I am surprised no one has mentioned the Slingshot Rally.
By all accounts it seems to be stable, drifts well, goes upwind well and boosts great. The 2013 is reported a little slower than the 2012 though.

I havent demo'd one but will try and do so in the next week or two subject to wind. I dont believe it will drift as well as the Reo but it will give you a little more play and if the waves arent great I think the 'play aspect is a slightly better option.'

I also want to test a North Evo, although I believe the upwind ability is a little weak and in the shore break I ride there is a lot of downwind sweep from the current, which would make it hard work.

Having said that I dont think you could go wrong with any of the kites mentioned above. I have mentioned it in another post but we are spoilt for choice which is a good thing but makes choosing the right kite confusing.

heres some thing for you to consider.

the performance of the kite is directly linked to apsect ratio. long and thin is high aspect, short and fat is low aspect.

high aspect kites, go upwind the best, boost and glide the best and produce the fastest board. They generally create more power for their size. They turn the slowest, relaunch the worst and go down wind/drift the worst and generally have less depower at the bar.

Low aspect kites have the most depower at the bar, turn the fasted, relaunch the best, drift and down wind the best. They go upwind the worst, boost and glide less.

Aspect ratio is to the only factor that influences kite performance. The shape and style do also. C, Hybrid C, Delta, Sle, foil.... alll give different perfomance.


Wave kites are firmly in the low aspect camp. They need to be to drift and down wind well. none of them will boost or go upwind aswell as there higher aspect brothers....

What i'm trying to say is there is no magicall kite that does it all. you have to choose a compromise between the variables i listed above

Plummet said...
Wave kites are firmly in the low aspect camp.

the C4's long & skinny, and it's no slouch in the waves
(powered wave riding that is)

that said, i'm gonna give the ScreamerLTD a go

Plummet said...
heres some thing for you to consider.

the performance of the kite is directly linked to apsect ratio. long and thin is high aspect, short and fat is low aspect.

high aspect kites, go upwind the best, boost and glide the best and produce the fastest board. They generally create more power for their size. They turn the slowest, relaunch the worst and go down wind/drift the worst and generally have less depower at the bar.

Low aspect kites have the most depower at the bar, turn the fasted, relaunch the best, drift and down wind the best. They go upwind the worst, boost and glide less.

Aspect ratio is to the only factor that influences kite performance. The shape and style do also. C, Hybrid C, Delta, Sle, foil.... alll give different perfomance.


Wave kites are firmly in the low aspect camp. They need to be to drift and down wind well. none of them will boost or go upwind aswell as there higher aspect brothers....

What i'm trying to say is there is no magicall kite that does it all. you have to choose a compromise between the variables i listed above

Try the new park, I think you'll be surprised what an all rounder can do

Anyone else riding with a Peter Lynn ? i'm using a 9 -11 Escape and for myself i find the kite does everthing from park and ride to wangin around fully powered , these kites do everthing with ease.
The kite wasn't aimed at the surf but jeez it works well in it
I was using a BWS 8 ,i did like the kite for surfing but felt it restrictive with anything else, even trying to boost over a wave getting out the back felt like someone had the handbrake on,the Escape will boost with a twitch of the bar and not move from it's path,it turns fast or will pivot,seems to drift really well,bloody excellent wind range,looks nice, good build,,,give one a try,, i think anyone would be impressed

Will my North 4 line bar work on an ozone Reo? I want one!

toppleover said...
When I first got my Reo,s I used a 2011 North 4 line bar a few times, then got the Ozone bar.

The main problem is that the safety,s are not compatible- North flag to both front & Ozone flag to only one front. Have also heard that the way the front lines split on the North bar can affect the kites performance.

Kiting with out a safety isn't much fun - wouldn't recommenced it.

The safety issue aside as I'm not that familiar with either kite that's my experience too, on kites with thinish leading edges the possition of the Y in the front lines is important, if the bridles aren't designed for the Y to be high up and it is (as it is on the North bar) when the kite is under load it will tend to try and fold the kite in half resulting in loss of power and poor handling.

bottom end of my 8m cat for my 82 pie weight 20 knots. top end 40 knots. the sweet zone 25-35.

I have the new Core GTS (size8) that i find to be great for my wave riding.
I weigh 94 kg and ride a 6' directional. Having flown the previous models (GT, and GTS1) this kite is faster and goes upwind better. The sweet spot for the 8 square meter (with me) lies between 17-30 knots(I can get going in 15 knots but have to work it hard and over 30 knots becomes like a "jellyfish" ). I mostly ride onshore (wind direction) waves and cannot really comment to much on the "drifting" type down the line riding as I have not flown other brands to compare it to. It seems fine to me when I do ride it down the line though.
My comments are purely compared to the previous Core models.
O yes, and the kite loops like a dream (yes with a strapped directional)

general_dude said...

Hi guys,

Just taken to the waves on a directional board.
In the market for newish kite (prob have to go for last seasons)

Suggestions?
3 strut vs 5 struts - does it really make any difference?
What qualities should I look for? Quick turning? Park and ride?

Thanks
GD

Hi GD, this is cool. I did the same couple of years back and no longer uses twintips ;-)
I ride a 3 struts, with quick turning that has some park and ride abilities. In my personal opinion, less struts is better as the kite is lighter. All of the suggestions made by our friends are good suggestions, comes down to personal taste and experience really. I have used ocean rodeos, airush, ozones, and tried bws. They all have differences of their own. I have recently settled for switch kites, as they have a dedicated wave kite called the method. Again, in my personal opinion and from personal experiences, the wind range is excellent, I was riding a quiver of 2 kites last year and this year I will be adding a 3rd size (need to get out in 11-15knots ;-))

The method is a fast kite. I love it and personally would not change it. The construction is as good if not better than other popular brands on the market - again, I can only compare to the kites I have owned. You will need a solid kite if you intend to play in the waves, as waves can be very destructive. Mine have gone through several "washing cycles" in heavy surf and are still in "A-1" conditions.
The only drawback from the 2012 model is the bar-pressure being a bit heavy, but again, I like it as it reminds me of some of 2008 kites I previously owned which I loved. Apparently the bar pressure is lighter on the method v2 which is out now (2013 model).

Anyway, whatever you choose will be a good choice! Just get used to your kite, enjoy the time on the water and see you out there!!!!

Cheers mate
Waveridor

puppetonastring said...
Cant see how you can get a kite that "fits" in both cases.

Why not? my little 6m reo is like an angry wasp when i want it to be.... or hold it bar out with one hand in the center of the bar and its slow and docile and drifts back nicely.

^^^ Yes not just the 6m, but even the 10m Reo is so workable yet still sits and drifts if you want.

I have been demoing the 9m Airush Wave for the last two days and I am stoked.

Brilliant kite, rides a little different to my current quiver of kites. Loves to stay in the sky, feels really easy and responsive in light conditions and generates power easily.

You can park and ride it or go turn for turn. Seams a little smaller than my 9 but could be due to the more C shape. I have a 10m RPM (older model) and I reckon the Wave out performs it any day

Really great kite, you got to try it - returning it back to Airborne tomorrow ( which is a bit of a bummer).

Rich

puppetonastring said...

pezza said...
puppet why wouldn't you get one that does both. why limit yourself to one style, when really its the wave and conditions that determine how you ride.

I think you missed the point pezza.
Some like a fast - lots of rider input needed all the time - type kite.
If you are flying your kite the whole time you are playing in amongst waves then these mosquito type styles are great. You & your kite & your board & the wave all the time.

Some like it so its suited to 'park & ride'. So slower turning; sits down the line waiting for you to speak up; stays out of the way while you are "surfing".
You & your board & the wave and thats all till you need to pull through a section or head back out.
Cant see how you can get a kite that "fits" in both cases.

nope i got the point I just don't agree that you can't get a kite that does both. a couple that I have tested recently do both (ozone reo and airush wave).

for me I like a kite that does both because I dont always ride in the same conditions. if the wave allows you to ride down the line then you want the kite to drift, if its more onshore stuff (like perth) then you want something fast. just my opinion