It's been 3 months since I fully switched from Bows to C-Kites, more specifically SS fuels.

Firstly I would like to say that I am not the kind of rider who rips left and right but I am comfortable throwing some basic unhooked tricks like raleys, backrolls and F-16s.I also ride inland lakes that usually are very gusty.

The first 5 sessions were a bit of trying to relearn how to get used to the constant pull of the kite and timing for tricks. Jumping was horrible at first but it didn't take long to start getting used to the lack of sheet-in capability that you find on bows. But it all paid-off in the end.

My SS fuels are sooo predicable, no surprises, it is what it is. So stable. The simplicity of no-bridles is outstanding. You start to pay more attention to the weather around you and gust lines so that you can adjust your riding and kite size as per condition. That made me a safer kiter. Also the direct feel is a huge plus and the awareness it provides you helps with moving to more complex tricks.

As far as waves, my biggest hurdle was to get the bottom turn right when overpowered but the problem can be solved if you rig one size smaller.

I don't think I will ever go back to SLEs. I just love my Fuels so much

If it crossed you mind to give it a go on modern C kites ( Fuels, Vegas, Hadlow Pro, Torch, Razors) don't hesitate to try.

just my 2 cents.

For sure in steady winds a c-kite is nice... but in gusty winds I must say they're are a handful.

I can agree, sort of.
Got me a fresh quiver of c kites and really liked them compared to my old hybrid/SLE kites, I rode only c for 4-5 months, then I took my old favorite hybrid out again and WOW it was like a new kite.

Guess its always fun and exiting to get new/different gear, it doesn't necessary mean that its better in all aspects.

My 2 cents

Only partly solved IMO.

I agree with what you said in your post - but not about waves, as if you rig one size smaller than you normally would - your upwind ability will SUCK bigtime

And going upwind to get many waves is a must

Furthermore, the most used kitesizes for waves are 4-5-6-7m2 for many (most ?) waveriders, and in these sizes you will simply HATE to go down the line with your kite really low - if you dont have a huge amount of depower
Of course you can "ride" the power away by going downwind - but then the freedom and good waveriding (going vertical up and down the wave) is lost

If we are talking really big kites, like 9m2 and bigger - then C kites are fine, as the low windspeed will typically not give you any problems when riding waves, and control and handling are the most important

In fact, I even find many of the small SLE kites today are pretty bad for waves, as they dont have sufficient depower, which is a PITA when riding in gusty tough big wave 5m2 conditions.

Peter

I think you became biased because you're stoked,
and but don't forget that a lot of people wouldn't go back to "C" kites either
And if you think "that made you a safer kiter" with a "C" you're living in an illusion
because it's not the kite and still "sh!t for brains" (quote of fo)

DrLW

My 2c worth:

I have been on C kites right from the start, and been on every Naish Torch that has come out right until 2012. The C kite feel, direct response and boost being the main reasons for sticking it out. SLE's always felt less involving and the light bar pressure was never appealing.

For twin tip or even surfboard freestyle, where massive depower is not needed, the C kite definitely has been better. However, in the waves there was allways a compromise. If powered correctly the C kite was great, but as soon as the wind strength pushed the relatively limited wind range of the Torch, or if the wave size got above 6', the C kite would start to restrict the tightness of the bottom turn. Pulling the depower past more than 45% would only result in a poor turning kite, not helping matters at all.

All this notwithstanding, the C kite was still my first choice. Change was unthinkable.

Until now. I took the time to get used to the Naish Park which is very much a hybrid. Freestyle is still decent fun, except for the lack of boost caused by those 20m lines. (This is easily remedied with 2 - 4m extensions). Wave riding has become way easier of course, excellent depower and turning, a much wider effective wind range, and excellent gust dampening.

As a long term C kite lover, it hurts me to say it; but if you are mostly on a surfboard in the waves, there really is no other choice. Freestyle feel is compromised, but not by enough. For mixed riding, a good hybrid like the Park is the way to go. For pure twin tip stuff though, I would definitely stick with a C.