Its a load of bollocks that you carnt jump on the reo, set your lines and its got a fair bit of punch, ive had powerpole high jumps on the reos,
IMO you can't get a decent boost out of a reo riding in the same wind range that is comfortable for wave riding on a SB.
So for me an 8 reo is comfortable for wave riding on a SB from 18-26ish. Sure if I go out on it in 30+ I will get some good air/hang time but as far as riding a wave in and a nice floaty boost on the way back out before tacking upwind for the next wave..... doesn't happen.
And yes ofcourse it is an arm wrestle between 2 different designs. High vs low aspect and all of that. But all kite's have good boost when fully/over powered.
Just my 2 cents of course, I know you have ridden ozone kites extensively.
Oh yes you can go real big on a REO no problems near its top end. Its how you come down that is the key issue I feel! Splat! Unless ya keen on some looping action which is always fun for mere mortals in high winds!
Sure if I go out on it in 30+ I will get some good air/hang time but as far as riding a wave in and a nice floaty boost on the way back out before tacking upwind for the next wave..... doesn't happen.
And yes ofcourse it is an arm wrestle between 2 different designs. High vs low aspect and all of that. But all kite's have good boost when fully/over powered.
That's just the different power requirements between wave purist riding and boosting. No kit on the planet will boost to the moon and still be in the sweet range for done the line surfer type wave riding.
That said. Luckily for me I want to ride waves like a kiter and boost on the way back out... so i'm riding more powered than a traditional sb rider usually.
For me my little 6 reo starts to get good boosting around 33 knots. the float comes around 35knots. but she is a little firecracker on a 50cm bar so your have to watch the redirect pretty well.
It seems to me that reo has been the most predominant kite on this subject of the best wave kite..I demo'd this kite the other week and Iam usually into boosting and all that ,but I loved the quickness of this kite.I was a pleasure to fly.I am just getting into waves which makes me think .I will keep my old boost kites for boosting sessions and when I want to ride waves I will go the reo.
I would like to demo the rpm ,the bandit,the wainman to see what other alrounders are like .Also I would like to demo the drifter ,but I have read that it is slower than the reo.The airush wave looks good too!
I think the reo is going to be hard to beat!
Diamond there is no such thing as the best wave kite. There are wave kites that suite certain styles, boards and conditions.
It just seems the REO must be a nice fit for you.
Great to see you demoing lots of kites, great fun hey and great learning experience re kites.
It seems to me that reo has been the most predominant kite on this subject of the best wave kite..I demo'd this kite the other week and Iam usually into boosting and all that ,but I loved the quickness of this kite.I was a pleasure to fly.I am just getting into waves which makes me think .I will keep my old boost kites for boosting sessions and when I want to ride waves I will go the reo.
The Ozone Catalyst is built for you. More of a 'C' kite boosting technique (depending on what you're used to) but goes large and comes down as gently or as hot as you like, and still has great turning, drift, and relaunch for waves.