Sorry about the poetry, but what gives. I'm currently looking at updating kites, and tossing up between the various bow kites v the hybrid c kites like vegas and matrix. The strange thing is though that when i flicked through the various mags, incl local and several OS (way better than the local) ones, I could not find a single pro rider on a bow kite other than the adverts for them. The only non advertised images, were some tests and a couple of travel articles. If you look at older mags, the pros rode what people bought. Even waves, supposedly the domain of bows and yet the slingshot guys, Felix Pivec and even the man Robbie are all on c kites? I guess the question I'm thowing out, is do people think this is due to 'traditon', hard core image, performance or some other reason? Interested in thoughts, and leaning towards the hybrid c kites for the next purchase.

have a listen to the asnews.net podcasts, there is some good commentary on this issue. the impression i got (and also from testing them myself) is that the Legaignoux style bows dont have the same feel as later releases like the waroo or sonic etc. for example, dimitri mariminedes stated he didnt like the feel of the halo, which he characterised as a good beginner kite but not as lively as the reactor. on the other hand, clinton bolton has stated he's switching to waroos for competition and spends a lot of time riding those in training.

"Kiteboarding is hitting the masses. If the manufacturers pushed the hardcore product as being the "best" option then you could expect Johny Cumlately and his mates to buy the damn things... and then damage himself or someone else with it! Then widespread bans and thus a decrease in demand for new kites etc. There ain't no future in that!"

So what have the blow up companies been pumpin out until now??

I saw Clinton Bolton riding a few times recently and I only saw him on the C kites- some ugly looking powder pink or baby blue Yargas.

What is it with the BEST graphics!?

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Originally posted by hi fliya

I saw Clinton Bolton riding a few times recently and I only saw him on the C kites- some ugly looking powder pink or baby blue Yargas.

What is it with the BEST graphics!?

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Hey, they're a cheap and cheerful way to kite, don't knock em... and they make great wall hangings in the nursery room to.

Bye bye C-Contra, hello Bow-Contra... (Cabrinha was a good example of my observation, maybe I should watch more often)

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Originally posted by Kitepower Australia

Cabrinha don't make C kites anymore.
I think foil companies and inflatable kite companies are both playing the same song.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

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I can only tell you what I have been told by Cabrinhas Oz rep, they have stopped making the CO2.
I still have some 2006 CO2's, they are a really good kite, I did not agree that it was a good time to stop making C kites, but the power that be at NP see otherwise.

Try a bow, you will not be disappointed I suspect.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve McCormack

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Originally posted by cliffor123

steve, do you know if cabrinha plans to continue to make the CO2(in c shape)? ive never flown a bow but if my fav kite turns bow i might have to one day.
thanks.

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hay azza i would love to try the contra bow. the cabrinha bow just does not fall out of the sky, the contra has to be a ripper of a light wind kite but how is it different to the 16m bow. Marketing magic? [}:)]...come on gold lotto. poverty sux

just keep your c's as spares

richo,
Check out this
Obviously there is more to it... big kites are often higher AR, but the Contra is still rated "moderate". My guess is, without having seen one yet, that the profile (wing cross-section) is not as deep as the CB and SB; this would account for the characteristic as stated in the link.

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Originally posted by richo

hay azza i would love to try the contra bow. the cabrinha bow just does not fall out of the sky, the contra has to be a ripper of a light wind kite but how is it different to the 16m bow. Marketing magic? [}:)]...come on gold lotto. poverty sux

just keep your c's as spares

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The pro,s dont use bows alot because they are not as responsive as c kites because of the bridles and pulleys.

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this is kite specific and not true of all flat kites

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Also they need alot of power for there unhooked moves which a c kite will deliver

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Again, kite specific. It is not true to say c-kites have more power unhooked than the same size flat kite.

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and they always know where the kite is as with a bow you constantly are looking at the kite, you dont have the feel in the bar like a c kite

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again, this is kite sepcific and not true of all flat kites

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And they are all very experienced riders so depower is not an issue for them as for the majority of kiters are cruisers so they enjoy the benefits of a bow which is the huge amount of depower it offers.

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this is location specific - in areas where the wind is strong and gusty then depower is an issue for all riders, including pros. a german pro was killed a couple of years back, and there have been recent loftings of pros (shannon best was lofted in florida in 2004 or 2005)

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At the end of the day demo all of them and see what suits your style of riding like that you cant go wrong.

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word to ya mutha

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I ride c kites as I enjoy the rush they deliver and walking of the water feeling like I have a good workout.

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I ride flat kites as I enjoy the rush they deliver and walking of the water feeling like I have a good workout

The word I heard from a trusted kite nerd:
(to add my bit of painful poety..)

Waroo 9's are awesome, mid sizes good, but for 16 & above stay with a C.
Rest of the '1st gen' bows are a bit ordinary to fly.

/it's 21 weather in QLD at the moment..

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I have tried the 9 Waroo and would have to say it has the closest feel so far but just not quiet there yet.

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i have a waroo 12 and it has equivalent feel to my C kites - i'd even say a better feel.

i doubt you'll see the airush, cab or slingy pros competing on their bow kites because, well, they're just not as good as their c kites*. but once those brands can match or better the waroo/sonic/ion/etc then there will be no disadvantage to using one, and it will offer more depower (not that it will really matter in a comp where the best riding is unhooked anyway). the kites are pretty new mate, thats also going to be a factor. they will filter onto the circuit as a mix of high depower c's and flat kites as the market for standard c's diminishes

and id say you didnt get enough time on that 9m waroo if you had to look at it all the time. or your flying skills need to improve


* although i did see rich riding sb's at the VIC nats, and he was ripping it up with the other comp leaders - does that count?

I would have to agree with oxy why the pro,s dont use bow kites in competitions all those points are very true and apply to the majority of flat kites.
Untill flat kites get rid of pullies and bridles you will never have the direct feel you do with a convential c kite.
I have 12 waroo and a quiver of c kites and the waroo is close but you cannot beat having your steering lines connected directly to the kite.I heard that north are coming out with a kite that offers the same amount of depower as a flat kite without all the bridles and pulleys now when that happens you will probably see alot more pros giving them a go.Bridles and pulleys will be a thing of the past shortly, the flat kite will only get better and better.

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought the steering lines were connected to bridles not the kite itself on bow kites. So yes you probably would notice a huge difference???

well you can correct me because im probably making myself look stupid here but..

on my waroo my steering lines attach to pigtails just like my C kite did? (or maybe im wrong?) The center lines attach to the bridles.

i think many of the top pros will be switching to bows and im not sure why more haven't as of yet. Most complaints about them so far involve a dislike of pulleys, problems with the kite inverting, on /off power, not being able to spin the bar, ect... these to me are all non-issues.
I do see the benifits of bows over Cs in though in relaunch, depower, best pop for powered tricks, responsiveness, quick turning, good feel with out looking at kite, and power per meterage. i have also found they can make horribly gusty conditions ridable and even fun and the best tools for riding waves by far. I hope all the flat kite doubters will give them a try at some stage and not just think i know how to edge my board hard so i don't need a kite that can depower. I am one who thinks they (sb's especially) is a kite for wakestyle as the pop is amazing. I have improved so much since using them and had confidence to try more and more difficult tricks.
As far as pro riders not using them (of coarse there are no real pros in Oz) looking at the nationals in Melbourne... 4 out of the top 8 places were on Xbows or switchblades and all four of us were riding mostly wakestyle powered tricks. (thanks Bondo for the plug )
Rich