I finally went to the dark side...

[bryanleighty]

actually more than anything i just want to set the 11 next to my 12 to do a side by side comparison..

danny has the 13 .. should we line up an 11,12,13,14 and see if they are all in fact the exact same kites??? hehhe

That'd be funny if it were true.

Hmm well something smells fishy...

Are you saying the 9m waroo is no fun in 20-25?

[inferno]

simple, the 16/9 would work fine, but not if you want to be riding unhooked and throwing loops, especially since you are used to having so many C kites...
the 16 will work up to about 20 comfortably, and ive rode the 9m in 17 (on a glide)...
but if its blowing about 16-20, both will work but niether will be that good for working on unhooked moves/loops, the 12 would be perfect at that speed

you wont be happy with a 16/9 combo given your past quiver

[bryanleighty]

not saying that at all tom.. just that each kite def. has its range that it performs the best in.

i know you have many hours logged as a rider and will be able to hold down more on a 16 than the average rider.. and will be able to get more out of a 9 than others.. but i am talking about complete coverage w/ the best range for each kite.

there is a much larger range for hybrid kites compared to a C, that is a fact.. i just think that a 9 / 16 combo would be perfectly completed with a kite in the middle to cover that mid-range you might be over or under powered for depending on if you rigged your 9 or your 16.

example..
you get to the beach.. its blowing 18.. it MIGHT increase.. maybe.. maybe not..
do you rig your 9 or 16..
if it increases to 22 or so.. you will be really powerd (maybe overpowered) on your 16.. or really nicely powered on your 9..
if it decreases and you rigged your 9 you will be underpowered and prob have to come in to re-rig.
throw up a 12.. see what happens and you will cover that range + or - a few knots in either direction .. if it increases or decreases by a solid 5 knots in either way you will still be doing great on your 12 until you can come in and re-rig the next appropriate kite.

on days where its looking to increase or decrease i typically inflate 2 kites on the beach before i go out.. last few times ive been out ive had to step to a larger kite..
times before I had to quickly move to my 9m due to insane increases...

then again.. ive seen Ebone take his 9 out w/ his glide in super light conditions.. its all a matter of style and preference. i like to ride moderately powered.. i think Danny likes to ride a bit overpowered..

you are welcome to test drive any of my kites anytime

Ok guys, gotcha.

BTW, insane cannon shot kiteloops on a C kite are still the bomb:

http://www.kitecinema.com/len10/Len1...Sjees-480p.mov

Ruben is crazy.

[bryanleighty]

those recent Ruben videos are just over the top.

still.. i am just not as dazzled by handlepasses .. i know that they require tons of technical skill and i understand how amazed i *should* be.. but there is nothing in my mind more awesome than HUGE airs and massive kiteloops..

and, of course.. hello kittys

[inferno]

those massive, high loops look easier then the low powered loops with hard landings ive been trying, maybe i should start trying higher loops, that way the kite comes back around and gives me a little lift before i land, making it softer...

can any of our top notch riders respond to this, are they easier or harder to land?
thanx

I've done a couple of high ones off of waves and on a small kite you get whipped around hard and fast... spiraled horizontal and your board goes over your head. It's pretty intimidating, but I think you are right that if you do it high enough you will land softer as long as you get the kite back up to 12! I have also done them at the very top of a big jump... that is really not too bad if the kite turns tight enough. If it turns slow you are gonna get stuffed.

I have only been able to do a couple of them high enough to soften the landing... I tried them again a few weeks later and didn't get high enough. I got stuffed hard and broke two lines and had to swim in.

I thought I hurt my ankle and rib but turned out to be nothing... except poor judgement on my part.

I havent tried any real big ones since then... just small ones. I would like get some tips from Crazy Jay or Billy some time about this stuff. They throw some mad loops.

[inferno]

Originally Posted by tomstock

I have also done them at the very top of a big jump... that is really not too bad if the kite turns tight enough.

youll love the waroo for that reason alone, very fast tight turns