I'm no different to everyone else when I buy a new toy, I want to share my stoke with anyone that will listen. I've procrastinated over the decision for a fair while, after demoing several kites that I had narrowed it down to I settled on the OR Rise.

The Rise is OR's appointed Hybrid kite, they come in 3 colours red, yellow and blue. As you will see in the photo's I went for the red in 8m and 12m.

So from the start I checked the bag out as my other kites bags were a pain in the rear with metal zips and awkward entry for putting the kite into the bag. This bag looks heavy duty in all regards, plastic zips and option to extend the bag to fit with struts left inflated.
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=5509&shownew=on

But onto the more important things like kites construction. This kite has all the scuff pads in the right places as most current kites do, But OR have a few more little details. For example the leading edge seam has been wrapped in a material and rotated around under the canopy more, as in pic. The other noticeable difference is the SHOX STRIP, which I would imagine would prevent any canopy tear from going from LE to TE. Which could save some big bucks if you were unlucky to have a big blow out. see pics.
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=5512&shownew=on
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=5511&shownew=on

Now the set up, Yes it's a one pump which I do like. You can isolate individual struts as per usual with the clamps, there are little differences like they don't use poxy little cable ties to secure the pipes. Instead there are high quality heavy duty locks which can be undone and reused, which would come in handy if your on a trip and need to do some running maintenance. Wouldn't you spew if you couldn't kite because of a cable tie. The bridles are not overly long (compared to the helix I looked at last night) but to prevent them getting caught on obstacles you can use the Velcro on the inside of the LE to tie them away until ready to attach your lines.

The bar and lines IMO are pretty sweet. They come with 21m lines with 3m extensions. The bar has a nice feel to it, the chicken loop maybe a bit small. I'm not at unhooking stage yet, so I'll suppose I'll find out in the next 6 months what I'll think about that. I do like the depower adjustment being a cleat system, the rope could be a couple mm thicker but a guess I'll find that out in the next 6 months also.

So how's it fly your asking, well I'm no pro so I won't pretend I know everything. I'm amazed how user friendly it is compared to my old C kite, It has all the same characteristics as my C's but enables me to keep flying with the option of depower in gusts or if it picks up during a session. It has a high wind and low wind attachment point for the front lines, fast and slow turning attachment points for the back lines. These options make me feel like I now have 3 kites in 2. I have played around and flown both kites in the different settings and they do work as designed. I flew the 12m yesterday in 15 knots, it was in the light wind setting on 21m lines I weigh 95kg's, I had to depower most the session. Out classed my old 14m C kite in every regard.

I know it's not a comprehensive review, but I'm extremely happy with my new kites and wanted to share with those interested. Ocean Rodeo for those that don't know are a Canadian Company, I wondered why I never saw them in the sky locally. It appears there has been a distributor over East for some time but our local instructor has just become the WA distributor so I got mine off him. I think once the demo's gets flown this summer you will see alot more in the sky. I think he has only a 10m left for demo as everyone that has had a fly have ended up purchasing.
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=5510&shownew=on

Be good to hear from others that have these kites.

Nice one! Sounds and looks great. Do you know if the 10m is out of its wrapper yet? Last time i checked it was still packed up tight.

I believe the 10m is available to demo as it is the last left from the initial stock that came in. After riding the 12m in 15knots at my weight , that 10m would be just right for someone in the 80-90kg range in 15knots on a early planning board.

When I said it's similar to my C kites I mean it pulls the same and is 2m smaller, but definitely turns that bit better. The bars not as heavy, just right for how I like it. The stopper is awesome like cruise control, just set it and steer when cruising.

I've replaced my 10m and 14m C kites with the 8m and 12m hybrid. So Meerkat if you going to line up a demo on the 10m perhaps try for a day where you would normally use an 11m or 12m.

Here's some details on manufactures specifics
http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/kites.php

quote:

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Originally posted by Blaster

I believe the 10m is available to demo as it is the last left from the initial stock that came in.

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cool.

quote:

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Originally posted by Blaster
perhaps try for a day where you would normally use an 11m or 12m.

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not a big fan of that size kites at the moment. Sounds like i should be trying the 8m. Wonder if he has any more coming in? will ring him. cheers sam.

Used the OR rise 07 yesterday thanks Jason (West Oz)

Me - 06 Sonic rider (used to very low bar pressure and like it) kited for 6 years 110kg surfboard with straps waves only no tricks(old dog)self sponsored so will have to go through finance committee(wife). Have tried Rev and Royal(briefly) as well.

Session 2hrs Mullaloo cross onshore 2ft.

The good - construction, one pump, simple bar, turns sweetly especially bottom turning down the line.

The bad - bar pressure linked front and back bridle not my cup of tea will try the mod to lower the pressure, depower strap seemed to have little effect need more sessions to suss this. Constant pull gave me arm pump same as the Rev.

Overall solid kite I will try the mod and report back. I preferred the Rise to the Rev which I tried in better conditions mainly for the Rise's turning characteristics. Both good kites.

If you are looking at SLE kites definitely try this one.

Cheers Andrew

Session 2 (With bridle mod) 4hrs 12 – 25 knots WNW cross onshore 1 – 2 ft

The Good – solid construction I like the finish and reinforcing, one pump, simple bar with long throw, moveable stopper, turns sweetly especially bottom turning down the line. De-power was better as you could see the back lines become slack. Mod on the bridle is the go! (see photo) light bar pressure easier to trim, you can feel the tension decrease on the back lines and it still turns well. Vastly improved no arm pump.

The bad – Due to its heavier construction (I think) the Rise is not as aerodynamically efficient as the Sonic, it tends to pull more at the edge of the window when compared to the Sonic (harder to do the walk of shame back up the beach) and is not as good upwind, bare in mind the Sonic is exceptional.

If you are looking at SLE kites definitely try.
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=6097
www.seabreeze.com.au/gallery/gallery.asp?imageid=6096

Hey hilly,

I tend to agree with you about the mod. I resisted the mod for some time due to the fact I do like to feel like I've had a work out as well as a kite, after going out on consecutive days recently I was feeling it a bit in the arms. Instead of havng a break I applied the mods and went out again, it took some adjusting to the feel as I came from 'c' kites and got used to bar pressure, but after a short time it was all good. I felt like some of the kites charateristics became more enhanced in the mod to.

I do like the fact the mod takes a few seconds to do and is reversable. I believe the 08 bridle can be put straight on the 07's.

Interesting enough I was speaking with Jas about kite size's the other day. I'm finding myself needing smaller than a 8m once it gets near the mid 20knots. I'm about 95kg's and have used the 8m more than the 12m so far, I'm using the 8m when most the others are on 10's.

I definately would get a 6 and 10 if I was going to be doing trips North of Lano during the season. I'm saying that because personally I prefer to work the kite a little bit to get going than be overpowered. If you've got the money and are looking at a 3 kite quiver then I'd include the 14m. IMO those sizes would have someone weighing around 100kg's coverage from 10-40 knots.(Taking board size/type into account of course)

Let me know what you think on the venturi's. It would be interesting to hear your thought's on the differences.

Cheer's Sam

I am not that keen on big kites, I only use a surfboard, so I have gone off the 14. Thinking of going the 8, 10 and 12 for me then when the wife starts kiting this year talk her into the 6. She won't kite when it is 25 knots plus anyway.

Good to hear the 8 is a good kite (really like that size loved the Sonic 8m) and you enjoy the bridle mod. Talk on kiteforum is the 08 bridle is a huge improvement and can be retro fitted to the 07 Rises.

Come on Jas where are those venturi's??? And Huey where is the swell??

Cheers Andrew