Gear Review and Lessons Learned from RR today

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Had a nuketastic day today out at RR. Wanted to post some things I learned:

#1. Just because I am completely lit on a 7 - does not mean i can ride a 5. Totally powered up on the 7 when I showed up - figured I would drop down to a 5 to ratchet down the intesnsity of the wind - but could barely get my butt out of the water with the five.

#2. Rev Bars are not readily compatible with Waroo kites. The pig tails do not match up.

Also - wanted to give a review of the 5/4 Excel Infinity Wetsuit. The wetsuit is very, very warm. It has this orange fuzzy stuff that is like a sweater on the inside of your suit. Was completely toasty today. This is actually the third time I have used it this year - each time I was very warm. However, the 5/4 may be a little bit of an overkill. I wanted to get a very warm wetsuit because I get cold easy - but the 5/4 may be too much in about a month or so. A 4/3 with a base layer may be more useful. However, if you need a very warm wetsuit I would recommend the Excel Infinity - its also very comfortable and very stretchy. The only funny thing about the wetsuit is the sizing - I think the sizes run small (or maybe its just my imagination) but I had to get an XLS and I'm a buck eighty five.

Nak · Sun Apr 05, 09 7:40 pm

What about a 3m?? Very Happy

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Don't forget lesson 3: beware of the mystery moving pigtail. Laughing

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I use my Rev bar on my Waroo 5m, just got to play with pigtail and depower a bit.

Oh yeah and 5m seems to do awesome with 20m lines IMO.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Nak - you keep promising me you are going to buy me a 3M, but I haven't seen it yet Laughing

I'll need it for when I decide to go riding hurricanes in Florida!

PKH - I haven't tried 20M lines on my 5M waroo - but I could give it a shot to see how that works. And I did get the rev bar to work on the waroo, but I sort of had to Jerry Rig the pig tails (probably not a good idea - but I wanted to see if I could ride the 5 today).

Jbruxer - yeah, today I was out cruising around on my 7 and everything was working fine - I let Jbruxer borrow my kite while i rested and refueled - he gives it back and I have to fly the kite with the bar cocked pretty far to the left (all sideways and sh*t). I'm thinking - man, what the hell did that guy do to my kite??? Somehow one of the pig tails on the inside lines near the bar got moved up a notch (only one of them - not both) Jbruxer denies any knowledge of this movement - but, it was either him or the kite gremlins messing with my bar Laughing

scottman · Since 08 Jun 2007 150 Posts hillsboro Stoked

Cab you describe the problem in more detail? What knot on the rear line did you tie in to? The reason I ask is I am thinking about using a slingshot bar on my Waroo's for below the bar depower and center line flaging option.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Mark · Mon Apr 06, 09 8:47 am

Hopefully someday the industry will agree on standardized pigtails. Pain in the A$$ to jump between brands.

wylieflyote · Mon Apr 06, 09 9:14 am

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

Or just buy some bulk spectra and learn how to tie over-hand knots Smile

Mark · Mon Apr 06, 09 9:54 am

Both good ideas. But our industry is getting old enough now that we should start some standardization.
Kook proof connections that can be used between kites.

I would also like to see some standardization on safety releases.