Rider: Weight 77 Kg,Level beginner
Style: Freeriding, Wake
Weather: 12-25 knots


Hello, even if posted in another thread of this forum, I would need the answer asap.

I would ask you what do you think about 2011's 12 Meters Switch vs. Rebel.

I'm going to buy one of them tomorrow and I'm still unsure about something:

Rebel: does it have the trims at the end of the lines towards the canopy?

Switch: if I leave the bar with the 2011 Recoil system, does the kite fall down to water? Or it completely depowers maintaining a bit of wind to avoid falling? Or it keeps on drag me on?


And... the main question:
is the Swithcblade wind range really so narrow, compared to the Rebel's one, or this numbers are just what the manufacturers reports?

I'm really unsure on what to buy, I'm 77 Kg. and 190 cm tall. Mainly on 14 to 20 knots winds.

Hey Kiterit, Sounds like you're a fair kook so i'll endeavor to keep this simple.
You should without doubt buy the switchie, the rebel is probaly the worst kite on the market (and has been directly attributed to 4 serious accidents), as far as the "recoil system" goes it is the most advanced bar on earth, (almost identical to the one nasa uses), if you drop the bar the kite will fly to 12 o'clock then trek up wind to the nearest pub and shout you a counter meal!!!!
I hope this helps!!
mahalo whitie..

Very interesting comments, thank you all.

It's strange to me how people feels so different on these 2 kites, which are renowned as 2 of the best beginner to intermediate kites, but valid also for the pros.

Actually my main doubts are the wind range for the Switchblade (even if I think that with 20+ knots I should start to use a 8 meters to keep on with fun on kiting) and a bar not as good as the Cabrinha for the Rebel.

Polupoluu, I also heard about some serious accidents connected with the Rebels.

Someone could confirm on this, explaining why the rebel should be sometimes dangerous?

nothing wrong with the wind range on the switchy! 10m 1 kite quiver worked quite well for me! i m about 70+ kg and used to get going in 15 knots. plus if your looking at getting into unhooking switchy is a little better than the rebel IMO! having said that the rebel is a sick kite to learn on!

Rooboy said...

Mate whats ur hurry? Cant u wait until your local shop gets them both in and try before u buy? Its the only real way u will know which one suits ur riding syle best.

Ive ridden Rebels for years and love them but have a heap of mates with Switchies so have spent a heap of time on them 2. Both are awesome kites and you wont be dissapointed with either. At the end of the day it will come down to personal preference.

PS good luck getting a straight answer on here.

Here in Italy it's not so easy to find a shop with both of them right now, and letting you test them... That's why I'm asking.

Thank you for your help!

Mahalo kiterit. I can confirm one of the dangers of the rebel... One recent serious accident related to the rebel happened to me whilst i was demoing a new 5.5m rebel from my local shop here in kazak.... I was many miles from shore (inland of course) practicing a few new moves that included a handle pass. On my 23rd attempt i released the bar a fraction late and lost concentration, the next thing i knew the bar was up around my face and 3rd chin. I opened my mouth to yell F^%k & next thing you know i swallowed the lot!! Bar,lines & chickenloop. I am still dealing with the north reps here in kazakstan. They want the bar back! Ive already passed the chickenloop and 56m lines!
hope this helps with your decision!
your friend Polu'

Rooboy said...

Mate whats ur hurry? Cant u wait until your local shop gets them both in and try before u buy? Its the only real way u will know which one suits ur riding syle best.

Ive ridden Rebels for years and love them but have a heap of mates with Switchies so have spent a heap of time on them 2. Both are awesome kites and you wont be dissapointed with either. At the end of the day it will come down to personal preference.

PS good luck getting a straight answer on here.

Rooboy has hit the nail on the head, either kite would be fine.

Both North and Cabrinah have been running the Rebel and SB for many years, they wouldn't continue the line if they had issues.
The smallest problem with any kite these days seems to get that line of kites dropped so seeing as both have been around so long you can be confident either kite will perform well, and they will be very well designed, constructed and refined over the years to give you the best product possible.

If you read a bit about both the 2010 kites and look at the features and colours of the 2011 you are going to be able to pick one, weather it be a safety you like better or just the colour be confident that either way you are going to be happy.

Just my 2c.

kitesurfbali said...

Ciao Kiterit,
I'm Italian and I can tell you the following:
SB more low end then North..
Build quality CAB better then North!
For your weight and the wind you are looking at you may consider an 11 SB new size for 2011..
Here in Bali we are repairing constantly North kites due to the valves that keep coming off.
Both kites fly well...
Bye Jankie

If you need MP me and I will reply in Italian.

you are pulling yourself idiot there is no comparing that crappy cab in the same ball park as a north you are still in pre school at cab and havent move into the big north schoo yet,,l but keep on dreaming .....