I'm keen to step up my wave game over the next few years, been on a ozone reo I bought from kp way back in 2013.
Gotta say i had over 1200 hours on it at a guess . Testament to the reo apart from a couple pin prices in canopy it's been amazing, valves, bladders and le all still fine.but she a bit bagged out now.

Wanna find a kite that can give me that performance again.

Any recommendations for a wave specific kite 2017-2022 ?

1. Drifter....quick turning..easy parking amazing upwind tack.lots of cheap ones around too...
They are doing alot of 'duotone sls is the best' at the moment..&aluula
But I know people who've stuck by drifters for years..or reos. Airush wave&north carve/duotone neo was pretty good too ..
No idea about any new o/rodeo ones core etc..someone else can say ..
I still think these original ones are unbeatable..no matter how many new type ones they make ..

P.s pretty impressed reo valves lasted that long!..that's almost unheard of

If you have put 1200 hrs on your Reo I don't think you will like any of the pulley Kites like the Core Section.
The Airush Session gives you the option of both.
Most of the other brands have gone static bridles so give them a go
Unless you want to try something different
From brands that are not looking to minimise there cost

Hi 0llie,

if you'd like to give the Airush Session V1 a go you can order one at about 40% off. As IanR mentioned, it comes with both fixed bridles and pulley bridles in the bag so you can use whichever you prefer. With the load frame it will last many years. I'll send you a PM with the details.

Christian - KiteBud

Hey kitebud
Out of interest and sorry I haven't researched the kite much
How does it perform under a heavier rider 100kg in waves
Ive riden rpm's but they look more like f one bandit ?!
cheers

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Snowsurfmattkite said..
Hey kitebud
Out of interest and sorry I haven't researched the kite much
How does it perform under a heavier rider 100kg in waves
Ive riden rpm's but they look more like f one bandit ?!
cheers

I won't be able to tell you unfortunately.

I rarely get a chance to kite and don't own any Sessions. I finally had a chance to try the Session V1 and the new Session Team for the very first time each, 2 weeks ago during a 42km surfboard downwinder. I'm now at 73kg so couldn't tell you how they behave for 100kg riders. All our teams riders using the Sesison are also my weight or lighter.

Maybe someone on this forum who is a heavier kiter on the Session kite can give you a better answer.

Alternatively, you will find lots of first hand experiences shared on this forum : kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2413350

thanks

Christian - KiteBud

Cheers bro

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timmybuddhadude said..
1. Drifter....quick turning..easy parking amazing upwind tack.lots of cheap ones around too...
They are doing alot of 'duotone sls is the best' at the moment..&aluula
But I know people who've stuck by drifters for years..or reos. Airush wave&north carve/duotone neo was pretty good too ..
No idea about any new o/rodeo ones core etc..someone else can say ..
I still think these original ones are unbeatable..no matter how many new type ones they make ..

P.s pretty impressed reo valves lasted that long!..that's almost unheard of

Yh I'm amazed lasted so long. 95% of my sessions are solo so countless self launching and landing, maybe I'm not riding hard enough lol

Tried out them airrush few years back with pulleys f that.
Drifter looks good , I'll see if I can demo back to back with a v6/7 reo.
Keen to try sk99 on 20m and source new bar too

They didnt last that long.

Teijin d2 fabric doesnt last for 1200 hours of uv net alone use so hes miscalculated by about 600 to 800 hours anyone who has actually spoken to teijin about theyre fabric range could tell you this or just deep diving into theyre website yourself (i find its just easier to email the material manufacturers directly tho)

For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

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smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

Select to expand quote

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

Select to expand quote

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

Select to expand quote

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

Thanks Ollie
let me know if need help with New Reos I can get you going price also I have Alulla's 6,8,10,12,14 Used by me and in excellent condition second hand

Select to expand quote

smook said..

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

Thanks Ollie
let me know if need help with New Reos I can get you going price also I have Alulla's 6,8,10,12,14 Used by me and in excellent condition second hand

Just curious, why did you go back to the Reo's after being on the OR's for the last couple seasons? I have always loved the Reos in waves so I have stuck with them.
Ollie, you won't be disappointed with Smooks boards. His shapes work really well and they hold up without being too heavy.

Select to expand quote

dafish said..

smook said..

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

0llie said..

smook said..
For wave kite The Reo for the condition I kite in Reos are one of the best wave kites Love the new V7 UltraX Also like OR Roam Allula's But most all new models of wave kites have come along way So try to demo demo and find kite that suits your kiting style/ your wind and wave conditions and Wave board you have

Yea I'll be sure to grab a board off yourself start of next season.

Shame them allulas so expensive. Kiting seemed so much cheaper back in the day. Now shops offering 30%plus off new gear i get it but that's still a massive chunk of cash.

Thanks Ollie
let me know if need help with New Reos I can get you going price also I have Alulla's 6,8,10,12,14 Used by me and in excellent condition second hand

Just curious, why did you go back to the Reo's after being on the OR's for the last couple seasons? I have always loved the Reos in waves so I have stuck with them.
Ollie, you won't be disappointed with Smooks boards. His shapes work really well and they hold up without being too heavy.

They very similar in drift and turning speed and would highly recommend ever kite When new model V7 and as well the new material of UltraX with lighter and smaller / stiffer leading edge and sick colours had to go back and try
Thanks for your support on the boards

If you are get getting into or back into wave riding then any wave kite will do. TBH its a very personal preference so what one person says is amazing the next will think opposite.. also its really only when you spend many hours per week kiting that you will appreciate the subtle differences.
You cetainly get what you pay for but best value is picking up a new kite that is one or two seasons old eg I've just picked up a v6 Reo 8m and v7 Reo UltraX at a great price.
FWIW have been on Drifters since 2015 and just switched to Reos... it has seriously lifted my game and now I'm riding way better and making sections i never could on the Drifters. And oddly, I find it has changed how my board feels too.. can't put my finger on it.. but its like ive got a new board too. Wierd.
Also, FWIW.. my backup kite is a 10m Evo SLS.. this is a super fun cross over that is ok for wave riding and insane for boosting (1when I want to pull out the TT for a change). As it has 3 struts it drifts surprisingly well... but its has nothing on a dedicated wave kite if strapless, top to bottom surfing is your jam, but i have done many a downwinder on it (strapless surfboard) and its super fun.

Select to expand quote

thuffam said..
If you are get getting into or back into wave riding then any wave kite will do. TBH its a very personal preference so what one person says is amazing the next will think opposite.. also its really only when you spend many hours per week kiting that you will appreciate the subtle differences.
You cetainly get what you pay for but best value is picking up a new kite that is one or two seasons old eg I've just picked up a v6 Reo 8m and v7 Reo UltraX at a great price.
FWIW have been on Drifters since 2015 and just switched to Reos... it has seriously lifted my game and now I'm riding way better and making sections i never could on the Drifters. And oddly, I find it has changed how my board feels too.. can't put my finger on it.. but its like ive got a new board too. Wierd.
Also, FWIW.. my backup kite is a 10m Evo SLS.. this is a super fun cross over that is ok for wave riding and insane for boosting (1when I want to pull out the TT for a change). As it has 3 struts it drifts surprisingly well... but its has nothing on a dedicated wave kite if strapless, top to bottom surfing is your jam, but i have done many a downwinder on it (strapless surfboard) and its super fun.

Much difference between the v6 vs v7 ultra x?

Select to expand quote

0llie said..
I'm keen to step up my wave game over the next few years, been on a ozone reo I bought from kp way back in 2013.
Gotta say i had over 1200 hours on it at a guess . Testament to the reo apart from a couple pin prices in canopy it's been amazing, valves, bladders and le all still fine.but she a bit bagged out now.

Wanna find a kite that can give me that performance again.

Any recommendations for a wave specific kite 2017-2022 ?

Sounds like a new reo will do the trick...

I've had v4,5,6 reos. They were/are all great! Really enjoying my new v6s

Select to expand quote

0llie said..
I'm keen to step up my wave game over the next few years, been on a ozone reo I bought from kp way back in 2013.
Gotta say i had over 1200 hours on it at a guess . Testament to the reo apart from a couple pin prices in canopy it's been amazing, valves, bladders and le all still fine.but she a bit bagged out now.

Wanna find a kite that can give me that performance again.

Any recommendations for a wave specific kite 2017-2022 ?

I've been riding Reos exclusively for about 8 years now (came off Sling Reo2s), unstrapped surfboard, mostly backhand - I have V4 and V5 Reos and just bought a cheap new V5 7M and V6 6M. I'd say if it ain't broke, don't fix it - if you're a wave kiter, they're one of, if not, the very best wave kites IMO, built tough (yep they had a run of bad bladders and were great with replacements), light. and skilfully - they're committed to being excellent and are leaders in parasails - so, they're great at aerodynamics and quality control - people's lives depend upon it. So, there's my two cents - there are plenty of deals on V5s around - there's a used 5 times 7m for $600 out on the East Coast, as an example.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

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0llie said..

thuffam said..
If you are get getting into or back into wave riding then any wave kite will do. TBH its a very personal preference so what one person says is amazing the next will think opposite.. also its really only when you spend many hours per week kiting that you will appreciate the subtle differences.
You cetainly get what you pay for but best value is picking up a new kite that is one or two seasons old eg I've just picked up a v6 Reo 8m and v7 Reo UltraX at a great price.
FWIW have been on Drifters since 2015 and just switched to Reos... it has seriously lifted my game and now I'm riding way better and making sections i never could on the Drifters. And oddly, I find it has changed how my board feels too.. can't put my finger on it.. but its like ive got a new board too. Wierd.
Also, FWIW.. my backup kite is a 10m Evo SLS.. this is a super fun cross over that is ok for wave riding and insane for boosting (1when I want to pull out the TT for a change). As it has 3 struts it drifts surprisingly well... but its has nothing on a dedicated wave kite if strapless, top to bottom surfing is your jam, but i have done many a downwinder on it (strapless surfboard) and its super fun.

Much difference between the v6 vs v7 ultra x?

Well the v6 is an 8m and the v7 Ultra X is a 10m.. so size definitely matters. I would say, for here on the Sunny Coast, I could get away with just the 10m - I have had several sessions on the 8 wishing I had the 10... but never the other way around (on the 10 wishing I had a smaller kite). The UltraX is similar construction to the Duotone SLS - not Aluula but with a stiffer airframe than the regular dacron-based struts and LE. This, IMO, is the key to a much higher-performance kite - making them lighter in the hand, and a lot more responsive to user input. Also it significantly aids in drift and range (low and high end wind range).
The 10m UltraX can turn very tightly - similar to the v6 8m - but requires only a bit more input - although saying that... this is probably more due to using the 10m in lighter winds (which makes any kite less responsive).
I agree with what I've read pro riders say... that an 8m is the ideal size for wave riding - any smaller they are too zippy (and IMO underpowered for lulls and surfing down the line). But the UltraX construction makes a big difference - so you can get almost-as-good performance with a bigger kite - with the benefit of knowing you wont suffer in lulls or when you seriously need that drift to work (surfing down the line with slack lines - thats when this kite comes into its own).

I guess another example is my Duotone Evos... I have an old 10m 2018 Evo and a 10m 2021 SLS Evo (bought both second hand). Both 3 strut. The 2018 is what got me hooked on the Evo's... just so much fun, boosts insane and a great backup kite (if any of the local crew need a kite due to theirs being out of action)... and the old Evo never disappoints... just doesn't turn like a surf kite, so you need to engage a turn a bit earlier. Then I got the 2021 SLS version of the same kite... wow, blew me away, so much lighter on the bar and more direct in steering and drifts better - but still feels like the old EVO in what it does. Not sure how much of that is 3 years of R&D or the standard vs SLS build... my bet is the SLS build as the kites look very similar.

So when I heard the Reos have a new build similar to the SLS, that was what I wanted. Prior to that I would have bought a Neo SLS - but I have never ridden one (other than an 12m SLS.... which I sold shortly after buying.. while the 12m was exceptionally quick for a 12m.. the winds you would use it in (12-15knots) was just too slow for wave riding. I find the bottom end of a 10m the lightest its worth wave riding on - around 14/15 knots).

Oh, one last thing.. note that on both the 10m UltaX Reo and the 10m SLS Evo... I have the rear pigtails attached the the inner-most, powerful setting. On the old 2018 Evo that setting was too hard on the bar and unpleasant to use. This is what helps give both kites an insane level of response (both will pivot on their axis) (and increased depower).

Select to expand quote

thuffam said..

0llie said..

thuffam said..
If you are get getting into or back into wave riding then any wave kite will do. TBH its a very personal preference so what one person says is amazing the next will think opposite.. also its really only when you spend many hours per week kiting that you will appreciate the subtle differences.
You cetainly get what you pay for but best value is picking up a new kite that is one or two seasons old eg I've just picked up a v6 Reo 8m and v7 Reo UltraX at a great price.
FWIW have been on Drifters since 2015 and just switched to Reos... it has seriously lifted my game and now I'm riding way better and making sections i never could on the Drifters. And oddly, I find it has changed how my board feels too.. can't put my finger on it.. but its like ive got a new board too. Wierd.
Also, FWIW.. my backup kite is a 10m Evo SLS.. this is a super fun cross over that is ok for wave riding and insane for boosting (1when I want to pull out the TT for a change). As it has 3 struts it drifts surprisingly well... but its has nothing on a dedicated wave kite if strapless, top to bottom surfing is your jam, but i have done many a downwinder on it (strapless surfboard) and its super fun.

Much difference between the v6 vs v7 ultra x?

Well the v6 is an 8m and the v7 Ultra X is a 10m.. so size definitely matters. I would say, for here on the Sunny Coast, I could get away with just the 10m - I have had several sessions on the 8 wishing I had the 10... but never the other way around (on the 10 wishing I had a smaller kite). The UltraX is similar construction to the Duotone SLS - not Aluula but with a stiffer airframe than the regular dacron-based struts and LE. This, IMO, is the key to a much higher-performance kite - making them lighter in the hand, and a lot more responsive to user input. Also it significantly aids in drift and range (low and high end wind range).
The 10m UltraX can turn very tightly - similar to the v6 8m - but requires only a bit more input - although saying that... this is probably more due to using the 10m in lighter winds (which makes any kite less responsive).
I agree with what I've read pro riders say... that an 8m is the ideal size for wave riding - any smaller they are too zippy (and IMO underpowered for lulls and surfing down the line). But the UltraX construction makes a big difference - so you can get almost-as-good performance with a bigger kite - with the benefit of knowing you wont suffer in lulls or when you seriously need that drift to work (surfing down the line with slack lines - thats when this kite comes into its own).

I guess another example is my Duotone Evos... I have an old 10m 2018 Evo and a 10m 2021 SLS Evo (bought both second hand). Both 3 strut. The 2018 is what got me hooked on the Evo's... just so much fun, boosts insane and a great backup kite (if any of the local crew need a kite due to theirs being out of action)... and the old Evo never disappoints... just doesn't turn like a surf kite, so you need to engage a turn a bit earlier. Then I got the 2021 SLS version of the same kite... wow, blew me away, so much lighter on the bar and more direct in steering and drifts better - but still feels like the old EVO in what it does. Not sure how much of that is 3 years of R&D or the standard vs SLS build... my bet is the SLS build as the kites look very similar.

So when I heard the Reos have a new build similar to the SLS, that was what I wanted. Prior to that I would have bought a Neo SLS - but I have never ridden one (other than an 12m SLS.... which I sold shortly after buying.. while the 12m was exceptionally quick for a 12m.. the winds you would use it in (12-15knots) was just too slow for wave riding. I find the bottom end of a 10m the lightest its worth wave riding on - around 14/15 knots).

Oh, one last thing.. note that on both the 10m UltaX Reo and the 10m SLS Evo... I have the rear pigtails attached the the inner-most, powerful setting. On the old 2018 Evo that setting was too hard on the bar and unpleasant to use. This is what helps give both kites an insane level of response (both will pivot on their axis) (and increased depower).

Are you saying that ANY kite under 8m or just the reo's under 8m?

We'll have to agree to disagree if you're referring to all kites under 8m as my favourite wave kite I've ever used is a 5m religion and 95% of my kiting is down the line reef break on my backhand (85kgs).

+1, 5m neo SLS any day of the week. Largest kite is a 7 and wouldn't want anything more than that on a wave.

What wind ranges are you kiting in on 5-7m kites??

On the Sunny Coast we rarely get anythng that would suit those sizes.. maybe 4 times a year. If you can use these sizes in sub 20 knots, i am most impressed and maybe its high time I tried one... TBH i havent ridden smaller than 8m in a very long time.
The v6 8m Reo does what it says on the Ozone site... 18-30 knots. I can get away with lulls of16knots but its a slog, rather have the 10. Would love to know how the 8m v7 Ultra X performs.

I had read an interview with a couple pro riders in a magazine... but thinking of it that was probably 10 or so years ago... kites are a lot more performant now. I'm not a fan of the smaller twitchy kites. But i can imagine a smaller Neo is fine, as they (like my old 6m BWS) are actually a lot larger than it says on the tin. And from what I've read manufacturers are making the smaller sizes less twitchy/responsive.

Select to expand quote

thuffam said..
What wind ranges are you kiting in on 5-7m kites??

On the Sunny Coast we rarely get anythng that would suit those sizes.. maybe 4 times a year. If you can use these sizes in sub 20 knots, i am most impressed and maybe its high time I tried one... TBH i havent ridden smaller than 8m in a very long time.
The v6 8m Reo does what it says on the Ozone site... 18-30 knots. I can get away with lulls of16knots but its a slog, rather have the 10. Would love to know how the 8m v7 Ultra X performs.

I had read an interview with a couple pro riders in a magazine... but thinking of it that was probably 10 or so years ago... kites are a lot more performant now. I'm not a fan of the smaller twitchy kites. But i can imagine a smaller Neo is fine, as they (like my old 6m BWS) are actually a lot larger than it says on the tin. And from what I've read manufacturers are making the smaller sizes less twitchy/responsive.

I too would be surprised to see a 5m in 20kn but that's not what was written, apologies if that's what you meant with regards to the best size kite. I get the 5m out once it's 24kn and over which is only a handful of times a year but it's more than worth having it in the quiver. After being severely overpowered on a 6m and having to go in and watch the poleys enjoy pumping gnarloo one tome, I vowed never to be in a situation where I couldn't kite because the wind was too strong again. It then was a happy accident that it turned out to be an epic kite.

It is obviously a much faster kite to turn but I definitely wouldn't call it twitchy. It's actually the most forgiving kite I have tbh. Overshooting the kite on a wave is quickly corrected with the fast loops it provides.

Back to the original question, I agree with what thuffam said about buying any wave dedicated kite for now. You won't notice the nuances between the diff kites until a fair amount of time being back in the surf. I've had neos, drifters and religions and am looking at getting reos next. No major complaints for any, they are all fairly different but all do the job well, you adjust your riding/flying style to suit the kite after a while anyhow.

Had bit time on V7 UltraX in 8,10,12 m I normally have 6m in my Quiver , so far have not needed with the range the 8 m has
Re kite size it all comes down to area you kite It's totally different in each state And in WA lot of down wind kites so smaller kites
I kite here and INDO 1/eye And used my 10, 12 m a lot and have no issues with the newer models of wave kite re size V 4 to V7 Specifically the new V7 UltraX It turn like two size smaller
8 m is my favourite

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smook said..
And in THE PERTH METRO AREA lot of down wind kites so smaller kites

Fixed that for you mate

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DJMWA said..

smook said..
And in THE PERTH METRO AREA lot of down wind kites so smaller kites

Fixed that for you mate

Love the group and doing down winders at Metro Scarborough
and definitely would be using 6/ 8m Your shout for tickets over That would fix it Ha

All yours mate, I'll stick to the reefs up the coast a bit.