Hi,
Ive been kiting 3 years, summer and winter. 85-90kg, 45yo, live in Perth, come from a slight surfing background and want to get into kiting waves. I have a cabrinha switchblade (2009 8m) and a cab vector (2012 12m) and have been using a mates Cab Contra (2014 15m). Ive just got onto a strapless surfboard and am struggling but loving kiting again and can see that this is where I want to be.

I want to hit the Perth waves in downwinders with the ability to get a few better waves down south or maybe Lancelin to Gero area.

Ive been searching the forums and I get the impression that a new or near new 9-10m Switchblade might be good but I don't mind getting away from Cabrinha. I don't purchase often so I want to get something good that I'll be happy with for a while and will last.

Keen to see if there is some vague consensus on which way I should lean.

Thanks
pj

Wainman, your not going to know till you demo, every rider is different, have a look at what the kiters are riding in your area and have a chat to them, its a hard decision, for the money you dont want to be dissapointed. You wouldnt buy a new car without driving it.

Get a 2014-15 Ozone Reo or even North Neo heard they're both good kites, I use a 2013 kite in the waves and it drifts really well and turns real quick.

I would Demo Reo, Noise and Rabbit 3.0.

Good luck

Naish pivot!

It makes perfect sense for you to try a drifter. You can probably use the same bar/lines.

Other than that everyone will have a different suggestion. Round here (The naki NZ, Epic surf conditions) ozone reo and airrush wave kites are most common. Though i suspect its mainly because of locally active riders/dealers than any super special sauce applied to the kites.

Demo demo demo if you can. Then the right one for you will emerge.

Most new/recent kites these days are on par with one or the other. There's not many really sheit brands own there.... and even those are getting better!

Suggest you have a ride on a North Neo. Very popular wave kite here in Gero. Beautiful kite.