marlboroughman wrote:The problem with the wave kites is that they are designed for Hawaii thus offshore conditions. They are gutless and fly at the edge of the window all for a reason. But for onshore conditions we need a kite that flies deep in the window, another words sits back but has upwind ability at the same time. Heavier riders want grunt in my case I describe what I need as power on demand. The kites I liked in the past were Airush Vapors 1 2 3 and X , Ocean Rodeo Cypher. As it was mentioned new Airush Lithiums but I haven't tried. The problem remains that 90% of kites are designed for Hawaii because of where the team riders are and marketing such as videos magazine shots etc. If you ride onshore you need to do a lot of research and product is very scarce.
I completely disagree with this
Almost every single kite is designed for "the masses", and NOT for perfect and side-offshore conditions
Have been like that for ages, as it is the only kite type that can sell, and deliver a sane business.
Noone buys kites based on PR (well, only a fraction, out of the totals) - so the kites has to suit us as customers.
I've never seen the majority of kites being designed for "hawaii" - on the contrary, they are suited perfectly for "most" riders around the world IMO
Regarding sideon typical conditions - here a kite that has very low power (= high windrange), and turns and fly fast to the edge, is by far superior and a perfect fit.
Upwind ability is far better with this very type of kite (not too low AR, a faster profile), compared to the "fat" kites.
If sideshore, some wants a kite that sits deeper and drifts instead (lower AR) - depending on what "type" you are as a rider.
And this is why these two types of wavekites are "dominant".
But having a kite that sits deep in the window, in onshore conditions ?
Is a nightmare IMO, and will pull you off your line, or even worse, off your edge whenever you DONT want it
In perfect sideoff conditions, a kite that sits deep, and with very low power - is the best and often used.
Exactly the opposite of what you want, almost every single point ?
So can only say that I disagree, and understand exactly why the offered kites today, are as they are - and offer a wide range of choice for what I describe, no matter what type you want of the two above.
Peter