Flat kites are for cheaters...

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I'd say just about everything except unhooked stuff is just easier. Hooked in rolls are easy because you just sheet in when you want to go up and then sheet out when you are ready to land. Boosting big and hanging for a long time, no problem. Kiteloops, way easier. Slashing up swell is so easy. I can't wait to tear up some Oregon waves on one of these things!

Kodiak and I did a downwinder from Rowena to Secret Spot and a along the way I got in to some coves that I would never have never dared to even attempt on my regular kites. But the Waroo is so confidence inspiring I just trucked on into the wackiest wind spots (where the water was also mirrored out!)

The one thing about gusty conditions is you still feel the gusts, its just in your arms instead of your legs, body, etc.. I think Dano mentioned that to me once and it was really ringing true today in the nuked out gusty wind.

If you haven't demoed a flat kite yet, give it a go. I think the reason many aren't convinced is its so different it almost feels like another sport. I'm not a full convert yet, but I love my 7m, and I am eyeing a 12m to mate it with!

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1804 Posts XTreme Poster

If I can add to Pkh's comments,

I co-teach a public school windsports class. We used flat kites this year with the kids and the results are pretty dramatic. Basically, with flat kites kids are up and getting rides on their first day (hour) out, without the over the front yank-o-rama death splats from hell. Experienced instruction is a huge part of that for sure, but the flat kites just make it so much easier, safer, and more fun. As for inverts, the flat kite will do so in gusty wind if you relaunch with slack lines. But, it's really super easy to get them back into shape--you just swim at them. I must have relaunched 3 to 7 meter kites over 100 times in the last three days, in every configuration to the wind possible. I was able to relaunch each and every time. In fact several kids were doing so as well. We did not have any in-air inverts at all, including our last day when the wind was in the 10-30 range for the afternoon.

So, if for whatever reason you decide not to use a flat kite, I would sure suggest that you teach others, or enroll others, in schools that do.

This is not a plug for any single school, or brand, but a comment on my experience with teaching 12 to 14 year olds on flat kites with certified instructors. This is our 5th year teaching the class, and the number of kids getting rides so early in the game is super exciting for me. And yes, I am on flat kites this year too, and I don't see myself going back to C's.

Pray for SAND at the spit!

Eric

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

A couple of pics from the downwinder.

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

i thought kitesurfing altogether was cheating (as opposed to windsurfing)

and of course snowboarding is a cheat on skiing (long skinny skiing of course, the new short fat skis are also a cheat)

broadbandito · Since 26 Apr 2005 342 Posts CSO headwaters WheatHead

I used the word "cheating" to describe my first wave session on a flat myself. With my intermediate skills and not much time on the waves, I previously had to edge and leave the sweet spots on the waves as I hit the bottom of the wave and my kite powered up. Sheeting out a few inches changed the whole game! I don't think I had to grit my teeth once the whole session.

adrianczm · Since 06 Mar 2006 89 Posts Cozumel, Mexico

Hey Phil, looks like cold still over there!!!

How are you guys doing?

Adrian

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 561 Posts Hood River Photographer

Isn't that what people said about fat ski's too?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Confirmed, flat kites are the frigging mutts nuts in waves. Lit 7m Waroo Manzo sesh baby. Basically I could ride faster, stay in more control, and put myself right where I wanted to be on any wave (and I am an intermediate wave rider at best.) Hell of a day.

Even met the River Troll, he was grilling up some roadkill on his radiator when I saw him. Shocked