Tested some epic kites

forrest · Wed Feb 10, 10 1:56 pm

I don't feel that this one qualifies for the Industry Soapbox section since it wasn't started by an industry person, isn't comparing brands (which is banned), and is just mostly making fun of the name. Anyone disagrees let me know!

-Industry Soapbox Enforcement Officer

wytcap · Since 10 Mar 2005 203 Posts NW oregon Stoked

Forrest, pepi ,
Dimitri was always the face person prior to Epic, anything and everything related to business at Eclipse was decided by the Sole owner of Eclipse not Dimitri.
I was burned as well as most who worked for Eclipse but that is water under the bridge.

Dimitri along with his wife are sole owners of Epic.
The post that started this thread was by a rider who I or Dimitri have no idea who they are. Just a rider who tried the kites and reported,
Dimitri is not retired, and the company is very solid.
So you do not have to be impressed but before you speak out of turn please have your facts correct.
If I can answer anyones question please give me a call or E-mail rather holding court in public.

Dale@epickites.com
503-888-3486

Sella · Wed Feb 10, 10 2:51 pm

JUMPIN JIMI · Since 11 Nov 2006 123 Posts Stoked

THEY SHOULD CHANGE THE NAME TO ..''NOT SO EPIC'' Idea

drtaamc · Since 24 Jul 2008 120 Posts Stoked

Can't we just argue politics instead of this mundane my kite brand is better than your kite brand? Wink

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

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

BellinghamKiteboarding · Since 15 Mar 2008 73 Posts

Dimitri is the guy people love to watch. Not retired, just not the wake new school rider that normal non kiters watch. Dimitri is a crowd pleaser, and is about big air, board offs, and smooth style. Unfortunately that's not what PKRA values these days. Having watched Harlow, Lenten, Leroy, etc..... I put Dimitri in the same class when it comes to pleasing the crowd. Non kiters probably relate better to dimitri's grace and unique board offs.

That being said, i was affected by the Eclipse debacle. The kites from eclipse were great. I loved the thruster, and still do. The problem with eclipse wasn't the design or build, it was thAt too many promises were made by the owner that he couldn't make good on. Dimitri wasn't the owner, so I respect that he wouldn't stick with a company that had little follow through. He did what he could, until he realized he couldn't be effiective with a company he didn't own.

So he started his own. He went to the designer of the thruster, and financially made good, and got the latest generation kites that fly great. Relanch and stability are improved, opening the kite to a broader audience. (screamer)

I am a believer in the brand and dimitri, and got to spend a weekend with him in ventana at the expo. Nothing but respect from me for the guy and what he is doing.

Nobody is selling out of a van, and there is a strong dealer network in place

If you want to talk with real people who fly the kites, call us. We are open ALL year long, with real kiters running the shop from 11 to 4 Monday thru Saturday (winter hours) 360 SPLASH 1

We already have demo gear in Seattle and Bellingham, with plans to get gear in BC and beyond. Try the kites if you can. They are great.

j · Since 08 Nov 2006 94 Posts Seattle

[quote=Shymac]The biggest thing that pissed me off is they killed the term "EPIC".[/quote]

Now if only someone will start a kite company named "Legit"...

Sol-flyer · Thu Feb 11, 10 9:31 am

Thanks guys, I completely understand.

I have been pretty skeptical at first glance but recently have seen the efforts from dimitri and I am stoked to see it starting to pay off for the guy.

Time will tell

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

this post is so fucking epic... who would have ever guessed such epic things would go down in a thread about epic.... epic.

forrest · Thu Feb 11, 10 10:50 am

I feel like some of the info here is relevant and it's not a brand versus brand thread. Not everything on this forum has to be positive. Sometimes the information that gets shared is dark and negative, that's just life.

manplesvanuatu · Since 17 Jul 2008 15 Posts

man, reading comments like Pepi's I am just a little saddened that negative vibes comes out from it. I do not know how the Epic kites fly. Have met Dimitri a few times and I can tell you he is pretty passionate about this sport. In my opinion, he and the other small companies are just so passionate about it that they are willing to give risk their livelyhood to bringing out a brand. Pepi you say that you "feel bitter once in awhile" cause you have a mortgage, kids and what so ever...wonder if you ever thought guys like Dimitri or the others don't have the same issues..
To me little brand like that brings out the honesty in the big brands...Otherwise Cabrinha and the alikes may think it's ok to market $2000 tarpped "tent" materialed kite from China to the mass. Because really it's only tent tarp (haha) and it should not cost that much:-) The say competition is good for the business. It makes people think out of the tank. It drives the technology. If you don't innovate you die. So if the small guys can't keep up they will go away...adding negativity to forum like this is wasted energy. So my take is to stop being negative and just let who ever believe in their passion and have a dream..and for us kiters to do nothing but kiting. Bitterness is not good:) There are people in Haiti who all they worry is "what is the next meal available"

manplesvanuatu · Since 17 Jul 2008 15 Posts

man, reading comments like Pepi's I am just a little saddened that negative vibes comes out from it. I do not know how the Epic kites fly. Have met Dimitri a few times and I can tell you he is pretty passionate about this sport. In my opinion, he and the other small companies are just so passionate about it that they are willing to give risk their livelyhood to bringing out a brand. Pepi you say that you "feel bitter once in awhile" cause you have a mortgage, kids and what so ever...wonder if you ever thought guys like Dimitri or the others don't have the same issues..
To me little brand like that brings out the honesty in the big brands...Otherwise Cabrinha and the alikes may think it's ok to market $2000 tarpped "tent" materialed kite from China to the mass. Because really it's only tent tarp (haha) and it should not cost that much:-) The say competition is good for the business. It makes people think out of the tank. It drives the technology. If you don't innovate you die. So if the small guys can't keep up they will go away...adding negativity to forum like this is wasted energy. So my take is to stop being negative and just let who ever believe in their passion and have a dream..and for us kiters to do nothing but kiting. Bitterness is not good:) There are people in Haiti who all they worry is "what is the next meal available"

Pepi · Thu Feb 11, 10 12:08 pm

I am sorry if I made you sad Crying or Very sad

Now I sound like a mean person. Next time I'll try not share my own personal opinion on a public forum so as not to offend or sadden anyone. Razz

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

forrest · Thu Feb 11, 10 3:12 pm

Don't make this about starving people in Haiti...

Epic kites will do well I'm sure. Eclipse was well respected in my book just because of Matty (sol-flyer). Matty was boosting just as high as Dimitri was in SPI when I was there, and doing the new-school wake stuff too. Epic will be respected cause Matty is respected.

Even though I'm afraid I'm going to be labeled a whinie bitch for this, here goes:

This negativity has nothing to do with Epic kites and really is aimed at Dimitri himself. Dimitri is a terrible liaison for kiteboarding. Most people (all who've posted something negative in this thread in fact) who aren't potential customers of his, that have had interactions with him on the water, can't stand him. He's the worst offender of cutting people off, pinching people upwind, hogging the space in front of cameras, and doing whatever is necessary to get exposure while shitting on all the poeple on the water around him. Not to mention bouncing off piers and making kiting look like an idiot's sport. I'm sure he's a nice guy in person though.

Regardless, He doesn't get to do that and expect forums to be filled with hearts and bunnies loving on him.