hey guys,

Got my new Waroo Pro demo in this week. These are my thoughts to date as I have just got off the water from my 2nd epic session on the Waroo Pro.

Pulled the kite out of the box, and was surprised to see the kite in a newly designed bag, different to the norm from Best, (similar to the likes of the Slingy bags this year).

Pulled the kite out and straight away felt and saw that the qaulity has been stepped up heaps this year. Amazing looking graphics and colour scheme and a great lot of canopy paneling detail. This kite is built like a bomb but was seriously blown away by the physical weit of the kite, very lite.

The Waroo's leading edge has a combination of Cuben Genesis material and Dacron which allows a smaller diameter LE which in theory reduces drag whithout sacrificing strength. Very similar to the material used in the Yarga Pro this year but just tweaked more.

The kite has canopy battens to hold a better LE aero profile. the idea look similar to the North Rhino 06 but the battens are made of a plastic fibre material (seem real hard to break). There is also a batten on the trailing edge of eacj wing tip, this is there to reduce any fluttering that may occur whilst depowered.

Pulleys this year are Ronstan pulleys, good upgrade from 06, and bridle lines have a replacement wear piece that can be easily replaced in seconds if any wear occurs from where the pulley runs, (bout 20cm long.

Any how I put the kite in the sky. Was blowing 12-15knots and was able to easily get going on my 133 board. Wasnt enough wind at that stage to jump real high but basic pop moves were a breeze. The thing i noticed straight away was the direct feel of the kite, I havent felt anything like it before on any bow. The power was crisp and the kite looked extra solid in the sky, very little movement at all.

Pulled off some basic backroll kiteloops and found the kite didnt stall or slow down throughout the manouver. This was impressive as i found with the current model waroo, the kite would slightly depower and stall half way thru the move. (Sh%t this could just be me tho).

As the wind increased to bout the 15-18knts, the kite began to ignite. Was able to pull off some of the largest jumps ive done before, which excited me and then the session turned entirely into a jumping comp against myself. Sand bars, boats, rock walls, this thing could just float right over the top. I was amazed.

Today was a full blown wake session, and the kite handled beautifully.



Overall, I think this is the one for me for 07. Damn straight. Purely the most rock solid, fast turning, direct feeling kite ive flown to date. It will be interesting to compare the North REBEL and Slingy LINK when they arrive, as it seems that this year the focus will be highly on these brands in Australia and will be the ones that Ill be pushing the most through my store. My customers appreciate my research into the products, so that it eliminates the kites that are not worth the money, so that they get out and have fun all season through.

Thanks

Joe Millen


(By the way, Waroo pro was an 11mtr. Im 108kg and ride a 133 x 40 board with Escalade bindings. I ride in Mackay Qld)

Sounds great… any chance of posting a few photos. Also, what do you think an estimate of the wind range would be for you on a 133 board.

Estimate on wind range for me would be bottom at 12knots top somewhere round 25-30knts.

I had the Pro out today and it was blowing gusty 20-25 and I had plenty of control.

Check out www.bestkiteboarding.com for photos. We are currently updating our website so all info will be on there as well by the end of the week.

Thanks

Joe Millen

What can we expect to pay for the pro 11 and when will it be released?

Prices are expected to be as follows:RRP$AU

Complete

9-- $1999
11--$2149
13--$2199
15--$2249

Kites are available as Kite only as well, just subtract $300 from the above prices.

Waroo Pros are due inthe country by the start of September.

Joe

the question becons
"does it come in pink"
lol, sorry cheap pun but had to.
best arent that cheep anymore are they?

the standard waroo will still come in less expensive than any others in 07.

But they weren't in 06
12m Waroo complete = $1608
11m Sonic = $1400

Thats bollocks Kurt, if those prices are anything to go by my 12m Rebel was 250 less than the 11m Waroo.
best aint cheap no more.

I was referring to standard pricing, not the pro pricing.
Don't see many sonics at the beach here? But I see they are now $1000! Good buy for some unsuspecting noob.

The Waroo standard will always come in at the same or below other comparative kites in the (street) market......trust me.

And at the end of the day, It's up to the performance, service and backup, which in 06, the waroo was miles ahead.

It will be interesting to see how the linkaroo and boxeroo go this season as they look like nice kites. But, going by the interest in the new waroo pro I think it will go well also, even at the premium pricing, which is still on par or less than some other offerings out there!

I've also heard thru the grapevine that the rebel is a nice kite, but I have been let down by north before after the rhino 2's and without seeing them out for a while or ridden one can't comment. This goes for the Waroo pro too mind you. A friend of mine just preordered a rebel without even trying one! madness!

i Guess you sell best eh?

quote:

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I was referring to standard pricing, not the pro pricing.

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Is there a difference.....ah yes 06 07 models...lol

The best machine.....can hear the marketing cogs slowly grinding into action now. lol

I should clarify, I'm talking the the 07 standard Waroo pricing (which is not released yet). Yes I do rep/sell Best, thought everyone knew that? The 07 Standard has a few upgrades and will be up against the likes of the rebel, linkeroo etc. The Waroo Pro is in a class of it's own I'm told - can't wait to get mine!

quote:

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Originally posted by kurt

I was referring to standard pricing, not the pro pricing.
Don't see many sonics at the beach here?

The Waroo standard will always come in at the same or below other comparative kites in the (street) market......trust me.

And at the end of the day, It's up to the performance, service and backup, which in 06, the waroo was miles ahead.

It will be interesting to see how the linkaroo and boxeroo go this season as they look like nice kites. But, going by the interest in the new waroo pro I think it will go well also, even at the premium pricing, which is still on par or less than some other offerings out there!

I've also heard thru the grapevine that the rebel is a nice kite, but I have been let down by north before after the rhino 2's and without seeing them out for a while or ridden one can't comment. This goes for the Waroo pro too mind you. A friend of mine just preordered a rebel without even trying one! madness!

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That is the standard pricing, not the pro.

Performance, service and backup?? So what your saying is buy from a shop and not out the back of a van??

Linkaroo and Boxeroo?? I can't see the resemblance.

How is $2149 for an 11m less than other offerings?

I've got nothing against thier kites but lets keep it real.

No, that is not what I am saying Jason. Did you miss my last post?

Service is service, wherever it comes from, get over it.
Crossbow 12 $2200 - other similar offerings for a dacron kite but 1m bigger of course (as with your sonic 11m comparison before to the 12 '06 waroo).
I can see the similarities of the new boxer and link to the waroo or sonic for that matter quite quickly. But it's all good for the punter in the end because that style kite is awesome imo. I hope you sell a bunch of them honestly. I also hope you guys see a future in this style of bridled kite this season.

This topic however is about the Waroo Pro which from all accounts is a special, stand alone kite and I was just trying to keep the trolls and misinformed at bay by not understanding the price point of these kites.

I will be posting my honest thoughts on the Waroo Pro when I get some good time on them.

waiting line for a kite.
:

how bout the havoc?

Yes true it is a Waroo thread but I have noticed your neme popping up on other threads lately, it is an open forum after all.

Don't know what a Troll is.

No two ways about it the Crossbow is a rip off. They have obviously mistaken thier early season market share in Bows last year with the belief they make good kites.

Yes I believe that 95% of learners and 60% of other kiters will be on some form of flat hybrid or extended depower kite this year.

The dig about the whole Boxeroo thing was a reference to how all companies rip from one another. Those in the know are aware that most of the new bridle styles are a copy of Matt Pendles Globerider and Best were the first.

Enjoy your thread.

Bit off the subject topic but I would agree on the new "07" cab kites being overpriced and they will possibly price themselves out of the market which is a shame because I like the brand and the small details on their kites (small doesn’t equates to costly if you ask me... but you didn’t so I am telling you it doesn’t..)

.. I was thinking of getting a 12m switchblade - but if its going to be 2100 or something - fook that.. I think I will get a no thrills cheap warroo or something like that because lets face it those "supported leading edges” are just ripped off fundamentals of the switchblades design

Good luck with the waroo pro but over 2 k for a 11m is just too expensive its not like its going to make me a better kiter without being a better kiter in my own right...(suppose that’s the whole selling point of it though isn’t it.. pro for show and so on and so forth)

Now I have balanced out the ying and yang of this thread can we get on with the topic at hand...

well, the new north are quite cheap ....

the 7 rebel cost about 1000.-- and the 12 1300.-- or a little less
(without the bar but still cheaper than what you are talking about)

marc-a.

The north Rebel are retailing for a 7 $1599 and a 12 $1899.

The Waroo pro isnt built with standard or traditional materials. This is the main reason why the Waroo pro is dearer.

There is also a new Waroo to be released in September as well and these prices are $999 for the 7mtr and $1349 for the 11mtr. Just add $300 for a bar.

Best are not all of a sudden becomming an expensive brand all together, They are simply designing kites that are completely different in design and construction to the other brands.

quote:

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They are simply designing kites that are completely different in design and construction to the other brands.

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You mean other brands aside from GK.?

Why do you best guys keep trying to make out that other brands have copied the Waroo pro? Given that the WP came out around the same time as the Link how could it be a copy? Obviously both were developed around the same time.

Shouldn't Best actually be on the other side of the fence given that they completely missed the launch of bow kites (because they were pushing a C kite) and then blatantly copied the best of the SLEs (the sonic) to produce the waroo?

BTW - I'm not suggesting that either the waroo or the wp are bad kites. They both look fine. Its Best's hype machine that doesn't seem quite right.

Hi Munter,

quote:

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Shouldn't Best actually be on the other side of the fence given that they completely missed the launch of bow kites (because they were pushing a C kite) and then blatantly copied the best of the SLEs (the sonic) to produce the waroo?

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I tend to disagree that the Waroo is a direct copy of the Sonic. They are different kites, but they were built at the same factory.

However, my attention is on this years release which will be available in a few weeks. Im not hyping Best anymore than I believe they deserve, however I think theve done their howmework well this year and created a fantastic performing kite that definately stands up strongly against the traditionally bigger brands.

Best kiteboarding this year struggled to keep up demand on the Waroo internationally, mainly because they were sharing a factory with other brands. This year Best have bought their own manufacturing company in China and are determined to fix the supply issues seen this year.

The release of the waroo in Australia was slow to kick off in 06 as the oportunity for retailers to sell the product was just in its beginning. March 2006 was when retailers in Australia had access to sell the product through their stores. This year will see exactly how well the brand will do in Australia.

The end of the day, if you are going to buy a brand new kite, at least try a few kites before committing to it. And if you have never tried the kite that you are bagging, have a think about it cause maybe you are missing out on something.

Tah

Joe Millen

quote:

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Originally posted by arsa

Hi Munter,

quote:

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Shouldn't Best actually be on the other side of the fence given that they completely missed the launch of bow kites (because they were pushing a C kite) and then blatantly copied the best of the SLEs (the sonic) to produce the waroo?

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I tend to disagree that the Waroo is a direct copy of the Sonic. They are different kites, but they were built at the same factory.
However, my attention is on this years blah blah blah
The end of the day, blah blah blah to it. And if you have never tried the kite that you are bagging, have a think about it cause maybe you are missing out on something.
Tah
Joe Millen

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Joe
where in that post did I bag the kite? I even took the care to point out that I had no issues with the kites themselves. Its the hype that really turns me off Best products.

Apologies Munter I wasnt refering to you in paticular bagging the kite in that statement, but, was refering to the other few thousand remarks that have been written in over the past years.

I agree that Best do get extra excited about their gear. Me too.

quote:

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Originally posted by arsa


There is also a new Waroo to be released in September as well and these prices are $999 for the 7mtr and $1349 for the 11mtr. Just add $300 for a bar.

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Have you got any more detail about the new (bog standard) Waroo?, eg., new bridle, pulleys, bar etc. etc.

The new Waroo will be very similar to the Pro, just wont have the Cuben Genesis material in the LE. All the other features will come standard with the Waroo. The same bar will be used throughout the entire range of kites.

Havent seen one yet but as soon as I see it I will post a thought.

Joe

quote:

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Originally posted by kurt

I was referring to standard pricing, not the pro pricing.
Don't see many sonics at the beach here? But I see they are now $1000! Good buy for some unsuspecting noob.

The Waroo standard will always come in at the same or below other comparative kites in the (street) market......trust me.

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Buddy, You are an idiot.
Why is someone buying an 06 Sonic an unsuspecting noob? You have never flown the kite and you even say you don't see too many where you are. The sonic is the best kite I have ever flown and unlike the 06 Waroo does not invert when you sneeze at it. I watched one invert twice in the space of an hour last Sunday. Furthermore, contrary to your comment, the Sonic 06 was cheaper than the 06 Waroo. THE ICING ON THE CAKE IS THAT YOU REJECT THE NORTH REBEL BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN LET DOWN BY NORTH BEFORE. So what you are saying is that you recommend that kiters avoid companies that have let their customers down in the past. H...E...L...L...F...I...S...H...!!!!!

As a retailer you should have your affiliation spelled out for the average person to see so. You say everyone knows you. Well I didn't but I do now. You are a dishonest and disreputable person. Thanks for clearing that up.

Don't hold back Mike!

I don't sponsor the site so I also don't advertise - fair enough?
This goes for at least 4 other shop posters I know on here btw.

And I never put the sonic down - only where it is available from.
This is why I feel sorry for any newbie.

Ligthen up a bit. I am neither dishonest nor disreputable, as I
am sure that anyone I kite with or help out will agree.

Personal attacks don't make for a great forum discussion.

Maybe you need some wind?

Back on topic, I had a couple of emails from guys overseas re the Waroo Pro and I can't wait to try them. I have always liked old school high aspect/boosting kites (loved the nemi's, rhino 2's, spectrum 1's) but fell in love with the Waroo last season as did alot of others here for all the obvious points, wind range, hangtime, feel of the kite and of course great pricing. From all reports I am going to have the best of both worlds shortly and can't wait!

I hope you get to try one out Mike and don't "suffer" from inane brand loyalty or peer group pressure - all too prevelant in our little world of kiting.

Don't hold back Mike!
Rarely do. Just couldn't let your comments slide by.

I don't sponsor the site so I also don't advertise - fair enough?
Not sure that it is fair. If you love the Waroo and you dis the Sonic without having flown it then you have a brand loyalty and it is in the spirit of this forum that you should state it
And I never put the sonic down - only where it is available from.
This is why I feel sorry for any newbie
This smacks a bit of backpeddling and is certainly not the clear point of your initial comment. Sonic aftersales support has not been great but I don't believe that to be the fault of anyone in Oz. So a very generalised statement like that isn't really fair either.
inane brand loyalty seems to be your problem if you tell people the Waroo was cheaper than the Sonic and you want to dis North while ignoring Best's checkered performance.

Personal attacks don't make for a great forum discussion
No, you are right and I should know better but dumping misinformation in the review section is pretty poor form too. Let's both try and set the bar a bit higher.

FYI, I have changed kite brands 3 times in 4 years, I have no affiliations and I look forward to trying as many 07 kites as I can, including the WPs. If you get one anytime in the next week or so let me know and I will come and try it!

Great, and thank you for your dignified response.
I am in Brisbane and will have 3 or 4 sizes of the pro as soon as they land in oz and you are welcome to try them.
Or there will be an 11 around next weekend for anyone to try as well, just hope we get some wind.