Forums > Kitesurfing Gear Reviews

Bigger kites to go with 8M reo

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Created by Spark > 9 months ago, 22 Jun 2013
Spark
WA, 220 posts
22 Jun 2013 8:24PM
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Rider: 85kg, Beginner/intermediate (been kiting about 15 months)
Style: Wave and boosting
Weather: 14-35

My Comments:

Currently have 2013 10M cat and 8M reo. The cat is a really nice kite but not cutting it for me in the waves. Love the big floaty, forgiving jumps and it does turn pretty quick, drifts well enough but I find it rips you down the line when you really crank it across the window or loop it.

I want a couple of kite's (probably 10+12) that work well in the waves but have nice boost aswell. Basically an all rounder that is more suited to waves rather than a dedicated wave kite. Something that works well in the surf but is fun on the flats aswell. Probably 3 strut, fast and reactive turning while depowered (sheeted out) kites with good depower and a decent bottom end. Does such a thing even exist?

My local conditions generally consist of winter fronts where it's blowing 20+ and a decent swell(8M reo) and sea breezes of 14-25 knots with very little swell or none(the 10+12M).

Love my 8M reo and want to build a quiver around it. Also my board quiver is 5'10 Wainman Gambler, 2012 North Nugget and 2013 Ocean Rodeo Mako 150

So if anyone out there has found a kite that they love in the surf and also have good fun on it when it's flat I would love to hear about it.

cheers

22 Jun 2013 10:51PM
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There is a new Reo coming soon....

pattiecannon
QLD, 593 posts
22 Jun 2013 10:52PM
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I'm riding the 11m renegade, it doesn't turn with the consequence of a drifter but more pivots on the spot leaving you to hit the lip relatively unpowered. If you like that it's all good. I'm mainly freeride in the surf than down the line but it drifts good and is light on the bar. They boost good but I know a guy that prefers their screamer in the surf and that has bigger boost.

Spark
WA, 220 posts
22 Jun 2013 9:01PM
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Kitepower Australia said..

There is a new Reo coming soon....


Can you tell me more?

cauncy
WA, 8407 posts
22 Jun 2013 9:24PM
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As I've mentioned before you can get a fair bit more power from the Rio by sliding up the bar floats and changing up a knot or 2, the arnt many kites that'll give you amazing wave and freestyle ability, the f1 bandits are a great allround option

Plummet
4862 posts
23 Jun 2013 4:20AM
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Sounds like your simply riding too powered. Cat should be sweet for what you want.

Anyway i believe the answer is no. You won't find a better boosting and wave kite. boost is at one end of the spectrum and wave riding at the other.
You will have to make a compromise. Better at boosting worse at waves.

.... Worse at boosting better in waves.

This is exactly what your finding with the cat. To be fair though cats are freaken awesome in the waves. Important not sure what your complaining about.

zarb
NSW, 691 posts
23 Jun 2013 8:21AM
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So boosting and wave riding are at opposite ends of the spectrum... what about wave riding and popped tricks? Again at opposite ends of the spectrum?

eppo
WA, 9721 posts
23 Jun 2013 8:59AM
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What plummet is saying that kite design to produce a good wave kite is at the opposite end, especially in terms of aspect than a booster.

I agree with plummet spark ya need to slow your speed down...

default
WA, 1255 posts
23 Jun 2013 11:52AM
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All the things you say you want describes a Cat to a tee. Like plummet says, maybe riding too powered. The 2013 cat is a grunty kite (compared to past ozones) and a 10m with surfboard you'd really be looking at ~15knt sweet spot. I have 10 & 8 reos and I look to jump on the 8 around 18 knots of warmer summer seabreeze. Im 76kg and the Reo has less grunt than the Cat per m2. I'd stick with the Cat for all rounding.

I find with wave riding particularly with a surfboard you really want to be flying the right size kite. I tend to like to be slightly underpowered (unless big surf) and have to work the kite to get powered when needed. Then when on the wave, it's easier to switch off power and just ride the wave.

mc
NSW, 357 posts
23 Jun 2013 4:18PM
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Try an f one b6. Sounds like its what you need .

vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
23 Jun 2013 4:53PM
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Kitepower Australia said..

There is a new Reo coming soon....


Hi steve Have any spec information on the New Reo , Will it have more grunt than 2013 ??? Still trying to make the choice between Reo and Cat ? I have seen the new N**** Wave kite , which looks like the Reo,3x strut etc But have not had a chance to try it

default
WA, 1255 posts
23 Jun 2013 4:32PM
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Spark said...
Kitepower Australia said..

There is a new Reo coming soon....


Can you tell me more?


And while you're at it.. Any news on the Ozone Plummet?

23 Jun 2013 6:37PM
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2 weeks till I know more, when I visit Mauritius, where they are testing final protos now. Have been chatting with Rob W, all I know is its a new build, " It's just better all-round but mainly more solid?" Rob will never go into spin about his kites, he lets the riders do the talking.
I'll be there in 2 weeks, if you check out the Kitepower Sydney Facebook page you will see a pic posted there by someone on the island, there are 2 colours of the new Reo visible, but they are sitting on the sand not in flight.

Plummet
4862 posts
23 Jun 2013 5:02PM
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Select to expand quote
default said..

And while you're at it.. Any news on the Ozone Plummet?


Hehe... not an ideal name for a kite!

imagine if you could do that. Ring up the kite company and get a bespoke kite mate exactly to your requirements!... would be awesome.

PS Was in Raglan for the weekend. I'm a bit out of the loop but Hugh Pinfold was blasting around on a cabrinha.... apparently he's working for Cabrinha these days. Perhaps that explains the extra delays in the new chicken loop? Hugh was the bar and QR design guy from what I recall.

TurtleHunter
WA, 1675 posts
23 Jun 2013 5:51PM
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Select to expand quote
Plummet said..

default said..

And while you're at it.. Any news on the Ozone Plummet?


Hehe... not an ideal name for a kite!

imagine if you could do that. Ring up the kite company and get a bespoke kite mate exactly to your requirements!... would be awesome.

PS Was in Raglan for the weekend. I'm a bit out of the loop but Hugh Pinfold was blasting around on a cabrinha.... apparently he's working for Cabrinha these days. Perhaps that explains the extra delays in the new chicken loop? Hugh was the bar and QR design guy from what I recall.



well he did always like the feel of the zephyr.

TurtleHunter
WA, 1675 posts
23 Jun 2013 6:21PM
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Select to expand quote
Kitepower Australia said..

2 weeks till I know more, when I visit Mauritius, where they are testing final protos now. Have been chatting with Rob W, all I know is its a new build, " It's just better all-round but mainly more solid?" Rob will never go into spin about his kites, he lets the riders do the talking.
I'll be there in 2 weeks, if you check out the Kitepower Sydney Facebook page you will see a pic posted there by someone on the island, there are 2 colours of the new Reo visible, but they are sitting on the sand not in flight.


Nooo they can't change it. I couldn't see the reo all those kites had to many struts

23 Jun 2013 9:05PM
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Look again, there are clearly 2 Reo's in the shot and they are still 3 strut. Rob will have improved the kite not made a completely different thing and call it a Reo.

www.facebook.com/groups/kitepowersydney/?fref=ts

TurtleHunter
WA, 1675 posts
23 Jun 2013 8:32PM
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Select to expand quote
Kitepower Australia said..

Look again, there are clearly 2 Reo's in the shot and they are still 3 strut. Rob will have improved the kite not made a completely different thing and call it a Reo.

www.facebook.com/groups/kitepowersydney/?fref=ts


phew

vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
23 Jun 2013 10:57PM
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Select to expand quote
Kitepower Australia said..

2 weeks till I know more, when I visit Mauritius, where they are testing final protos now. Have been chatting with Rob W, all I know is its a new build, " It's just better all-round but mainly more solid?" Rob will never go into spin about his kites, he lets the riders do the talking.
I'll be there in 2 weeks, if you check out the Kitepower Sydney Facebook page you will see a pic posted there by someone on the island, there are 2 colours of the new Reo visible, but they are sitting on the sand not in flight.


Looking good ,can i have the blue Reo ,Can not wait to try new kite Cheers

eppo
WA, 9721 posts
23 Jun 2013 8:59PM
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Steve ask zone for me to make zephyrs in smaller sizes....pleeeeease.

Spark
WA, 220 posts
23 Jun 2013 9:01PM
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Thanks for all the input guys.

Think I will wait it out and see what the 2014 reo is like.

I think my quiver will be:
12M cat for 14-22? knots flat water and playing in waves
10M+8M reo for 16 knots plus in the waves.

Can't have everything and there is always a compromise. I do love that ozone feel.

Plummet
4862 posts
24 Jun 2013 3:45AM
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Select to expand quote
Spark said..

Thanks for all the input guys.

Think I will wait it out and see what the 2014 reo is like.

I think my quiver will be:
12M cat for 14-22? knots flat water and playing in waves
10M+8M reo for 16 knots plus in the waves.

Can't have everything and there is always a compromise. I do love that ozone feel.


sounds like a reasonable quiver! Do it.....

wait for the 2014 stuff ..... or grab a deal on some of the 2013 stuff when some of the kites are looking to shed stock! save some moolllarrr

vendeavours
VIC, 361 posts
24 Jun 2013 11:15AM
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Select to expand quote
Spark said..

Thanks for all the input guys.

Think I will wait it out and see what the 2014 reo is like.

I think my quiver will be:
12M cat for 14-22? knots flat water and playing in waves
10M+8M reo for 16 knots plus in the waves.

Can't have everything and there is always a compromise. I do love that ozone feel.


Spark i would go 14m cat and 10 and 8 reo

default
WA, 1255 posts
24 Jun 2013 9:35AM
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Select to expand quote
Kitepower Australia said..

Look again, there are clearly 2 Reo's in the shot and they are still 3 strut. Rob will have improved the kite not made a completely different thing and call it a Reo.

www.facebook.com/groups/kitepowersydney/?fref=ts


any chance you could copy and paste the photo here?.. no FB at work!

eppo
WA, 9721 posts
24 Jun 2013 11:56AM
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Select to expand quote
vendeavours said..

Spark said..

Thanks for all the input guys.

Think I will wait it out and see what the 2014 reo is like.

I think my quiver will be:
12M cat for 14-22? knots flat water and playing in waves
10M+8M reo for 16 knots plus in the waves.

Can't have everything and there is always a compromise. I do love that ozone feel.


Spark i would go 14m cat and 10 and 8 reo






Been trying to tell him but the young bloke just won't listen!!! LOL! He does have a nuggett though which lends itself to a possible 12m cat.

WA Surf & Foil
WA, 250 posts
24 Jun 2013 12:00PM
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Hopefull will be available for Nomutu

Spark
WA, 220 posts
24 Jun 2013 4:15PM
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Select to expand quote
vendeavours said..

Spark said..

Thanks for all the input guys.

Think I will wait it out and see what the 2014 reo is like.

I think my quiver will be:
12M cat for 14-22? knots flat water and playing in waves
10M+8M reo for 16 knots plus in the waves.

Can't have everything and there is always a compromise. I do love that ozone feel.


Spark i would go 14m cat and 10 and 8 reo


Thinking 12M for the top end aswell as I want to be able to use it with the 150 mako in a typical sea breeze.

have much experience with the bigger cats vendeavours? would like to know the difference in top end between the 12+14

14 10 8 does make sense

eppo
WA, 9721 posts
24 Jun 2013 6:29PM
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The top end of the 14m well I never reached it. I suppose the most I had it out in was 16ish, not a prob.

Problem with the 14m as I see it for yourself is that actually surfing with it, almost is out of the picture. Its too slow to be useful in the waves and the grunt produced by this largish canopy will just drag you off your line.

But the 12 cat while not ideal will still allow some play in the waves and of course boost potential being quicker across the window.

Maybe pm Djodjo spark he sold his 14m cat for a 12m...probably the best guy to ask this question.

Plummet
4862 posts
24 Jun 2013 7:09PM
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Its the age of question of tight quiver or spread apart quiver.

I quess you should ask the question what sweet spot of wind do you want to be riding.

the tight 12-10-8 will see you with sweet options 15-30 knots.

14-10-8 will give you a couple extra at the low end but therell be a patch when the 14 is too powered for waves and the 10 is too boring maybe 16-18 knots?

I solve the problem by having a decadent 5 kite quiver. .... still there are times when the 13m edge is too much and the 10 c4 not enough and I earn for a 11 or 12...

Spark
WA, 220 posts
24 Jun 2013 7:41PM
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Select to expand quote
eppo said..


Maybe pm Djodjo spark he sold his 14m cat for a 12m...probably the best guy to ask this question.



Will do

Spark
WA, 220 posts
24 Jun 2013 7:46PM
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Select to expand quote
Plummet said..

Its the age of question of tight quiver or spread apart quiver.

I quess you should ask the question what sweet spot of wind do you want to be riding.

the tight 12-10-8 will see you with sweet options 15-30 knots.

14-10-8 will give you a couple extra at the low end but therell be a patch when the 14 is too powered for waves and the 10 is too boring maybe 16-18 knots?

I solve the problem by having a decadent 5 kite quiver. .... still there are times when the 13m edge is too much and the 10 c4 not enough and I earn for a 11 or 12...


Typical summer conditions where I am is 14-22 ....

The 12 cat and 10 reo have a pretty big over lap when you consider I will be on a SB on the reo and a twinny on the cat most of the time. Each kite is serving a different purpose tho. I will be choosing which kite to go with based on all conditions as opposed to just wind strength.

But when its really light I can get on the nugget and cat and still get some water time.



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"Bigger kites to go with 8M reo" started by Spark