Rider: Weight 77kg,Level beginner soon intermediate (I hope)
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle hope to race
My Comments:
Hey gang, i'm new the sport i've started on a north rebel 10m which is awesome. Though only having the 1 kite im looking to get out in some more breeze, looking loosely at the moment at 8m kites.
What are your thoughts? On brands etc
Be difficult to find an 8m kite that will suite all those styles?
Can you be more specific? Freestyle....and race?
What board you using and what water conditions do you kite in?
The race can come later.
In an 8m will be in 20-25 plus from what i understand, so this means down on m'ton peninsula it will generally be in bay waves, plus surf from time to time
At the moment i only have a twin tip though i do have surf boards i can use that im not to worried about.
So do you want to stay closer to the freeride that the rebel excels in...or do you want to move more towards surf style...or do you want to move towards a kite that does a little bit of both that can afford you to experiment with some freestyle...a transition kite?
I don't really know as yet, I guess I'd go something that would be a good all rounder.
North: Evo
Ozone: Catalyst (2013)
Wainmen: Gypsy (is it?)
Airush: Lithuim
Blade: Trigger
Naish: Park
Those are the all-rounders I would suggest.
Personally if ya love the rebels, you love the north feel, go with the evo.
Yep my bad...the epic renegade should be looked at to. Sorry east coast cc - I was thinking there is one more, but I was teaching specialist maths at the same time, give us a break!! Lol
Actually I was helping solve a proof by induction (and having some serious problems, which is always a worry 
) and was using my phone at the same time....ha ha
Then the Yr12 smart ass, tells me he got it off the net and it has been so far not proved and there is a million dollar prize for whoever does it!
He found it hilarious (and it was a decent prank i must admit) but at least my ego was left slightly in shape!
I would go the Cabrinha Switchblade 2013. I wouldnt get an older one as they won't suit. All kite's are quite fast in the smaller sizes but this kite has alot of feeling through the bar for the size.
Rebel if your going in waves and are still learning in my opinion isnt the best choice because if you drop it the 5th line can wrap around the kite. I have seen this happen to experienced kiters and they have had to release there kite.
The other brands and models that Eppo suggested could be ok too but you don't want an overly fast kite while learning.
The SB has a big range and will help in big airs, wakestyle and freestyle.
8M & 10M will give you heaps of x-over. Like too much (imo)
Id push it out a bit to at least a 7M to expand the available range.
Lots to be said for common kite quiver.
If you are looking at different brands/models to your Rebel then get some sound advice on the actual wind range of each kite. M2 rules dont cross all brands or all models.
Some 8M's might be a good mix with 10M Rebel - others might give the exact same wind range as your Rebel.
Be aware.
