Hi,
Ive been kiting 3 years, summer and winter. 85-90kg, 45yo, live in Perth, come from a slight surfing background and want to get into kiting waves. I have a cabrinha switchblade (2009 8m) and a cab vector (2012 12m) and have been using a mates Cab Contra (2014 15m). Ive just got onto a strapless surfboard and am struggling but loving kiting again and can see that this is where I want to be.
I want to hit the Perth waves in downwinders with the ability to get a few better waves down south or maybe Lancelin to Gero area.
Ive been searching the forums and I get the impression that a new or near new 9-10m Switchblade might be good but I don't mind getting away from Cabrinha. I don't purchase often so I want to get something good that I'll be happy with for a while and will last.
Keen to see if there is some vague consensus on which way I should lean.
Thanks
pj
I ride switchblades, they are ok in the waves but not a dedicated wave kite such as like likes of a ozone REO or north neo ect.
Perhaps check out the Cabrinha drifter?
Wainman, your not going to know till you demo, every rider is different, have a look at what the kiters are riding in your area and have a chat to them, its a hard decision, for the money you dont want to be dissapointed. You wouldnt buy a new car without driving it.
I suggest upgrading your 8m switchblade with a 8 or 9m drifter which should be a decent improvement. Keep the vector as its newer and they go OK as a wave kite.
Don't expect miracles though, rider is the number one thing.
Get a 2014-15 Ozone Reo or even North Neo heard they're both good kites, I use a 2013 kite in the waves and it drifts really well and turns real quick.
Thanks for the responses. I will try out whatever I can get my hands on, especially if i can get one of the Ozone Reo's or Cabrinha Drifters
Perth kite boarding school should be able to demo a Slingshot Rally. They drift well in the waves.
It makes perfect sense for you to try a drifter. You can probably use the same bar/lines.
Other than that everyone will have a different suggestion. Round here (The naki NZ, Epic surf conditions) ozone reo and airrush wave kites are most common. Though i suspect its mainly because of locally active riders/dealers than any super special sauce applied to the kites.
Demo demo demo if you can. Then the right one for you will emerge.
Most new/recent kites these days are on par with one or the other. There's not many really sheit brands own there.... and even those are getting better!
Wainman Rabbits are probably one of the best all round kites that perform very well in waves, my son has a 2014 Reo a great kite but tends to back stall badly when underpowered.
Rabbits have arguably the best relaunch around, Westoz Kiteboarding carry the range of Wainmans.
Suggest you have a ride on a North Neo. Very popular wave kite here in Gero. Beautiful kite.
Select to expand quoteSTELLA01 said...
Wainman Rabbits are probably one of the best all round kites that perform very well in waves, my son has a 2014 Reo a great kite but tends to back stall badly when underpowered.
Rabbits have arguably the best relaunch around, Westoz Kiteboarding carry the range of Wainmans.
I'm with you on that one . I've ridding ozone and cabrinha and rabbits win hands down . Westoz is the place to go
