QLD
2797 posts
niall nobody mentioned upwind riding or dangling on the bar, both of which are hideous in my opinion. i'm not sure what you are trying to say.
WA
637 posts
...this tread comes out of dead in ridiculous frequency........all those sensible posts in the last year must have gone into vanity...
...it is SO OBVIOUS: there is no ideal wave kite for all....
it depends on
* the stance of the rider
* what style of board they use
* if they had surfing background or not
* like to ride powered or glide on the surf
* wind direction to wave
* reef break or shore break
* riding style: arials or not, tricks or not, boosts or not....
* budget
I ride kites totally different from my mate's. I wouldn't ride his and he wouldn't like mine...but, yes, we both have great times.......
WA
637 posts
...to add...
today I rode a new board, and my kite I've been using last few months (with great satisfaction) was biting me at every turn
WA
108 posts
What I would I like in a wave kite …
• One pump
• Thin struts (because I am a lazy bastard and don’t like pumping kites)
• Once pumped properly, a stiff structure that won’t bow-tie when the kite is nailed by a wave
• Easy and quick relaunch
• Light kite
• Fast in the air
• Grunty, because you can use a smaller kite – waves, size matters and small is better
• light to control and twitchy – should be able to control the kite with one hand
• a big enough bag
• big enough tubes between the main and side struts, so when you let the air out, the kite gets soft quickly
• some bar pressure
• All kites in the quiver work for waves - some models are good on the smaller sizes but crap on the bigger sizes - by bigger, maximum size 12.
• A small kite (5) that can handle the holes when the wind is pumping
• a setup where the middle line/s don’t pinch and pull the skin between your fingers down the hole in the bar every time you power and depower.
• A stiff middle line through the bar so it doesn’t get caught round your fingers when the shyte hits the fan and the kite suddenly powers up while you are upside down and being thrashed under the wave that has just smacked you or you are launching
• Easy and cheap replacement on the parts that wear
• No hooks and things on the bar to catch the middle line and hold full power when self launching by yourself or after being nailed
• A soft bar that doesn’t tear holes into you or your board when you get turfed
• A short, light bar – one bar fits the whole quiver – 5,7,9 and 12
• Stiff strings so you get less knots, especially at the end near the kite that always gets frayed and into a fat tangle when you are in a rush
• Easy knot and un-knot tags on the lines that loop onto the kite
• No stretch in the strings - should get instant response when you power or depower, not a delayed, spongy reaction
• Safety line short so it doesn’t get in the way or get tangled and wrap around your parts when you have to ping off
• 5th line or enough depower so you can tie the donkey dick or line around a pole or tree or fence when landing or launching when you are kiting by yourself and the wind is nuking too much for self landing the standard way or there is limited space for self launching
• Max depower – when you gybe with you kite almost flat to the water or are riding into the wind, should be able to spill all the power
I am sure the moment I post this, I will think of another list!!
..bring it on...…
WA
752 posts
^^^^^ well if you're going to those lengths, why not add...
=> auto inflate ??
WA
108 posts
...lol.. I agree.. it won't be long 'til someone invents it!!
WA
752 posts
seems the new PL Charger may be the go ?
