Hi All great knowledge peeps,

I am about 78kilos, riding for two seasons, can do most of the progression dvd tricks - back roll, front roll, transitions, etc and a currently do a lot of mowing the lawn. In the last couple of weeks I have been having learning tricks unhooked - surface pass, unhooked relays and such. My current kite quiver are wave-kites (will not mention brand as this is not the focus of the conversation) - stable, fun, falls back in the window, grunty and good hang-time. However, it sucks arse at unhooked as even depowering it enough doesn't sit right unhooked.

I am wanting to a better freestyle kite that can also free-ride that has depower and jumps really well. (Still my fav trick)

I rode the Naish Park last week and really enjoyed. It was a lot faster than my current kite and unhooking was a lot easier. Downside is that friends have had a number of problems on the lines catching - causing a spiral death loop. (Not sure if this is fixed in the 2012)

One of my friend suggested the Airush VaporX as better hang-time, fast turning, good grunt as semi-delta and boosts really well. He rides free-ride and freestyle on the VaporX. It would seem that this kite would need me to be a more agressive rider - but then again I need to lift my riding. Watching the video I like the look of the kite. If you have any experience would love for someone to chip in.

Or should I get a different Kite?

thanks in advance

Park ,been ridin them for months and have never experienced a spiral death loop mate nor have any of my other Park riders????????????????

gotta be the vaporX for the simplicity and the all round performance. only way to find out get to your local kite shop and give it a demo.

+1 for the C4 (biased because I'm a team rider. Became a team rider because C4s were what I wanted to ride). These kites will take your riding to a new level when that's what you're up for, while still being super stable with plenty of range and depower when you're in the mood for a more mellow session. 4 line pulley-free simplicity, great construction, and recently verified mojo to round out the package.

If the easterlies come in like they're forecast I'll be at Altona on the weekend. Hit me up for a spin on the red C4s if you're there.

Thanks Mike - I will definitely try a VaporX as well. The increased range and hang-time in the park is something I would be interested in.

definitely try out a VaporX if you have the chance, i think it would definitely be a kite up your ally and haven't heard a bad word about them either.

you'll find heaps of reviews on here: kiteboarder.co.uk/kitesurfing/the-2011-airush-thread-product-info-and-rider-feedback-44282-105

can't go wrong if it's designed by an aussie, too!

the park is a fantastic kite and i would go for it over the vapor x.

OhYeah

I'm about your weight (80kg) I have been ridding the Vapor X for about a year now as well and i'll agree with Mike that it is the best kite that i have ever used! and like Mike i have been riding for just over 10 years. I use it for everything Waves, Race but mostly flat water freestyle. it has incredible boosting! since i have been on this kite i have easily got the biggest jumps (height and hang time) i have ever done. I love it! and like Shmidy said its designed by an Aussie too

DISCLAIMER: I work at Airborne Kitesurfing and we sell Airush. Normally i would feel bad for pimping like this but not in this case as it is because of the 8m Vapor X that i am working here. I was riding for another brand when i first tried the Vapor X and as much as i loved my old kites after only 5 mins of flying the Vapor X i had to hit Airush up for a deal and jump ships.

As for the Park cant say much about the way it fly's but i have seen one do the death loop thing but it wasn't a line caught around the wing tip it was the leash snagging before the bar had run out far enough.

loverboy said...

+1 for the Park... Been riding one this year and just had another session on the 2012- hot kite. Super fun. Never seen this death loop thing and never had it happen to me or anyone else I lend my kite to.

Demo tho as you may be like different stuff to those giving advice.

What size 2012 have you been out on and how does it compare to 011 model,still waiting on my 2012 kites should be in soon.

Sweet cant wait sold my 011 10m the other week and am missing it already.

Also try out the boys at "The Zu Boardsports" St Kilda they are Vics Airush stockists and they have a vapour X on demo, give Ivan a shout and he'll set it up for you.
www.thezu.com.au/

Can't say I've ever seen a PKRA rider do a back loop.

iRideWainman said...

Neither. Get a Slingshot RPM. Youri Zoon just won the PKRA championship on it, and it's the only non C kite on the tour. Helped me heaps with my foray into unhooked moves (whereas the Wainman was a bit of a handful to unhook). Anyway check out this little vid of him shredding it in Brazil.

Youri could win the tour using a plastic bag if need be. Specific kites don't make a rider at that level, but if get a chance to demo the kites you have chosen and feel more comfortable on one than the other, its more likely u will progress faster on that kite...

The RPM is a great kite for bridging from hybrids to C-kites as is the park and C-4. The C4 has a tiny bit more performance over the RPM but is a more closed canopy. The C4 will suit lighter riders for the given wind strength and the RPM will suit heavier. The RPM is slightly gruntier as its canopy is slightly flatter. the 6-9m are the sweetest sizes if you can have the wind strength to use them in Vic. If you can get away with a 9m RPM, if not get a bigger vapour X or other grunty lighter wind hybrid.10-12m RPMs and C4s are more for park and ride wakestyle stuff, and dont handle well in the waves.
you kitesurf in a specific wind range 80% of the time, get a modern quiver thats suits by having a try, regardless of brand etc... youll be suprised, they are all damm good.
The wingtip wrap thing is not a worry, If it has happened to your mate more than once, he should take his kite back to the shop to check line lengths etc.. It is not a 2006-2007 bow kite!

PARK