North Neo 2014

[peterheirman]

from Westozzy (above) : "turn it will generate a lot of power"
Exactly what I don't want on a wave as I will be pulled away from the wave.

[stefarius]

@frankkite
Tested on 22m but 19m lines is something to try with the new Neo's. Because its compact, stable, great low-end and sits back deep in the wind window.

[Westozzy]

Been thinking more on the new neo. What they have done is designed a kite that you can use the smallest kite possible in the waves. In retrospect we could have even been on a 5m that day. It generates direct immediate power, but this power can be completely sheeted off. (Say you have done a bottom turn heading back up the face....then after redirection back onto the wave, the power is killed and you surf the wave...but also if you need some power, there is no need to work the kite. Just sheet in slightly and and the power is there.

I went through my head the session again and it's characteristics in the shitty waves we had...and I think I see what they have designed here.

As Dan said, 10m dice, 9m rebel then 8m neo!! Now we all know the excellent low end of the rebel so here in lies the message when you demo this kite.

Take the smallest kite out possible first, then go up if you need be. Otherwise you may be scratching your head and you just won't get it....

It's a paradigm shift I think in wave riding....

[BBQFish]

Really nice to read the comments on the new NEO 2014. I currently am riding 2013 Rebel kites ( 9m2 & 7m2) on a Kontakt 6.0" SB.
What i found a bit surpising on the Rebels is that they turn a bit sluggish. They also seem to need quite some input from the bar in order to turn. Also regarding drift it doesn't perform well in the waves. That being said, it's great for freeride and big jumps.

With my 90Kg i'm looking more to getting a dedicated wavekite like the Neo. Will a 8m2 and 6 m2 be a better choice then 9m2 and 7m2? By going 8-6 i'm affraid i will not have enough low-end to stay upwind.
I mostly ride cross-on to onshore winds from 14-35 kts.

And where does it differ from other wavekites like the Reo2014 or Religion MKIII?

[Westozzy]

Rebel has a fair degree of aspect for a non race kite (well it has been used as a race kite in the past before the onslaught of the specific race kites) so of course it's turning will be a bit sluggish. It doesn't drift that well due to the same thing. But if you are keep the speed up both board and kite it works okay. I was never impressed with the rebel in the waves and always wondered why it was heavily marketed as a wave kite ...well that to could also work so good in waves and then jump so well..no such thing as yet.

That neo is bloody powerful so yes if you are fair dinkum about surfing with a kite then yes. If you like a fair bit of power when you surf then maybe go the same sizes. You'd better get on one though, they are a very different beast. You won't get near as much range as the rebel. They are designed to slot in and work in a certain range, get beyond that and we found they got uncomfortable for wave riding real quick. Couldn't help feel I was on a delta kite with these new neos, hence the low end, heavier bar pressure and quick turning...plus the drift. Then again we just got the Tts out and did some good old fashioned boosting. How do they differ from a 2014 reo, drifter, rrd, BWS Christ how long ya got...they all differ from each other as well!! Best you try them I say.

[Jbrook]

Smallest kite possible is what many people want in the waves.

[Westozzy]

Then my friend that's what you will have on the neo.

[Peter_Frank]

from Westozzy (above) : "turn it will generate a lot of power"
Exactly what I don't want on a wave as I will be pulled away from the wave.

Agree 100%, I dont know ANY who wants power when a kite is turned, when riding waves

Smallest kite possible is what many people want in the waves.

Very questionable (individual), and disagree fully.

Around here, a kite with good depower and good windrange is what matters the most for almost every wavekiter, no doubt.

So even if you could ride with a 6m2 kite with low depower, most would choose a 7m2 (similar power) with more depower and range than the 6m2.

This is one of the reasons why the (old) EVO is not used in waves - a few of the heavy guys used it, but even an almost 100kg guy who used a smaller size than average weights with depower kites (75-80kg) had no control in waves because of the lack of depower, and changed to other kites.
So awesome that the newer EVOs got more depower/range

Then again, I know one guy (100kg) who likes the powerful EVO, so very personal, indeed.
Also, Peter Heirman as I remember, loves really powerful kites in waves, so a smaller size can be used.

So a personal choice yes, but around here the general liking for average weights 80kg in waves, is that a wavekite should turn fast without generating power, and offer good depower and range
All of these three features is on cost of low end, so you cant have it all.


I am only talking single digit size kites here, as 10m2 and up is not for normal waveriding - and even when we do that, ANY kite will work in these sizes (low wind), and none of above applies....

Power dump, and being able to turn a kite low in the window without generating power, is what many waveriders like, thats all I am saying - and some like the opposite maybe.

It is not just either or

Peter

[gvironda]

Westozzy, as now you properly tested the new Evo, Dice and Neo, what would you suggest for freeriding and occasional waveriding?
I am a bit scared by the lack of range of the Neo (as far as I read) as I kite in very gusty and variable conditions.
I never unhook, all I do (as most of the "normal" kiters I know) is jumping / "poor" oldschool tricks and surfing 1 - 2m choppy waves (nothing comparable to Australia)
I am also for a three strut kite, after having flown rebel and evo
Thanks
Beppe

[Westozzy]

Good question for dan at north....

Peter you may some good points that personally I agree with re wave kites.

So you've tried the new rebel and Evo I assume? I am in process of revisiting the rebel and Evo back to back for a longer and more detailed sessions or two...but yes I've ridden them all.

So you never unhook hey?

So do you like to jump relatively big, with some hang time?

When you say old school are we talking boards offs, Jesus walks, etc or just boosts with a grab or two?

What weight are you and what boards do you use?

Given your waves, not the neo, it's a wave kite in the end per say.m

The others, need some more info...I wouldn't exclude the 5 struts options given your gusty conditions. Gusty conditions to me means a little aspect can really help....

Anyhow need more info from you....