I'm used to riding kites like the Rhino 06 12m. I want to know if I bought a Rebel 12m would I get the same thrill when boosting or is it another lame ass 'soft' beginner kite. Some feedback from experienced riders would be appreciated.

i like reading these forums :-)

When you are talking about boost yeah there is some kites that offer the boost 'potential' like high aspect kites but its all the skill of the rider that makes the boost. No kite or board gives you boost I believe it's the kiters actions in control that make 'boost'

I agree with the previous post. Wait for the new rhino to come out and then decide. The rebel jumps and has the potential for big floaty jumps with the long hang time (if you hold that bar in) but it will not fling you up like higher aspect kite.

Why dont you give a 12m Rebel a go?? I got one for demo

The Rebel jumps ridiculously high, but in a completely different way than the Rhino. Whereas on the Rhino you can load up the edge and send the kite as you pop, the Rebel will pull you off the edge before the kite gets overhead. The lift is good, just not the same sort of controlled takeoff that you would be used to on the Rhino.

I had a 12M Rebel out for a demo a couple of weeks ago and it was a bit frustrating at first sorting out the timing, I had some incredible boosts using waves as kickers and sending the kite on the way up the wave face. In 20 knots I was doing 15+ meter jumps...no bs. A mate I was kiting with said it was like watching me go up on the elevator. Amazing height and long, long hangtime.

Where the Rebel really got my attention was in being able to fly at top speed out to a wave and rip a turn off the wave face and come flying out the other direction at top speed again.....very impressive. The kite holds a lot of power in the turns and keeps you moving but completely under control.

I had a great run on the kite, but didn't buy it in the end...

totally agree on the try before you buy. most people that i know that dont try before they buy are either new people to the sport that buy secondhand gear or get given gear. I know many of these kind of people can be quite happy and could you blame them when they dont know any different. The other kind of person is the person who loves the model of kite they currently ride and progress to the next series of the same model.

90% of the customers who have tried the Rebel end up buying it after a very short time testing it out. If you like the Rebel you might like the F-One Tribal II