Starsky wrote: ↑Tue May 02, 2017 11:29 am
Your right to point out that kites are still kites and there have been no massive revolution for the average kiteboarder. But the sum total of small changes has changed the sport entirely and drastically for many of us who have chosen to go with it.
There is a lot more choice for those who look to specialize.
Race foil kites are light years better than they were a decade ago.
True modern planing hull surfboards with lightweight kite worthy construction are available now
Strutless kites were not even around 10 years ago and are a fantastic innovation for some.
Hard shell harnesses w/ slider system are common place.
And of course the hydrofoil itself has made noteworthy advances. Most importantly for the average ride is a departure from race oriented gear to user friendly, carving oriented hydrofoils.
My personal riding has changed completely from what it was a decade ago. Yes its due to the hydrofoil, but that has spun off to impact all the other gear I use. I have almost all of those advances mentioned above in my daily quiver. Strapless hydrofoil on a minimal board, hard shell harness, no hook, no chicken loop, long throw bar, no trim strap, strutless kite, an impact/flotation vest that is actually designed to integrate with a waist harness, and a merino wool lined wetsuit you could only dream of a decade ago.
I can start having fun on a strutless 12m in 9 knots where a decade ago I would be struggling to hold ground on a twin tip in 14 knots on a 16m kite.
My most used kite is now half of what it was then at 8.5m, where a decade ago you were really lucky when we got to size down from 16m to 13m let alone pull out a 9m. Those were often the smallest kite in peoples quivers around here!
The wetsuit and trimmings alone have doubled the length of my water time to include some of the best conditions we ever get at the edges of the season.
All in all my number of days on the water has more than doubled, my number of days skunked are less than and eighth of what they were, and all the days on gear other than my foil are in champagne conditions...... every single one.
Add it all up and these are paradigm shifting revelations of a massive magnitude.
I'm as stoked as I ever was without any of the neurotic jonesing that used to be a staple. I casually scan the forecast where I used to obsess over it. I am easy to plan with and can happily miss even a great day knowing I'll get out again soon.
Where I used to be confined to a single local launch, I'm now free to drift launch from nearly anywhere opening up vast regions both locally and during travel.
The hydrofoil is a big change. Its like a can opener that has opened up a huge can of awesome that has fizzed all over and sprayed nearly all other aspects of my life.
Kiting rocks so hard compared to what it was a decade ago. Unless of course your still only riding a twin tip.