Newbie - which kite/bar set up is the VERY safest?

hiker1 · Since 01 Jul 2007 124 Posts Portland Stoked

Hope it's cool in this forum to compare brands/makes - or please kick this to the right spot.

Putting safety as the numero 1 consideration, which kite/bar set up do you recommend? That is, not factoring in cost/flying specs/ or durability---simply safety.

I like the "oh shit handles" as marketed by Waroo - Slingshot Turo Diesel talks about 100% de-power.... From the perspective of this thrashed up close to 50 year ol body - I'm looking to safety first and ease of figuring out what to do if I have to say - oh shit! Is the Best bar set up GOOD for safety for a beginner?

The addiction grows - already 4 hours of lessons under my belt & a board. Now, just gotta buy the kite/bar set up...maybe an 11M? Hear there are deals on newer/used kites when schools put 07 stuff on sale in September???

Thanks y'all as always for damn good advice and getting me hooked (I'm there - just not in the water there). Smile

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

The absolute depower ring is a great confidence booster, but nothing is for sure.

What I do like about slingshot is the way they handle. My 11 is sweet! It just has a big range and is really easy to relaunch.

The bar system is great!

I think that best has a good bar system as well.

You can't go wrong with 07 stuff.

Good Luck

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

pilot error is the main danger.. especially leashed pilots Laughing

(boardleashed)

safety and kiting is as safe as playing with fire. safe is knowing whats safe and not listening to who may answer or trusting them, know for yourself, that being said ask your instructor or someone who really knows but more importantly knows your abilities and how they match your gear and wieght.

Twisted Evil

haven't tried much for 07 stuff personally but new is always safer as far as breaking goes. old stuff should have new lines and stuff to really trust them.

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 201 Posts Stoked

I recommend getting the Surefire spreader bar from Slingshot.
The thing I like about this system is that you can practice every time you land your kite - just hit the button to release the chicken loop.
So its reflex when the shit hits the fan. Also, you don't have to learn a new system when you buy a different kite.

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

i would recommend the North Rebel. As a bow kite, it has a lot of depower, and it has a 5th line for ultimate depower. I don't own one but I have friends who swear they have no problem depowering the kite when it gets up to 40-50+.

I would be skeptical of claims from Slingshot of 100% depower. I bought a 2006 TurboDiesel and it did NOT fully depower when you let out the bar, compared to a Waroo of the same year.

The Waroo's claim of full depower is fairly accurate (especially for 2006.. not quite as much for 2007).

Edit:
Oh.. forgot to mention, the Waroo bar is not particularly safe. In particular, the 2006 quick release does NOT work after a while. 2007 is better, but still the whole quick release is not as reliable as others on the market. Again, the North looks good to me in this department.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

2008 Slingshot! Thumb's Up

diggler · Since 26 Jun 2007 6 Posts Kook

'safety is...'
safety is asking questions and listening to answers. making comparisons, seeing patterns within the body of info you get back, will help you discern what's bestexperiece is great if you can get it, but how to demo all the 07 stuff?
2 to 1 depower, 5th line bars like cabrinha and rrd may be a really good way to go. you can really dump off power in a huge way. 06 or 07 stuff mos def. you can get 'used' stuff from all the people who buy too many kites and are addicted to purchasing. most of it is basically new. nice to see anyone looking at kiting from the perspective of safety.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1726 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I'll agree with cosmodog on the surefire bar. I have used this bar for a couple of seasons now and everytime I come off the water I hit the release button. I have become very familiar with where it resides and I feel it is the best method for me to get rid of the chicken loop from the spreader bar. The disadvantage might be it is not as easy to do unhooked stuff but since you are new to the sport, I think you might wait on those tricks for a little while.
I will say that if you want a kite that has a better safety system, throw down for a 2007 or even a 2008 kite. Kite technology will keep improving and I am sure all of the major brands have a kite that is catered to the newer rider. In your position, it will be difficult for you to try and demo a kite so you will have to make your decision on what others tell you. I encourage you to talk with your instructor about the different brands and maybe an instructor from another school so you can get a different perspective on it.

Good luck with your decision!

stringy

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

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

there you go.... happy guys? you have made phil throw up again...

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

The safest kite is the modern kite you are most familliar with. The most important thing you can do for safty is take a lesson next start with the kite you used in the lesson or at least one that someone who is familliar with can help you set.

KingE · Since 27 Apr 2006 58 Posts Lake Wenatchee

Safety is in your decisions far more than the kite. You can have all the depower blah blah blah and if you do something boneheaded you will get hurt.

newer is generally better

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

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

bleighty · Since 17 Apr 2006 86 Posts St. Petersburg, FL

hiker1.. any of the 07 / 08 sle/bow kites from the major companies will be the way you should be heading. The main thing is stability of the kite, a lot of depower (claims of 100% but that means nothing if something like a line breaks..)

you need to be very comfortable and familiar w/ your QR system and dont push the upper limits of your kite until you master upwind riding and are a body dragging ace.

time spent on the basics and knowing the best ways to get out of potentially serious situations is key.

there is no "absolute safe kite".

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 26, 07 11:42 am

Safety is for pussies. You want safety, go windsurf.

You want the safest kite? Here....

pappas · Since 10 Jun 2007 58 Posts

Easy answer here...

THE ONE THAT YOU ARE MOST COMFORTABLE AND INTUITIVELY ACTUALLY USE THE SAFETY SYSTEM.

As long as you can train yourself to react and use the safety system with out having to think, then you will be the safest. So, find a bar that seems logical to you and practice actually using the safety features.

Pappas