Personally after having the worst winter ever then being away in QLD and overseas for work (flying) over the last two months I arrived home in WA and finally had a session on my brand new 2007 Waroo Pro 13m.
Out of the bag, the Waroo Pro series is beefed up in all aspects of construction compared to last year’s model.
Start with the obvious area to grab my attention, the addition of Cuben Fiber to the item list. Cuben Fiber is not new to Bestkiteboarding, I’ve ridden all the kites which previously had this combination of fabrics built into them, what is new is the much anticipated introduction into the Waroo series of kites. The “Reduced Diameter Cuben Fiber Leading Edge” stiffens up the frame work giving the most responsive performance out of a kite that I have ever flown. “Perfect Profile Shapers” which give perfect canopy shaping during all wind ranges which results in exceptional upwind ability. “Trailing Edge Battens” eliminate flutter no matter what position of the power range you may be riding in. “Self Tensioning Line Deflectors” these little babies work two fold, the obvious point is preventing the bridal lines wrapping around strut ends whilst re-launching and not so obvious at first, they provide tension in the trailing edge during power up and unhooked loops to eliminate flutter. “Easy Pull Valve Tabs”, don’t know about you but these new beefed up tabs are a god send. I hate flimsy Velcro tabs, these are well built making for faster pack up and set down. In colder climates including snow these would make a great advantage when wearing gloves which would make the 2007 Waroo Pro and great addition to your snow kiting quiver. On previous models we’ve always included “scuff pads”, without thinking we added them again to 2007 season’s kites. More strategically placed pads on the leading edge which eliminate scuffing from the bridal system so no matter what surface you’re flying on, rest assured your Waroo Pro is build to take the punishment you dish out. “Serviceable Front Bridal Inserts” woven Spectra line has been used where all pulleys roll, simply replace when wears out rather than replace whole bridal section which translates into less time off the water. “ABC canopy and strut protection” as in previous models provide the toughest protection no matter what surface your landing or launching from. “Self Adjusting Rear Line V Bridal” fixed on 2006 models, now self adjusting in 2007 which gives faster turning, tighter radius turns. “Surf Tough Construction” we’ve beefed up and rotated out the way the LE seam in 2007 to improve under canopy airflow and to absorb the shock of big wave wipe outs. “Ronstan Pulleys”, the old pulleys did the job well however in the search for better materials to improve quality we’ve chosen up rated Ronstan high load pulleys which give smoother running and minimal maintenance.
On to the test ride, not ideal conditions to be riding in on my first day out in awhile, south easterly breeze (cross off shore) 15 knots more than enough power for the 13m I had in the air, I was desperate to get that feeling again, running out across the bay, wind in my face, the clear West Australian waters rushing past beneath my board.
Biggest thing I was worried about was my knee blowing out after not kiting for seven months !, so with my brace firmly secured around my knee I took to the water for what I thought was going to be a session of kooking out big-time. Once I entered the water I was off like I had not missed a session the whole time, the Waroo Pro felt very familiar only crisper on the bar, like fly by wire, where ever I placed the bar the kite would be there instantly. Power in the bar was instant as was de-power, I can’t comment on the 2007 bar as my kite came with a 2006 bar, new ones were not ready at time of shipping for me. Spent about thirty minutes just cruising around sheeting in and out redirecting and generally finding any subtle differences between the two season’s kites, in 2006 models when flying in the top end wind range a sudden release of the bar pressure would cause the airflow behind the leading edge to separate from the boundary layer which was visible in the canopy, it didn’t really cause any problems however I found this a little disconcerting, best issued a modification repositioning two of the bridal lines which fixed this issue. The Waroo Pro’s “Perfect Profile Shapers” fixed this problem and really do what there suppose to do, let the kite point up wind higher. I was tracking up wind at least 5 to 10 degrees more than anyone else I was riding next to. As my level of confidence in the kite grew my level of riding started to expand, I was getting comfortable jumping around, laying down some flips, spins, kite loops etc. I don’t really have a set guideline to testing out a new kite, I just let the kite do the talking which lets me ride at my style (free/expression) when I’m comfortable. So big floaty jumps followed by powered down loop transitions, racing down the line popping small tweaks were what I found fun for the day.
Summing it all up, the 2007 Waroo Pro is the bomb for the season, it’s tough, it’s sexy in the air, it’s not just a “pro” riders kite, it’s for anyone looking for that little more performance out of their gear. Jumps are big and floaty and can be totally in control given rider ability, re-directs are that, direct, I was riding the 13m comfortably with a 45cm bar a 55cm is the recommended size. Power is smooth through the entire range yet instant delivery is at hand when needed for load or pop tricks. De-power equals confidence in bow style kites and is no exception in the 2007 Waroo Pro. Re-launching is as always so easy and construction is the BEST…
If you see me at your local beach, feel free come say hi, then take the 2007 Waroo Pro for a spin, for pricing details or a demo ride contact your local dealer or contact me direct on 0432 392 767 if in Western Australia along with choicey at choicekitesurfing.
regards browneee
Choice kite surfing (WA) 0438 382 638
Adrenalin Rush Sports Australia (QLD) (07) 4953 3103
Kitepower (SYD/GEELONG) (02) 9529 6894 /(03) 5229 5899
KiteSurfDirect (MELB)
