Hey man how goes it Funksta! Getting out much? How's ya camping going with the family? You made some very insightful observations from one ride, though i would comment on them as you and I have always though alike...
Boosts very nicely and with forgiving landing if your timing is not 100%
....Yeh found the same, the 11m is even more forgiving - you can really pivot your body and throw the kite through any part of the wind window...
Will pivot turn fast if you want it, but I prefer a wider arc with power maintained and liked this option on the Rebel.
...Agreed, grab at the end of the bar and turn in straight onto the center lines and this kite will pivot like anything else, even in the bigger 11m size - allows for tight gibes and transitions...
Bar is heavy-ish and kite 'feels' a little heavy in the air (compared to the 3 strut kites I am used to flying the last few years) but is easily compensated by shear power and finesse with that power.
...Agreed it seemed a little heavy after flying the Cores, but the instant power alleviates this - also this means you have a real direct feel with the kite, and know where it is throughou the window without having to look - I actually appreciate it now...
Finesse is the word. The Rebel does not flap, flutter - nuttin but sit there 100% composed and forming a perfect wing. It honestly does everything well, and most things very well.
...Flapping is the aspect of a kite I hate most above all, especially in gusty conditions. Even the quality built Cores would flap somewhat and it really gave me the Sh1ts. This is the main reason I love this kite, the frame doesn't deform at all and this gives a real smooth feel at the bar end, couple this with instant power and an exremely short throw when you need it, yes it does most things well.
I tried riding directly at the kite (to see if it would gently fall back into the window) a few times and could ony achieve a tiny bit of slackness in the lines as the kite perfectly tracked downwind with me, so the lines didn't get super slack.
...yeh tried to explain this after daves (excellent points) post, I am yet to drop this kite, no matter how fast I have ridden at it, allows real tight turns onto a wave as it wraps around the window allowing you to slot into a wave, then catch the kite up. It does pull you off the wave if you don't use correct technique...
Not sure this kite would be for rank beginners. Whilst it is very very well behaved and pretty good at relaunching there is serious power [}:)] and grunt on tap, so potential is there to maybe overcook a turn and cop a flogging.
...Agreed funks, an intermediate rider would be fine due to the control you have, but as I find out if I loop incorrectly, it will punish you...
Having said that the depower is great (speshly with the kite staying rigid and not flapping) and the 5th line safety is a winner IMO.
..another reason I love it - get apparent wind up, set and leave, with minor adjustments of depower. You needn't sine this kite, just ride and have fun. Yeh the fifth line does contribute a lot the performance (tip, always tune your lines on a regular basis and Puertz taught us), but wouldn't want to drop this in the surf all twisted up, this is a definite limitation for me, but then again, don;t drop the kite a whole lot...
I'm not wild about the clam cleat on the Rebels (don't like clam cleats on any kites) but the extra throw allows better safety with the bar throw I guess.
...I still reckon they are better than a strap, the adjustment to shorten the length is awesome as I don't use a whole lot of depower through the center line and tend to use board edging...
All up a serious kite for anyone who mixes it up a bit.
...Yeh that's the key, it is a very good allrounder, non specific which suites my style.
