what kite gets a novice up there?

Wow thats so crazy is it recent

Gstar said...

Naish V4.......LOL.:D

small kite and strong wind. Oh and a decent wave to launch off helps too

Eric, hellfish a giant penis and link all in one thread. This is a winner in my book.
1 insightful reply although as yet unproven (puppet)

I love this place

aint the new ss rally a bit of rip off of the wainman smoke??

Hi Colin,

Boosting huge isn't just one thing, there are a heap of different things in both boards and kites which contribute to big boosting.

Technique- Holding an edge at speed under complete control when you are really overpowered in usually choppy water.

Board- Usually something that can handle chopy water ie, a softer flex with a nice hard rail, single concave and larger fins 50mm +.

Kite- A boosting kite usually has big power either static (Parked power) or Dynamic (apparent wind power). It will also have good depower. If in a static power type kite such as Core GT, you need to have complete depower so you can shut it almost off when over powered, or, in the case of the dynamic power kite such as an Ozone Edge II, the ability to be able to edge the kite to the neutral to depower it. This style of kite often doesn't have complete depower but you can slow them down to reduce their power as their power comes from speed.

There are also two types of going big. Kites that will throw you up there like a rag doll to heights of nose bleed, and often drop you just as fast , and kites which will lift you up, not quite as high as the other style but will give you crazy hangtime and really nice floaty glide style jumps with a softer landing.

Truly massive comes from timing, control, kite skill and confidence. Timing because jumping big is all about the take off which is a product of timing mostly, control of the board and kite in raging conditions, kite skill of knowing how, when, and where to position the kite for maximum effect when jumping, and finally, the confidence to go out in really over powered conditions AND CONTROL IT!

Three examples of kites of different types

Going High : Core GT 7m in 35 knots

Going for Hangtime : Ozone Edge II 11m in 30 knots

Not designed for going big : Eclipse Kima (Wave Kite)

Like I said, there is a lot to going really huge, and as a novice you need to work on the basics before worrying about the technical advantages of performance wings.

Work on your edging and take off, it's where big boosts begin

www.kiteboardingschool.com.au/index.php/intermediate-rider-tricks/tip-1-boosting-better-jumps.html

Hope this makes sense.

KH

p.s. you shouldn't physically 'jump', it's more the kite pulls you way from the water while you hold edging. I find looking the opposite way to the way I'm jumping can help resist the urge to release too early.

also when you get decent, kiteloops allow for extra air time. They also allow you to feel the full force of water at high speeds. Make sure you are well away from anyone else when you try them.

Kitehard said...

Hi Colin,


Three examples of kites of different types

Going High : Core GT 7m in 35 knots

Going for Hangtime : Ozone Edge II 11m in 30 knots

Not designed for going big : Eclipse Kima (Wave Kite) Ozone Light XC(fixed that for ya seeing as you were happy using your own products as examples)

Agree with KH's technique over kite-choice philosphy BTW.

getfunky said...

Kitehard said...

Hi Colin,


Three examples of kites of different types

Going High : Core GT 7m in 35 knots

Going for Hangtime : Ozone Edge II 11m in 30 knots

Not designed for going big : Eclipse Kima (Wave Kite) Ozone Light XC(fixed that for ya seeing as you were happy using your own products as examples)

Agree with KH's technique over kite-choice philosphy BTW.

Hey Funky,

I mentioned the Kima as it was a kite we did sell for a VERY short while and as I rode it and it's boost wasn't really mentionable, I chose that kite as the example. It's a good wave kite, but it don't boost.

The 2009 Ozone Light XC on the other hand does boost, pretty decent actually, I think you are refering to the 2008 Ozone Light II. Yup, It didn't boost much either, but was excellent for it's given design, being teaching newbies to get up and ride.

Cheers and thanks for the correction,

KH

The Epic Screamer was designed for big airs and hangtime and gets lots of props in this category.
Dimitri posted some serious videos/shots of himself going totally bananas on it.

But then again the sirtaki man can boost to the moon on anything in 15 knots..

interesting topic this one ....there are so many factors to consider.... Kitehard touched on the board and fins. The board and fin combination does make a huge difference to both take off and landing. I used a mate's 2007 North Xride once in light winds and noticed what a great board it was for boosting compared to my own boards at the time. It had these big ol swept back surf fins on it. It held its edge really well and cut really quickly and had nice flexy tips allowing good pop. More recently when I changed boards to my new underground styx my landings improved. I noticed i was landing much hotter than before and holding it, which gave me a lot more confidence with learning kite loops, and later transfered to my Trusty TB which is probably the slipperest board around.
The carboards I have tried also work well in these conditions and they are popular amongst the big jumpers on my beach. I ride in big chop most of the time, so you really have to cut quick to get a good take off and have to really spot your landing well as the conditions change so quickly under you. So I am looking for a board that will bite quickly on landing as well as cut quick. For my conditions flexible tips and big fins with a stiff sharp edge is the best option. I rode alot of boards last season and there is a huge difference in how well I was able to jump and land on individual boards.
And for Funky's benefit I can confirm that the Ozone catalyst (formerly the light), is a pretty respectable boosting kite in high winds. Not a patch on the C4 or the Edge but it doesn't dissapoint either. And yes the 2008 light was pretty poor in this regard. But it was designed as a surf kite where it performed really well, so like any sporting equipment.....horses for courses.