What North Rebel combo to choose??

[BBQFish]

Guys,

i'm ordering 2 new kites to go along with my 2011 (the latest model) North Kontact 6'0 board.
Weighing in at 90 Kg and surfing in winds varying from 15-35 knts i'm wondering what would be the best combo to order?
Low-end is always a top priority when it comes to my kites.

Is a 7 m2 & 9 m2 more suited then a 6 m2 & 8 m2 set?
Right now i'm riding also North Rebel but 2008 models, also in the sizes 7 m2 & 9 m2.
But has the low-end improved over the years that a 6-8 combo would be sufficiant?

Alot of Rebel kiters here on the forum, so i hope to get some feedback from you guys.

Thanks in advance!

[tomashh]

Hi,

I faced the same problem: I´ve a Wam 5.10, weight 70 kg, favorite spots North Sea and Baltic Sea, waves up to 3m, side onshore winds. I´ve choosen the combination of 7 and 10 qm and I´m very happy between 12 and 35 kts. My other boards are a select 135 and a skimfish, both North. Imo. 7 and 9 are to close together. For me the 7 starts at 18 -20 kts.

Aloha

Thomas

[Saami]

Right now i'm riding also North Rebel but 2008 models, also in the sizes 7 m2 & 9 m2.
But has the low-end improved over the years that a 6-8 combo would be sufficiant?

I've ridden the 2008 models, and I have now had a chance to test the 2012 Rebels in various sizes and wind strengths. Yes, the low-end of the 2012 models seems somewhat better than the low-end of the 2008 models. However, be prepared for a significantly poorer high-end. Simply put, the 2012 Rebels do not have the great range that the 2008 models had.

Note: I have not yet ridden the 2012 Rebel 6m, but I have tried the 8m, 10m and 12m. What I wrote is based on my experience with those sizes.

[SupaEZ]

Hello BBQ Fish.I ride 5'9" Kontact 2010(16 7/8" wide by 1/78") at 75kg starting at 15knots on a 10M Rebel 2011.Personally i use a "trio" 10-8-6. But for you at 90kg that wants "low end" the "combo" i suggest is 10M-7M Rebels 2011 or 2012.At your size you can easily have 3M in between kites.With 6M-8M or 7M-9M combos i do not think the "low end"will be much fun.Keep in mind that 6'0" Kontact is narrow gun shape 17 1/4" wide by 2" thick and needs more juice for low end. I hope this helps a bit. SupaEZ

[Coloradokiter]

I'm riding a 5'10" WAM and use the 2011 6/8/11 combo from 10 to 35 knots. If I was to get only 2 kites I would choose the 7/10 combo. I have a lot of time on the 10m too and it has a great range, Combine that with a 7 at your weight and you'll have a good 2 kite quiver. I've ridden a little bit on the 011 7 and 9 and feel they are to close that's why you should jump to the 10.

[Wawando]

Hi,

It all comes down to the predominant winds you have in that 15-35 range...
8m seems too short for your weight below 18-19 knots...

6m+9m if your predominant winds are closer to upper windrange
7m+10m if your predominant winds are closer to the lower windrange

That said, i don't like kites bigger than 9m for waveriding, they feel too slow and heavy. But i am 8kg lighter than you.

Best regards,
Wa

[BBQFish]

Thanks for the info guys.
So true what Wawadoo says: all kites above 10m2 are to slow for waveriding.
If 9m2 turns out to be to less, i better get a bigger board rather then a bigger kite.

Still, is a 2 meter gap between sizes to small?
So now i'm leaning towards 9-6 combo...

Maybe add a 5'8 fish to the board quiver?

[jherlong]

I am 75 kg with a 2010 rebel 7 and 10m. I switch between a contact 6.0 and Shinn monk 130. I kite all conditions with this quiver from 14-40 kts in NC. I love the combo so much I sold 3 other kites from my quiver, a 9,11 and 14. I still have a 2007 12m rebel but used it 2 times this year, because the 10m responsiveness is that much better. I would still buy the 10 over a 9 because 9 and 7 are too close in range and you will need the low end. I can keep the 10 flying up to 26-28 kts range safely, so i dont switch out much mid session because of the fantastic range.
Hope this helps and happy kiting!

[alexeyga]

You do know that there are a lot more to wave-specific kites than the Rebel? For instance, I though North positions Evo as the kite more suited for waveriding... Not to mention Ozone's C4 and Reo... Cabrinha's Drifter... You should try more kites in bigger then 9m sizes - you're in for a few surprises for sure... Life it too short to limit your-self to one brand... especially when you're riding that brand out of your-own pocket...

[Wawando]

Just to add my personal experience about 6+9 or 5+7+9.
I only have 9m, 7m and 5m and it is the perfect combo. I almost only use the 5'9 board. 6'0 in very low wind days.

I ride from 15 to 40++ knots.

I tried to have only 9m+6m (in 2009) but there are a lot of 7m days where i ended up using the 9m and the 6m is too big for my 30-40++ days as the wind is VERY gusty in my spot (Guincho, Portugal).

I use 7m 70% of the sessions, 15% on 9m (winter) and 15% on 5m (summer).

In fact, I am only using a 7m in the past 3 months and i only missed a couple of days...

About the other kites bigger than 9m from other brands, I have nothing to do with North and I am always trying new kites from different brands and i haven't found one that makes me change. There where a couple of C4 here this summer, they looked well but didn't try them.

I tried (again) a EVO the other day and (again) i liked it a lot. The only reason i don't use them is because they have a more limited windrange and that is very important for 50% of the days in my spot.

Best winds,
Wawa