the truth said...
By observation the ss t2/3 seem impressive in upwind ability amonst others but you might just need better board to fix your problem.
The skill to go to windward is making your kite and board work for ya and thats timing and finesse with both wind, waves and kite.
I have boards that I love for downwinders but if I want to stay where I am choose appropriately.
Lately been enjoying c kites and find them entertaining me more and with the finesse you can have just as good upwind- I had thought the bows and hybrids had better upwind, maybe it is easier upwind.
luv
istt
Too true ISTT
Watched Dave S from Slingy rip upwind from me yesterday on an 11M T3 and Glide, I was was on an Ozone Instict LightII 14M and an Airush switch 1.44, wind was approx 10-12 knots with a little bit of tide assist at that time.
There were also 16' skiffs racing in the river at the time, Dave was pointing as high into the wind as them.
Then I adjusted the trim on the Light and I was the only one staying upwind consistently and at one point I was following a skiff and actually catching them.
Other far less experienced riders were also easily able to ride way upwind on the T3's yesterday, it was so obvious that this model had "something" extra in upwind performance.
Back to back, side by side testing as happens on demo days like yesterday are a real eye opener. Claims are one thing, reality is another.
Its not all about super thin leading edges, as the T3's performace proves. It actually has virtually zero to do with the materials the leading edge is made from, fact!
Really nothing to do with hyperpimped techno babble features either
Perhaps these were put into HP and Pro kites to compensate for the super stiff and twist/stretch resistant material the LE is made from?
The material is quite heavy and I think the dacron leading edge Waroo has a better balance for surf conditions without the extra cost.
The Ozone InstinctII kites all go upwind well its a feature of their design, has been since the very first models.
The SportII and LightII are the best models for wave riding, with more pivotal turning and in the LightII, unmatched drift and stability. For purely wave riding I don't think there is a better kite out there, but I freely admit I am biased.
Other good upwind kites that are good in waves are the Rev1 and 2, the Waroo 08 and 09, SB IDS, Rebel, Airush FlowST, really most of the bigger brands have a model in their range that suits waves and has good pivotal turning and driftback stability.
Being able to sheet out a bit and ride your board flatter, standing over the board more, keeping the speed up, going out through the break a bit cross downwind and faster, then cutting upwind once out the back all help with "upwind" in the surf.
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve McCinsideyourheadkusu
