Ocean Rodeo Flite Impressions

[Laughingman]

I have the OR Flite's (2015) 7.5, 10, 12, 14.5 They are my main go to kites for KBH. I usually fly them with 28 m lines. In the air they are easy to depower and pivot nicely for transitions. Like Regis-de-giens my only negative is that I find them hard to relaunch in 8 kts and under. The easiest relaunch kite I have tried was the Best Kahonha.
I ended up also buying a 12 m foil to ride in winds 10 kts and less since I can keep it in the sky with 4 kts.
Another positive for the Flites is that they are a decent wave kite so when I am on kite trips and want to KBH and Surf I can just take the Flites.

I find it surprising that anyone would have anything but pure praise for the relaunch of the FLITE. It is the sole reason we originally tested them... we were standing in waste deep water with our kites not relaunching and this newb taking a lesson with Tim (who was not with him at that moment) was crashing and relaunching his FLITE over and over again. I couldn't even get my kite to roll with any technique. I can relaunch our FLITE's (GEN4 and GEN5) in 5 knots no problem. Maybe they improved the relaunch from the Gen3 to Gen4?

Interesting. Is this only in standing depth water? I'm only ever out on a foil in light wind so its always trying to relaunch in deep water and on long lines. I think I'd struggle to get enough line tension to relaunch anything in 5 knots in deep water. Not saying the Flite is worse than average at relaunch, just that its shape isn't going to help as much as a lower aspect shaped design like the prodigy.

Yah, I was in standing depth water on regular length lines.

[Laughingman]

I couldn't even get my kite to roll with any technique. I can relaunch our FLITE's (GEN4 and GEN5) in 5 knots no problem. Maybe they improved the relaunch from the Gen3 to Gen4?

I have the Gen 4 and cannot imagine relaunch under 7-8 knots. Which technics do you use ?
Maybe its relaunch is good and i have lost the habit to wait for higher winds than my foilkite...

well in extreme light wind (7 knots and under) relaunch
1. make sure you pull in all the trim
2. pull the lower center line along with the upper outside line, there is a balance so adjust the lengths slightly if nothing happens
3. if it still will not rollover take a few steps toward the kite as well.

If this still does not work I would check your line lengths as you may have stretched center lines... kites that stall don't relaunch worth a crap.

[Regis-de-giens]

That is actually what I ended with but even in 10-11 knots. But I find a bit hard to grab the front line.
Thanks

[SparD]

That is actually what I ended with but even in 10-11 knots. But I find a bit hard to grab the front line.
Thanks

If your bar releases on one front line, just grab your safety line and pull, no need to go up the Y and grab the front line !

[Regis-de-giens]

exactly that is a good point ; that is a good option, just need to remember or see which front line it pulls.
Do you also feel the same need when relaunching under say 12 knots ?

[SparD]

You see instantly on which side it pulls and and then you pull the opposite back line.

I had successful relaunches of my Flite Gen4 14.5 with this technique in less than 10 knots so I guess it shouldn't be a problem for the 10 in 12 knots.

It's a technique that requires finesse, too much or not enough pull on one of the lines and it doesn't work but I'm sure you'll figure it out !

PS : Hope to finally share a session with you one day Regis !

[jeromeL]

That is actually what I ended with but even in 10-11 knots. But I find a bit hard to grab the front line.
Thanks

If your bar releases on one front line, just grab your safety line and pull, no need to go up the Y and grab the front line !

You can also pull your leash no need to release or pull line with bare hand.

[Regis-de-giens]

Yes indeed i use the leash and it requires finesse . Not that I fail in it, just that it is not compfortable I feel and I was just surprised that this technick HAD to be used sooner than other LEI that were however more heavy ... but ok, not a big problem vompared to the good feeling of the flite.
Also hope to swap Pulsion 12m (or soon 18m ...) with your flite 14.5 m in Almanarre Mister SparD... one day hopefully.

[nothing2seehere]

Slightly off topic but falls into the 'Impressions' category - I got the chance at the weekend to try back to back the Core XR5 (12m) against my flite. I was a little nervous about doing this as the press/industry buzz about the XR5 was that this is the kite that everyone will want to try and catch up too. I was a little worried I would feel like I was missing out (both my normal riding buddies did a test then bought some).

Well, it turns out the XR5 is a good kite. But just not the one for me. Loads of controllable power and without a doubt better at the top end of the wind range but now I'm used to the responsiveness and fast turning of the Flite it didn't tempt me. Yes the jumps were lofty with good hang time but I couldn't really notice any difference - same with boost. I'm far from the greatest at boosting but for my technique the Flite lifted me with greater force, though I admit that this might be technique related

So my verdict is definitely try one if you get the chance as they are great fun but don't feel you need to lock your wallet away beforehand if you already have a quiver of Flites