Hi,
I am looking for new kites for waves and especially for onshore wind.
I am currently riding Bandit3s but want a bit more wave-focussed kites. Bandit4 I hear, have meatier loop than B3, which in waves is not that nice, plus they loose the steering when depowered (also hearsaying). So I have narrowed my search to Rebels and Catalysts as those are the kites I can get here, although not able to test them.
I am after nicely drifting kite, which is steerable when depowered, doesn't pull you over the board when looping (somewhat depowered that is) but still pulls when needed to get away the wave (perhaps by adjusting the tightness of the loop). The kite should be really stable in gusty winds (6m weather that is). I am thinking about appx. 6m & 10m set. I have 4.5m2 Cult and also 19m2 Speed3 DLX. I ride strapless except with twin when riding the 19m2.
How would Rebel and Catalyst fit the bill here? Catalyst I guess pulls less than Rebel, but is the difference huge? Oh, and almost forgot: I am after a really fast turning kite in 10m range, so I heard that Rebel 10m isn't particularly fast, but how's Catalyst?
Thank and good winds!
I would probably lean towards the catalyst. The rebels are great but have a huge amount of power and in down the line winds can pull you off the wave. Probably not such a concern in direct onshore winds but if you do go the rebel keep it small
ozone dedicated wave kite is coming out in a few months. called the 'reo' me thinks. check it
I haven't flown the 2011 Rebel, but had a session on the 6m Catalyst this arvo, BOM said 20 - 25 knots, gusty as hell cross shore, wind shadowed. Awesome little kite, does exactly what you want, you can ride straight at the thing, total slack lines, it recovers. Dropped it once downwind, relaunched in seconds. 4 lines and great build quality.
Very curious about the REO, especially if Ozone think they have improved on teh Cat as a wave kite, I'll be looking to try an 8m or 10m when they arrive in a couple of months.
I've found Catalysts to be a really fun kite for riding strapless surfboards. They have a light, direct feel and turn fast with smooth power. They allow your board to follow the water without that feeling of being lifted yet provide enough pull to accelerate you around long fast sections.
I've got a 6m, 8m and 10m and riding a new 5'8" Wam, I tend to use them in about 25,20,15knts respectively. In WA I use each size equally throughout the summer. I've enjoyed my 10m in gusty 12-14knts and had it kitelooping in over 25knts. I've also been impressed with the performance of the 6m in just over 20knts (I'm about 70kgs).
I think the REO is going to set a new standard for dedicated wave kites. I had a chance to ride some of the earlier protos and they were very impressive. They had a really smooth, direct, responsive feel and loads of depower. They drifted down the line making the fastest of sections and provided a smooth, consistent pull through turns. Apparently everyone who tries the latest protos wants to own them 
If most of your riding is in gusty onshore conditions, with the occasional freestyle session, i think the Catalysts would be an excellent option.
Hope this helps
Nath
Disclaimer: Team Rider for Ozone and AKS
Hi omg,
I sell both Rebel and also Catalyst. Both are excellent kites and customers who have bought both kites are extremely happy with their wave performance.
I rate the Catalyst as a better drifting kite and is light and responsive. The Rebel is much more grunty so you would need to consider a size or so smaller than the Catalyst. Trim systems on both kites are excellent with the ability to setup the North system to persoanl preferences of trim/depower. Nothing to wear out on the Ozone bar and lines with the PU covered depower line.
Both kites go upwind really well, both turn really quickly, both relaunch really well. Differences are Cat is a 4-Line, Rebel is 5-Line. Construction of the Cat is lighter with only 3 struts and minimal use of dacron as opposed to 5 struts of the Rebel and a bit more dacron. The lighter weight makes it fly better in lighter conditions and allows great drifting.
I like the big bore inflate valve on the Catalyst as pumping up takes half the effort and is quicker as a result.
The main differences are power, weight and price tag. Both kites feel so different so it is worth demoing to see which you prefer to suit your individual style. If you can't get a demo, you'd be very happy with either kite so there is no loser in this scenario.
DM
