Select to expand quote

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Select to expand quote

NorthernKitesAUS said..

CJ2478 said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I had the opportunity to see this kite in person yesterday. Still a a fugly mickey mouse setup. The dude riding it was being a bit of a pest too riding as close as possible to kiters body dragging the channel.

Bahaha.. 3rd rule of Seabreeze posting... a video/pic or it didn't happen. Go somewhere else kook

Hey brah, I think you have your rules mixed up.

The golden rule is that you are loftywinds - the person with least credibility on any kite sports based internet discussion website and world renowned kook.

Select to expand quote

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

Select to expand quote

Kite Surf WA said..

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

Nobody likes short tacking tools

Select to expand quote

Kite Surf WA said..


Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

oh yeah!

Select to expand quote

apepene43 said..

Kite Surf WA said..

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

Nobody likes short tacking tools

True...and as you weren't there... why assume any short tacking? Martin is a very experienced kiter who is well liked and respected in the Sydney kiting community. The Central coasters are sometimes a sensitive lot who seem to like to keep the best spots to themselves.

Select to expand quote

Kite Surf WA said..

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

I think you're missing the point here pal. The original comment's intention was to highlight the poor form associated with the ignorance of a self appointed 'team rider' by an out of towner in a neon green helmet. Not sure what your gripe is with the guys online alias too.

Witnessed a Botany Bay today a Buzz kite totally shredded along the canopy/struts.

*puts popcorn in micro wave*

The Buzz Kite Website is a joke. Inferring North Click bar is unreliable and naming brands on anecdotal evidence not only makes Buzz look inexperienced but also touches on defaming those brands IP.

Select to expand quote

CJ2478 said..

Kite Surf WA said..

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

I think you're missing the point here pal. The original comment's intention was to highlight the poor form associated with the ignorance of a self appointed 'team rider' by an out of towner in a neon green helmet. Not sure what your gripe is with the guys online alias too.

Actually that is not the case...pal.
Don't mistake me for one of your little online buddies.
Martin is no tool.
The issue is a Buzz kite was noticed with an operator knowing what he was doing and was actually showing exactly what performance one can get from the exceptional quality Buzz gear. The person whom noticed this just can't handle the fact of seeing the gear perform so damn well knowing he can't outperform the operator of the Buzz gear he had to go and badmouth Martin instead of just acknowledging the fact that he has witnessed awesome kitesurfing gear being put through it's paces by someone that knows what they are doing.

Select to expand quote

Alysum said..
Witnessed a Botany Bay today a Buzz kite totally shredded along the canopy/struts.

*puts popcorn in micro wave*

Wouldn't this be an issue with all of the manafacturers kites then, eg Cab, Slingshot etc?

Select to expand quote

Kite Surf WA said..

CJ2478 said..

Kite Surf WA said..

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

I think you're missing the point here pal. The original comment's intention was to highlight the poor form associated with the ignorance of a self appointed 'team rider' by an out of towner in a neon green helmet. Not sure what your gripe is with the guys online alias too.

Actually that is not the case...pal.
Don't mistake me for one of your little online buddies.
Martin is no tool.
The issue is a Buzz kite was noticed with an operator knowing what he was doing and was actually showing exactly what performance one can get from the exceptional quality Buzz gear. The person whom noticed this just can't handle the fact of seeing the gear perform so damn well knowing he can't outperform the operator of the Buzz gear he had to go and badmouth Martin instead of just acknowledging the fact that he has witnessed awesome kitesurfing gear being put through it's paces by someone that knows what they are doing.

Thanks for your input buddy,

No, there is only one issue and it remains to be a non-local kiter disrespecting the rules which is independent of what type of gear they were riding. This is unwanted behaviour that, I'm sure you'd be off it too if someone showed up with a crew to your normally un-crowded spot and caused issues in the manner of the aforementioned rider.

I think in this instance we can agree to disagree seeing as you weren't there pal.

Select to expand quote

CJ2478 said..

Kite Surf WA said..

CJ2478 said..

Kite Surf WA said..

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

I think you're missing the point here pal. The original comment's intention was to highlight the poor form associated with the ignorance of a self appointed 'team rider' by an out of towner in a neon green helmet. Not sure what your gripe is with the guys online alias too.

Actually that is not the case...pal.
Don't mistake me for one of your little online buddies.
Martin is no tool.
The issue is a Buzz kite was noticed with an operator knowing what he was doing and was actually showing exactly what performance one can get from the exceptional quality Buzz gear. The person whom noticed this just can't handle the fact of seeing the gear perform so damn well knowing he can't outperform the operator of the Buzz gear he had to go and badmouth Martin instead of just acknowledging the fact that he has witnessed awesome kitesurfing gear being put through it's paces by someone that knows what they are doing.

Thanks for your input buddy,

No, there is only one issue and it remains to be a non-local kiter disrespecting the rules which is independent of what type of gear they were riding. This is unwanted behaviour that, I'm sure you'd be off it too if someone showed up with a crew to your normally un-crowded spot and caused issues in the manner of the aforementioned rider.

I think in this instance we can agree to disagree seeing as you weren't there pal.

What specific rules? Vague accusations...

Select to expand quote

Bulli1Bravo said..
The Buzz Kite Website is a joke. Inferring North Click bar is unreliable and naming brands on anecdotal evidence not only makes Buzz look inexperienced but also touches on defaming those brands IP.

Here's what's on the web site:
"In a 2001 Time magazine interview, Pete Cabrinha said: "When you're upside down looking up at the kite, time just stands still." He was absolutely right about that. As you know, a decent two-hour session of kite surfing is a brain reset almost equivalent to a 7-day meditation retreat! However, Pete was also dead wrong. While we were looking up at our kites, time didn't stand still. Kite surfing grew up. Today, big corporations are behind many names we know and love.

Cabrinha grew from a nice little company run by passionate watermen to became a subsidiary of the Pryde Group - a Hong Kong based Sports Group. Then, the Shriro group (another Chinese company) took over. This company has over 3500 employees and operations in more than 40 countries. We're guessing that the directors (see pic) have never kite surfed and never will. The future of this amazing sport is not mentioned on their web site but you can read their stated financial goal: "to provide best returns to our investments and to maximize the long-term shareholder value".

I'm not knocking Cabrinha because they usually have great gear. However, to achieve "the best returns", a Cabrinha beginner package is $3,800. A kite is over $2,000. For most people, that's a whole lot of money. We'd rather see prices several hundred dollars less and I'm guessing you would too.

Cabrinha are not alone. On the 28th of November 2013 EMERAM Capital Partners GmbH, Munich, announced the acquisition of Boards & More Group "With its four high-performance brands North Kiteboarding, Northsails, ION and Fanatic, Boards & More." Subsequently, the North click bar took things up a notch and now it's pretty much $1,000 - just for a bar. To make a very good bar, all that's required are a few bits of rope, a cleat and a metal bar with a bit of rubber covering it. Is that really worth $1000? Only when you add a lot of marketing BS to justify it! We'd rather see prices about half that much, fewer gadgets and more reliability.

The bottom line is that kiting is no longer a sport controlled and driven by those who are passionate about it. Instead, it is largely controlled by profiteers with no passion for the sport. This wonderfully accessible sport is now becoming considered as a sport for the rich. For those of us that used to be into windsurfing, we've seen where corporate control can take a sport. Into places where a trailer load of highly specialist and very expensive gear is required to participate. This kills the growth of a sport. In 2008 there were 1.31M windsurfers in the USA. In 2013, there were 1.32 M. No real growth in 5 years because the complexity and high costs stunted the sport's growth. Newbies become overwhelmed. People can't afford to stay up to date so they drop out. A few probably took up kiting! Anyway, at Buzz kites, we think that it's time for us to wrestle back control of our sport...before it's too late. So here is our mission:

Our mission is to build a dedicated community of kiters who work together to provide a range of quality, high-performance, affordable gear and wonderful kiting adventures. We will also find ways to help more people out on the water safely enjoying the pleasures of this wonderful sport."

1. This is not anecdotal evidence. Do the research on the brands mentioned and you will see the facts. Defaming is telling lies about a brand (as goes on here) and all we are doing is repeating facts.
2. The complexity of small manufactured components combined with salt and sand will most probably reduce reliability over the long term compared to a simple cleat. I think that is obvious to most clear thinking people.
Our overall interest is stated in our mission. If you are happy to entrust the future of our wonderful sport to huge corporations then keep battling on their behalf by all means. We will keep doing what we believe in too.

Select to expand quote

Kite Surf WA said..

CJ2478 said..

Kite Surf WA said..

kitebt said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

I saw this tool out at Picinic Point yesterday being an absolute nuisance to other riders, and boaters.......I doubt he jumped that high because I was watching him and he was getting no where near that.......most importantly if you want to show up at a kite spot where your not a local respect the locals, acting like a tool as he did could get us all banned from a great kiting spot. Would not expect anything less from someone assosciated with Buzz Kites.

Hey kitebt.....what dumb name btw......I know Martin quite well and he will put you in your place anytime of the day in a jump comp.....that is even if you know how to kite..pfff!
This is a brilliant forum......

I think you're missing the point here pal. The original comment's intention was to highlight the poor form associated with the ignorance of a self appointed 'team rider' by an out of towner in a neon green helmet. Not sure what your gripe is with the guys online alias too.

Actually that is not the case...pal.
Don't mistake me for one of your little online buddies.
Martin is no tool.
The issue is a Buzz kite was noticed with an operator knowing what he was doing and was actually showing exactly what performance one can get from the exceptional quality Buzz gear. The person whom noticed this just can't handle the fact of seeing the gear perform so damn well knowing he can't outperform the operator of the Buzz gear he had to go and badmouth Martin instead of just acknowledging the fact that he has witnessed awesome kitesurfing gear being put through it's paces by someone that knows what they are doing.

From WA you saw and concluded all this. The Buzz is powerful and insightful. Lets see!

I put to you kite surf WA ( original) and you alone
From what I gather the kite has not seen change for many years, whilst I gather the kite is a liked design Circa 2012 and is reasonable qlty in terms of also post 2012 material build specs probably getting a bit behind.
Heres an opportunity for you to really demonstrate a brands path, if I was to jump on the Buzz for life way of thinking, where is it going to take me? What can I expect the next model to be, will you implement build advancements that the last 3 years has seen on some of the major brands, or will you just play that down as unimportant?
The designer based on mr Buzz's post has stepped away so does Buzz kite employ someone to take their boards and kite to the next level? is yr manufacturing site kitted/flexible enough to take the gear to the next level? Many people simply don't like the look of the kite, are you listening to the feedback and implementing change? Am I buying into a progressive brand or a one time reasonable qlty kite with no future path?

Or will you just simply rebutt peoples perception and enforce your reality.

always wanted to bold and underline......

Damn this just keeps on giving ...

Select to expand quote

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

Bulli1Bravo said..
The Buzz Kite Website is a joke. Inferring North Click bar is unreliable and naming brands on anecdotal evidence not only makes Buzz look inexperienced but also touches on defaming those brands IP.

Here's what's on the web site:
"In a 2001 Time magazine interview, Pete Cabrinha said: "When you're upside down looking up at the kite, time just stands still." He was absolutely right about that. As you know, a decent two-hour session of kite surfing is a brain reset almost equivalent to a 7-day meditation retreat! However, Pete was also dead wrong. While we were looking up at our kites, time didn't stand still. Kite surfing grew up. Today, big corporations are behind many names we know and love.

Cabrinha grew from a nice little company run by passionate watermen to became a subsidiary of the Pryde Group - a Hong Kong based Sports Group. Then, the Shriro group (another Chinese company) took over. This company has over 3500 employees and operations in more than 40 countries. We're guessing that the directors (see pic) have never kite surfed and never will. The future of this amazing sport is not mentioned on their web site but you can read their stated financial goal: "to provide best returns to our investments and to maximize the long-term shareholder value".

I'm not knocking Cabrinha because they usually have great gear. However, to achieve "the best returns", a Cabrinha beginner package is $3,800. A kite is over $2,000. For most people, that's a whole lot of money. We'd rather see prices several hundred dollars less and I'm guessing you would too.

Cabrinha are not alone. On the 28th of November 2013 EMERAM Capital Partners GmbH, Munich, announced the acquisition of Boards & More Group "With its four high-performance brands North Kiteboarding, Northsails, ION and Fanatic, Boards & More." Subsequently, the North click bar took things up a notch and now it's pretty much $1,000 - just for a bar. To make a very good bar, all that's required are a few bits of rope, a cleat and a metal bar with a bit of rubber covering it. Is that really worth $1000? Only when you add a lot of marketing BS to justify it! We'd rather see prices about half that much, fewer gadgets and more reliability.

The bottom line is that kiting is no longer a sport controlled and driven by those who are passionate about it. Instead, it is largely controlled by profiteers with no passion for the sport. This wonderfully accessible sport is now becoming considered as a sport for the rich. For those of us that used to be into windsurfing, we've seen where corporate control can take a sport. Into places where a trailer load of highly specialist and very expensive gear is required to participate. This kills the growth of a sport. In 2008 there were 1.31M windsurfers in the USA. In 2013, there were 1.32 M. No real growth in 5 years because the complexity and high costs stunted the sport's growth. Newbies become overwhelmed. People can't afford to stay up to date so they drop out. A few probably took up kiting! Anyway, at Buzz kites, we think that it's time for us to wrestle back control of our sport...before it's too late. So here is our mission:

Our mission is to build a dedicated community of kiters who work together to provide a range of quality, high-performance, affordable gear and wonderful kiting adventures. We will also find ways to help more people out on the water safely enjoying the pleasures of this wonderful sport."

1. This is not anecdotal evidence. Do the research on the brands mentioned and you will see the facts. Defaming is telling lies about a brand (as goes on here) and all we are doing is repeating facts.
2. The complexity of small manufactured components combined with salt and sand will most probably reduce reliability over the long term compared to a simple cleat. I think that is obvious to most clear thinking people.
Our overall interest is stated in our mission. If you are happy to entrust the future of our wonderful sport to huge corporations then keep battling on their behalf by all means. We will keep doing what we believe in too.

Yes, yes it is anecdotal.. where are your references linking to independent reviews and the basis for the negative comparisons you make.
They might be complex but are well engineered designs. They work, durable thanks to tremendous investment into research, testing and development prior to release. Cabrinhas bar design is amazing single hand reset and bomb proof. Click bar is worth every dollar when compared to the craptastic griffin, sorry I mean Buzz kite rubbish sold at inflated premium for in your words a "simple" design.

Select to expand quote

eppo said..
Damn this just keeps on giving ...

Sounds like you're disrespecting the locals. Expect to be called out at dawn, a duel with handbags at five paces...

Select to expand quote

Bulli1Bravo said..

Cabrinhas bar design is amazing single hand reset and bomb proof.

There's about a half dozen people here with broken 2016/17 Cabrinha bars who'd disagree with you on the "bomb proof" and amazing design statement...

I reckon 90% of the yes vote campaign came from this topics commenters ,
Don't bag gear that you've never rode, yeh we know the colours naff bla bla but fact is the kite is a nice kite to fly, f......g plain n simple

Select to expand quote

Kamikuza said..

Bulli1Bravo said..

Cabrinhas bar design is amazing single hand reset and bomb proof.

There's about a half dozen people here with broken 2016/17 Cabrinha bars who'd disagree with you on the "bomb proof" and amazing design statement...

Hey Kami, welcome back, interested to know what issues people have had with 2016/17 Cabrinha bars, I hadn't heard of any issues before this.

Select to expand quote

Smithy said..

Kamikuza said..

Bulli1Bravo said..

Cabrinhas bar design is amazing single hand reset and bomb proof.

There's about a half dozen people here with broken 2016/17 Cabrinha bars who'd disagree with you on the "bomb proof" and amazing design statement...

Hey Kami, welcome back, interested to know what issues people have had with 2016/17 Cabrinha bars, I hadn't heard of any issues before this.

Cheers :D The depower lines are snapping. Some in the middle of the PU tube, some near the ends but nothing consistent. Shop Guy's theory is the two halves are moving against each other under unequal loading and melting themselves (Amsteel has low melting point), and given that 2018 bars are spliced for 2/3 of the length from the bottom, he seems to be onto something. Apparently there are no spares in the whole wide world, so either wait or splice your own -- which is what I'm going to do.

To rub salt in the wound, the depower lines is only as thick as leader line, maybe 2mm

PS. my 2011 Cabrinha bars are still going strong. Now THAT was some bombproof design! :D

Select to expand quote

cauncy said..
I reckon 90% of the yes vote campaign came from this topics commenters ,
Don't bag gear that you've never rode, yeh we know the colours naff bla bla but fact is the kite is a nice kite to fly, f......g plain n simple

This the way you come out

Select to expand quote

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

Bulli1Bravo said..
The Buzz Kite Website is a joke. Inferring North Click bar is unreliable and naming brands on anecdotal evidence not only makes Buzz look inexperienced but also touches on defaming those brands IP.

Here's what's on the web site:
"In a 2001 Time magazine interview, Pete Cabrinha said: "When you're upside down looking up at the kite, time just stands still." He was absolutely right about that. As you know, a decent two-hour session of kite surfing is a brain reset almost equivalent to a 7-day meditation retreat! However, Pete was also dead wrong. While we were looking up at our kites, time didn't stand still. Kite surfing grew up. Today, big corporations are behind many names we know and love.

Cabrinha grew from a nice little company run by passionate watermen to became a subsidiary of the Pryde Group - a Hong Kong based Sports Group. Then, the Shriro group (another Chinese company) took over. This company has over 3500 employees and operations in more than 40 countries. We're guessing that the directors (see pic) have never kite surfed and never will. The future of this amazing sport is not mentioned on their web site but you can read their stated financial goal: "to provide best returns to our investments and to maximize the long-term shareholder value".

I'm not knocking Cabrinha because they usually have great gear. However, to achieve "the best returns", a Cabrinha beginner package is $3,800. A kite is over $2,000. For most people, that's a whole lot of money. We'd rather see prices several hundred dollars less and I'm guessing you would too.

Cabrinha are not alone. On the 28th of November 2013 EMERAM Capital Partners GmbH, Munich, announced the acquisition of Boards & More Group "With its four high-performance brands North Kiteboarding, Northsails, ION and Fanatic, Boards & More." Subsequently, the North click bar took things up a notch and now it's pretty much $1,000 - just for a bar. To make a very good bar, all that's required are a few bits of rope, a cleat and a metal bar with a bit of rubber covering it. Is that really worth $1000? Only when you add a lot of marketing BS to justify it! We'd rather see prices about half that much, fewer gadgets and more reliability.

The bottom line is that kiting is no longer a sport controlled and driven by those who are passionate about it. Instead, it is largely controlled by profiteers with no passion for the sport. This wonderfully accessible sport is now becoming considered as a sport for the rich. For those of us that used to be into windsurfing, we've seen where corporate control can take a sport. Into places where a trailer load of highly specialist and very expensive gear is required to participate. This kills the growth of a sport. In 2008 there were 1.31M windsurfers in the USA. In 2013, there were 1.32 M. No real growth in 5 years because the complexity and high costs stunted the sport's growth. Newbies become overwhelmed. People can't afford to stay up to date so they drop out. A few probably took up kiting! Anyway, at Buzz kites, we think that it's time for us to wrestle back control of our sport...before it's too late. So here is our mission:

Our mission is to build a dedicated community of kiters who work together to provide a range of quality, high-performance, affordable gear and wonderful kiting adventures. We will also find ways to help more people out on the water safely enjoying the pleasures of this wonderful sport."

1. This is not anecdotal evidence. Do the research on the brands mentioned and you will see the facts. Defaming is telling lies about a brand (as goes on here) and all we are doing is repeating facts.
2. The complexity of small manufactured components combined with salt and sand will most probably reduce reliability over the long term compared to a simple cleat. I think that is obvious to most clear thinking people.
Our overall interest is stated in our mission. If you are happy to entrust the future of our wonderful sport to huge corporations then keep battling on their behalf by all means. We will keep doing what we believe in too.

The switch kites look good value for money and look to be up todate with specs technology etc compared to buzz

Select to expand quote

wave6ft said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

Bulli1Bravo said..
The Buzz Kite Website is a joke. Inferring North Click bar is unreliable and naming brands on anecdotal evidence not only makes Buzz look inexperienced but also touches on defaming those brands IP.

Here's what's on the web site:
"In a 2001 Time magazine interview, Pete Cabrinha said: "When you're upside down looking up at the kite, time just stands still." He was absolutely right about that. As you know, a decent two-hour session of kite surfing is a brain reset almost equivalent to a 7-day meditation retreat! However, Pete was also dead wrong. While we were looking up at our kites, time didn't stand still. Kite surfing grew up. Today, big corporations are behind many names we know and love.

Cabrinha grew from a nice little company run by passionate watermen to became a subsidiary of the Pryde Group - a Hong Kong based Sports Group. Then, the Shriro group (another Chinese company) took over. This company has over 3500 employees and operations in more than 40 countries. We're guessing that the directors (see pic) have never kite surfed and never will. The future of this amazing sport is not mentioned on their web site but you can read their stated financial goal: "to provide best returns to our investments and to maximize the long-term shareholder value".

I'm not knocking Cabrinha because they usually have great gear. However, to achieve "the best returns", a Cabrinha beginner package is $3,800. A kite is over $2,000. For most people, that's a whole lot of money. We'd rather see prices several hundred dollars less and I'm guessing you would too.

Cabrinha are not alone. On the 28th of November 2013 EMERAM Capital Partners GmbH, Munich, announced the acquisition of Boards & More Group "With its four high-performance brands North Kiteboarding, Northsails, ION and Fanatic, Boards & More." Subsequently, the North click bar took things up a notch and now it's pretty much $1,000 - just for a bar. To make a very good bar, all that's required are a few bits of rope, a cleat and a metal bar with a bit of rubber covering it. Is that really worth $1000? Only when you add a lot of marketing BS to justify it! We'd rather see prices about half that much, fewer gadgets and more reliability.

The bottom line is that kiting is no longer a sport controlled and driven by those who are passionate about it. Instead, it is largely controlled by profiteers with no passion for the sport. This wonderfully accessible sport is now becoming considered as a sport for the rich. For those of us that used to be into windsurfing, we've seen where corporate control can take a sport. Into places where a trailer load of highly specialist and very expensive gear is required to participate. This kills the growth of a sport. In 2008 there were 1.31M windsurfers in the USA. In 2013, there were 1.32 M. No real growth in 5 years because the complexity and high costs stunted the sport's growth. Newbies become overwhelmed. People can't afford to stay up to date so they drop out. A few probably took up kiting! Anyway, at Buzz kites, we think that it's time for us to wrestle back control of our sport...before it's too late. So here is our mission:

Our mission is to build a dedicated community of kiters who work together to provide a range of quality, high-performance, affordable gear and wonderful kiting adventures. We will also find ways to help more people out on the water safely enjoying the pleasures of this wonderful sport."

1. This is not anecdotal evidence. Do the research on the brands mentioned and you will see the facts. Defaming is telling lies about a brand (as goes on here) and all we are doing is repeating facts.
2. The complexity of small manufactured components combined with salt and sand will most probably reduce reliability over the long term compared to a simple cleat. I think that is obvious to most clear thinking people.
Our overall interest is stated in our mission. If you are happy to entrust the future of our wonderful sport to huge corporations then keep battling on their behalf by all means. We will keep doing what we believe in too.

The switch kites look good value for money and look to be up todate with specs technology etc compared to buzz

They certainly appear to be very good value. I had a mate who rode on Switch kites. One day he rode on my Buzz design (ie Griffin AX) and couldn't believe how much better it was. That was a couple of years ago, so maybe their designs have changed. Ride a Switch and try out the Buzz Harmony and see if you notice the difference.

Select to expand quote

Richoa said..

cauncy said..
I reckon 90% of the yes vote campaign came from this topics commenters ,
Don't bag gear that you've never rode, yeh we know the colours naff bla bla but fact is the kite is a nice kite to fly, f......g plain n simple

This the way you come out

I think I'm in the 10%

So what's the problem with big companies owning kite brands?

It doesn't appear to make them more expensive, they aren't that much more expensive than 15 years ago, the quality does seem better.

So what's the problem?

Select to expand quote

bjw said..
So what's the problem with big companies owning kite brands?

It doesn't appear to make them more expensive, they aren't that much more expensive than 15 years ago, the quality does seem better.

So what's the problem?

The problem with big companies is they have to have levels of management to

manage quality control
Brand management
employ designers and technicians with qualifications or reputations on delivered inovation
planning and strategic production strategies
Employ Pro team riders to do how to videos
set up global distribution network and support to protect brand reputation
R&D to maintain or increase market share
invest money in sport to promote involvement
multiple models from niche specific kites to allrounders
etc

All this fat makes them so much dearer and all these top line people just sitting doing meetings

It makes them so much dearer and crappy product out comes.

for instance I bought a big brand kite for $1200 13m 2017 model new and in process of buying 10m 2018 same brand for $1350

so $2550 dollars with a extended 6 month warranty from manufacturer

Hang on a minute I could of got a Buzz circa 2012, 12 and 10.5 for $2468. Yes big companies are ****e!
Do Buzz use Australian sailmakers, don't think so?
Do BuZZ employ any Australians as a primary income, not sure but don't think so?
Do BuZZ employ anyone as a primary income, or plan to in the future beyond current batch of blue kites. Not sure but dont think so?
Do BuZZ have offering of multiple styles of kite or R & D projects, not sure don't think so?
Do Buzz put money back into Australian or global community to promote the sport, not sure but don't think so?

Select to expand quote

wave6ft said..

Buzz Kites (Lee) said..

Bulli1Bravo said..
The Buzz Kite Website is a joke. Inferring North Click bar is unreliable and naming brands on anecdotal evidence not only makes Buzz look inexperienced but also touches on defaming those brands IP.

Here's what's on the web site:
"In a 2001 Time magazine interview, Pete Cabrinha said: "When you're upside down looking up at the kite, time just stands still." He was absolutely right about that. As you know, a decent two-hour session of kite surfing is a brain reset almost equivalent to a 7-day meditation retreat! However, Pete was also dead wrong. While we were looking up at our kites, time didn't stand still. Kite surfing grew up. Today, big corporations are behind many names we know and love.

Cabrinha grew from a nice little company run by passionate watermen to became a subsidiary of the Pryde Group - a Hong Kong based Sports Group. Then, the Shriro group (another Chinese company) took over. This company has over 3500 employees and operations in more than 40 countries. We're guessing that the directors (see pic) have never kite surfed and never will. The future of this amazing sport is not mentioned on their web site but you can read their stated financial goal: "to provide best returns to our investments and to maximize the long-term shareholder value".

I'm not knocking Cabrinha because they usually have great gear. However, to achieve "the best returns", a Cabrinha beginner package is $3,800. A kite is over $2,000. For most people, that's a whole lot of money. We'd rather see prices several hundred dollars less and I'm guessing you would too.

Cabrinha are not alone. On the 28th of November 2013 EMERAM Capital Partners GmbH, Munich, announced the acquisition of Boards & More Group "With its four high-performance brands North Kiteboarding, Northsails, ION and Fanatic, Boards & More." Subsequently, the North click bar took things up a notch and now it's pretty much $1,000 - just for a bar. To make a very good bar, all that's required are a few bits of rope, a cleat and a metal bar with a bit of rubber covering it. Is that really worth $1000? Only when you add a lot of marketing BS to justify it! We'd rather see prices about half that much, fewer gadgets and more reliability.

The bottom line is that kiting is no longer a sport controlled and driven by those who are passionate about it. Instead, it is largely controlled by profiteers with no passion for the sport. This wonderfully accessible sport is now becoming considered as a sport for the rich. For those of us that used to be into windsurfing, we've seen where corporate control can take a sport. Into places where a trailer load of highly specialist and very expensive gear is required to participate. This kills the growth of a sport. In 2008 there were 1.31M windsurfers in the USA. In 2013, there were 1.32 M. No real growth in 5 years because the complexity and high costs stunted the sport's growth. Newbies become overwhelmed. People can't afford to stay up to date so they drop out. A few probably took up kiting! Anyway, at Buzz kites, we think that it's time for us to wrestle back control of our sport...before it's too late. So here is our mission:

Our mission is to build a dedicated community of kiters who work together to provide a range of quality, high-performance, affordable gear and wonderful kiting adventures. We will also find ways to help more people out on the water safely enjoying the pleasures of this wonderful sport."

1. This is not anecdotal evidence. Do the research on the brands mentioned and you will see the facts. Defaming is telling lies about a brand (as goes on here) and all we are doing is repeating facts.
2. The complexity of small manufactured components combined with salt and sand will most probably reduce reliability over the long term compared to a simple cleat. I think that is obvious to most clear thinking people.
Our overall interest is stated in our mission. If you are happy to entrust the future of our wonderful sport to huge corporations then keep battling on their behalf by all means. We will keep doing what we believe in too.

The switch kites look good value for money and look to be up todate with specs technology etc compared to buzz

As mentioned, I could pick up a 2017 Dice for the same or cheaper price than a Buzz. The bars are more expensive, but lets be honest here, the buzz bars aren't close to the quality of the cabrinha or north bars that are more expensive.

As for the click bars, it's an option. Don't want it, don't take it. Some people will spend that on a bar, some won't but I bought 2017 gear, paid a lot less than normal retail and probably spent less than a buzz kite and bar and received a north dice and click bar. At the end of the day, the north will have much better resale value so it's still better value for money.

i am venturing out also, i am making kite sleeves - kinda like tattoo sleeves, they are super light and only positively impact on the flying characteristics of a kite. The idea is that you can then buy the best performance kite you can find and dont have to worry if it looks bad. Just buy it wack on a sleeve and off you go - you can colour co ordinate to your boardies, hair, board etc. You can get a sleeve of your face, favorite rapper (probs the dude from married at first sight), michael jackson or buzzby the bee (kids tv show)