Which kite do you use (with surfboard) ? why ?
for those that venture out - don't be completely stupid, we know cold fronts can bring some thrilling kiting but nasty squalls 40+ kn !!!
Im r-ethinking my winter kite (currently 6m rally), just gaging what others ride
factors thinking about:
bombproof build, not too heavy
can fly well wet ???? and at times, covered in sand, haha
impeccable safety system (not sure about 5 line ie rebel?)
gust/lull handling
surf kite aspects
aaah dont you love winter kiting - waves, no crowds ;)))))
take care
mf
I know I wouldn't buy a Cab Drifter, great surf kite, nice and light, but weak as p1ss, ripped the wing tip off my 9 in 2ft surf and 15-20 knots of breeze....
I have a 5m RRD religion (5'10" north wam, 85kg). It is such a fun kite! Super fast, robust. Takes a bit of getting used to. Down wind it is good from 20-25kn and I've been out in squalls well above 30 (prob closer to 40).
Strongly recommend.
First off i'm not in WA. I'm in NZ.
i'm riding a 6m reo. Crazy good storm kite you can hold some serious wind on that little machine. handling a 20knot swing from 25-45 knots is just too easy. let bar out power melts away.... relaunch is lightening fast.
needs to be pumped up HARD or the LE can deform under load.
relaunches easily. fast but not too fast.
drifts well.
not much lift tho. you wont be boosting over monster sets of white wash.
Disclaimer. I'm usually on the TT in those conditions.
Slingshot RPM 6 with 20m lines. Amazing kite and hold it better than the rally.
I'm 68kg and I use it for downwinders from 18kn and have held it in 40+ with my twinny.
Been on SS a long time (disclosure)
I think the 6mtr Rally is the best small kite I have ever used
Down here is Tas I usually pull out the 6m ozone catalyst in howling winds.
Haven't had any trouble as yet. Nice a quick to whip around the window
Winter kiting is the best! all the punters give up and there are only maniacs flying around like aliens.
Have been out in nuclear wind storm fonts in vic with 2011 6m rebel with no problems also 5m rebel , 20m lines , weight 77kgs, kite surf board and others out with 7m Vegas 5 LINES are fine i do not have any problems with them in the last 5 years using them??????? Love nuc winds , but must have the write kite
dont advertise this too much ;)
, you know what kites I fly these days and probably know I love em, but I haven't really had the chance to try the top end of my 5 yet.
I like the 6m switchblade in the surf.
I don't even know if it's a good kite for waves, it's just what I'm used to.
Thats just it Underoath, we all get used to the kites we fly and think they are great but there may be another kite that suits our particular style better, you can't rely on the manufacturers spiel (even if they are trying to tell it as it is), what works for one may not work for someone else.
Back to back testing is the way to go and even then it takes a while to work out how to fly a different kite.
i had the 6m bws and found it to be a real bumpy ride in the gusts although it was never an issue relaunching after it copped set after set. I switched to the 2011 switchblade and found it a lot smoother and enjoyable in the gusts.
I picked up a 6m Reo at the end of the season and have only had two sessions on it.
Praying for a wild winter.
dont advertise this too much ;)
6m rpm,best kite i ve ever owned.
Fly it from less than 20 on downwinders till 40+ in jericoacoara,Brazil where I found the strongest seabreeze ever , was insane.in winter i ve always connected my back lines at the shortest still waiting for a huge storm to see till when i can fly it.or cyclone but the last 3 didn t hit us hard enough...
