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Opinions on the Best High Wind Kite

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Created by eppo > 9 months ago, 11 Mar 2011
eppo
WA, 9793 posts
11 Mar 2011 10:26AM
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What is your opinion on the most stable, gust eating kite and size for the 27-35 gusty days. (Any more than this I'm not interested.)

I ride a Cardboard Wave, 85kg, 10 years (11 seasons) experience.

I'm a old school, big air - rolls, transitions sort of dude, not wakestyle.

Have yet to find a kite that doesn't twitch, and everyone I've flown, flies too fast in these winds.

Ideas?

ps I'm sure this may be moved eventually.

pss If not the actual kite and brand, maybe also give the overall characteristics I should be looking for.

kkiter
NSW, 452 posts
11 Mar 2011 4:42PM
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Can't go past the new Ozone Edge for big air and hang time. Also very stable in gusty conditions.

NJPornstar
WA, 790 posts
11 Mar 2011 2:01PM
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8m ALIBI will totally rock your world in those conditions
Woodies kite shop in Perth can ship them in if you feel more confident purchasing from a local shop.

UP
WA, 69 posts
11 Mar 2011 2:33PM
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For 85 kg and +30 knots you will need something between 5m-7m

I started storm riding 2 years ago, small kites turning so fast that if you choose a fast turning kite in that size you have to keep your eye on the kite all the time.

I switched to a small (6m) beginner kite which help to slow down that size of kite

In storm riding the most important thing is that you can not afford to spend time to relaunch the kite, waves will destroy your kite and you'll be washed into your lines. get a kite that is auto relaunch

drewmouli
WA, 66 posts
11 Mar 2011 3:47PM
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ive been rocking out on a 2011 7meter north rebel for anything over 30 knots this season, Its responsive but not crazy, and you can pretty much fully de-power it. And it relaunches itself.

drewmouli
WA, 66 posts
11 Mar 2011 3:48PM
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UP said...

For 85 kg and +30 knots you will need something between 5m-7m

I started storm riding 2 years ago, small kites turning so fast that if you choose a fast turning kite in that size you have to keep your eye on the kite all the time.

I switched to a small (6m) beginner kite which help to slow down that size of kite

In storm riding the most important thing is that you can not afford to spend time to relaunch the kite, waves will destroy your kite and you'll be washed into your lines. get a kite that is auto relaunch


In storm riding ide be more worried about being hit by lightning then not being able to launch it in the water!

Coose
VIC, 229 posts
11 Mar 2011 6:56PM
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plastic bag and some string, works well for me in 50+ knots

winter
VIC, 155 posts
11 Mar 2011 10:36PM
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7m north vegas on freeride setting
Sweet ride always feel in control if you want to be

Bigwavedave
QLD, 2057 posts
11 Mar 2011 10:47PM
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north rebel- I'm in love!

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
12 Mar 2011 10:01AM
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Bigwavedave said...

north rebel- I'm in love!





Why dave, why? Talk kite design and reasons.

coreyb
WA, 463 posts
12 Mar 2011 10:15AM
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If you think small kites turn to fast, get one that isnt known for perfomance.
I assume your talking 5m - 6m for the wind you said.

You want a kite that sits back in the wind so it wont fly forward when a gust hits.
A 'beginners' kite will fit the bill. I test rode a 6m Airush One last winter and was very surprised how it ate the gusts. I thought It turned a bit slow for a small kite, but sounds like thats what your after.

bearbusa
QLD, 295 posts
12 Mar 2011 1:23PM
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New Alibi 8 have had one for a year and it rocks, have had RRDs, Slingshot .the best for wa conditions made in gero , call nathan he will sort you out.

Taurus
VIC, 189 posts
12 Mar 2011 2:31PM
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Although I'm a North user, I recommend you have a look at Slightshot Key, I have tried the 7m and found it to be very forgiving and well performing in storm conditions.

JohnnoKeys
WA, 551 posts
12 Mar 2011 11:45AM
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Try the 2011 North Rebel 5m, I'm 96kg and use it a surfboard, ridden it 25 to 35 knots, 6 times over last 4 months and it is fab. Got the 7m as well and find it is a handful towards 30knots ...

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
12 Mar 2011 12:55PM
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bearbusa said...

New Alibi 8 have had one for a year and it rocks, have had RRDs, Slingshot .the best for wa conditions made in gero , call nathan he will sort you out.




Yeh I sent nath an email earlier, he was spot on about the Cardboard wave - so it seems we may have similar needs/styles.

Mate why does it 'rock'. can you elaborate with a bit more detail, maybe even email me so the whiners out there don't get on their pimp band wagon.

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
12 Mar 2011 12:57PM
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coreyb said...

If you think small kites turn to fast, get one that isnt known for perfomance.
I assume your talking 5m - 6m for the wind you said.

You want a kite that sits back in the wind so it wont fly forward when a gust hits.
A 'beginners' kite will fit the bill. I test rode a 6m Airush One last winter and was very surprised how it ate the gusts. I thought It turned a bit slow for a small kite, but sounds like thats what your after.




yeh man i think you are spot on. Got sit back, almost have less performance. but not too far back otherwise you will enter the 'too grunty' arena.

radman4
678 posts
12 Mar 2011 4:00PM
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Look no further than the Griffin Chimera 6.5 its the most amazing high wind kite ever built, i was out on one the other day in 30-42 knots unreal air and float but so user friendly you could still throw loop flips and loop transitions whenever you wanted was a joy to ride, absolutely eats the gusts,everyone else packed it in and i had the ride of my life,awesome kite,and sweet combo with the cardboards wave ,i can get going in as low as 16-18 with this combo,by far the best high wind option avail.

FLUID
VIC, 24 posts
12 Mar 2011 10:08PM
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The 7m Vice or 7m EGO will work. www.fluidkiteboarding.com
Try the 8m ATV in 35 knots, west oz kiteboarding has a demo and check the build quality.

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
12 Mar 2011 7:49PM
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FLUID said...

The 7m Vice or 7m EGO will work. www.fluidkiteboarding.com
Try the 8m ATV in 35 knots, west oz kiteboarding has a demo and check the build quality.





will do

eppo
WA, 9793 posts
12 Mar 2011 7:51PM
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radman4 said...

Look no further than the Griffin Chimera 6.5 its the most amazing high wind kite ever built, i was out on one the other day in 30-42 knots unreal air and float but so user friendly you could still throw loop flips and loop transitions whenever you wanted was a joy to ride, absolutely eats the gusts,everyone else packed it in and i had the ride of my life,awesome kite,and sweet combo with the cardboards wave ,i can get going in as low as 16-18 with this combo,by far the best high wind option avail.




hey radman fellow CB wave rider. Haven't heard much about this kite, will check it out. What is it in its design you think that allows this performance.

Munga
WA, 89 posts
12 Mar 2011 8:02PM
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Cabrinha

proof - fastest kit in the world...= control, stability, safety etc etc etc...I have had mine out in 40 knots and did not miss a beat.

He who hesitates loses..! Go hard or go home

INTHELOOP
QLD, 1855 posts
12 Mar 2011 11:02PM
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for boosting and kiteloops 7m GT.
Most powerfull kite in -30-35knts! Hands down!
A lot of BANG my friends.

I am still waiting for somebody to hand me something more powerful :)
Always happy to demo and open for recommendations.

2011 Ozone Edge 7m maybe. Will have insane hangtime im sure but if it will have bang of 7m GT?

Maybe Steve can bring one up to nats?

keen

Trying small kites in high winds is pretty exciting..

AKSonline
WA, 925 posts
Site Sponsor
12 Mar 2011 10:05PM
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Hey Marv,

I rode the 11m Edge today in 28-30 knots. UNBELIEVABLE!

Great control for a kite with limited depower. Boosts HUGE and hangtime forever.

Go large, swing under the kite until it is upwind of you, then pull a very slow lazy kiteloop upon landing. SO MUCH FUN!

My abs are killing me!

DM

Leroy B
WA, 139 posts
12 Mar 2011 10:10PM
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Man anything that was flying at Rotto tonight...... tho personally the 7m Core GT is my happy demon in big winds....


iti
QLD, 417 posts
13 Mar 2011 12:49AM
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Munga said...

Cabrinha

proof - fastest kit in the world...= control, stability, safety etc etc etc...I have had mine out in 40 knots and did not miss a beat.

He who hesitates loses..! Go hard or go home



mm 40 knots were and when and what size cabrinha - when was the was time we hard 40knots in Perth , whats that i see over the moon a fat pig.

Munga
WA, 89 posts
12 Mar 2011 11:03PM
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Iti, in winter kook...

Malawi;
is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland = land locked low wind and (kooks)

When you can spell, speak to me...

He who hesitates loses

Bigwavedave
QLD, 2057 posts
13 Mar 2011 3:47AM
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eppo said...

Bigwavedave said...

north rebel- I'm in love!





Why dave, why? Talk kite design and reasons.




you didn't ask for reasons!

Fly one and find out. I ain't gonna be a pimp.

13 Mar 2011 10:08AM
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iti said...


mm 40 knots were and when and what size cabrinha - when was the was time we hard 40knots in Perth , whats that i see over the moon a fat pig.


According to the pic of the graph at Rottnest, yesterday.

Kites I've tried in high winds and liked are
2011 C4 7M and 8M - really excellent and stable in the upper wind range, big boosting, confidence inspiring kites.
2011 Cab SB 7M and 8M top end for me on the 7M was around 35-38 knots this was in Hawaii last June.
Ozone Reo 8M, but its not meant for TT riding, it was just very stable and had great windrange, drift and depower + positive one handed steering when depowered.
Strong winds been a bit hard to come by though this year. Having small kites in demo is an issue too when we don't really get the conditions to justify.


INTHELOOP
QLD, 1855 posts
13 Mar 2011 9:11AM
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AKSonline said...

Hey Marv,

I rode the 11m Edge today in 28-30 knots. UNBELIEVABLE!

Great control for a kite with limited depower. Boosts HUGE and hangtime forever.

Go large, swing under the kite until it is upwind of you, then pull a very slow lazy kiteloop upon landing. SO MUCH FUN!

My abs are killing me!

DM


Hi,

yea i found the Edge 11m pretty hard to depower over 20knts.
Gotta give it a go. Easy boosting, kite high, bar in an gliiiiidddddee


eppo
WA, 9793 posts
13 Mar 2011 8:02AM
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Bigwavedave said...

eppo said...

Bigwavedave said...

north rebel- I'm in love!





Why dave, why? Talk kite design and reasons.




you didn't ask for reasons!

Fly one and find out. I ain't gonna be a pimp.





Fair enough, but surely you can talk kite characteristics that suite high winds using whatever kite you like, without mentioning or pimping the actual kite brand/model.
You seem to have a good knowledge regarding kite performance (read many of your posts) just trying to unleash the genius within

Bigwavedave
QLD, 2057 posts
13 Mar 2011 10:32AM
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Doesn't jellyfish, boosts high, doesn't pull me off my edge in gusts, relaunches easy, self rescue handles, 5 lines.

Most little kites are good in high winds. The wind makes up for the design deficiencies.



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"Opinions on the Best High Wind Kite" started by eppo