Hi all, I'm based in Northland NZ and am just getting sorted to start out in waves seriously. I've got an Airush compact 5'6" and a few surfboards in the 6'o to 6'2 range to use. I'm 85 kg and our local winds mean I'll be on my 12 m Torch 90% of the time when riding my twintip. Sort of in the 15 to 25 knot range. The spot I'll be doing most of my wave riding is straight side to slightly side off ( curving beach so safe as in side off) waves around 3 to 4 ft.
I'm pretty confident on the twinny in waves.
I'm looking at getting something a little more waves than my varial x or torches, looking at a switch method, drifter or reo but just not sure what size would be similar to my 12 torch or varial x?
Should I go a size smaller given it's going to be a flatter less c style kite? Go for a twelve?
I'm really not sure and can't demo so just need to buy a kite.
Appreciate all you help!
The high aspect C kites have similar up wind capabilities as the low aspect wave kite.This means there not that flash up wind!.A 10 m reo is quicker than a 10m drifter ,but the drifter has slightly more power.
Wave kites can stall fairly easy when tacking up wind to hard.I have a 10 m north vegas and a 10 m reo and I need a solid 20 knots on both of those kites to ride upwind and have fun.At 17 to 18 knots you have to fly them hard and fast to stay up wind which is not what you want to be doing when wave riding .You want to be tacking up wind easily and spending more time on the waves.I ride a North nugget which great bottom end and is a good light wind surfboard.I weigh 85 kgs too.
I have the 10m Reo ,but mainly use it for down winders as I dont need the power then.
I am fairly new to wave riding and find that toeside riding takes a a lot of practice in order to go up wind efficiently in marginal winds.
So Under 20 knots for up wind tacking a 12m would be good .For 20 plus knots definantly a 10 m.
Maybe a 10 m drifter could be the go .Its just got a little more power than the REO.It has a slower turning speed though.
I have always keep my reo at full power on the trim lines even when its 20 knots plus knots and Im doing a down winder.Its got an amazing top end that is so easy to control while on a wave too.I could hold onto a 10 m reo in 30 knots easy.I would just have to ride a more wind hungry board.
You seem to have a quiver of boards there so thats definantly handy if your thinking of a 1 kite quiver.
Not the 13m Method - seem to remember that's only for heavy riders. I think the next size down is 11... might be able to get away with a 9 if your boards are floaty. Ask on the Switch forum for more specifics...
If you are normally on a 12 Torch and a tt a 9 Switch Method would be my recommendation, great kite and IMO has more power than the 9 Drifter or 10 Reo and would probably go close to the 12 Torch.
Yep the wave is good .I demo the wave too .Lighning quick just like the reo .I chose the reo because there is no pulleys and ozones valve system is so easy to pump up and has less problems in the long run.Also I found the ozone bar easier to twist out the middle lines when riding after looping the kite.
The airush wave I felt had a tighter canopy when racing it around the wind window.
Both great kites.
Anyone done a independant review on the switch method?.
Select to expand quotediamond2001 said..
Anyone done a independant review on the switch method?.
you can't... all switch kite users are team riders aren't they? 
