I havnt been around on the Kitesurfing scene since 2007, mainly due to laziness and skydiving.
But I'm getting back in and getting some 2nd hand gear from 2007-8. Just curious to know what new kind of improvements have come around since then?
In 2007 the first FOne bandit was released, a delta kite. The design proved to be that popular that a lot of kite companies now have a delta style kite in there range. There have also been more companies releasing bridled c kites that give the kite a c kite feel but with a lot more depower. Bow kites have come and almost gone, in favour of a SLE kites which seem to be good alround kites, kites like the Cabrinah SB. There are also some C kites like the Fuel and Torch that have good depower and can suit intermediate riders well with there newer models. Naish sigma shape kites are slowly looking more like normal kites and are regaining attention with kites like the charger.
Get out and demo some gear, see what you like, what suits your style and stop being so lazy
Get 08' if you can. Nearly everyone got their shyte together then and brought out some really good gear.
Lots of lemons in 07 (even Kevin Rudd, aka 'Kevin-o-lemon')
Would it be fair to say that in real terms kite development has - despite the continual pimping and extreme hype - actually plateaud (sp?) over the last couple of years?
In my opinion, most kite from 2007/2008 would not be out of place on the beach today in terms of handling/safety. Sure newer kites may turn faster, have more depower, and have a different safety system, but to put the dates of kite development in perspective, my original Cabrinha Switchblade II kite was manufactured in in 2007 and is still every bit as usable as my new Switchblade IDS.
Fair call on the laziness and HTFU business.
The main change is now I have a fulltime job and am earning squillions...
Just went out and bought a new Airush trainer foil today to get my arms back into the feel of it, damn I have missed that feeling!!
Since the advent of the CrossBow which came in Red, Yellow and Gray they now use Greens and Flouresants.
Flouro kites have a better range and appeal to the chicks. They also make you jump higher (although they dont unhook).
Guys riding multi-coloured kite have been proven to get much more attention on the beach and respect however this does not guarantee any more sex.
The F-one now has great graphics too- so check them out, that might help with loops.
