I'm In the process of choosing some new kites
Under 10 Mtrs the north Vegas and core gts have been my pick , above 10 the wainman boss was a standout,
What are you guys lining up for the coming season& why

New GTS4 certainly appears to look the goods from what's been released. Don't quiet understand a 53sec promo vid on release though. I'd really like a new Sensor 2S bar as they are supposed to be very good but $750 ($990 for 2S Pro) is certainly a lot of money for a bar!!

I reckon Cabrinha swithblades for me this year.
My Ozone edges only last one season because the leading edge and strut material is so weak.

looking at the Slingshot SST.although its a wave specific kite... ive heard nothing but positive feedback on its use for all-round riding.
thinking of getting a 10m with a nugget-like board...... happy times!
tax time is like an adults xmas, isnt it??

Quiver of best ts for me again. 14, 10 and 8 I recon

Currently 6,8,10 Neo 2016, am thinking to trade them in for 2017 Neo 6,8,11 when they come out. Not much of a change really but am pretty happy with my kites.
Buying a nugget has made a big difference to my crap wind capability hence going the 11, not 10 to further improve light wind kiting.

Hopefully pick up some 2014 Fuels for 500 bucks.

On a side note, the New North Bar is a game changer.

Keen on a new switchblade too.
Anyone know if 2017 will be different from 2016, shape/colour etc ?

Would like to go to a foil kite, but the difference in price is a lot,
Are they worth the extra dollars verses the performance gain?

Just upgraded to the Switch Element V5,s (7&10m) - bring on summer.

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whitsun said...
Keen on a new switchblade too.
Anyone know if 2017 will be different from 2016, shape/colour etc ?

Would like to go to a foil kite, but the difference in price is a lot,
Are they worth the extra dollars verses the performance gain?

There might be a bit more on offer than a mere performance gain . Think longevity , maybe even resale . I was thinking along the same lines this avo before I read your post . Gonna give it a bit more thought , but had a look at what Flysurfer have to offer. I've got the light winds covered with inflatables that were built to last unlike some of the crap we've been reading about here lately. So I'm thinking maybe a 6 metre Flysurfer 4 or 5 . Summer is some way off and I don't enjoy winter weather kiting , so I've got plenty time to think it over , J

I'm lining up a whole lot of keeping the same kites.......,

Wish I could upgrade my quiver every year :(
Flogged the $hit out of my 2011 blade triggers and got me a second hand GTS3.
Hand me downs only for this battler

Foil kites...Yes they are worth the extra cost.
And a good deal from your local will be very near the price of a new tube.
The new free-ride models are forgiving to fly, stable, and easy to live with. And very few situations you cant relauch especially in smaller sizes.
Much larger wind range and dont lose flying stability when very depowered like tubes do.

Leave bar connected and you setting up and launching in fraction of the time of a tube, pack up just as quick.

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James said..

whitsun said...
Keen on a new switchblade too.
Anyone know if 2017 will be different from 2016, shape/colour etc ?

Would like to go to a foil kite, but the difference in price is a lot,
Are they worth the extra dollars verses the performance gain?

There might be a bit more on offer than a mere performance gain . Think longevity , maybe even resale . I was thinking along the same lines this avo before I read your post . Gonna give it a bit more thought , but had a look at what Flysurfer have to offer. I've got the light winds covered with inflatables that were built to last unlike some of the crap we've been reading about here lately. So I'm thinking maybe a 6 metre Flysurfer 4 or 5 . Summer is some way off and I don't enjoy winter weather kiting , so I've got plenty time to think it over , J

Interesting, I go the other way--foils 12m and over, tubes under . . . more wind is usually gusty, I don't enjoy foils in that kind of weather.

Gusty go shorter lines... Way way shorter!
Had the 15m foil kite on 15m lines out in 14-19knt yesterday and 12-19knots today.
11m we riding upto around 20-23knots on short lines in gusty conditions

That said had a great session last Sunday on 11m on 17m lines in 12-16knots.
360view video here (myst watch on facebook app or on laptop/pc, mobile browser wont work)

www.facebook.com/AndyHazardHansen/videos/1294358520588161/

delta :( wanted a fazer aswell but im mega skint this seasons statistically is the one thatll end me..... bloody ifly www.indoorskydiveaustralia.com.au/ minutes taking all my toy money

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balidru said..

Wish I could upgrade my quiver every year :(
Flogged the $hit out of my 2011 blade triggers and got me a second hand GTS3.
Hand me downs only for this battler

Yep. Things are real tight at the mo for me too. My 2012 8m looks like its been to war with battle scars taped up all over it. Man that kite has done a lot of hours in some crazy ass winter storms. Was offered a 7m Flysurfer boost the other week for real cheap. Alas no funds to even buy up real cheap kites. I'll just have to keep taping up the old 8m and hope it lasts another winter.........

BRM Clouds, Hoverglide Foil, CrazyFly LW Cruiser, Shinn Stubbo.

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Dolphins said..
I reckon Cabrinha swithblades for me this year.
My Ozone edges only last one season because the leading edge and strut material is so weak.

I thought Switchblades ended last year and they are now called F - something?

As for me, I am after the new Flysurfer Boost II 13m. Sweet as boost machine I reckon

Flysurfer Boost, just bought a demo 13, awesome kite. Quality product. thanks James

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ColoColo said..

I thought Switchblades ended last year and they are now called F - something?

Pretty sure it is called Apollo.....

and they are not making a 13

I currently ride an 11m v8 edge and was after a 9m that my son could learn on plus double as a strong wind kite. Purchased the ozone enduro and absolutely love it for both uses.

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MaxVMGRacing said..
Gusty go shorter lines... Way way shorter!
Had the 15m foil kite on 15m lines out in 14-19knt yesterday and 12-19knots today.
11m we riding upto around 20-23knots on short lines in gusty conditions

That's not gusty

I'd urge you to try other models and brands, for me I've had some standout sessions on brands and models that I thought wouldn't suit

Stick with the core riot xr4s for another season, brilliant kites.

The Cabrihna Apollo is going to be an interesting demo..

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Gilly3 said..

ColoColo said..

I thought Switchblades ended last year and they are now called F - something?

Pretty sure it is called Apollo.....

and they are not making a 13

Really... Can't see Cabrinha dropping the Switchblade name after all this time and success. It would be like Slingshot dropping the Fuel name...

From a little goooogling the Apollo may Cabrinha's new race kite...

Im keen to throw the 9m Apollo at a big wave in 30 plus knots - see what the Woo says

North Clicker bar looks good, does away with external depower, all moved to within the bar, no depower rope, neat package, plenty of info and pics on other kite forums. Cabrina look like they are doing away with the chicken loop and replacing it with a speed ball style connector, plenty of innovation for 2017 after a couple of stagnant years.

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deanrobi said..
North Clicker bar looks good, does away with external depower, all moved to within the bar, no depower rope, neat package, plenty of info and pics on other kite forums. Cabrina look like they are doing away with the chicken loop and replacing it with a speed ball style connector, plenty of innovation for 2017 after a couple of stagnant years.

You're joking, right?