Hi all

Just wanted to get some different opinions (which Im sure I will get here!). Im a beginner. Yes, I did the lessons (in 07) - kill yourself otherwise I reckon. Advised to buy a new rrd hypertype (07 model, 9m; am 80kg BTW). Life got in the way a bit but tried taking it out a few times and failed miserably, so took it out less etc etc. This last summer went balls to the wall with it and actually managed to fly the damn thing. Was at the stage of getting on the board for short runs (took quite a while to get there though - mix of forced relocation, work, wind etc etc but the commitment WAS THERE and flew whenever I could - to the frustration of my wife and non-kiting mates!).

My question really is this: I dont see too many hypertypes around; The kite has taken (what feels like) an age for me to feel RELATIVELY comfortable with and progress (judging by what people say in the forums and speaking to mates and fellow kiters a bit longer than they took, if thats anything to go on!) The kite seems to luff VERY easily and looking at (and speaking to) many others I wonder if this kite is for me, if I am just experiencing the "normal" learning curve (which feels infinately more painful because its my experience) and if I should soldier on or cut my losses and buy an easier kite (if that exists!) I have flown an ozone sports which felt magic (was that because of conditions I was flying in/setup/any other factors/personal "suitability"??)

Been thinking about this for a while - would really appreciate any thoughts.

cheers

Get another kiter with some experience to fly the kite and see if they think it's not tuned correctly etc. I think the hypertype has a reputation of being a super fast turning kite but other than that i don't know much about them. The Sport is a sweet kite, i'm not surprised it felt easier to use than the RRD, it's a gem of a thing.

Hey SDJ, I definately agree with Neill, it could very well be a tuning issue as I had with my first kites until I figured out what was wrong with this it greatly hampered my progress. I would suss this out as a first step. If it IS the case that your kite is tuned wrong and the Ozone was dialed in correctly it would absolutely have felt vastly better than yours.

Where are you located?
What wind strengths are you trying to fly the kite in?

D

Totally understand were you are coming from
It's all about time with the kite
When the seabreezes start back up spend a week kiting everyday
and you will be over your hump
make sure you go to a location where other kiters are
in the main most kiters are extremely helpful

i recall, the 07 hyper was known to hindenburg but had a good rap by most riders using it... great wind range for size which was probably because it sat at the edge of the window.. hence the hindenburg issues?.... the 08 model this problem was fixed i think...

it probably hasn't help your progression.

I had a 9m rrd 07 for about a month, bought it cheep for the new lines and sold it on. Took it out twice, it stalled easily and that really pissed me off, tho moved like a 5-7m kite which was really cool. Personally didn't rate it and had no second thoughts about selling it on. But I kno people who swear by em.
As kites go u prob want a little more stable kite. Best kites are really good learning kites (and if u buy em from Choicey u can get some more free lessons) (p.s. choice i want a nice discount on my next kite!!) haha
But no seriously, given life and wind and one kite, give it bout ~6months of trying ur little butt off before one day it just clicks. It came to me the day i finally cut up wind to the same spot id started and could water drag back to my board and self launch and land!)

Thanks heaps for all the tips and thoughts. It does all make sense. The "not being rigged up" question has always been an issue I was thinking about - when I bought the kite it was pretty much "here it is, unwrap it from its plastic and enjoy it" which for a complete noobie like me may have been a bit rough, and having someone who at least knew a bit more about the kite, and kiting in general, help set it up properly may have saved a bruise or two (and luckily not worse) and some aggrevation! I learned on a completely different kite so first time I flew a hypertype was after my rigging etc.

In terms of location etc (D_meredeth79) - Im moving back to Perth in a few weeks, and thats where I have been doing most of my flying. I was flying in wind up to around the 20kt mark. I have been out in around 22-25kt but it gets a bit hairy for kids like myself!

Anyways, that will probably be my line of attack - I'll see if I can persuade someone who has a bit more experience to take my "widow-maker" out and make sure its doing what it should. Otherwise I will keep on heading out and getting back onto that horse and maybe one day I too will be cool!! Must just add that as frustrating as it is, it is still bucketloads of fun and beats a day at the office hands down!

thanks again guys

Hey sdj,
PM'ed you.
Don't give up

Sdj
Never give up....
it could be about your kite set up ...but also where you fly the kite ....i used to be a river boy at melville ,Perth. it took me a full summer and winter to try to get on the board and come back upwind.
Untill A fellow kiter told me to try going to safety bay for cleaner wind and not as gusty... the difference was massive , NO GUSTS. therefore less stress on flying the kite and more focus on my board skills ..Aftr 3 trys a guy came to me and said simply when you start to get off the water put the front of the board dowwind ....I never looked back ...that was it ...
6months of struggle , vanished in 40 minutes in one arvo ...Awsome feeling ..
Go out with someone who can check your kite , but also who can look at you for a bit and give you tips one whay you "may " do wrong :)
goodwind

Hey Sdj

Your 9m will tune up... - Though i would recomend demoing at few 12's when you get here, nothing worse than sittin on your butt waiting for that wind to come up enough.

Pm me when you get here, myself & a few friends will help you out an all have a ripper kite session or 2 or 3 or 10,000

cheers