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dangler
Since 26 Feb 2006
1780 Posts
WINDY SPOTS
XTreme Poster
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 Tue Oct 01, 13 11:39 am Good point Sella |
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I'll also be watching Kitesrf.com . Lots of talent coming together there! Good to see Amery Bernard landing somewhere on his feet, that guy put Slingy on alot of peoples radar. Jeff Roberts is another super talented guy, and of course Shannon is legend.
I've enjoyed Best Bashing since my early days in the industry when EVERYONE hated them.
Never forget the Caution boys letting all the air out of the Best Bus tires when they had the audacity to show up at Waddell! Classic!!!
Gotta admit Best has come along way. Saw some video of Ruben's new kite, dialing the Cuban fiber leading edge, some pretty cool stuff!
Just hope they step up and do right by Shannon. Very, very important to my way of thinking, especially image wise. Kinda reminds me of an old brand I was allied with that dissed their creator, and ended up in the toilet! Anyone care to name names?
DANGLE ON BIATCHES!!!
P.S. for Sella: when I was with Whip a ca (t) we had Lou, Chuck, Flash, Olivio, Mo, Aaron,and just about every big name rider of the time on the team. Didn't do them a whole lotta good. For sure its more about what goes on behind the scenes (DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN! for I am the Great and Powerful Oz!
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Kite Repair? AND WINGS Call me.(509) six 37-four five 29 |
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BigR
Since 05 Jul 2005
372 Posts
White Salmon
Obsessed
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| Tue Oct 01, 13 1:08 pm |
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| Quote: | | The real story that will be interesting to follow is Shannon's transitions from token figurehead to CEO and just how far will KiteSurf develop in a tough industry. They've got their rider....their graphic design guy...and their tech guy who is their true wild card / ace in the hole who could make the company produce something original and very legit. |
yeah , I remember all the original kitesurf.com players even before Shannon, pre 1999. I spoke to the tech/IT law guy money source back in late may and also to Shannon in Miami.
Doesn't sound like Best has much money left according to him. They can't/ won't pay him.
I tried the new kitesurf MP 10M and 13M kites. I liked the 10M more than the 13M even though it was identical 20knt wind conditions. I'll Stick with the kite company I've been with since 2001 b/c the bar lines I tried with the kitesurf.com kites were....... underwhelming. But Shannon just McQuivered them on the spot from a spare best bar lines. I really think the bar lines with the 13M was not tuned right at all. |
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Sella
Since 21 Apr 2007
1794 Posts
Doin' The Dalles
FLY'IN HIGH PIE GUY
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| Tue Oct 01, 13 2:44 pm |
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| dangler wrote: | | P.S. for Sella: when I was with Whip a ca (t) we had Lou, Chuck, Flash, Olivio, Mo, Aaron,and just about every big name rider of the time on the team. Didn't do them a whole lotta good. For sure its more about what goes on behind the scenes (DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN! for I am the Great and Powerful Oz! |
hahaha.......those guys were so good they made kiting look easy. Wainman was the game changer. Oh well.....where is the wind?
Last edited by Sella on Wed Oct 02, 13 8:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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| Tue Oct 01, 13 3:00 pm Re: Same thoughts |
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| Jonpnw wrote: |
I have also wondered this? I would think if a kite company made a great product and sold it for a reasonable price that would be enough to generate sales.
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Different sales strategies for different companies. Some kite companies really thrive off the hype behind their kites and the names of the riders that ride them.
If any company has a lot of riders, advertisement and hype behind their name - then you have to think where is all this money coming from? The people who are actually buying the kites. The kite company has to inflate their kite prices in order to justify paying for all these riders to be on their kites.
Personally - I simply look for price and performance - don't care if any professional rider rides my same kite.
And how do I know if a kite is going to handle like I want it to? Demo. I won't buy a kite without demoeing it first - regardless of which pro rides which kite.
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Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights! |
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marybear
Since 06 Aug 2007
75 Posts
thehood
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| Tue Oct 01, 13 5:22 pm shannon you got this |
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no doubt u are getting eaten by sharks on this take the power back u got this.....
punk those sharks in the gills in court  |
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HRnico
Since 22 Mar 2008
262 Posts
Da Hood
Obsessed
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| Tue Oct 01, 13 7:07 pm |
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Shannon send us some dry wind.
My 2007 13m Waroo still fills a spot in the family quiver
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CGKA Member |
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blancoh2o
Since 15 Mar 2005
1154 Posts
Oregon
Phishy
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| Wed Oct 02, 13 11:36 am |
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There is a bit of history that is important to know about Best.
Shannon was doing business with a shady guy.
http://observer.com/2000/05/did-barrons-bite-him/
http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2009/12/gumball-speaks-interview-with-best-kiteboarding-co-founder-alex-shogren/#
Alex Shogren was a hedge funder who took a lot of people for all they were worth. Last time I heard, he was escaping extradition and living on a Caribbean island.
The new Best is now owned by a Euro investment group. They are sponsoring a lot of top riders. All of the new school Best people have been super nice and it's not fair to lump the two together. That's all I know about them.
I hope Shannon does get what he deserves for his work in the company.
I wish Jeff, Amery and Shannon good luck with their efforts to break into a tough market.
And for the record, I have no affiliation with Best. I have never owned a Best kite and have only tried one once in my life.
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KB4C!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://kb4c.rallyup.com/kb4c/286ef9/Member |
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BigR
Since 05 Jul 2005
372 Posts
White Salmon
Obsessed
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| Wed Oct 02, 13 12:27 pm |
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| Quote: | | And for the record, I have no affiliation with Best. I have never owned a Best kite and have only tried one once in my life. |
Likewise....... The only Best kite I ever tried was a HellFish. Super fast little devil.
| Quote: | | The new Best is now owned by a Euro investment group |
that's why they are moving operations to Euroland |
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ecameron
Since 29 Jul 2009
90 Posts
PDX
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| Wed Oct 02, 13 2:10 pm |
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Read the kiteboarder article, that guy and his fellow "socially confused" new englanders are the reason i left at 19. Gives all new englanders a bad name (read as
f@ck you "i then bought two boats")..
Well, never heard of your name dropped st george prep, so you aint no real newporter buddy.
This guy belongs in RI or FL. Wow, i love NE, but hate the people. Some anyway, much love northern vt.
This dick followed the dead, more like dirtbag rainbow family if you ask me. Jah Trustafari... |
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ecameron
Since 29 Jul 2009
90 Posts
PDX
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| Wed Oct 02, 13 2:17 pm |
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Whoops and Mainers rock the east like no other.
Best of luck in future ventures, shannon. Stay away from partners who are obviously not in it for everyone involved..... |
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stringy
Since 23 Jun 2006
1735 Posts
vancouver
XTreme Poster
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| Fri Oct 04, 13 9:00 am |
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my parents always told me if you can't say anything nice don't say anything!
and to always try to find the good in someone and talk about that haha
so....
yeah they were really cool to refund consumers that bought the hellfish and give them 100 credit.
then in 2006 came the waroo and everybody bought one. or three.
but the one thing I will always remember about Best was their ability to promote the product with the use of beautiful women.
no one has done a better job in this industry (well except maybe jimmy lewis) with images of beautiful women and kiteboarding.
good luck shannon
https://vimeo.com/17564392
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www.jimstringfellow.com |
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toddjb
Since 16 Oct 2007
271 Posts
MD
Obsessed
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| Fri Oct 04, 13 10:02 am |
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| BigR wrote: | | Quote: | | ...The new Best is now owned by a Euro investment group |
that's why they are moving operations to Euroland |
That's news to me. Are they closing down the newly opened Waves, NC location and shipping themselves abroad?
That's too bad for the folks employed in OBX, but I understand corporate rationale.... (or rather, I have gotten used to not understanding it.)  |
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MIXWELL
Since 10 Mar 2007
496 Posts
LGP COUGAR HUNTING ChEETO SLAYER
Windmixer
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| Mon Oct 07, 13 6:08 am |
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Dangler wrote | Quote: | | HAHA, BEST KITES FIRES SHANNON; CHANGES NAME TO "WORST KITE COMPANY" Very Happy |
AGREE!!! 
I am just waiting to see the whole story on ESPN's 30for30 lol!
Shannon you the man!
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"INVOKE THA STOKE"
AIRUSH AIRUSH AIRUSH
Shallow Dive Design, EVS, Airush, Trident Sports |
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Sabo
Since 13 May 2013
51 Posts
Hood River
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| Mon Oct 07, 13 7:17 am |
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Probably a mistake jumping into this thread at all, but it's so hard when you see so much hate going on! To make a short point, I think a few of you are relying too much on hearsay.
If you don't know, I'm the West Coast Sales Rep for Best and live up in Hood River, probably have met most of you posting on this thread! Anytime you guys want to chat, you can always give me a buzz at 252-489-2959 x0248.
| Quote: | That's news to me. Are they closing down the newly opened Waves, NC location and shipping themselves abroad?
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The OBX offices are up and operational and aren't going anywhere that I know of! Those are our American HQ and we have Ryan, Darren, and Steve managing all operations in the US.
| Quote: | | HAHA, BEST KITES FIRES SHANNON; CHANGES NAME TO "WORST KITE COMPANY" Very Happy |
Dangler - have you tried any of my new 2014 gear? I know you are always on your Rally having the time of your life, but you should totally check out our new stuff before you bash it! I ride everyone's gear, and have taught on almost all of it, and can say that I think you'd be quite impressed with the things we have going on. Anytime any of you want to give my new gear a shot just give me a ring and I will make it happen! Then, after you give it a go, please feel free to tear it limb from limb if that's what it deserves.
Anyone get out and score that oh so beautiful session last week?? I'm afraid that was the last warm west wind of the season ;(...from the vibe of this thread, I think you all might have the same fear!
Hopefully talk / see you all soon! |
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Jonpnw
Since 22 Jul 2010
1327 Posts
Pacific Northwest
XTreme Poster
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| Mon Oct 07, 13 7:42 am zzz |
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Slingshot | Ride Engine |Try before you buy | PM me
Join the Columbia Gorge Water Sports Association. http://gorgewindsurfing.org/
Last edited by Jonpnw on Wed Aug 16, 17 7:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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