Six foot swell.
Failing that, then a red Cabhrina Cross Bow 2006 will make you a pro in no time.
Getting a 8 Core XR kite tonight to test for a week. Might also get the bandit, but they quite pricy this side compared to all other brands.
Dont understand why Core has one bar size and also try to get you to ride with one two kites.... try selling that afterwards!! If i go with it, will buy 6 and 10 meter XR Reo, but got no idea on Core kites wind range compared to Switchblades (3).
Kim, if there were only a few Rebel demos to try in Gero then maybe you might see a few more in the waves. Theres a good selection of kites in the waves up here, no brands really stand out this year but the local riders are still rippin on last years gear
don't buy anything till you have tried the wainman smoke and gypsy!! I completley turned downwind of my gypsy the other day...was looking into the wind at it...it just flew past me and powered back up again...I thought...this thing just won't fall out of the sky!!....depower is awsome....it doesnt re launch...it bounces off the water...a no bull#*t kite...one bar...3 strut...wave weapon!! and they are fast so it ticks all your boxes easye.
ps dont listen to the "its the rider" I have proven this to be wrong..this kite is way better than me...it lets me do stuff I didn't think was possible a few months ago..lets me make a mistake and just sits there waiting for me to get my act together
Finaly got to ride the new Core XR kite, 8 meter. Struisbaai in 16 - 20 knots on Friday and Witsand yesterday in 25 -35 knots. As said before, i am looking for a wave riding kite.... Ps. All these spots are in South Africa
Ups:
The kite is definitely the fastest turning kite i've ever used and also seen on the water for that matter. I expect the bandits would also have great speed as they are pretty much the same deisng etc. I saw another kiter riding a Core (XR) kite a few weeks ago and the stability and speed of the kite stood out for me in gusty cross off-shore (SE) conditions... hence me wanting to test it. If you are into kiteloops, look no further. A kite instructor took it for a spin yesterday and said he has never had such a sick kite for loops (Witsand). The construction of the kite is super strong with additional padding and stitching in all the right places.
Downs:
The biggest concern for me is less kite time over an extended period of time due to heavier bar pressure. Never had such an experience with the cabrinhas (2008 and up). Maybe its the delta design, but I had it on light bar pressure setup (Wave riding), yet my arms were in a lot of pain after 2 days ( 5 sessions!). Also, the valve does not have a stopper ball when you pump the kite - very basic luxury.
All in all, the kite defintely got me riding waves better!
Stay tuned for more.
