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Short and Wide

puppetonastring — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:02:58 +0800

Rider: 190 lb. / 86 kg (beginner)
Kite 13m Best Bularoo 2010
Style: Freeriding
Weather: lighter winds

My Comments:

I am looking into some boards and want to get some feedback on the shorter / wider boards.

I am looking for a board that handles CHOP and can be used in lighter winds,
some of the boards I am looking at are the

Epic Oxygen 135x47 =$620

Naish Haze XL 138x45 =$609

Spleene RIP 140x45.5 = $780

Nobile XTR 140x46 = $730

I am interested in the capabilities, rocker, pop, and any / information you guys have would be a great help.

I have demoed the Epic Oxygen and liked it but don't have a chance to demo the other boards

Price really isn't the issue just thought I would add it in for extra information

New BWS Kite SurfBoard

dafish — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:18:34 +0800

New Ian Alldredge Kite surfboard just added to the Ben Wilson Site. Specs below

http://www.benwilsonsurf.com/store/surfboards/products/view/10/17686

The dims seem a little light so I cant see it lasting long as a kite board, but would be keen to try one.

Doesnt look like hes riding one in this video, but hey he still rips

Specs:
Dimensions:
Length: 6' 0"
Width: 18 1/4"
Thickness: 2 3/16"

Construction:
2 x 6oz deck, 1 x 6oz bottom, 4oz feet and fin patches
Super thick 12mm stringer
PU core
Carbon heel tail patches
FCS fusion fin boxe

Discuss....

BWS

lotofwind — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:57:40 +0800

Dam, the new BWS's are so good!

2012 SuperShinn 134x40

dachopper — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:12:39 +0800

Rider: 80kgs advanced
Style: Freeriding, Freestyle
Weather: 12-15 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Nil

My Comments: Bought this board yesterday without having test ridden it prior - and coming off a very stiff, smaller freestyle board (131 by 40)

Tested the 134x40 in light winds with the medium sized fin ( around 45 ). With that sized fin, the board was slippy enough for me to spin from heelside to toeside and back again all day long as slow as I wanted without any of fins catching enough water to do something. If you want to track a little straighter and not slide so much - I would go the larger fins.... I imaging it would ride like a board with no fins if it was smaller.

Footpads seem comfy - a little tricky to extend by hand but I found you have to shove your foot in there and lift up and down while holding the velcro perfectly in line with the gap - or else it catches and no size change. board is very light for it's size, board offs should b...

Ozone Zeph bs edge 15 bottom end?

Kitepower Australia — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:33:58 +0800

If relevent, please fill in this template...(& remove this line)

Rider: Weight,Level (beginner,intermediate,advanced)
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Weather: ?-? knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)

My Comments:
Anyone know which kite has the better bottom end?
And light wind performance?
Any info would be great.
Cheers

north race board

flybywire — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:18:03 +0800

CrazyFly Raptor Pro LTD

PercyPenguin — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:30:29 +0800

I am 5"9, 165 pounds, and I am riding a NHP 2010 131 X 40 which I like very much. Our local reseller just received the new line of CrazyFly Boards and I am tempted by the raptor pro LTD (carbon).

My main concern is how it reacts in the Chop. The NHP cuts through the chop like butter. I want a board that is smooth in the chop, but at the same time I want a board that has a more explosive pop for big air.

Any input on the raptor pro LTD would be appreciated. Even better; if someone tried those two boards. How do they compare ?

PS: I know that CF has the Shox which is suppose to be a chop eater but I want a board with a lot of pop and the shox isn't suppose to be a great jumper.

thanks
Jules

2012 Slingshot RPM

puppetonastring — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:42:50 +0800

Hey guys, I currently fly a 2010 10m RPM and it covers me for the majority of winds we get here in Brisbane, if I could afford it perhaps I would run a 9 & 12m..

Thinking a new kite for the next season might be on the cards as it's tax time in June . Just wandering if any SS riders out there could give me the run down on the 2012 model RPM, pros, cons, likes, dislike, other kites etc etc.

Thanks,
777Kiter...!

14m rebel?

mitch88 — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:21:22 +0800

Righto so I've got myself a 10 rebel and have had it for about 2 months. Really good kite!!!
So I'm looking at getting a bigger rebel. Don't know wether I should go the 13 or 14 rebel. Was thinking the 14 as I can get my hands on one. Plus will be looking at a smaller rebel either 7 or 8 but probably get more use out of an 8

I'm about 80kegs

Thanks guys Mitch

F.one Bandit 5 vs Ozone C4 Vs Airush Varial X

cauncy — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:09:53 +0800

Rider: Weight,Level - intermediate 83kgs
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Freestyle (just)
Weather: 14 - 25 knots
5'10 quad surfboard, 132 Monk TT
My Comments:
looking at 8/10 combo
I know they are all great kites.... I'm interested in an all rounder that I can:
surf the perth slop,
do downwinders,
go flat out, jump and hoon around on the estuary
handle the gusty easterly
Direct comparison if possible rather than "Wow the C4 is the best kite I have ever ridden"
Cheers

Anemometer Advice

eppo — Thu, 17 May 2012 08:13:11 +0800

Hi, Hoping anyone might point me in the right direction please. My husband has started kitesurfing and LOVES it. I wanted to buy him an anemometer for his birthday coming up but dont know where to start?? Can anyone suggest brands/expected cost and any other pointers to look out for please? Much appreciated

2012 RRD Religion Mk II

gazman2 — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:32:22 +0800

Disclosure: (team rider )

The Crew at SOS got delivery of there new Religions about 6 weeks ago but the 11.5 m took a little longer to arrive so I delayed the review until I got my hands on all 3: the 7m, 9m and 11.5m.

I'm absolutely in love with these new kites .

Firstly for those of you who didnt try the Mk 1, it was a revolutionary kite for ultra quick turning and a fairly low power when thrown across the window which meant superb control at all times when wave riding. It could be looped with very little power and positioned anywhere in the window in an instant. It had its detractors too, mainly does who felt it lacked grunt, boost and drive, it was definitely not a jumping kite, and its lacked bottom end size for size. The bigger kites felt slow and heavy and still lacked power. The 7m was howver a real benchmark and just the best 7 ever and could still easily be thrown around the waves when the winds starting hitting 30kts.

This year the team at RRD say they have r...

Line Extensions

danw — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:18:54 +0800

This is an inquiry instead of a review. What are your experiences are with line extensions. (please don't suggest alternatives i.e bigger board, this is about line extensions ONLY). I can't seem to find any good information on the topic, if you have some please forward it to me.

My research has shown me:
- slower turning speed
- longer power stroke allows you to generate more apparent wind
- reaches cleaner, and more wind (temp gradient.. ect)
- you can get 2 knots extra with the addition of 10m to your lines
(these may be incorrect, just stuff I've picked up from sifting through 10pgs of google)

Agree/disagree? Your experiences? If so please state your kite, your weight, your extensions used, and approximate wind speed.

Cheers,
Dan

edit: spoke to soon, great thread over here if anyone is interested:
http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Can-someone-please-explain-line-length-effect/?SearchTerms=extension

admin can delete this.

Naish money shot vs Nobile 2hd

Adventure Sports Noosa — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:18:35 +0800

Sure these boards are not the same .. but are close to that balance im looking for.. Is there Anyone have try both 2012 boards to give some review..??

Flexifoil Proton 2

Steely81 — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:02:57 +0800

I was looking for a review about the Flexifoil Proton 2 before and couldn't find one.

Here is one:

http://thekiteboardingoutlet.com/blog/flexifoil-proton-2-review/

Since I brought up the subject, anyone else used one before and had any thoughts?

Xenon Prisma - 6 foot Quad.

dafish — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:27:58 +0800

Rider: I weigh about 95kg (210lbs), 6,2 (187cm),Level (intermediate,advanced)
Style: Surf & Sloppy conditions
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Would love to be a team rider, but no I am not.

Just got my new Prisma.

Ridden in waves below 4foot and mushy slop over multiple days.

Will do a proper review once I have ridden it enough to have a comprehensive view..

Here is what I know so far. Great, fun board. Fantastic flex feel (more like a traditional surfboard). It is lively, snappy and heaps of fun. Good support to the back foot as you come off the top and brilliant "whip" type arcs as you would expect from a quad. Still holds a really good edge off the bottom turn and manages speed better than I would expect from a board that is 19inch wide. I would now say that I prefer the extra width, particularly when on a decent wave.

I have come from riding a North WAM quad and it also is a great board, but at this stage I would say the Prisma has the edge ...

Airush Sector V3 66,60 and 54

Damo — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:10:19 +0800

Rider: 88kg, Advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle and Race
Weather: 10-18 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 12/10
Disclosure: I work at a shop and am team rider for Airush

My Comments:
Recently I was lucky enough to go to Thailand where I was able to try the new Sector V3's. I had 1� days on the water chopping and changing between all 3 Sectors but on the same kite (2013 Airush 16m Lithium One) the water was choppy with very small waves breaking. The wind was constantly up and down with small rain squalls coming through.

Sector 66: This board fits perfectly between the Sector 60 (a very fast and fun free ride board) and the Monaro (a balls to the wall full race winning machine). The 66 points really well up wind has good board speed and is still moderately easy to ride. It only wants to be ridden flat but didn't like to �Fly shadow� (when the windward rail lifts so you are ridding off the fins and toe side edge like the Monaro does). It is ...

F one dealers WA

PRAWNDOG — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:56:13 +0800

Does anyone know who eles sells F ONE in WA besides surfnsail?
Thanks

what are the top 5 boards for all around kiteboard

oceansprince — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:23:57 +0800

hey guys im looking at getting a new board, just asking what are the top 5 boards for all around kiteboarding?
cheers

Australian made, designed, manufactured kites?

Saffer — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:00:51 +0800

Hi forum,

Anyone knows if there are any kites that are 100% Australian Made?

Cheers,
Mike

Switch combat

tightlines — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:11:11 +0800

[admin] disclosure: switch "team rider"

just tried out my new kite at leighton beach today and absolutely loved it the kite i have EVERY TRIED. its not a particularly fast kite but it is good because when you are trying handle passes you/i want my kite to stay in the same position and it does. it is also very loop-able. but in saying all this, this is not a beginners kite and it is not a kite for gusty conditions. it can be quite brutal if you don't know how to handle it.

the wing tip battens and great as it keeps the kite really stable when riding.

the bar is awesome. really grippy, solid feel, and the chicken loop is the perfect size for hooked and unhooked tricks because you you can hooked out or in really easily because the loop is so big.

last of all the bag. it is like a coffin bag some people use to travel only you cant put your boards in but you can fit 3 kits and 2 bars in it and your harness and probably more if you tried.

thats pretty much it but seriously ...

Slingshot Kites =absolutely great, bars=pain

GrodanBoll — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:38:01 +0800

Rider: 76,Level (beginner)
Style: Freeriding
Weather: Any knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 9/10

My Comments:
Hi everyone,
I don't know if I am the only one, but after a couple of hours in the water, because the bar from my Rally is so tough, I get massive blisters all over my hands.

I was thinking to buy some grip that I use for tennis rackets and wrap it around the bar in order to make it more soft.

You think it's a good idea? Has anyone tried this?

Thanks,
Mike
http://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/kitesurfing/5814024.jpg

Wetsuit...BRAND, thickness, for winter

Saffer — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:39:53 +0800

Hi guys,

As we all felt it, especially the last couple of days (NSW), the winter is here to stay :(
and I need a new wet suit, something really worm and reliable. What brand do you guys recommend_ to be good value for money_

Cheers,
Mike

KITE PUMP

FlyingKiwi — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:40:09 +0800

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/kitesurfing/5960441.jpg
http://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/kitesurfing/5960443.jpg
http://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/kitesurfing/5960445.jpg

Rid
/Img/Photos/Kitesurfing/5960445.jpg
er
/Img/Photos/Kitesurfing/5960443.jpg
:
/Img/Photos/Kitesurfing/5960441.jpg
Weight,Level (intermediate)
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure:

My Comments:
I have been testing the latest Bravo BST super turbo Kite pump for a few months now and thought it may interest those who dislike the manual method of kite inflation.
The Bravo pump which is made and designed in Italy (via China) has been around for some years now, mainly in the inflatable dingy market and has evolved into a reliable unit in its self.
It is a two stage/pump system, first stage is a high volume low pressure pump which will inflate the kite to about 80%, then the high pressure pump cuts in to complete the inflation, this can be h...

GK Trix 12m . Does anyone ride this kite?

haluchine — Sat, 05 May 2012 19:32:15 +0800

GK Trix 2008 12m

Rider: 72K Intermediate
Style: Surf and Free Ride on surfboard
Weather: 15-22 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 7/10

The Trix is very strongly built and smooth and overall a very fun kite but it is quite heavy, which means the kite drops and flip over in lulls. I stopped riding mine and switched to lighter kites but I was wondering how good are the new ones. I know that they are really good in steady wind, but in those gusty light winds with lulls like wholes it is another story, the kite does not "float" wondering if anybody is using a 2010 or newer version of the GK Trix.

North Fuse

toppleover — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:07:50 +0800

If relevent, please fill in this template...(& remove this line)

Rider: Weight,Level (beginner,intermediate,advanced)
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Weather: ?-? knots
Build Quality: ?/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: (e.g. work at a shop/team rider etc)

My Comments: Just like to get some feed back from riders who use the FUSE:
Likes/dislikes, sizes used (sweetest size), conditions/style you use it in and any tweaks you made to make it better. Anything valuable really.
Even ex riders and why you changed.

2012 Reo 6mtr or 8mtr?

spot1 — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:47:37 +0800

Im considering buying a 2012 Reo for use as a high wind kite on a TT (135 x 39) for those days 25kts+ and also for starting to ride waves on a surfboard. I have not surfed before as such. My thought process on the Reo was it has a good wind range and good depower for kiting in high winds on my TT, as I havent really ever been confident before to kite in winds higher than 25kts. So i was looking at getting a double use on this kite, ie getting me out in higher winds with some confidence on the TT and using it in lighter winds say from 17 - 23kts in surf on a SB to learn in waves.

Specs:

80kg
TT: 135 x 39
SB: Not yet purchased.
Live/Kite: Ocean Grove Vic.

Any constructive comments from experience on this kite or similar be appreciated especially weather to purchase a 6m or 8m? (other kites I use 13m & 10m C4's & 14m Torch)

cheers

Griffin Trx 17 vs The Big Zeph 17

dafish — Wed, 02 May 2012 17:40:03 +0800

Not going to fill in the blanks because there were a number of people riding the two back to back.
Thanks first to Chris for hooking up and loaning us both a 17 and 10 Trx. Due to one circumstance or another we never got to get the 10 out, but this comparison is more about the difference between the Ozone Zeph and Trx kites. I was not able to be there for the session due to work commitments, but I showed up at the end of the day to collect the kites and find out how things went.
I have already posted about my spin on the 17 and the way the kite loops, and it seems everyone wholeheartedly agrees that this kite turns very very fast. So, here goes written from one of the riders who collated the details for me.

Conditions - between about 10knots and 16knots - frontal system not a sea breeze. In other words the wind was all over the place.
Tried the 17m TRX back to back with my 2010 Ozone Zephyr 17m. Switched back and forth three times on each kite to get a true comparison. One rid...

2012 Griffin TRX 12m and 14m

GriffinKites — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:56:24 +0800

Rider: 88kg ,Level intermediate
Style: Freeriding and Surf
Weather: 12-20 gusty onshore winds with a lot of white water pushing back to the beach
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 8/10 (due to poor wind and wave conditions)
Disclosure: Demoed two kites during 3 hours session.

My Comments:

Despite really bad "Northern Beaches" conditions I had an opportunity to demo Griffin TRX kites (14m and 12m) (thanks to Chris for that)

This is a 3-struts kite with central strut and tips are cut (the close match is Naish Park)

I was riding mostly 14m kite as 12m wasn't enough for the wind conditions and for my skill level. Chris (the same weight as me) hadn't had any problems riding 12 meters kite with strapped 5 feet surf board.

Kite turns really quick, especially for 14 meters. Light pressure on the bar, like on North Rebel. Kite was very stable and handled gusts very well. I couldn't test jumping capabilities of this kite as I was on strapless board. Kite drifts well ...

Spleene RS line 132x40

markey — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:56:18 +0800

Rider: 75 kg Advance
Style: Freestyle
Weather: 12- 40 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Spleene RIDER !

My Comments:

This is Spleene's answer to a performance board with wide tips and a stiff responsive core, it's also one of the best freestyle boards I have ridden.This board is recommended to riders wanting to push their freestyle but still have fun in a variety of conditions. The board starts to plane early and picks up speed relatively fast. The board feels responsive and still free even with 5cm fins. The board has a slight rocker, just enough to absorb landings without sacrificing speed and pop.The slight rocker gives the board its light wind/early planing atributes. The wide tips allow you to hold down a heap of power and deliver massive pop. For myself this board allows me to push my freestyle riding to the next level but is still a generally fun board.

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/kitesurfing/5968252.jpg
http://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/kitesurfing/5968...