Whats the best wave riding kite currently in the market? This will probably get a lot of shops going... but I would prefer comments from actual riders not pimping product.

In my opinion, wave kites should turn stupidly fast, have good depower and range with the ability to relaunch quickly (sounds like marketing garbarge everyone uses), but i am buying!!

Tried the Switchblade 2010 (7 & 9) as i've used the 2008 models before that turned relatively fast, but the 2010 kites are so slow = the 7 meter turned as fast as my 10 meter from 2008. However, they boost massively and hangtime to match... but not what i am looking for.

Core XR? kites look great, but i've never flown them.... Octane (SS) 7 meters look like they drop out of the sky? North Rebel?

HELP ME FIND THE ULTIMATE WAVE KITE

I hear the sound of a can of worms being opened...

It's not about the 'ultimate'... ^^^
It's all about the rider.

wainman smoke 9m and 7m gypsy

I reckon it all depends on if you are natural or goofy and what direction the prevailing wind blows.

In regards to WA.

1. Goofy - kite that sits deeper in the window and therefore may not fly through the window very fast but turns fast and grunty.(low aspect) - KIMA

2. Natural - Kite that flies across the window fast and sits very forward and turns fast. Can generate apparent wind. (medium aspect) - OCTANE, NEW OS, Airush Generator

My 2 cents.

Cheers
Rich

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waveslave said...


It's all about the rider.

+1

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poor relative said...

waveslave said...


It's all about the rider.

+1

So are you guys saying all kites are of equal ability for waveriding?

I'm saying its the rider that makes the kite epic.

But surely some kites are better than others for a specific purpose such as waveriding?
I don't think there is such a thing as the ultimate wave kite as it is a personal thing, and as richswing has suggested what works for someone may not work for another person.
I think demoing whatever kites you can is the answer because just about everyone on here has some kind of bias.

Here's a list of the wave specific (or well suited) kites from as many companies I can think of right now...

Cabrinha Nomad
Core XR
Ozone Light XC
Slingshot Octane/RPM - Slingshot's are now one of the cheapest big brands out there... ESPECIALLY the RPM's...
Wainman's in the Gypsy 7 or Smoke(?) 9
Takoon Pure
Naish make one - can't remember the name

At Mambo this year (100% wave riding) the main kites out there were the Slingshot Octanes/RPM's - then it was a mix of Switchblades & Nomads...

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Rhys Porter said...

Here's a list of the wave specific (or well suited) kites from as many companies I can think of right now...

Cabrinha Nomad
Core XR
Ozone Light XC
Slingshot Octane/RPM - Slingshot's are now one of the cheapest big brands out there... ESPECIALLY the RPM's...
Wainman's in the Gypsy 7 or Smoke(?) 9
Takoon Pure
Naish make one - can't remember the name

At Mambo this year (100% wave riding) the main kites out there were the Slingshot Octanes/RPM's - then it was a mix of Switchblades & Nomads...

The naish is called the charger, don't forget f-one bandit 3, and the giffin argo, eclipse kima, zeeko notus plus there are many others out there

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waveslave said...

It's not about the 'ultimate'... ^^^
It's all about the rider.

It's killing me, but I have to agree

You see some guy's trying to park kites that like to fly powered and vice versa.

I'm finding my Liquid Force Envy's very nice in the waves, the Havoc's and Hi-Fi's also perfom extremly well.
All brands will have a wave kite in their range, it's just a case of matching individuals riding preferences to the right kite.

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easye said...

In my opinion, wave kites should turn stupidly fast, have good depower and range with the ability to relaunch quickly (sounds like marketing garbarge everyone uses), but i am buying!!

Demo a Takoon Pure: I have the 9m & 12m

Turns fast ? - Yes very fast and has 4 settings re turn speed on rear line attachment points
Good depower ? - Yes very very good
Relaunch quickly ? - Yes unbelievably fast water relaunch (Easy beach/land self launch)

An interesting experience, on a wave and I surfed under kite, my mistake, made it drop out of sky, on water the wind rolled it due to slack lines and inverted, relaunched, but kite was actually inside out, ie struts on the top ! but it still flew extremely well allowing me to kite to shore about 800m, self land it no probs, a quick sort of the lines and I was back out in minutes.

But have to admit agree with slave (even tho he has a penis stuck in each ear ) , kite wave skill (which Im yet to develop) is a big part of it, tipping Ben Wilson could make any kite shine.

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Surfer62 said...

tipping Ben Wilson could make any kite shine.

Have to agree
Ben wilson and others used to rip on C kites which are now considered new school wake style kites.

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tightlines said...

I think demoing whatever kites you can is the answer because just about everyone on here has some kind of bias.

The best advice right there.
Demo as many as you can.
Eventually you will find the right one for you. (And its worth the wait when you find it.)

If you wanna read some of the bias/opinions of others try this link. But don't make a decision based on what you read alone.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=54722&SearchTerms=WAVE+KITE

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SammyJ said...
....
I'm finding my Liquid Force Envy's very nice in the waves, the Havoc's and Hi-Fi's also perfom extremly well.
All brands will have a wave kite in their range, it's just a case of matching individuals riding preferences to the right kite.

Liquid force envy is an absolute mudslinger, it feels so tinny and the back lines catch if you dont turn it in an impeccably flawless manner

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easye said...



In my opinion, wave kites should turn stupidly fast, have good depower and range with the ability to relaunch quickly (sounds like marketing garbarge everyone uses), but i am buying!!

You may also look at how well the kite drifts downwind. Especially if your style is "park and ride". If you rather like riding waves powered up, you may look at how fast the kite turns, and how much power it generates at turning. If you like to jump at times, consider that some dedicated wave kites are not great to jump.
As others already pointed out, most of it is about your style and your preferences.

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SammyJ said...

dutchy1985 said...

SammyJ said...
....
I'm finding my Liquid Force Envy's very nice in the waves, the Havoc's and Hi-Fi's also perfom extremly well.
All brands will have a wave kite in their range, it's just a case of matching individuals riding preferences to the right kite.

Liquid force envy is an absolute mudslinger, it feels so tinny and the back lines catch if you dont turn it in an impeccably flawless manner

LOL never had a problem with the kite yet.....

WTF does a tinny kite feel like Never heard that description before.
Are the lines different in some way to other kites, what do you mean they catch. I'm pretty sure I'm not impeccably flawless, could be wrong.

So what do you suggest in regards to the actual question asked of EASYE

Biased opinion but...

Guys up here (Geraldton) are loving the 2010 rebel, more grunt than previous years equals using smaller kites and therefore faster movement.

I use the Cult which works well, plenty of depower and easy relaunch...try as many as you can...

I am a surfer turned kiter and I really like the Switchblades. Have not had a chance to ride the 2010`s but like my 3`s cause they will follow me down the line and I can pull in power when I want it. As long as you lift the kite occasionally they will stay where you want them to be for when you need them. Not sure if they are the ultimate but they always feel good when I get back on them after flying something else.

I've found different kites are better at different wind/swell directions and now I have a bunch of kites to choose from because nothing does everything well. Think about what you'll be riding and how often and before you know it you'll have one of everything.

Then you have boards, same issue, but you already know that

The biggest problem is how much gear can you take to your Pacific Island to try out?

I ride Cyclone (durban, SA) directional. Prefer sizes such as 6 & 10 or 5 & 9, depending on power of kites. 78kg.

Maybe i should just buy Nomad 6 and 10 (as they are not that powerfull as Switchblades) but should turn faster.

I would be ideal to have a beach full of kites to try and test!!!! Willl buy on the spot ;-)

buy any kite and get your timing down to pat....bond with your board and kite as if you were one!

when kiters start to compliment you after a sesh you will realise that it is you that is styling and smashing.

then demo a few kites.

you will be the style/smashmaster

you will know when you have arrived!

Hey Easye,

You must be from my home town, Durbs by the Sea. I have a few boards from Cyclone, pity I haven't used them much but been mainly on a surfboard since after my 1st season.

Been considering getting a direction from Cyclone the next time I go home to visit, the last one I tried was tough as anything but a bit heavy - what are his boards like now, they look good from what I can see?

If you are in contact with him, why not get a REV 2 or a Octane, I reckon they are one of the most all round kites out there.

I miss the waves in Umhloti (I think I have forgotten how to spell it) but the wind in WA rocks.

Cheers my China.
Rich

yeah, i can make a good kite look like sh!t with some kooky moves.

Its all in the timing.
but soon as I concentrate on the wave and forget the kite the temperamental mistress punishes me by doing its own thing

I'm liking more the new Ozone C4 against the Ozone Light XC in the waves.
Nicer turning and when you depower pushing the bar away the kite hold better the shape and doesn't flap.
Definitely a kite to try for the 2010.
Bye Jankie

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Rhys Porter said...


At Mambo this year (100% wave riding) the main kites out there were the Slingshot Octanes/RPM's - then it was a mix of Switchblades & Nomads...

Thats cause everyone on those kites are sponsored by those brands.......

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bellz said...

Rhys Porter said...


At Mambo this year (100% wave riding) the main kites out there were the Slingshot Octanes/RPM's - then it was a mix of Switchblades & Nomads...

Thats cause everyone on those kites are sponsored by those brands.......

Sure it wasn't another informative article for KBM being shot?

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18to23 said...

yeah, i can make a good kite look like sh!t with some kooky moves.

Its all in the timing.
but soon as I concentrate on the wave and forget the kite the temperamental mistress punishes me by doing its own thing

But if you learn and respect her needs and her habits.......?......she will enjoy watching while you play...

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Andrash said...

18to23 said...

yeah, i can make a good kite look like sh!t with some kooky moves.

Its all in the timing.
but soon as I concentrate on the wave and forget the kite the temperamental mistress punishes me by doing its own thing

But if you learn and respect her needs and her habits.......?......she will enjoy watching while you play...

haha
looking forward to that

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18to23 said...


but soon as I concentrate on the wave and forget the kite the temperamental mistress punishes me by doing its own thing

try cutting down your bar, the kite will be less twitchy