My Highest Rated Kites, Boards and Bars
Blade 2014 6m "Skinny Boy" wave kite
Good gear will make you ride better. In the magazines, only the companies that buy ad space get reviews and the reviews tend to be positive and often word for word the companies public release statement. It is important to know that every size kite in a design model flies differently. What this means to you is that a company's 8m "XLT" may be the greatest kite ever but every other size "XLT" may fly horribly. I am lucky to live in a place with so many kite companies and visitors with kites that I am allowed to try. Here are a list of the noteworthy kites that I have tried and the size of the kite that performs well enough to spend your hard earned money on:
Blade Kite Boarding’s 2018 4 and 6m “Tiny Beast” reviews:
Finally, a kite designed for kids! Blade, the company that makes my all-time favorite kite the “Trigger,” has released a 4 and 6m kite designed to be used in lighter winds by lighter kiters. As an instructor in Maui we have strong wind. I use my 4 and 6m kites the most. Often small kites fly well enough but you can tell they don’t get the attention and R&D time as a 9 or 12m kite. Every 3 or four years a kite company designs a small kite that can actually fly in lighter winds. I teach a lot of kids and I do this when the winds get light, 14-20mph. Most 4 and 6m kites have far too much drag and back stall. You have to sheet out the bar so much to keep the kite in the air that the kite does not have much steering. Have you ever tried to teach someone to kite when the steering doesn’t work? Imagine teaching someone to drive a car that does not have a steering wheel. (As far as I can tell, it seems like the kite designers just check to see if a large male can fly a small kite in 30-40mph winds and they fail to check how the kite flies in light winds). When I do find a small kite that can fly in light winds, I know I have to stock up on them because I can never know how long it will be before another good kite will be released. I was not planning on buying more kites. But, I need to buy “Tiny Beasts” while I can. Who knows how long it will be before another great, small kite is on the market?
-Adi Kites "Axis" 9m They ship free world wide and show that you can get a great kite at a very good price.
-Airush "Lithium" 6m, 8m and 9m, (the 5m is great too, ask me what attachment points to rig to) The "Lithium's" are the kites that I have used the most and have the most experience with. I love these kites and highly recommend them. If you don't know what to buy, you really cant go wrong with the Lithium's. That being said, they are best suited to someone whom is less than 175lbs and used in winds less than 35mph.
-Blade "Trigger" 8m and "Skinny Boy" 6m Of all of the kites that I could fly, Blade kites are the ones I prefer to fly. They can take you to the next level. The 8m Blade "trigger" is my favorite kite and my secret weapon for big jumps. The 12m Trigger is a great all around kite and a must have in your quiver. The 6m skinny boy is for wave riding and the women seem to really like graphics. It does look good in the sky.
-Boardriding Maui "Cloud" 6m and 13m These are your "go to" travel kites. Put some time on them and see if you are a believer. The Clouds do not have any struts so you can pack two kites into a carry on bag..
-Cabrihna "Crossbow" 4m It has a larger wind range than the 4m Airush Lithuim I can work with the Cabrihna back-stall and slow re-launches. Cabrihna is now making high performance, all-around kite in the "FX" and I look forward to the opportunity to fly one.
-Epic "Screamer" 10m Great jumping kite. Excellent costumer service, but the bars are not the greatest on the market.
-Naish "Draft" 9m and 12m, "Pivot" 7m and 9m The 2016 Naish 9m Draft is awesome for big air. The canopy is solid and tight no matter hard you you send the kite; even sheeted-out it wont flap or slip. The 2016 Drafts de-power more than the 2015 so you are less likely to get pulled away from your board during your carving turns. Your your confidence will soar knowing your balance wont be thrown off while launching and landing new tricks. I've seen Flash fly the 12m Draft in 40mph winds and that is impressive to see a big kite handle high winds. The 2015 Naish 7m pivot has light bar pressure, smoothly cuts through gusty wind and has good lift and glide while jumping. The 2014 9m Pivot is the kite they want you to try because you'll probably want to buy it immediately. (If you are used to the pull of the Parks, the 2015 Naish Pivot will seem to have less power--if you like to ride a 8m Park, think of buying a 9m Pivot).
-North "Dice" 8m--is a lot of fun when powered in 25+mph winds. I'm hearing great things about the 2015 9m "Neo" from someone whom I trust.
-RRD "Obsession" 9m It has a large wind range and good float during jumps.
-Slingshot "Rally" 8m This kite exceeded my expectations and put a big smile on my face. However, in the hands of a beginner the 2015 Rally's seem to invert a lot and try to fold into an origami. These kites are best suited people who have kited for years or live in areas that have smoother and steadier wind then we have at "Old Man's" on the North shore of Maui..
-Wainman Hawaii All Wainman kites have attachment points specifically for wave riding. That being said, I use the upwind setting because I like to jump. The "Gypsy 6.25m" kite has a cult-like following for kite surfers and wake style tricksters. My favorites are the 9m smoke and 10m punch. The 3.0 series are on the market and well worth the upgrade.
Trainer kites worth buying
Flexifoil 1.7m 3-line trainer kite with quick release.
Sensei 2m trainer kite can relaunch from the ground and is my top pick.
Naish "Xeon" 1.3m foil kite (The 2m Xeon is too slow).
Slingshot "B-2" 2m foil kite is probably the all time most used trainer kite for learning to kite board.
Wainman 2.5m inflatable trainer kite can be relaunched from the water.
Sensei 2m trainer kite can relaunch from the ground and is my top pick.
Naish "Xeon" 1.3m foil kite (The 2m Xeon is too slow).
Slingshot "B-2" 2m foil kite is probably the all time most used trainer kite for learning to kite board.
Wainman 2.5m inflatable trainer kite can be relaunched from the water.
Boards worth buying
"The Predator" surf board by Complete Kite Boarding and Guzt Kiteboarding
I'm a harsh critic when it comes to boards. Although I have never found it, I've been searching for the perfect board. I weigh 160lbs these are some of my favorite Boards:
Wainman "Joke" 134cm The Joke is my all time favorite board. It is so fluid and does freestyle, big air and waves very well. (needs sharper rails near the tips and more pop)
RRD "Poison" 139cm (not as fluid and forgiving as the "Joke")
Airush "Live Wire" 135cm is just a wonderful freeride board. (great pop and the rails want hold an edge but the channels seem to want to direct the board a little downwind of where your rails are aiming). For wakestyle/unhooked tricks I find the 140cm provides much more surface area to load, pop and land with.
Surfboards: Buy a surf board from a local shaper near your regular kite spot. Some of these people have been making boards for the conditions at your home break for 30 years. Support them and buy local. If you have many shapers in your area, choose the one that is nearest to your height, weight and surfing style. I use the 5'8" thruster called the "Predator" shaped by the most low-key and under-rated shaper in Hawaii, Brian Cartwright. To order a board custom made to your specifications, you can email Brian at [email protected].
Skim Boards: Albert Einstein said, "Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler." A good skim board that tracks well is all you need. You can kite around on them, ride waves, do skateboard tricks and play in the shore break. They are less expensive and easier to pack for travel that surf boards so take the time to free yourself from fins and straps. Many people are taking their skim boards and attaching a foil to them. Skim boards made from divinycell and carbon fiber will not take on water when screws for a foiling mast are placed through them. Maui Skimmers makes the best skim boards. Email Brent at Maui Skimmers, [email protected], to shape a skim board to suit your kiting and/or foiling needs.
Surfboard Fins:
FCS "H2 and H3" I believe these are the fasted fins on the market and have less drag than others. I use the H3 as the side fins and no center fin on waves less than head high. It is a fast and loose set up that make doing tricks easier. When the waves are over head high, I'll add a H2 center fin so I can really lean into turns. This set up seems to work very well on waves less double overhead.
I use the H2 fins on my smaller, heavier surf boards when the waves get big and heavy. They are firm and fast. I believe the side fins could be even faster and better every day fins if they had less cant.
Should you pay more for fins with the high-tech multiple flex zones? I am not an expert, but I would say "no." I have a difficult time believing the flex of a 4" fin springing back will change the course of a 180 pound person when there is far less resistance in displacing the water around a 4" fin. I'm not a scientist though.and I have heard that Chuck Norris doesn't do push ups. He pushes the Earth down. Perhaps, Chuck Norris surfs with H3 fins.
Wainman "Joke" 134cm The Joke is my all time favorite board. It is so fluid and does freestyle, big air and waves very well. (needs sharper rails near the tips and more pop)
RRD "Poison" 139cm (not as fluid and forgiving as the "Joke")
Airush "Live Wire" 135cm is just a wonderful freeride board. (great pop and the rails want hold an edge but the channels seem to want to direct the board a little downwind of where your rails are aiming). For wakestyle/unhooked tricks I find the 140cm provides much more surface area to load, pop and land with.
Surfboards: Buy a surf board from a local shaper near your regular kite spot. Some of these people have been making boards for the conditions at your home break for 30 years. Support them and buy local. If you have many shapers in your area, choose the one that is nearest to your height, weight and surfing style. I use the 5'8" thruster called the "Predator" shaped by the most low-key and under-rated shaper in Hawaii, Brian Cartwright. To order a board custom made to your specifications, you can email Brian at [email protected].
Skim Boards: Albert Einstein said, "Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler." A good skim board that tracks well is all you need. You can kite around on them, ride waves, do skateboard tricks and play in the shore break. They are less expensive and easier to pack for travel that surf boards so take the time to free yourself from fins and straps. Many people are taking their skim boards and attaching a foil to them. Skim boards made from divinycell and carbon fiber will not take on water when screws for a foiling mast are placed through them. Maui Skimmers makes the best skim boards. Email Brent at Maui Skimmers, [email protected], to shape a skim board to suit your kiting and/or foiling needs.
Surfboard Fins:
FCS "H2 and H3" I believe these are the fasted fins on the market and have less drag than others. I use the H3 as the side fins and no center fin on waves less than head high. It is a fast and loose set up that make doing tricks easier. When the waves are over head high, I'll add a H2 center fin so I can really lean into turns. This set up seems to work very well on waves less double overhead.
I use the H2 fins on my smaller, heavier surf boards when the waves get big and heavy. They are firm and fast. I believe the side fins could be even faster and better every day fins if they had less cant.
Should you pay more for fins with the high-tech multiple flex zones? I am not an expert, but I would say "no." I have a difficult time believing the flex of a 4" fin springing back will change the course of a 180 pound person when there is far less resistance in displacing the water around a 4" fin. I'm not a scientist though.and I have heard that Chuck Norris doesn't do push ups. He pushes the Earth down. Perhaps, Chuck Norris surfs with H3 fins.
Bars worth buying
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North "5th element"
Have your activated you quick release and found that you are still being pulled at an uncomfortable speed towards a rock jetty? If you have or if you care about safety, you might think about converting your 4-line kite into a 5-line. (You might need to buy two sets of pig tails and find a few meters of scrap flying lines). North is one of the few companies make 5-line bars. The 2015 5th element is streamline, comfortable and very well thought out. Airush "Diamond" Finally a narrower bar for people with smaller hands and smaller trim loop for people with shorter arms. I love the below the bar swivel and segmented line lengths. I wonder what it would look like if the left float was purple and the the trim loop quick release was also purple? Cabrihna "Overdrive 1x" What a beautiful bar. It is simple, clean, and effective. After the manufacturer's contract expired with Wainman Hawaii, Cabrihna took the Winman's "carrot bar" design and almost perfected it. They added a below the bar swivel, a longer throw line and a nifty quick release. The Overdrive 1x may be pricey but this bar is close to perfection. Adi Kites "Control Bar" Best "GP Freestyle Bar" Harnesses worth buying
Currently I use Pro-Limit and Mystic kite harness's. They work. I wish they had more straps to allow a custom fit.
For harnesses: -You want a perfect, snug fit. -Go to a shop and demo the harness by hanging off of something. -If there are any "hot spots" or if it rides up, do not buy it. -If you have short arms, think about using a seat harness. The hook will stay lower and allow for more throw in your bar to de-power your kite. (It used to be easy choosing a harness. DaKine used to make great harnesses that could last years. Now they cost a lot and the straps will rip apart in a month. After the last four "fusion and nitrous" harnesses I bought, I came to the conclusion that as the price went up, the quality went down. The harness attaches you to the kite. It is a critical piece of equipment. Let's hope some workers at DaKine are kite boarders and they complain about the shoddy harnesses the company is putting out). |
2015 Airush Diamond bar for people with shorter arms and smaller hands
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