Well I will be the first to admit that a lot of hype generally puts me off a product, but this time I stand corrected. Over the past seasons I've riden a range of kites from 7m to 20m and various brands, but never have I been so impressed by the new Crossbow.
The reason I kite is wave riding. The Crossbow delivers you into a new zone. You can ride waves in wind directions you never thought possible and truly ride the wave. I purchased a 16m and have been having a great day putting it through it's paces at Lancelin.
As you may have worked out I'm a big lad tipping the scales at 120Kg. Normally in todays wind conditions I would have been riding my 20m, then come in for the front went out on a 17m, then when it really blew jumped on my 14m.
But these days are no more the 16m corssbow replaces my 20m, 17m and 14m. The kites' range is amazing and not just "yes I can hang on", I am talking comfortable riding from 10 to 30 knots. It behaves very well in gusty conditions, which means I will be kiting on the north easterlies now.[}:)][}:)]
Wave riding you have power and can de-power fast so you can really ride the wave and do real cutbacks (up and down wind), carving bottom turns with real slashing top turns or air re-entries (i.e. just using board speed). Reef riding is just so easy and even the toughtest beach break is fun. Basically the Cabrinha Crossbow is the next step for wave riding.
The Crossbow is great upwind so you get back out to the break in one tack with little effort. The kite tends to stay in the air, so if you have to make a section and miss a turn you can. Due to it's performance you can kite more upwind to stay on difficult breaks or more down wind.
Basically the Crossbow will change how you wave ride or if you have not tried waves it will let you get out there. So if you are into riding waves try a Crossbow. I am so happy with mine I can't wait for tomorrow.
Only two downsides.
1. The waves are going to be crowed this spring, summer, autum, winter.
2. All your friends who don't have a Crossbow won't be able to keep up with you.
Way to go! You have just got me all amped up thinking about my trip up to Gnaraloo when I get my field break.
Have you done a solo launch in windy conditions?
I can back up the 10-30 knot call.
I was out yesterday at Brighton. I went out on my 16m Crossbow (first fly) I think the wind was 12 knots (everyone was walking back upo the beach on 12s, 13s and 14s) and was well powered and stayed up wind and I flew it straight through the squall that came through at lunch time and had all the same kites dragging people over the sand dunes.
All I did was pull the depower strap a bit.
Beach estimates reckoned it was over 30 knots during the squall.
Kite also felt very smooth in what must of been hell gusty conditions.
Cabrinha have a real winner.
Only downside was that one of my back lines got caught on the depower strap as I came out of a back roll and this flew the kite into the water. Can probably fix by putting some tape on the knot where the back flying lines attached to the bar (ie about 1 m from the bar)
Other than that, I am super happy and wish these were around when I learnt to kite.
Yeah have done a few using the old method (20 knots +), one downwind and one sideways rolly (light winds), but you need nice clean beach for the down wind and rolly's (not recommended for Gnarloo).
For old style I did not fold the wing putting the bulk of the sand (or my sand bag) to the back of the wing. For Gnarloo you really need a helper and there is a stretch of beach opersite the Bombie.
Tides will increase/decrease this beach so get a tide chart excert in Carnarvon from a fishing tackle shop (generally free) or check out tides on the web.
Like all new kites you need to go somewhere clean and work out what your happy with. I tend to favour old style with a sand bag.
I have been launching the kites from straight down wind in some pretty windy conditions. You have to put sand on the tailing edge, between the 2nd spar in and the 3rd from the tips. then rig your lines up, pop the depower bobble and walk back ward slowly with the kite completely sheeted out (bar all the way out). Havent had any issues yet. I recommend you try it in light winds first to get the hand off it. After that its easy. 
I'll give it a crack at gnarloo this weekend and see how the tides are.
Apparently its over 12 ft up there at the moment and getting bigger, scary stuff. 
later
dale
Sounds like your having a blast. I will try your suggestion next time out.
I have been able to self-launch easily when I have enough beach and clean sand. I just set up traditional manner with lines to the edge of the wind window. Then I remove the sand from the kite and run to bar, clip to leash, hook in and tug on the back line of the kite tip furthest from me; the kite will then swivel in to the window, power up, and then it is an easy launch from the edge. I'm 3 for 3 on this method....not in winds above 20 knots yet.
Did my first "mini-waveriding" yesterday. Managed to be out in very tough conditions for my level and body. It was nice to be in my Volvo learning all about swell and waves....I couln't have done it on any other kite that I know.
Launching crossbow directly downwind worked fine at Gnaraloo, especially with the super sharp reef hugging the waters edge. Whilst others had to stand on the reef and launch I managed to launch from the beach.
Jumping under the crossbow is pretty hard to do I found out today.....it does react much like a rammed air kite and autozeniths when you depower after getting in front of the kite on a poor jump experience. Pleasant bonus I thought
*Note: I work at SOS, we sell the Takoon Nova and GKSonic bow kites.
I've found the bow kites to have only medium turning speeds. Note Rich Stenning's lack of kite loops in the gravity games. Wave riding where only small movements of the kite are required is fine. But personally a faster kite is much more exciting for the waves.
The aspects of the bow kites you mentioned are all true. Massive windrange, great safety, lofty jumps (on the Takoon Nova at especially), easy relaunch, great safety system, and the ability to depower on the wave.
But for my money, on a wave, I want a faster kite that I can depower smoothly to 100% without letting go of the bar or pulling some leash, which is the RRD Wave Kite.
andy
try an f one m5, or now, much better f one impact, all your requests in your post are taken care of with this new kite, we just don't see them much in oz, balmoral boards in sydney have just started stocking them and have a demo in now I think. Give them ago will will never look back
Just wondering what would be a good size crossbow to get. I only weigh 75kg but kite in Geraldton and Perth. I get overpowered on my 10m airush in the wind which is an annoyance to me and the 16 m cabrinah rarely sees the water. Also i've heard prices in the order of $1800 which is a almost robbery. Any advice would be great.
Cheers
Brett
Nat from Pelican Point Windsports:
I'll be giving a demo session on a 12m Takoon Nova on Sunday 23/10. Call 93861830 if you are interested in coming along - if there is any wind hmmmmm.
Also arriving soon for demo is the F1 Impact, an 11m - can't wait to get a crack on that. Laters.
try the new switchblade...great depower, relaunch capabilitys. great wind range..all round good kite.
