Kites just keep getting better and better! Has anyone tried the Liquid Force WOW?
Apparently great for foiling too?www.freedomkitemag.com/the-new-wow-kite-looks-the-goods/

What do you think are the other top wave kites out there and why?

BRM Cloud - awesome drift, awesome de-power.

the video looks good. will demo 1st then make an inform buy. note i think NEO 2015 are the best kite wave. drift , up wind, relauch does not pull you of the bosrd when looping the kite to redirect .

All new model wave kites are good And it's up to individual tipe of riding and the location they ride It's big statement to say a brand kite is the best For me I like Reo's Last two times I have been to Mauritius 3 x kites seem to perform out in the waves Reo's Neo's and Drifters

This will make an interesting poll... All brands of wave kites are so damn good these days. What is it in particular that you look for in a good wave kite? For myself (Ollie J, Aussie editor speaking here) I like a kite with good range of power so I can cut upwind easy and then huge de-power so I can float down the line.
I find the north click bar has been good for helping with this.

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FreedomKite said..
This will make an interesting poll... All brands of wave kites are so damn good these days. What is it in particular that you look for in a good wave kite? For myself (Ollie J, Aussie editor speaking here) I like a kite with good range of power so I can cut upwind easy and then huge de-power so I can float down the line.
I find the north click bar has been good for helping with this.

Ditto above my Reo dose that for me Two of us out on down the line Vic 5 to6 ft wave me on 12 m V4 Reo and mate on 2017 11 m Neo both of us were lit up wind and had no problems down the line with no depower So if you have good kite I feel depower down the line is not required unless you a completely overpowered

Absolutely HATE my 2016 Slingshot SST 12m. It's slow, pulls downwind, has crap upwind, backstalls, sucks at relaunch but launches on land by itself because of the stupid leading edge design. Drifts nicely though.

Thought I'd never buy another wave kite, but the Best Cabo v3's were being blown out and I needed a 9m quick after I tore my Rally. Was so impressed with it, I got the 5/7/8/9/11 v3 Cabos within a few months after! This kite is FAST, great upwind, good drift, amazing relaunch in light winds. Bar pressure is very light and I love how responsive it is.

Would love to hear if anyone flown the v3 Cabo 11m and found something that's even faster? It's my go to kite with the foil now as well.

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norcom said..
Absolutely HATE my 2016 Slingshot SST 12m. It's slow, pulls downwind, has crap upwind, backstalls, sucks at relaunch but launches on land by itself because of the stupid leading edge design. Drifts nicely though.

Thought I'd never buy another wave kite, but the Best Cabo v3's were being blown out and I needed a 9m quick after I tore my Rally. Was so impressed with it, I got the 5/7/8/9/11 v3 Cabos within a few months after! This kite is FAST, great upwind, good drift, amazing relaunch in light winds. Bar pressure is very light and I love how responsive it is.

Would love to hear if anyone flown the v3 Cabo 11m and found something that's even faster? It's my go to kite with the foil now as well.

That's a shame about the 12m! You sure your bridle is all good? The smaller SST's are really good. We tried out the 9m 2017 SST and it was excellent, also highly recommended by KSS in Scarborough.
www.freedomkitemag.com/slingshot-wave-sst-2017/

Haha that's great you got a good deal on the old Cabos. Yeh they were a good kite hey.
The old kite designer has jumped ship now check out www.eleveightkites.com/

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FreedomKite said..

norcom said..
Absolutely HATE my 2016 Slingshot SST 12m. It's slow, pulls downwind, has crap upwind, backstalls, sucks at relaunch but launches on land by itself because of the stupid leading edge design. Drifts nicely though.

Thought I'd never buy another wave kite, but the Best Cabo v3's were being blown out and I needed a 9m quick after I tore my Rally. Was so impressed with it, I got the 5/7/8/9/11 v3 Cabos within a few months after! This kite is FAST, great upwind, good drift, amazing relaunch in light winds. Bar pressure is very light and I love how responsive it is.

Would love to hear if anyone flown the v3 Cabo 11m and found something that's even faster? It's my go to kite with the foil now as well.

That's a shame about the 12m! You sure your bridle is all good? The smaller SST's are really good. We tried out the 9m 2017 SST and it was excellent, also highly recommended by KSS in Scarborough.
www.freedomkitemag.com/slingshot-wave-sst-2017/

Haha that's great you got a good deal on the old Cabos. Yeh they were a good kite hey.
The old kite designer has jumped ship now check out www.eleveightkites.com/

I'm wondering how the smaller SST's feel, I hope they're better. I feel the Cabos look to be sized smaller. So that could play with my perception of speed on the 11m. But the stupid light wind that I can keep it up in and ride on the foil is crazy!

I've seen the Eleveight news! I was really concerned about Best going under after I found the Cabos. Glad I have a fallback if/when my Cabos expire. :)

Hey Freedom

Myself, been kiting for 15years , old surfer turned Kiter
Started kiting all over Wa and now back home on the gold coast for the last few years

Have been on RRD Religon for at least 10 of those ,tried every possible other Wave kite out there, demo and have bought at least 4 other brands over the years
Used them all over Aus and around many spots outside Aus, sos is not a mainstream brand in Australia especially on the east coast, but outside probably the first real wave kite developed

A few years back in 2014 i believe they lost the spirit of the first 6 years of religions , tried to slow the turning speed down a bit,did not like it personally, the last model 2016 which i have is rock solid in all sizes , super fast and drifts like no other

My advice is try as many brands as you can , most brands have finally developed true wave kites know , not every kite suits everyone

Not sure who sells RRD in Qld but John from Sos surf in freo does , been servicing the kite community for at least 18 years and a true gentlemen , and i am not trying to promote this brand or Sos just giving imfo

Slingshot Wave SST for the win! I have a whole quiver 7, 9, 12 . They turns on a dime, relaunch super easy. They can backstall if oversheeted, like any wave kite I find. It's not hard to trim them correctly.

My favorite is the 9. It pulls like a 10.

It's actually a wicked kite for boosting. Me and a mate are always out in the storms on them!!

I've heard that that bow upward shape of the leading edge is what makes it drift the best over other brands. I don't mind putting sand or a board on the kite to stop it blowing away. (I assume everyone does that?)


See below Max Carrot on the 8m boosting in 25 knots.

+ 1 for the sst 10 & 8 combo grunty, fast and solid construction. the drift is good for foiling too.

Just to throw a question out there, I never look at any kite unless it has 5 struts which tends to limit me to freeride/style/race kites. My main issue is that anything less than 5 struts distorts under my weight when the kite loaded up (a probable consequence of weighing in a 110kg).

That said, are there any 5 strut wave kites out there, or 3 strut kites that can handle a decent weight without the distort factor occurring??

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bearbusa said..
Hey Freedom

Myself, been kiting for 15years , old surfer turned Kiter
Started kiting all over Wa and now back home on the gold coast for the last few years

Have been on RRD Religon for at least 10 of those ,tried every possible other Wave kite out there, demo and have bought at least 4 other brands over the years
Used them all over Aus and around many spots outside Aus, sos is not a mainstream brand in Australia especially on the east coast, but outside probably the first real wave kite developed

A few years back in 2014 i believe they lost the spirit of the first 6 years of religions , tried to slow the turning speed down a bit,did not like it personally, the last model 2016 which i have is rock solid in all sizes , super fast and drifts like no other

My advice is try as many brands as you can , most brands have finally developed true wave kites know , not every kite suits everyone

Not sure who sells RRD in Qld but John from Sos surf in freo does , been servicing the kite community for at least 18 years and a true gentlemen , and i am not trying to promote this brand or Sos just giving imfo

Thanks for the info mate, sounds good, hopefully we get to try one out this summer!

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vendeavours said..
All new model wave kites are good And it's up to individual tipe of riding and the location they ride It's big statement to say a brand kite is the best For me I like Reo's Last two times I have been to Mauritius 3 x kites seem to perform out in the waves Reo's Neo's and Drifters

We just got back from Mauritius, and yes Ozone Reos, North Neos and Cabrinha Drifters tearing the place up. Also the F-One team was there and the latest Bandit looks incredible for the waves. Those guys were F*kin ripping! Got some amazing shots for our next issue!

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shi thouse said..
Just to throw a question out there, I never look at any kite unless it has 5 struts which tends to limit me to freeride/style/race kites. My main issue is that anything less than 5 struts distorts under my weight when the kite loaded up (a probable consequence of weighing in a 110kg).

That said, are there any 5 strut wave kites out there, or 3 strut kites that can handle a decent weight without the distort factor occurring??

I am 100kgs now (105 last year) I have never had any problems with distorting my 10m pivot, I have had it out in up to 30 knot winds and sometimes gusty conditions for boosting on a twin tip. Also another guy around here who is heavier than me is on the pivots and loves them. That's not to say you definitely won't distort them but it is worth a try

Also if you are using a surfboard in the waves you would be putting a lot less pressure on your kite than with a twin tip so distorting might not be as much of an issue

A++
RRD religion or Airush Wave

I was lucky enough to try the new 9m and 7m Ikon Volt the other day smooth as and well worth checking out. I came of REOs. The volt had less flutter, a tad slower in the 9 but looped nicely, has a bit more loft, perfect bar pressure (light but tangible) nicer feeling bar & depower system. Chicken loop was a bit big for my short arms but maybe they will have options. Very refined and predictable to fly. ikon-kiteboarding.com/product/volt-1/

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shi thouse said..
Just to throw a question out there, I never look at any kite unless it has 5 struts which tends to limit me to freeride/style/race kites. My main issue is that anything less than 5 struts distorts under my weight when the kite loaded up (a probable consequence of weighing in a 110kg).

That said, are there any 5 strut wave kites out there, or 3 strut kites that can handle a decent weight without the distort factor occurring??

the new Fluid Sky is 5 strut, but not suited to wave riding, the atv is solid.

Has anybody ridden the Core Sectoin2?

Hey Freedomkite, Ridden most of the wave kites mentioned here except the slingy/bandit one, all got good points, no one has mentioned the wilson kite, which imo is the pick of em for driftability, turning speed, wind range and the light bar pressure, which is how i like to roll. aw and they dont backstall.

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kenno said..
Has anybody ridden the Core Sectoin2?

Only the original but I don't think there that much difference.

As with all kites it personal preference but I love em. I've rode reo's, neo's bws's and airrush wave and these are by far my favorite. Was running just a 7 for a season and last season brought a quiver 7,9,11.
There not everybody's style as they are like a little two stroke, all or nothing. You can literally let this kite go and have no pull but then with a quick turn it fires up again allowing for a more true surf experience. I'm not a huge fan of wave kites that constantly load you, bws/ neo etc.

Definitely worth a demo.

(Disclosure: I'm too much of a kook to be affiliated :)

Anyone ridden the new Ocean Rodeo wave kite - The Roam ?

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shi thouse said..
Just to throw a question out there, I never look at any kite unless it has 5 struts which tends to limit me to freeride/style/race kites. My main issue is that anything less than 5 struts distorts under my weight when the kite loaded up (a probable consequence of weighing in a 110kg).

That said, are there any 5 strut wave kites out there, or 3 strut kites that can handle a decent weight without the distort factor occurring??

@130kegs
I have not had a problem again with the power and kite shape of the naish pivot. . . . ??

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Spitfire said..
Anyone ridden the new Ocean Rodeo wave kite - The Roam ?

I have, but it would not be an unbiased opinion.
Favourite kite atm, have tried other wave kites when the opportunity arose to compare them to the Roam, the 7m and 8m Roams are really good.
There is a demo 7m Roam and Jester at WestOz Kiteboarding Spitfire, get in and demo.

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EastCC said..

Spitfire said..
Anyone ridden the new Ocean Rodeo wave kite - The Roam ?

I have, but it would not be an unbiased opinion.
Favourite kite atm, have tried other wave kites when the opportunity arose to compare them to the Roam, the 7m and 8m Roams are really good.
There is a demo 7m Roam and Jester at WestOz Kiteboarding Spitfire, get in and demo.

hi EastCC

What would you say were similar in ride and feel by comparison?

cheers

Mazdon
I guess Neo, I felt comfortable on that kite as well straight away with a bit of grunt on tap but ability to depower. Neo bar pressure was a tad lighter, typical North refined feel. Didn't try jumping.

If Ocean Rodeo wasn't around I'd probably get on a Neo, but I haven't tried all wave kites on the market yet. Everyone has different styles etc and you grow into a kite, and I've become familiar with the feel of Ocean Rodeo gear so that makes a big bias.

Love the older Religion too, but haven't tried any new Religions - there doesn't seem to be many around anymore, east side anyways.

If you get a chance to demo the Roam let me know what you think, always chasing feedback.

There were some kites where I couldn't wait to get back on the Roam too, but other folks frothed on them so very different opinions.

^^ no worries

thanks for reply, always interesting

Hi freedom kite,
Ive got the previous model Wow and cant speak highly enough for an all round kite to surf, foil and boost on a twin tip.
Love the way you can turn the power on and off.
Sure you can get a more dedicated kite for each of the different styles of kiti g, but the Wow crosses all stlyes with such ease that its worth demoing for a do all kite.

Hi freedom kite,
Ive got the previous model Wow and cant speak highly enough for an all round kite to surf, foil and boost on a twin tip.
Love the way you can turn the power on and off.
Sure you can get a more dedicated kite for each of the different styles of kiti g, but the Wow crosses all stlyes with such ease that its worth demoing for a do all kite.