The Surf kite from Epic Kites

[FrenchPascal]

Bonjour Dimitri , il est vrai ( comme la plupart des fabricants ) que les dents des fermetures éclaires soient en plastique mais quand est-il des fermoirs Epic ? Il me semble qu'ils sont en alliage peints de noire . C'est peut-être plus résistant mécaniquement mais à long terme ils sont détruits par l'oxydation.


exemple tout plastique

[Dimitri M]

Salut FrenchPascal
Je croyais que tu parlais des fermetures éclaires qu'on as sur le LE des kites. Maintenent je vois de quoi tu parles.
Merci.

[Balloonboy]

I've read some but not all 18 pages but thought I would jump in. I use Renegades in the surf, love them and really have no major complaints, but I would surely try the new kite out. These are a few things I'd like to see:

1. one bag per kite is plenty- I'd include a red sack bag with each kite as they are cheap and work well enough plus are expandable. I would do the same for the other Epic kites- just incl a red sack. I would then make 3 generic small, med large backpack bags and sell them to anyone who wants one for travel etc. Those bags are nice but must add $100 retail to the kite price, no?

2. Pumps optional. Most kiters must have at least 2-3 kites. I have 5. I don't need 5 pumps.

3. Depower above bar with pulley.

4. Larger inflation valve. Please- its 2013. I inflate using the exhaust valve then switch it over for last 25% or so. Its doable but unnecessary.

5. The kite is only as strong as the weakest link. Assuming 4. above is ignored (or even if it isn't), make sure the valves stay on. I now cut a 4" x 4" square piece of spare bladder, put a hole in the center and glue it on top of the valve to hold it down as well. That could be done at the factory. Its like wearing 2 x condoms but when you are surfing well offshore in waves, the kite may be bombproof but its only as strong as the weakest link. In past that link has been the inflation valve. Nixing the pump would surely pay for this extra cost.

[TuckerM]

[Dimitri M]

Nice job Mr.TuckerM.
I should hire you as one of our graphic designer.

[FrenchPascal]

On the pictures, there are 2 protos. 1 with straight ear. 1 with curved ear.

[sburlo]

Well since the pictures of the SURF prototype kite are out let me post few more to give you a better idea of what we have been working on.
Since then we have had the opportunity to change few things on the SURF kite from all the inputs you guys have been giving us. But again this will be concept and shape of the new SURF kite. The graphics are not on yet but wait until you see the graphics on the kite.
Any way, we still have to go through lots or prototypes and R&D in order to make the SURF kite absolute for the waves..

Looking good fellas. Eager to see the complete design. Unusual shaped kite.

[Kite2Heaven]

And of course we'll just have to wait for all the "horse n cart" we dont like change comments...

[Flysurf77]

I am now in the Outer Banks and had the chance to demo the new EPIC Surf Kite during a Downwinder from Avon and then on an other spot a bit more north.
The shape of the Surf kite is very intriguing as the nose of the LE stays off the ground when it s on the beach but the kite doesn t move even in strong gusts.

EPIC Surf kite.jpeg (61.58 KiB) Viewed 2233 times

Wind was extremely gusty, about 13/30 knots, side off shore, with some nice waves to play with.
Even in these gusty conditions the kite was very responsive and was eating the gusts very very well, specially important when riding strapless!

I didn t find the turning speed was extremely fast but Dimitri told me they were working on it and the next prototype should be way faster !!!

I really like the new EPIC bar, great in your hands and the QR was REALLY easy to use(specially to put back together with only one hand).
The throw line is much longer than the 3G which is great when you are surfing the waves and let the kite drift in front of you!
Can t way to fly the SURF kite in less extreme condition to really get the feel of it!

[Larse]

Good work D I'm glad to see something new in the kite market From the pics it looks like the bridle is so long, it could wrap around the tip and start looping. Or does it just stay clear of the tip even fully depowered?