Hi all,

I'm basically a beginner and contemplating buying a 2014 north rebel. I weight 95-100kgs and have been recommended a 10 meter rebel and a light wind kite approx 17 meters As a good quiver!! Or if I'm going for one kite only a 12 meter!!!

Ive already been sold old stock by shop previously that had it lying around and am keen to avoid this again as it was completely wrong for me - so just wondering what people thoughts were on the wind range of rebels and what is a good start up quiver for guy 95-100kgs.

does the Rebel fly smaller and have a larger wind range than the switchblade?

what size rebels would be best a 3 & 2 kite quiver of rebels?

cheers in advance

Heya Gambler,

Rebels are a great kite, are very refined and powerful for their size. However like all kites they have their good points and not so good points. I currently have a 2014 8m and 2013 12m and would happily purchase another if needed. I can't compare them to the Switchblade though.

B

Roughly the same or very slightly more power compared to a switchy judging by my observations of kiting with a buddy who has similar sized switchblades to my rebels. Im 85kg and a 7 and 11 rebel covered me on a surfboard. If you are 95 then I'd say an 8 and a 12. If you are on a twintip and are a beginner then maybe you need a little bigger but 17m is a BIGGGG kite. Better IMO to get a bigger board for light wind.

What are your local conditions like?

After the 2013 rebels, it's put me off north all together. Everything about it was poo, the performance l, build and even the way they looked. How ever If you can get your hands on the 2011 and 2012 rebels, they were absolute weapons.

At your weight I'd go the 12 even with a light wind kite, maybe down to an 11 if you thought a good summer season might strip some kilos off you. The Rebel has an insane top end and with the right board mix will have you grinning from 15-30 no worries.

Hi
have to agree with pintofpale.
I have a 17mtr and its not for the beginner in any wind.
When thing go bad with a 17 it really goes bad.Just so much to handle and hold.(new 17 core lw3)
Maybe be a 15 for light wind days till you pick up experience,but thing with learning is to
always kite with someone who can help you and keep eye on you.
Ive got a 15mtr rebel and love it.
bit more stuffing around with 5th line setup and battens in canopy.
Flys great very stable and solid and I would buy another one.
My 10mtr is a park,not for the beginner either I think.
5th line is great when you need to bail out though.
Have 14mtr dos bandit and have used is heaps in lighter wind. Great old kite.
Stable, easy and no fuss.
Im 78kg.

At your weight I would suggest you want about 1-2m more than a typical 78kgs person.

So 10m and 14m would be a decent 2 kite compromise. Light wind kiting is not a beginner skill and its a diminishing returns game - i.e. often better off with a bigger board than a bigger kite. I'd take the long view that if its too light for a 14m kite then you need to take up wakeboarding for the day :-)

I personally think the Rebel is a good beginner kite. I just wish I could afford them.

Buy a different brand and get 2 kites for one North kite.
Solves all your problems - don't believe marketing. It's the kitesurfer that makes the difference.

HI Gambler
its really hard to recommend kite sizes in Rebel or any brand without knowing where you are based.
In Perth a 95 kilo rider will ride a 10 Rebel (15-25 kts) as their everyday kite and a 7 rebel (22-35 kts) as their high wind kite
But you head to the east coast NSW and its a 12 and a 9, and the further north the bigger you go, 12 and 17 as you get closer to Northern Qld.
add your location to the post or your profile and maybe you can get some clearer advice.
regards
Toddy

i disagree Toddy - if your 100kg & your in Perth i would go a 9m & 12m. My mate who is 100kg has 2014 Rebels in these sizes & they are great kites.
Most of the time is on the 12 rather than the 9.
7m only needed in storms or in true 30+ kts winds

Select to expand quote

burnsy11 said..
i disagree Toddy - if your 100kg & your in Perth i would go a 9m & 12m. My mate who is 100kg has 2014 Rebels in these sizes & they are great kites.
Most of the time is on the 12 rather than the 9.
7m only needed in storms or in true 30+ kts winds

well Burnsy your mate is 100kg , and if that works for him and he prefers those sizes then awesome, we would recommend at 12/9 at 105-115kg
I am a 95kg, freerider, experienced enough to be efficient and I ride a 10m 2014 from 15-25 knots, and a 7m from 22 knots upwards, both with a 138 cm North Select.
I prefer to ride the kites without using the trim strap, by triming the 10m i can ride in up to 30, But trimming the kite changes the way that it feels to me.
I prefer to use a smaller kite, whip it round and generate power and speed and have fun!

Select to expand quote

Dl33ta said..
At your weight I'd go the 12 even with a light wind kite, maybe down to an 11 if you thought a good summer season might strip some kilos off you. The Rebel has an insane top end and with the right board mix will have you grinning from 15-30 no worries.

Select to expand quote

kemp90 said..
After the 2013 rebels, it's put me off north all together. Everything about it was poo, the performance l, build and even the way they looked. How ever If you can get your hands on the 2011 and 2012 rebels, they were absolute weapons.

Hi kemp90,
I'm interested in your opinion about the 2011 verses 2013/14 rebels.. I've got both a 2011 10m and a 2013 14m and am looking to upgrade my 10m to either a 2013/14. Can you be more specific about what your beef is with the 2013/14 models as I havent had any issues with my 14m but would like other users feedback. Is there an improvement in the 2014 over 2013?.

I have had no problems with my 10m and it flies great in case you were wondering...

cheers