So after making my first season ofkiting relatively unscathed, I'm looking to expand my quiver. I'm currently on a 10m Lithium which I bought new in April last year from the Zu. I'm looking at saving some coin by buying second hand this time but my problem is narrowing down what sort of kite to look for. I know I want something in 12-13 metres but that's it.

I want to progress onto freestyle and wake style so I'm looking at that sort of kite but Ihave been told it's a big jump from a lithium to a full c-kite. Should I dove straight into te deep end? Or buy something as a step between the two? As a uni student I don't have the funds to buy new gear whenever I want (but I do have all the time in the world to get out there )so I'd prefer to just buy one kite.
What do you guys think?

get something like a switchblade. the easier the kite is to fly the easier it will be to focus on tricks. out of 14 kites i've bought the 2010 10m switchblade was the most influential for me. Riding improved ten fold when i didn't have to worry what the kite was doing in the sky. Save the c-kite and more advanced kites for a few years down the track. trust me!

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Big eeeZeee, I've found my Lithium has been awesome for my progression and is such a great kite. It's so easy to fly without even thinking about it. I've surprised myself a couple of times when I've been subconsciously working the kite for power. The only time I really think about the kite at the moment is when I'm trying new tricks like jump transitions and very unsuccessful front rolls. From everything I've heard, the lithium and switchblade are airush and cab's all-rounders/ equivalents, so I want to lean towards something closer to a C kite.

KP, all the kites have listed are sound like great options, my problem is getting a demo on one of these kites in Vic (especially in my price range). That being said, if anyone has a 12m C4 they're prepared to give me a quick ride on I would be very appreciative (I'd be happy to reimburse your time with beer)

KPSS Used said..

Sangas,

Our experience would tell us that you should be looking for something of an all around or even SLE C kite.

Ones that come to mind: Ozone Catalyst, Ozone C4, Cabrinha Vector, Cabrinha Chaos, Slingshot RPM.

You will definitely want something that is still user friendly but allows you to try new things with confidence, with decent relaunch. Jumping to a full blown C kite like a Slingshot Fuel or Airush Razor could definitely make your learning a bit difficult.

We have # on the Cabrinha Chaos and Ozone C4 from 2013 and both would definitely be suitable for you!

Hahahahah....coincidence you have specials on these kites....

lithium is a fantastic kite, i moved on to the varial X, love it, SLC kite with huggggge boost. nice move up from the lithium, depedns on if you want to move to unhooking.

Really love the advice offered here on Seabreeze - 99% of the time - but this one has to make you wonder - unbelievable!!!
To progress towards freestyle from an Airush Lithium ...
- Go for a Catalyst or Switchblade - you have to be joking right. No steps forward 2 steps back ???
- Just go a bigger same kite - WTF - or how about save your money & go your same kite in higher wind ????
- Easier to fly kites makes tricking easier - yep thats why all the tricksters fly deltas ????
Holy Shyte. U gotta be joking right?

IMO RPM is a real alternative - Varial X would certainly be a similar step forward.
Neither are full 'C' - both still behave when you unhook - both need more skill to fly to full advantage than the Lithium style but are a natural progression towards a 'C' - maybe without the pain.
Disclosure
1) I dont sell any of the kites mentioned anywhere in this post.
2 ) Every major brand does a high end hybrid which (again imo) is the only progression towards a freestyle full 'C' kite from the ever popular user friendly delta(ish) models of which the Lithium is one.

IMO look at any major brand SLE which has an obviously pronounced wingtip - ie my definition of high end hybrid - ie partway bw delta & 'C'
Anyone feeling skilled & confident on their Delta - even if its their 1st kite - is more than capable (& certainly still safe) on a bridled 'C' kite.

Got a feeling theres a backlash in the air .
Bring it on if u must. I rarely, if ever, criticise anything or anyone but this one is an exception to that rule.

puppetonastring said..

Really love the advice offered here on Seabreeze - 99% of the time - but this one has to make you wonder - unbelievable!!!
To progress towards freestyle from an Airush Lithium ...
- Go for a Catalyst or Switchblade - you have to be joking right. No steps forward 2 steps back ???
- Just go a bigger same kite - WTF - or how about save your money & go your same kite in higher wind ????
- Easier to fly kites makes tricking easier - yep thats why all the tricksters fly deltas ????
Holy Shyte. U gotta be joking right?

IMO RPM is a real alternative - Varial X would certainly be a similar step forward.
Neither are full 'C' - both still behave when you unhook - both need more skill to fly to full advantage than the Lithium style but are a natural progression towards a 'C' - maybe without the pain.
Disclosure
1) I dont sell any of the kites mentioned anywhere in this post.
2 ) Every major brand does a high end hybrid which (again imo) is the only progression towards a freestyle full 'C' kite from the ever popular user friendly delta(ish) models of which the Lithium is one.

IMO look at any major brand SLE which has an obviously pronounced wingtip - ie my definition of high end hybrid - ie partway bw delta & 'C'
Anyone feeling skilled & confident on their Delta - even if its their 1st kite - is more than capable (& certainly still safe) on a bridled 'C' kite.

Got a feeling theres a backlash in the air .
Bring it on if u must. I rarely, if ever, criticise anything or anyone but this one is an exception to that rule.

so you're telling me switchblade would be a **** kite to learn how to unhook on?

to do basics unhooked front rolls, backrolls, raileys etc. There's nothing wrong with this advice. good pull and parked in the sky all day

he can get a more advanced kite when he's ready to start passing the bar.

I'd like to know your background? Do you unhook and perform all this trickery too so you know what you're talking about. Or do you just read the kite description and give advice off that?

Big eeeZeee said..

I'd like to know your background? Do you unhook and perform all this trickery too so you know what you're talking about. Or do you just read the kite description and give advice off that?

Background is one very also-ran kiter (at the best of times) who has kited way less than preferred since starting up a shop. ie almost 4 years off the water essentially.
And 'No' I never have, probably never will do unhooked trickery. But I did spend 5 yrs at Woodies mixing with, and listening to, the absolute best of the best tricksters.
But when I offer advice its not MY personal experience talking - or Id never say anything at all.
My advice comes from having talked to hundreds of different kiters of all skill & interest levels and listening to what they each have to say. This is what I do all day everyday. Its the wisdom of the masses. No one opinion but knowledge gained from filtering all sorts of feedback and accepting the threads that keep coming through regularly. This is backed by gradually developing a knowledge of how a kite description relates to how & what it does.

No super skill here and no design or technique expert either but, thanks to 1000's of interesting discussions, I do feel competent to offer feedback that is consistent with what I have pieced together & learnt from all of them.

One thing I have learnt without any doubt is that one kiters opinion is just that. His/her opinion. It is never wrong if it works for them but it can be the exact opposite of what the next kiter offers - and that too will be exactly right for them. To form an accurate, true picture you need to hear it all & develop the truth that is represented through all opinions and is reflected on by the known differences in kite design.

puppetonastring said...

Big eeeZeee said..

I'd like to know your background? Do you unhook and perform all this trickery too so you know what you're talking about. Or do you just read the kite description and give advice off that?

Background is one very also-ran kiter (at the best of times) who has kited way less than preferred since starting up a shop. ie almost 4 years off the water essentially.
And 'No' I never have, probably never will do unhooked trickery. But I did spend 5 yrs at Woodies mixing with, and listening to, the absolute best of the best tricksters.
But when I offer advice its not MY personal experience talking - or Id never say anything at all.
My advice comes from having talked to hundreds of different kiters of all skill & interest levels and listening to what they each have to say. This is what I do all day everyday. Its the wisdom of the masses. No one opinion but knowledge gained from filtering all sorts of feedback and accepting the threads that keep coming through regularly. This is backed by gradually developing a knowledge of how a kite description relates to how & what it does.

No super skill here and no design or technique expert either but, thanks to 1000's of interesting discussions, I do feel competent to offer feedback that is consistent with what I have pieced together & learnt from all of them.

One thing I have learnt without any doubt is that one kiters opinion is just that. His/her opinion. It is never wrong if it works for them but it can be the exact opposite of what the next kiter offers - and that too will be exactly right for them. To form an accurate, true picture you need to hear it all & develop the truth that is represented through all opinions and is reflected on by the known differences in kite design.

Well seeing as you like to take other peoples experiences on board puppet here goes.

2010 switchblade improved my riding 10 fold. From dangles to basic unhooked moves with a kite that was predictable, slow and easy to relaunch.

Had I gone from my previous kite to say a 2011 c4 I would of given up kiting. I hated that kite at first an it took a long time for me to warm to it even though I could do all the basic unhooked moves already.

Put that in your back pocket before you start saying "No steps forward two steps back".