Rider: 72 kg ? 158 lbs (beginner-intermediate)
Style: Freeriding - small to medium waves & swell riding
Weather: 20-30+ knots
Lithium verses the Varial (2012 & 2013 models). I recently switched from Cab. Switchblades to 2013 12 m & 9 m Lithiums, and I like them for all the good things keep hearing about them. Being a rapidly progressing first year kiter it's one of the better choices I made.
I have an 012 Cabrinha Vector 7 meter that I may change. When the winds up, it's a nice kite - stable and well behaved, and I bought it "well used" so it it's going to need to be replaced within the season. The only drawback to the Vector and it's not a biggie, is size for size it's not as powerful as the Lithiums. This creates a little bigger overlap than desired when switching from my 9 m Lithium down the 7 m Vector.
As I said I like the Lithiums but like all designs there are pro's and cons. At the top end of their wind range they can, and the term I've heard used, "have a voodoo character". It tends to dart back and forth when @ 12:00. Ok, so don't put it there right? Again, I'm learning the ropes and while practicing new techniques, falling in is inevitable. I've adjusted to it's character but it can be exhausting at times while I'm trying to set up the board to waterstart in deeper water while the kite is moving around more than the norm. The Cabrinha's tend to be more stable overhead, but I prefer the Lithium for almost everything else.
I know some kites are better (have a different character) in different sizes and wind conditions. I heard the Lithiums below 9 m tend to have even more of this "darting" character. Is this a delta thing?
I'm wondering how Varial compares to the Lithium and what's its flying characteristics, especially in the 7 meter size? Does it work in waves well enough compared to the Lithium?
I'm not necessarily committed to using Airush, but already having the bars and knowing from my days windsurfing, it's often better to ride one brand of "sail". It's a familiarity thing.
I'm 158 lbs / 72 kg and primarily freeride - open ocean swell riding, small to medium waves.
Thanks for your feedback.
A lot of the airush team riders have a Varial X in the small 6m size for heavy wind days. Why? The varial x loves lots of wind over its wing and gets better the more wind there is in all its sizes. jumps and gives you extraordinary hang time given its size.
But.
The VX is at nearly the opposite spectrum to the lithium (I have owned and flown both). Much higher aspect with C built in the VX needs to be ridden fast and aggressively. It demands a lot from the rider. it hunts the edge of the window like a madman and flies very fast to get there. it gives a lot if you give it a lot. You have to be on your game is far from the plug and play kite the lithium is. Much lighter bar pressure and yet a very direct feel.
Very good for cross on or onshore surf but down the line it can fly too fast at times. rider input can minimise this. Still has that refined smooth airush feel.
I'm selling my 2012 6m kite only though as I never use it where I kite maybe three times a year! winds rarely get up there for me.
Pm me and I can give you my number and we can chat more about this kite if you like.
Honestly though I still think a 6m lithium would be a great little surf kite for you. depends on how high you want to go with the wind but they are an unreal little surf kite.
Try and get in touch with mike birt just do a google search as the VX is his kite of choice. He knows his stuff and can advise really well.
To add the 2013 is even more intense than the 2012 so I wouldn't consider this year as the VX given your experience.
Have you considered the 6m wave. Has lithium DNA in it. And it's an actual surf kite.
I'd agree with eppo the Lithium 6m for your weight would make the ideal addition to your quiver 3m increments seems the best spread.
Or the wave 6m...you will be able to take this higher and get out in those 30+ days as well, but wont start as early as the lithuim. The wave will behave itself in those higher winds a little better than the lithuim.
Guys I've liked your feedback in the past and it's good as it gets > bought a Shinn Dundee per your recommendations and love it! Thanks. I'm also getting a good idea about harnesses...may want to put down my Dakine Renegade waist harness for awhile and put my Liquid Force boardshorts harness back on (haven't tried it since I was learning - didn't like the "nut encroachment" aspect with it on )only this time with a sliding hook (Dynabar - my buddy loves his / rides exclusively strapless) and give it a go for toeside progression and riding small waves. This is a different topic for a different day. :)
I have considered the Airush Wave 6 m. I heard many a good things about it and it supposedly isn't just for waves, it works well as a freeride kite as well. Perhaps it isn't as powerful as the Lithium but it has more upper range. Too bad they don't make a 7 m wave.
And I understand the Lithium isn't so much of a "dart" in the smaller sizes as some of the designs in the past?
Ok, I didn't mention that I also have a 5 meter Cabrinha Convert for those once and a while big days > my little 120 lb / 54 kg friend has used it but I haven't had the opportunity yet.
So, would a 7 meter Lithium be optimal or perhaps get the 6 m Lithium and dump the 5 m Convert. The bottom line, as long as I can comfortably be powered once I decide to get off or not pump up my 9 m Lithium and step to the next size down. I suppose this would be around 24 knots (72 kg body weight).
at 72 you will be fine stepping down to a 6m. Especially on a SB. then you will have a good top end as well. There will be that which one should I put up game that 3 metre size diffs give. If possible consider down the track as smaller tighter SB or even a good mutant like the wave or mako that can sometimes help smooth that 3m gap over if you choose wrong and find yourself out that sweet spot. Easier to just change over a board on the beach. Especially in winter when winds harder to judge as they can be variable during a session.
On harnesses if you want best of both worlds try a flying objects waist harness that has a seat attachment. I had been using one for 5 years needed a new one and thought it was just a seat harness. Tried all these seat harnesses and they didn't feel right say too low and crunched the nuts. Then Jason told me that is what I had been using. Doh! So got a new one and love it. Add on the dynabar and perfect. Although I keep a waist harness for surf sessions now can't be fagged with the dynabar anymore.
