite/quiver. Otherwise get an allrounder. Wave kites are good in waves but tend to be average for other uses.
Many will suggest Ozone Reo, but an Ozone Catalyst is a better allrounder and still very good in the waves (I've used both extensively).
Here we go!
Okay all those mentioned will work. Also consider RRD and LF envy. Even wave kites have their own particular feel so you need to demo a fair few. Have seen guys rip of these.
My pick would be the REO for just waves and a wainmen for an all rounder if you are heavy, catalyst if you are a light rider ( below 80).
The REO loops nicely though ...
Also the guys down Margs are using north Neos, talk to kim at surf and sail at gero, he loves em.
Depends do you want to park and ride, fast and follow. Jump as well. What surf conditions will you be in, what board, what weight, what wind speed and direction.
What kite have you ridden before so those in the know can compare and contrast.
Heaps of factors man.
This years Caution Spitfires are very reasonably priced as another option.
Just to make you completely confused
I find it funny no one seems to mention the BWS kites in this thread... That's all they make, surf kites...
Are they duds? Or just rev like?
most the good riders out pambula rivermouth on the weekend were on wilson kites.they look like they work to me.
most the good riders out pambula rivermouth on the weekend were on wilson kites.they look like they work to me.
Thanks heaps guys.
So my take is that when a brand talks about its "surf kite" it is talking about a lightish 3 strut kite that floats back well is that right? But will they typically also be faster turning or slower (than say the brands freeride kite)
I understand the need to demo, but it is hard to demo in real surf. Most of the demo places around me are flat water. So I cant see which kite feels best on wave, rather I can see which kite is faster turning, better a floating down wind, more stable and probably which is quicker relaunching (the last I know is important for me in the surf!!!)
Any further thoughts?
Thanks,
GD
Hey GD.
sounds like you've tried a few brands urself.
Of those qualities you mentioned, ie
sits back
turns fast
drifts good
- which kite impresses you the most so far?
My newest kite is 2010 so prolly my exp is not relevant
to ur imminent purchase.....but Octanes go good.
From what it's worth, good surfers i know like the
Drifter
BWS & Reo
the RPM & the Vector got a vote or 2 also.
I rode the BWS, but only in flat water, and it seemed to do all those things well but drifted good for sure on the home run while riding nearly straight at the kite
, must be sick or inactive.
If ur not always in the surf or on a directional, it sounds like you need an all rounder kite GD.
Go with something which has the feel you want (bar pressure/front line feel) and some thing which parks well with the bar sheeted out.
The whole concept of kitesurfing down the line soley relies on a kite which doesnt pull u off that line,by using a kite with a large depower range and one which sits further upwind then the general all rounders/wakestyle kites.
Hope that helps
Funny topic - because ....
Im talking to wave riders all day everyday and there are 2 distinct groups.
Some like a really fast kite that moves wherever they want it to - all the time & anytime they ask it. Id label this breed a "wave kite". Great for playing with waves.
The other school is the exact opposite.
They want a slower moving, more stable kite that is always there for them but unlikely to fly all over the place when they are working the wave with their board and dont even want a kite in the mix. Id label this kite a "surf kite". Great for riding waves.
Some brands produce a "specialist wave kite" that suits group A. That kite will be last kite group B 'surfers' want.
And visa versa other "specialist wave kites" are the slower, sit there and wait for you types for those who want the full on surf experience with a kite there to fly only when they want/need it.
Two distinctly different kites currently promoted as if they do the same job.
What 'wave' OR 'surf' kite do you want ?
The one that suits your style - playing or surfing.
Not promoting one over the other here - by any means. Just trying to clear up some confusion over what constitutes a "great kite for using in surf".
puppet why wouldn't you get one that does both. why limit yourself to one style, when really its the wave and conditions that determine how you ride.
I think puppet is right. i'm definately playing in that waves with a kite. not wanting to surf in the waves with the assistance of the kite.
So..... I don't run a quiver of reo's. I have one little reo for the silly winds and massive surf. but use other more boosty kites the in medium to light winds.
Agreed that there are a broad range of awesome surf kites that do completely different jobs,have been using P-Lynn furys and just lately 2013 TRX in the surf,both are way different ,the fury is slower but pulls like a tractor so it's more a park and surf kite,the TRX is quick and light and for 2013 has way more low end so you can surf and play and throw in a bit more freestyle in your surfing,two totally different kites that both do the job extremely well as I'm sure many other kites do,really it comes down to your riding style as to what's a perfect surf kite for you there's plenty to choose from so demo as much as poss.
Thanks guys.
Puppet - what you are saying rings true. But I'm still not sure what I want!
I think I am wanting the wave experience (and lets face it in Perth, mush is much more likely than perfect surf). I like to dangle every now and then as well and do the odd trick (on my directional or twinT)
So this makes it sound like what I want is:
A good drift. Heaps of depower, but something I can still direct even when greatly depowered. Good upwind, but not too heavy a pull.
I'm flying old switchblades at the moment. Have been trying unhooked (Twinny) stuff for a few years but recently had a heap of fun in some goodish waves on a new directional board (well new to me). And now in the upgrade market and wondering what to go for.
Thanks guys for all your thoughts.
General,
I was in your exact position last year and here is my take on it.
If you want to ride the surfboard and the TT there are lots of good kites out there. Any all-around kite will get the job done but it will be a bit of a compromise on the SB and on the TT.
The ideal surf/wave kite will have good drift. Referring to puppet's surf/wave kites, I prefer the wave kite with fast turning since our waves don't go forever. Lots of short rides, carving it up on downwinders. I want something that has a direct feel, turns fast and doesn't pull me off the board when I whip it around. The Reo is very goos at all of those things. Very smooth power delivery as well but it is not a jumper, not compared to other kites. Yes at the high end you can jump some but that's not what it is all about.
The Noise has great drift, good power and turns fast, but you have to crank the bar to get the turn initiated. Once it starts turning it turns fast but the feel is less direct than the Reo. This is less noticeable on smaller sizes but is still there. The Noise is also a good jumper but it will yank you on the board when you're whip it around unless you sheet it out.
I have not flown the Religion but soon hope to get a go on the Cabo. Those are other surf/wave kites to consider.
I think if you still want to play on the TT you need to consider an all-around kite and there are lots. The Noise is reasonably priced and probably would work for you. Maybe last year's Kahoona, Lithium, Wainman or similar would be a good choice. I would pick a 3 strut kite for sure. See if you can do some demo's.
Tony
Something fast, stable, with good drift, and that loops like a demon! I'm still stuck on classic c kite
s [}:)]
GD if you still live in Ocean Reef as per your profile arrange a few demos.
Airush Wave - Airborne Howe St Osborne Park
BWS Noise -KSS Scarborough Beach Rd
Ozone Reo – AKS West Coast Hwy
You'll find that the Reo (and all other surf/wave kites) will turn faster but have less power than the equivalent “sized” BWS but there is a good reason for that.
I love my Reo's (6,8 & 10) but I haven't flown the others to compare
I would definitely add on the list Bandit 5 or 6 and North's Neo.
I ride Bandits and on waves they pretty much do everything Reo does, but they jump much much better. Smooth good kites, which does not hindenburg.
I have seen Aiton Cozzolino riding Neos and it looked really impressive. He is lighter than me, but I was on six and he was still riding very well with the nine Neo. He was coming from a downwinder. Neos seem to work well in gusty winds as well as Airton has been performing constantly well in all surf competition across the world. And Neos jump well, I've seen with my own eyes (really high jumps when lit).
Just my thoughts.
