Hey All,
I'm after your thoughts on this topic as my Revs are falling apart.
True, I've been putting them through the white washer, and they have a few years on 'em, but if anyone has had a kite last a few years that can still take a pounding in the surf, I'd love to know about it.
Just to start it off, a few folk and some retailers like to mention the Cabrinhas on this topic and another retailer told me Flexfoils are a very strong kite.
Please back up your comments with a bit of why you believe this or that kite is so strong rather than 'Bigus Dickus kites are the best.' style of comments. Cheers All

Cabrinha drifter is a sick wave kite, but weak as piss, built very light.

In a few months all the new gear should come out, though i do know that the 2013 wave and free-style airush kites are coming in a kevlar construction which should be super strong and have little stretch.

You have already experienced a quality built kite SS kites are well known for their tough build

they are all pretty tough these days, i've always said Best is close at having the stongest most reinforced construction however these days i ride slinshots which are very close.
BEST TS very tough
Slingy RPM, Tough but not a 'specific' wave kite

no matter what happens if a big set punch's through any kite and your still attatched cross your fingers you can fly it out the other end, 1T per m'3 doesn't do kites favours!

No contest - Nothing comes close to the RRD religion - a dedicated wave kite.

I don't fly them, but from what I've seen they turn and drift like a great wave kite.

Have a look at one up close - toughest built kite I have ever seen.

well i think its a role of the dice when your in the waves. I've seen brand new kites torn to bits in the washing machine.

I go to desparate lengths to not drop my kites in the impact zone. so luckily they I can't comment too much as my kites are still crispy.

tattoos, want the toughest surf kite, just look for the tattoos...

If they are butt ugly tribal ones that look like they've been done in texta, then it must be extra tough..

If you drop your kite in the lineup just pull both releases...
Sure you might have a big swim in, but your kite should come through unscathed.

Any kite will tear in half if hit by a decent wave with tight lines...

the problem is that the toughest kites will also be the heaviest, and therefore have the worst drifting characteristics. So There is always a compromise between strength and performance. But if you want the absolute toughest wave kite, I would suggest kites with a dacron frame and few struts.Some kites have the whole wingtip made of dacron, others only a few cms past the leading edge. Some kites have a thick section of dacron on the trailing edge, some just two layers of tejin. Some kites have struts connected to the canopy on both sides, some dangle from one connection on the canopy. I would also consider how many lines 4/5 IMO 4 lines is tougher as there is no chance of bowtieing your kite if it gets tumbled. also consider the bridle, IMO a simple pulley free bridle with directly connected back lines is best as the wing tip is unlikey to get caught/damaged by the bridle if the kite gets tumbled.

Hope this helps.

^^^ Yep good one bennie,IMO the best wave kite is one that will drift with just about total slackline,and one that pivots real quick,all kites will get blown apart when hit by enough force it just comes down to knowing when to release,sub 2m you have a good shot at a relaunch 3-5m forget it just punch out totally and let the kite drift in,the best wave kite is the one that spends the least amount of time getting wet

Slingshot Rally Hands down, I have seen someone at my beach drop his in the drink every session learning to wave ride and still holding together well.

cabrinha's must be tough kites because lots of people swing from trees on them

Airush have a new concept in kite reinforcement coming out for 2013.

But unfortunately i cant say anything until the 1st of August so all i can say at the moment is that if you are chasing a tough kite don't buy anything until you have seen these or you will kick yourself big time!

i think you can see a hint of what damo is on about in the latest video by airush.

www.airush.com/blog/blog/new-video-alex-pastor-and-bruna-kajiya-rise-or-fall

have to wait for the close ups of the kite on the beach

well i've got a squadron of black and yellow new kiteboarding OS kites from way back - 2007 model kites. 7,9,11, and 14m sizes and they're all still good. no rips in any of them despite numerous kook wave stacks.

but i did have a black and white one that ripped. so i'd definitely recommend black and yellow if you're after a tough colour.

RRD Religon, toughest fastest wave kite out there, had mine in the surf from yalingup to narloo ,including the perth shore breaks, never had a problem.

+1 for the religion buddy. Great performance, with the construction suitable to take punishment. Reo's perform better but are very light weight and weak as piss.

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bearbusa said...

RRD Religon, toughest fastest wave kite out there, had mine in the surf from yalingup to narloo ,including the perth shore breaks, never had a problem.

If you had a Reo you'd have relaunched in Yalingup

Hi guys,

The thing with kites for the surf is this, if it is built really tough, it will be really heavy and far more likely to back stall and fall into the water than a kite built light.

A lightweight kite will be much more likely to relaunch as it weighs less and will launch quicker when in situations like downed kite in the sweep reducing your apparent wind etc.

Lighweight kites have better performance, and fly better when you are rocketing down the line ie you shouldn't expect them to fall into the water and therefore don't need bomb proof construction.

Another thing to consider is that a kites strength is only as strong as it's weakest part. We used some " dacron framed" kites in our school one year and they ALL died within half a season, we replaced them with lightweight catalysts which were in good condition after a full season.

IMHO, if you are looking for a good surf kite, go for a well known, quality brand with lightweight construction and you shouldn't have half the dramas.

Cheers,

DM

+1 for the catalyst I've dropped mine twice in some heavy duty surf, the last time I watched it get nailed all the way to the beach from approx 100mtrs out, and amazingly was unmarked when I pulled it out of the shallows if was connected it wouldn't of stood a chance, I now pull both safety systems , but this should only be done after you take your position, water conditions and swimming capabilities, as you could be letting go of a vital buoyancy aid , kites can be fixed or repaired so it ain't the end of the world,

Never had to relaunch in Yalinup , kite was good enough to stay in the wind.

hey everyone,
thanks heaps for the tips so far. very kool.

I appreciate all the comments advising the best wave kite is the one that hit's the water the least and is the one easiest to fly, but in my case I am looking for the kite that can handle the rinse cycle on those nuking gusty days where waves are popping up everywhere.. I figure if it's backstalling because of extra weight, then it's time for the lighter kite or longer lines, right?

Most of the time I have destroyed kites, it's been during strong/gusty/messy/chaotic surf days where depower is a constant adjustment and there is no discernable gutter providing smooth water.. On smoother more consistent days I find I rarely drop the kite and it is not so much an issue, when I do, as there appears more time to relaunch on these 'civilized' days.

Here is my nerdiest kitesurf effort yet!
I'm posting a little table that I made for my own benefit, in the hope it'd help gain a few more perspectives into gear out there and maybe get some more views from those already started on this one.
Cheers

If you are using it on nuking days I woudl think it would be a kite around 7m or smaller - they generally are 3 strut wave kites so therefore they are a bit lighter than the 5 struts kites in the same size.

Agreed with DM, the kite is as strong as the weakest part.

I personally go for a squarish tripped C-ish kite (better balanced) that drifts well and turns super quick. If it is nuking then generally is gusty and therefore is should handle the gust - I don't like pulley on front lines but think they are a necessary evil for gusty conditions.

These are the kites that tickle my fancy (not that i own them or have ever ridden them but like the look) in no specific order:

SS RPM (Own a 10m but never flown it yet)
Park
Religion (I would like to really like to try)
Fluid Ego (I own 9m and very happy with it, drifts well but the depower )
NEW OS 7m ( I love and own but I think he has closed shop)
TS
REO (I would like to really like to try)
Switch Element
Airush Generator (only if it has a 5th line as I am a pussy and feel the 5th line is the safest option available especially in hairy conditions, I have ner wrapped my NEW OS ever).

Guys talk about 5th lines wrapping, show me the evidence - they are the only option in squawley conditions and the only way to self land a kite in anything above 25 knots. I've been on the beach with all the guys watching me to land my 5th line kite so I can help them land!

I feel they must generate power by turning.

IF they have pulley on the front lines then change them out for the Ronstan type with a loop running through it or the new slider type.

Thats my opinion.
Rich

Thanks Rich,
yeah , I'm definitley thinking 6-8m 3 strut.
though the day I destroyed the 11m rev 2, it was overpowered with the 23m lines so i put it up on some 20's but I underpowered everything to the max and I had to heave it like a truckie to turn it. I'm sure that's how I dunked it as it was so unresponsive in the chaotic conditions. I'm sure had I powered her up a bit I would have had a great sesh but having said that I reckon a nice 7m would have been sweet that day.
In regards to landing in 20+plus days, I mainly use the Rev 08 bar for all my kites and one of the front lines goes right through the bar. If I can't dump it into a 'setting up' position, I just drag this front line through and swing it wide to the breeze and walk straight up to the kite. 1st couple of times I was freakin it was gonna take off but now it's a walk in the park, so easy and slides back through easy on the walk back to straighten them all out. I was thinking your RPM may have a similar thing?
Cheers

Hey JD,

like Rich there are many kites I'd like to try.

Currently using Griffin Argos, if you are looking for a well built surf kite, would be worth demoing one

Dear pattiecannon.
Props to you on your enthusiasm for coming up with the rating chart.
But hate to have to tell you it was a total waste of time. And equally as meaningless.
You cannot possibly get any accurate indication of anything brand related by weighting forum responses.
Posters quoting brands in replies are either:
1) professional pimps with an agenda.
2) genuine kiters expressing an opinion without anything like an exhaustive knowledge of all the options available.
Neither are going to give you anything like clinical material for a statistical analysis to come up with the 'best' choice.
Its near on impossible for anyone to advise you on the 'best' choice. What works for one will be considered trash by another.
General advise like "strength is probably closely related to weight" (though there are some glaring exceptions) and "more weight is closely related to the likelihood of a dunking" (though there are some glaring exceptions) and "the heavier the kite the more difficult to relaunch" (though there are some glaring exceptions) are the sort of comments to take note of - then go looking at kites with all this knowledge in mind.
If you do end up with the absolute "BEST" kite there is you can be sure of 3 things
1) there will be lots who disagree with you
2) you will never be able to prove it
3) it will be pure chance
Personally I think of it as 'the Holy Grail'. Definitely worth spending your life searching for it - even knowing full well that even if you find it you will probably never know.

DEMO DEMO DEMO there's lots of great kites - one of them will please you. Even if its NOT the 'best'.

and to add a little pimp of my own - if you love the way your Revs performed include the BWS Noise on your demo list. Closest thing to a Rev Ive ever flown and I loved my Revs like nothing else.

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woodys said...

Dear pattiecannon.
Props to you on your enthusiasm for coming up with the rating chart.
But hate to have to tell you it was a total waste of time. And equally as meaningless.
You cannot possibly get any accurate indication of anything brand related by weighting forum responses.
Posters quoting brands in replies are either:
1) professional pimps with an agenda.
2) genuine kiters expressing an opinion without anything like an exhaustive knowledge of all the options available.
Neither are going to give you anything like clinical material for a statistical analysis to come up with the 'best' choice.
Its near on impossible for anyone to advise you on the 'best' choice. What works for one will be considered trash by another.
General advise like "strength is probably closely related to weight" (though there are some glaring exceptions) and "more weight is closely related to the likelihood of a dunking" (though there are some glaring exceptions) and "the heavier the kite the more difficult to relaunch" (though there are some glaring exceptions) are the sort of comments to take note of - then go looking at kites with all this knowledge in mind.
If you do end up with the absolute "BEST" kite there is you can be sure of 3 things
1) there will be lots who disagree with you
2) you will never be able to prove it
3) it will be pure chance
Personally I think of it as 'the Holy Grail'. Definitely worth spending your life searching for it - even knowing full well that even if you find it you will probably never know.

DEMO DEMO DEMO there's lots of great kites - one of them will please you. Even if its NOT the 'best'.

and to add a little pimp of my own - if you love the way your Revs performed include the BWS Noise on your demo list. Closest thing to a Rev Ive ever flown and I loved my Revs like nothing else.

This is great advice

Somethings i have also learned regarding deciphering forum talk.

Some people seem to give good advice BUT you can't 'see' their style, so they say "i only kite in the surf bla bla bla" then you read weeks later that they only ride a tt or mutant, this means that they will never need a kite with really good drift.

Some people kite in areas with steady winds with 'chop' style surf, change that to gusty winds with more defined swell (more defined swell will make sweeps and rips and generally travel faster) and you can almost throw that advice out the window.

Some kites excel in different parts of their wind range, my rev2, octane and bws loved the low end and my rebels love their high ends...

So my advice is to watch heaps of good riders both live and on vid and try to work out if their kite would work for your style...

hope this helps

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richswing said...

If you are using it on nuking days I woudl think it would be a kite around 7m or smaller - they generally are 3 strut wave kites so therefore they are a bit lighter than the 5 struts kites in the same size.

Agreed with DM, the kite is as strong as the weakest part.

I personally go for a squarish tripped C-ish kite (better balanced) that drifts well and turns super quick. If it is nuking then generally is gusty and therefore is should handle the gust - I don't like pulley on front lines but think they are a necessary evil for gusty conditions.

These are the kites that tickle my fancy (not that i own them or have ever ridden them but like the look) in no specific order:

SS RPM (Own a 10m but never flown it yet)
Park
Religion (I would like to really like to try)
Fluid Ego (I own 9m and very happy with it, drifts well but the depower )
NEW OS 7m ( I love and own but I think he has closed shop)
TS
REO (I would like to really like to try)
Switch Element
Airush Generator (only if it has a 5th line as I am a pussy and feel the 5th line is the safest option available especially in hairy conditions, I have ner wrapped my NEW OS ever).

Guys talk about 5th lines wrapping, show me the evidence - they are the only option in squawley conditions and the only way to self land a kite in anything above 25 knots. I've been on the beach with all the guys watching me to land my 5th line kite so I can help them land!

I feel they must generate power by turning.

IF they have pulley on the front lines then change them out for the Ronstan type with a loop running through it or the new slider type.

Thats my opinion.
Rich

5th lines do wrap, I have had it happen and seen it happy many times, not just in the surf. The Cabrinha IDS line allows self landing in any wind, similar to a fifth but without the wrapping concern.

Here's something new for 2013. Tough Wave kite! Can't tell U more till next month, but U can demo them now.