Bow Kites are 1,000,000 times better, after being lofted 20m+ and landing on concrete I would say C kites are the pits. Maybe we should all just go back to C kites and ditch the chicken loop, and donkey dicks then we can be real hardcore and have some real fun. Also if we get really excited we can remove 2 lines.
I have been kiting for about 6 months on a board but spent at least 20 sessions before that learning to body drag, bail and control the kite. I didn't have lessons which would have increased my progression. I learnt on a C kites sold to me by a shop that reccommend they were the best to learn on. First kite: 16m RRD type 4.1 that they set the safety up on which happened to be the wrong way round and wouldn't release as I was being lofted 20ft in the air and dragged down the beach. Second Kite: 10m Naish x3 with fith line, great kite for a beginner, I enjoyed being boosted all over the place, looping the kite and generally being injured everytime I went out. The thing is because I was cautious and lauched in safe places I learnt a lot about kite controland what to do when sh!t went wrong. I also learnt that a QR on a chicken loop means f*ck all when your being dragged across a paddock, through a fence and across a road because you were sold a kite you later found out should have only been in the hands of an advanced rider.
I eventually got my first run on a 14m Toro 2 which ended in a huge boost and, after crashing another boost until I could release the kite.
I bought an SLE this year and have progressed much more quickly and, to an extent safely. I am 95kgs and able to kite in 25knots comfortably on a 1.8m cabrinha double agent. I can edge, pop, jump and don't go into poo satnce when overpowered because I work on my technique, the kite has nothing to do with it, I'm the one on the board not the kite.
If you think SLE's and bows are super safe your an idiot, the only super safe kite is flat and in the bag. In this regard some beginners might have a false sense of security. Since having an SLE the following has happened.
1.) Kite looped, leash wrapped around power lines and trim lines causing the kite to loop more making the leash wrap tighter locking the bar against the trim loop meaning the kite was left looping fully powered with a QR on the loop that couldn't be activated, 9 loops later I managed to grab the middle lines and kill the kite. If there was a fith line this wouldn't have happened.
2.) The front Bridle broke again causing an out of control kite loop.
3.) The front bridle broke again looping the kite into the trees.
4.) The kite picked up some seaweed after a relaunch that jammed in the pulley causing the kite to loop again.
This all occurred on a well known 07 kite.
People will undoubtedly reply that I should have got lessons, it happened because I was a kook etc. The fact is no matter what style of kite you ride it is up to you to practise and work on technique and safety. I'm glad I learnt on a c kite because it taught me how to handle out of control kites with minimal depower, Im glad I bought an SLE because it gave me the ability to concentrate on my board skills and not getting boosted all over the place. I can ride a C kite a thousand times better now because of the skills I learnt flying an SLE which seems to take more skill to fly. My next kite will be a rebel, depower of a SLE with the fith line of a C kite. I ride at least 1-5 hours a day 5 days a week in 15 to 28 knots. I'm 95kg and ride a 1.8m cabrinha double agent without fins and use a 12m 07 SLE. The guys I ride with are 55kg, rides a 12m 06 crossbow converted 1:1 and a 129 Pro toy and the other guy is 65kg rides a 12m 04 Boxer/ 14m 04 Airrush/ 15.5m 04 Airrush and a 140 Naish something?. He wants an SLE or a bow because we can handle a bigger wind range, don,t get boosted on relaunch and handle gusts much better.
Cheers.
Kitesower,
Man o man, I havent even bothered reading your BS rant.
Obviously your not into 5th line or C shape kites.
Good luck on your inside out flat kite.
Sounds like your next purchase should be a PL flying doona .Auto Zenith is a real plus and you will be able to eat your sandwiches without having to worry about the kite
I am going to write into "Top Gear" (car show on TV for those that don't know) and suggest they do a segment the equivalent of this post:
"Bow kites and the demise of kite flying skills"
My suggestion:
"Modern cars and the demise of horse and cart driving skills"
I dont believe in 100% depower.
If there is 100% depower why cant i fly a 16 in 80kn?
I want to be able to release to a single line.
Whilst a 5th may wrap around the kite, Bows will invert and be difficult to relaunch. Both varieties suk in some way
Anything in the surf down n out will rip tear and self destruct. Waves are powerful, kites are crap y'know.
I Don't like bridles they can tangle and cause problems especially when they break just ask John Keys how his shoulder is.
I'm never dissappointed when people offering their experiences to help others get bagged by self appointed experts who decide to do things like kiteboard and instantly put up a kite and carve upwind in a god like fashion on their first attempt, never crash or even get their hair wet and spend the rest of their time basking in their own splendor. I am to blame for my experiences however lessons would not have prevented the shop selling me the wrong gear or stopped the numerous failures of my 07 kite from occurring. I'm glad that these people want to stay away from me because it makes more room for those who want to help newbies and enjoy the sport instead of their own company. No need to reply. Shutdown.
Elizabeth, you stole my signature sign off, 'Just Kite', I should have got the patent for this like I did my 10 meter high jumps on my SB3 12mtr in 25k winds...
And remember, 'Just Kite'...
