Ocean Rodeo could be my new kite.

rexsfour · Since 19 Aug 2011 14 Posts Tacoma

I want to get a kite. I am looking at the Ocean Rodeo's since they are 40-50% off right now. I have searched on this form for information about Ocean Rodeo with the best information on ocean rodeo going back to 08 http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-7623.html I know they have new models since then.

If you could get only one of these kites which one would you get for riding hood river? (I was thinking a 9m or 10m) I dont have the money right now to buy 2 or 3 sizes and I still need leassons. I basicly want one so I can start training with it at the coast on the sand and at the parks. I have a 4 line 4m foil with tons of power but I want to get use to the bar system.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Hey Rex,

We are the Hood River Ocean Rodeo dealer. Call or email me for more info if you wish

Dave Nunn
davenunn@windance.com

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

I basicly want one so I can start training with it at the coast on the sand and at the parks.

Under no circumstance should anyone (especially a beginner) fly a full size kite on solid ground.
It is very dangerous and you will not learn appropriate kite handling skills.
The only thing you can do on dry land is stall the kite at 12'o clock and very gently move it from 11 to 1:00. That's not a skill you need to practice.
If you move the kite too fast (which all beginners will do) the power will lift you off the ground and serious injury will result.
Do not fly a full size kite until you've had instruction in the water.

We see this happen all the time on the HR sandbar. People flying kites, lifted and dragged... broken bones.

Think about it, when you power dive a kite to waterstart, it's the equivalent of being behind a ski boat and yelling "hit it". Would you do that on dry land?

Kite handling is the easy part. Flying the kite while riding a board is the next step (also not so hard). And you can only do that in the water with instruction (friends or instructor).

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

abkite · Since 25 Jun 2011 27 Posts

spend your money on lessons....

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Never fly a full size kite of any size before your lesson!!!!! And only fly the kite on your own, in the water, after your instructor gives you the ok.

I am going to make the presumption that you will be weekend warrior to the Gorge all summer long. While everyone is kiting on 9&10s you will be body dragging and flying a 7 meter in the water. Purchase a 9or10 first and you will find yourself sitting out quite because the wind will be too strong for a beginner.

I suggest purchasing a 7 first and then pick up the 9/10 second for the Gorge.

-A.K.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Whatever you do, don't try to get into the sport on a budget. That is like trying to climb everest alone. Say you don't take a lesson, buy the 10 and feel pretty good flying it and dragging around. You show up one day and ask around the beach, finding out that most riders are on 9 and 10's. You figure today is the day to start trying to ride. You launch the kite, feel more power than you ever had but make it safely on the water. That might not happen though, you could launch it and be killed.

My real point here is spare no expense on lessons. They are the one thing that WILL save your life. Don't even think about scraping up your pennies to only afford one kite. Scrape up your pennies to get taught the fundamentals that will keep you safe. Plus you are buying local knowledge about where you (hopefully) will be riding everyday. Also, tips and possibly even discount deals on great kites.

I used to think Rick iossi was crazy to be so militant to new kiters about lessons and safety. I now see that kiting is serious shit, and have been witness to career ending injuries and death. Kiting is all about minimizing risk from the first time you hold a bar in your hands.

Do it right, you have an obligation to be a safe, responsible kiter.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

+1 for post ^ above

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

I saw a guy get dragged up a rock levee when he was just "getting used" to his new 12m kite. I tried to talk him out of it, but no luck. A high school kid was also killed flying his kite on the beach near Santa Cruz a couple years back.

But if you decide to ignore all the good advice, here's some tips:
- Start at wide open beach - no people, logs, rocks...
- Make sure you know where your kite release is and practice before you launch
- As soon as you feel at all out of control - let go of the bar
- Make sure you have you kite leash hooked up right and know how to release it

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

Take lessons, buy a 10m, then practice with the 10 when everyone else is on a 12m in knee to waist deep water without your board.

Also buy the Progression Beginner Vol. 2 DVD and watch it before/after your lesson. Best $35 you'll ever spend.

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

The coast is a great place to practice flying kites, definately a good plan to get comfortable with your kite before hitting the water !!

Using a land board in 5mph winds with a big kite works GREAT, you'll get the timing on doing turns, and can figure out how to go upwind much quicker than learning it in the water. And for safety, don't use a harness, that way you'll avoid getting dragged when something goes wrong.

I'm 200lbs and use my 7m/10m kites the most at the coast and in the Gorge. If you are smaller, then a 6m/9m setup would be better. I'd buy the bigger one first, that way you can learn in more mellow conditions. You don't want to learn in high wind, things happen too fast. I learned with a slow flying 12m, and I still remember the first time using a 9m, it was scary how fast the kite was flying. Now of course, I like the way a 9m flies Smile

rexsfour · Since 19 Aug 2011 14 Posts Tacoma

Thanks for your inputs and help. I will not be playing with any kite around people or hood river’s beginners.
I do not plan on flying a 10m on land with wind conditions more than 10mph. I just want to get use to flying it one handed and use to the bar system with a mountain board or on skis. I have a bar for my foil but I can’t fly it one handed in any kind of wind since there is no line attached to my waste and any wind speeds above 15 yank me around like a ragdoll.
I have the progression DVDs and have watched a few others. I am not skipping on lessons, I just plan on spending around a grand on a kite/setup so I’m not buying 2 for now. Military get 40% off most 2012 OR products and I don’t think another company can compete with that for the quality of product. (Well I am assuming they have good products since they have been in business almost 10 years, with great consumer reviews.)
Should I get a OR razor, Freeride, cypher or should I just get the 17.5m flight and just practice by paragliding the huge thing to work. All 3 are around 750 for a 10M. I want to go with the Rise since it has a larger wind range. From the information I found it looks like this
Rise = Effortless freeride (easiest to fly), easy & big jumping, gusty conditions, better beginner kite
Razor = Smoothest looping, surf, unhooked, aggressive steering, best going upwind, more glide during big air
Cypher = Unhooked, wake- & park style riding, freestyle

And which bar would you go with? (I’m thinking Freeride)
http://www.hanglos.net/news/281613/kitesurfnews-ocean-rodeo-2012-bar-technology.html

I have a few friends that will be getting in to kite boarding as well. I’m trying to get us a good beginner setup so they can try what I get and make informed decisions on their purchases. thanks

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I bought a 20 dollar add on chicken loop for my trainer kite bar, 3.5 m Hydra, and I bought a waist harness so I can mimic real kiting.

BKA · Since 19 May 2011 43 Posts Harrison

as a couple people allready have said take lessons before you buy a kite and depending on where u take ur lessons they will more then likely have demo kites to see what kite feels best in your hands.