probably but his kite's are ** so it would only be a set back for a season.

where is this industry you talk about jarvo?
a few dudes who love kiting with their mates renting shops. lol some industry!

Of course. Just like Best killed the retailers.

where's the comments knocking down the tall poppie...?

$1200 US - includes shipping and bar but not tax on a 12m :)

Gorgo said...

Of course. Just like Best killed the retailers.

My thoughts exactly!

Anyone who hates on BW for bringing out a cheaper kite is a hypocrite..
Dont we all shop around in everything else in our lives for the best deal before laying down our hard earned?
Who hasnt gone to Bali or a similar country and stocked up on crap you dont need just cos its cheaper than home?
In a country where everything is heavily overpriced(housing,fuel,food,electricity and even water!), I reckon BW deserves kudos for bringing the price down..
I remember thinkin how was he gonna compete in a market already saturated just on the strength of his name? Well I guess we now know...

I read through all of that and figured out two things, lots of people cannot spell and lots are bored. I am also too lazy to form and post an opinion.

BWS will sell well at that price.
The biggest kooks of this sport love cheap bridle kites like waroo, monkey, griffin etc

I remember Best were cheap then got expensive (and still have kooks riding them ha ha)
The moral of this story is get in quick before the price rockets.

I'm not 'dishing' the kites as you put it.. never have (his movies are another story)

if you stop rubbing your bws totem pole for a second and read my first post, I stated I thought he had a hold of a niche in the market, but one that won't really effect retailers to a point where it will change the industry.

I can appreciate the moves & technique that strappless guys do, but for the most part it looks like an awkward crab crawl of half turns and missed sections...

but who am I to speak

I ride a twin tip in the surf

with a nappy harness

and a bucket hat

and a cabrinha

Prawnhead said...
we can defer to the classic voltaire defence

I generally prefer the Chewbacca defence... [}:)]

japie said...

I am also too lazy to form and post an opinion.

lol?

I think to be fair to BW comparisons with Best are not really fair. Several years on and people are more internet savvy now and comfortable with ordering online. Shannon had a low profile compared to BW who has had a huge media exposure through his savvy use of video making and marketing. I am sure Slingshot in particular will suffer with BW and their former designer leaving the fold.

Also BW has attracted riders like Ryland who although living in a remote backwater [sorry fellow Perth guys but it is to the outside world] like Perth, has achieved worldwide media exposure by being Savvy about video and internet technology. You cannot buy that sort of advertising.

If i was to predict the future i think their will be a lot more direct online selling and marketing in years to come and other manufacturers may join in to compete. The great shame may be the demise of our existing friendly local retail outlets who actually provide a great service in terms of lessons, social gathering points, repairs, spares etc. Also there will be nowhere to seek advice about what size and design of kite would suit the buyer personally for skill level etc. Personally i would like to support local retail if the cost difference is not too great

theDoctor said...



I'm not 'dishing' the kites as you put it.. never have (his movies are another story)

if you stop rubbing your bws totem pole for a second and read my first post, I stated I thought he had a hold of a niche in the market, but one that won't really effect retailers to a point where it will change the industry.

I can appreciate the moves & technique that strappless guys do, but for the most part it looks like an awkward crab crawl of half turns and missed sections...

but who am I to speak

I ride a twin tip in the surf

with a nappy harness

and a bucket hat

and a cabrinha

I swapped my cabrinha for a high power laser light. It was a good swap as even the duct tape had started to deteriorate after four years of use. The dog loves the laser.

I bought a new Argonaut without lines. The Peter Lynn lines are still okay. They are joined to a North quick release combined with an Air Evolution bar and chicken loop.

The reason I chose the Argonaut was because Lachlan said it was okay and could get me one quickly.

My nappy harness has lasted five years although it has quite a lot of 25kg braid holding it together.

Since I started kiting I have used a Venom, a North, an Air Evolution, a Cabrinha, a Royal Era and now the Griffin. I have three boards but cannot remember what make they are.

I usually wear a hat, Ocean Earth I think it is called, ( I know it is very dirty), and a rashy which I splashed out on after having one too many sun spots removed. It is a grey one with the maker splashed all over, Rip Curl. Goes well with my footy shorts.

I also have a hell of a lot of fun which is, I believe, what it is all about

Bws isn't going to kill retailers the GFC will.

Cheaper kites cannot kill the industry.
Windsurfing killed itself when it got expensive as hell.