WakeKite

arkay · Since 06 Jun 2008 192 Posts Manzo/Hillsburrito Stoked

I noticed PDX in the background... looks like a blast! Anyone tried this before?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m881Qwxob90

Certianly evolved quite a bit from the old days Wink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN1NxO7nhsQ

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Though I'd have to admit: it looks like more fun than getting skunked Wink

That old video is funny, came a long way indeed!!

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Sep 14, 09 6:42 am

G-G-G-Gay

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

That thing is definitely in the gay invention top 100.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Chooch · Mon Sep 14, 09 7:15 am

Thats like wakeboardings gay cousin.

Spike if your getting skunked and you have a boat then you WAKEBOARD Idea

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

clown show

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

marksride · Since 18 Dec 2007 15 Posts Hood River

Watch who you are dissing, that's Cory Roeseler's invention.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

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

Yeah Cory didn't invent the wakekite... it was invented around here though, someone in Lake Oswego I think.

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 264 Posts Obsessed

Holy crap! A "big guy" was 180 lbs!

Guess I coulda been a linebacker in the 1950s

Sella · Fri Sep 18, 09 7:54 am

Invented in Oregon......the rights are owned by HO Sports out of Redmond WA now. My family has a 9M at the lake cabin for the nephews. Grandma's not a real fan...thinks it will kill them because your boosting is controlled mostly by boat speed...not from sending the kite as I was expecting.

If you've never kited...you will think it's fun because it gives you that same first rush feeling when boosting air for the first time. If you've kited...it's the lamest most uncontrollable 2-line kite contraption you can imagine. It needs a better bridle and THEN it might a little more legit. Maybe.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

I'm curious, have you tried looping it?

Wasn't sure if it was possible because of the
short lines.

i've had the inventors out in our boat a
couple of times, never tried it yet, but there's
a new 2010 model coming out. They are the
same company as the ShadowBox.

I'm not sure how much research they have
done around kiteboarding, but I'll bet you're right.
They could probably improve greatly by mod-ing
the bridals.

Sella · Fri Sep 18, 09 9:05 am

Nope...can't loop it. It's slow to respond because only 2 lines connect to the kite towards the middle/ rear of the LE with a few cross support lines but bar response is minimal. The overall support is lacking so you get flex in the kite. Obviously, it fly's behind you so it feels like flying a kite in reverse so it definitely has a learning curve to it.

A bridle would be the ticket IMO to improve response but would cause congestion when relaunching or crashing. It has multiple pressure release points on the bar and lines for safety and even the flagger in the boat can release it as kind of an "oh shit" safety release.

Considering the liability the engineers had to deal with the overall R&D is impressive and the build quality is first rate but the design has not quite evolved yet, kind of like riding and 02 Fuel. When they first came out a few years ago they were about $1500-$1700. We bought ours new last summer for $650. Our goal is retro a beefier bridle.....use a harness....and longer rope to see just how BIG the effer will go. Maybe that's why Grandma keeps a fresh pack of Depends close by.

Long story short....it's a novelty toy.....demo before you buy. Shocked