sir ROWDY said...

Glokite said..

All good being able to hold down a 17 zephyr but its more fun being on a smaller kite that's powered and boosting then lol

Yeah of course it is... But what about when it's only windy like that for 5mins and then you gotta go in again because your kite is too small??? I would much prefer hold on for that little bit and then continue to kite on a 17 when others can't and that's exactly as I did.

True true

Dl33ta said..

pearl said..

^^^^^^^ Blade fat lady ^^^^^^^ (beat me by a secound) .. I'm getting great low end out of a 10m 2014 reo at my weight, so the blade is in buy and sell. We have a bit more puff down here than in the tropics though. At 65kg you have a few options

What's your weight and bottom end on the reo pearl? Was thinking of an 8, 10 combo myself?

Love the fat lady up to 12 knots, tried a different knot setting the other day and it goes even better.

First fat lady story. Last year I demoed a zephyr and fat lady. It wasn't back to back, but I felt the fat lady was a lighter, more agile kite. Although I love ozones, I purchased the fat lady as was also offered it for considerably less $ than the zephyr, to give blades a go. I'm 73 kg and only ride strapless surfboards. I can get going when there are no visible whitecaps, no current assist, but will only be mowing and struggle to hold ground 8- 10kn readings at lighthouse). I can ride waves 12kn and start to feel overpowered in 19kn. I'm in northern NSW so these are not tropical wind strength ranges. The problem for me with big kites and strapless surfboards is you end up where the kite wants you, and not where I would like to be on the wave. ie in light winds you will get maybe a single hit or re-entry. When it picks up, you can get pulled around. I feel it would suit a person who is strapped and more into jumping; or a heavier board rider than me.
Fast forward to this year. Sold a 6,8,10 reo combo (2013) and have 2014 reo 10, 7 combo. These 2 kites get me out in almost anything, but I won't be covered for high wind, storms as well as last season. I wouldn't go a 10 8 combo as they are a different powered kite this year. Last years just sat there and were great for just purely riding waves. This year they have more punt and surge on the bar. (they can still be drifted) I can get going on the 10 in 12kn on chunky board. A local instructor was out on light wind stuff the other day and I could match his tack on reo. Hence me getting rid of the fat lady. Too much overlap with the new reo. I just reach for it every time. With the benefit of hindsight and unlimited wallet, I would have chosen 9 7 5 reo. The sweet sizes feel lower down this year. A friend who was given a 6 8 10 12 combo and is heavier than me has been riding the 6 the most often. It has been a windy season here, but still he sold the 12 and is considering getting a 5. I'm shocked the range I get out of my 7m. So in answer to your question, I would get 10 7. Ask a retailers opinion as well.
Sorry to put reo stuff on your big kite thread. I'm not suggesting they replace a big kite for others as well.

That's funny Pearl as I have totally the oppose experience with big kite wave riding haha. I feel as though I have more range of motion and can do things that aren't typically possible for me when it's windier. Perhaps it's just the difference of locations we kite and the direction of the wind or something, or maybe the kite?

sir ROWDY said..

That's funny Pearl as I have totally the oppose experience with big kite wave riding haha. I feel as though I have more range of motion and can do things that aren't typically possible for me when it's windier. Perhaps it's just the difference of locations we kite and the direction of the wind or something, or maybe the kite?

Down the line doesn't work with big kites in light wind. you simply loose line tension. The wave can go faster than the wind theres no way to effectively drift a kite faster than the wind speed. You can loop like a madman but that sometimes isn't enough. High wind is the better for down the line riding. The kite can drift with the with the wind speed and the speed of the wave. plus you have ample wind to crank back upwind again.

But upwind wave riding is better in light wind. you now longer get pulled off the face or have to edge hard to stay on the face. You can ride the wave faces nicely without much impact from the kite. You can also use apparent speed from the wave crank a better upwind angle!.

PS this is for cross to cross on conditions.

Plummet said..


Down the line doesn't work with big kites in light wind. you simply loose line tension. The wave can go faster than the wind theres no way to effectively drift a kite faster than the wind speed. You can loop like a madman but that sometimes isn't enough. High wind is the better for down the line riding. The kite can drift with the with the wind speed and the speed of the wave. plus you have ample wind to crank back upwind again.

But upwind wave riding is better in light wind. you now longer get pulled off the face or have to edge hard to stay on the face. You can ride the wave faces nicely without much impact from the kite. You can also use apparent speed from the wave crank a better upwind angle!.

PS this is for cross to cross on conditions.

I gotta be annoying again and say I disagree haha. I find down the line to often work better with a big kite, because when it's really onshore with a big kite it's harder to edge it into the wind enough to get vertical. Down the line with a big kite for me is great, if the wind is a nice cross shore direction it will just follow me down the line the whole wave not really pulling much at all, but as Pearl pointed out maybe that is also due to the fact that I'm unhooked a lot.

p.s. Maybe you're right @Pearl but I think it comes down to location a bit and also maybe the un-hooked factor as you pointed out. Next time I see you I will take out the Tomo for sure.

pearl said..

Dl33ta said..

pearl said..

^^^^^^^ Blade fat lady ^^^^^^^ (beat me by a secound) .. I'm getting great low end out of a 10m 2014 reo at my weight, so the blade is in buy and sell. We have a bit more puff down here than in the tropics though. At 65kg you have a few options

What's your weight and bottom end on the reo pearl? Was thinking of an 8, 10 combo myself?

Love the fat lady up to 12 knots, tried a different knot setting the other day and it goes even better.

First fat lady story. Last year I demoed a zephyr and fat lady. It wasn't back to back, but I felt the fat lady was a lighter, more agile kite. Although I love ozones, I purchased the fat lady as was also offered it for considerably less $ than the zephyr, to give blades a go. I'm 73 kg and only ride strapless surfboards. I can get going when there are no visible whitecaps, no current assist, but will only be mowing and struggle to hold ground 8- 10kn readings at lighthouse). I can ride waves 12kn and start to feel overpowered in 19kn. I'm in northern NSW so these are not tropical wind strength ranges. The problem for me with big kites and strapless surfboards is you end up where the kite wants you, and not where I would like to be on the wave. ie in light winds you will get maybe a single hit or re-entry. When it picks up, you can get pulled around. I feel it would suit a person who is strapped and more into jumping; or a heavier board rider than me.
Fast forward to this year. Sold a 6,8,10 reo combo (2013) and have 2014 reo 10, 7 combo. These 2 kites get me out in almost anything, but I won't be covered for high wind, storms as well as last season. I wouldn't go a 10 8 combo as they are a different powered kite this year. Last years just sat there and were great for just purely riding waves. This year they have more punt and surge on the bar. (they can still be drifted) I can get going on the 10 in 12kn on chunky board. A local instructor was out on light wind stuff the other day and I could match his tack on reo. Hence me getting rid of the fat lady. Too much overlap with the new reo. I just reach for it every time. With the benefit of hindsight and unlimited wallet, I would have chosen 9 7 5 reo. The sweet sizes feel lower down this year. A friend who was given a 6 8 10 12 combo and is heavier than me has been riding the 6 the most often. It has been a windy season here, but still he sold the 12 and is considering getting a 5. I'm shocked the range I get out of my 7m. So in answer to your question, I would get 10 7. Ask a retailers opinion as well.
Sorry to put reo stuff on your big kite thread. I'm not suggesting they replace a big kite for others as well.

Awesome info thanks!

Yes demo. Zephyr for me. Still my fav kite.

KiteDesigner said..

Ozone = High aspect no pulleys

Holden = 2 doors, 4 Cylinders

rode a few light wind kites, for fast turning the epic infinity or blade but this is as good as they get compared to the new zephyr, dont link the older model to the new its a completly different feeling kite, its not the fastest of all the big kites in the turn never tried the bottom end as im not a good lightwind rider , around 14knts im loving it and had it out mid 20s with no hassles, if your looking to improve your tricks then the new zephyr is a great kite for this, very forgiving with an instant power response when reqd, in the correct winds it feels like your hooked into a sky hook

Kitepower Australia said..

Plus with a Zephyr, you can ride it unhooked, boost really well with long floaty jumps, kiteloop it and well endowed young women will adore you.

Yes yes, I know what ur saying. Was out on my new Zephyr the other day when this woman would noooot leave me alone.......



"Is that a Zephyr" she said..... "Have ur way with me now" she said.....nag, nag, nag

Gilly3 said..

Kitepower Australia said..

Plus with a Zephyr, you can ride it unhooked, boost really well with long floaty jumps, kiteloop it and well endowed young women will adore you.

Yes yes, I know what ur saying. Was out on my new Zephyr the other day when this woman would noooot leave me alone.......



"Is that a Zephyr" she said..... "Have ur way with me now" she said.....nag, nag, nag

damn! empires have risen and fallen over such creatures...can't stop looking at it...I need a few minutes guys...

@Dafish Have you completely lost your sense of humour? Obviously I was taking the piss. I have not ridden the Zephyr and TRX back to back, but I have ridden side by side with a well known dealer of those kites and he ended up down wind and walking then gave up, I kept riding. I've witnessed similar recently at Merrimbula too, and at other place and times. Zephyr's sell themselves, I just wanted to add my 2c worth, based on my experience. If I was out in surf in light winds I would not be on either, I'd be on something better suited for the job like a Reo or Catalyst. The Zephyr turns just fine, but not pivotal and does not lose power in the turn, and could and has been ridden in surf, as others above have stated. If you think and prefer the TRX in the surf great, but please allow me to have the same right to state my opinion as you.

Fair enough...I can smile now :) Humor is now back on board.
At least now you have commented on your comparisons, and how you reached your point. That was my point. Carry on!
Just out of curiosity, how low can you go with the cat or reo and what size?
Cheers

Gilly3 said..

Kitepower Australia said..

Plus with a Zephyr, you can ride it unhooked, boost really well with long floaty jumps, kiteloop it and well endowed young women will adore you.

Yes yes, I know what ur saying. Was out on my new Zephyr the other day when this woman would noooot leave me alone.......



"Is that a Zephyr" she said..... "Have ur way with me now" she said.....nag, nag, nag

the small bar caught my eye, try it on the correct bar its an even better reacting kite

Cheers cauncy, thanks for the heads up. I just went and measured it, but am a bit unsure where the measurement should be taken from. To outside of end caps is 60cm, inside end caps is 50cm. I have read on SB somewhere that it should be 54cm? but is that between the end caps? BTW if I do require a wider bar and this kite gets any better, I'm gonna have to go and have another w**k

Thanks KP, just went and re-measured it at the points you mentioned, and it is 54cm.
Phew........saved me some skin