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No information and lack of exposure

For all foil kite riders
drsurf
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby drsurf » Sun Apr 28, 2019 4:43 pm

I've used and sold LEI and foil kites for nearly 20 years. Each has their place and the characteristics of each will have appeal to different people in different conditions on different equipment. But don't use magazines for info on foil kites or contemporary kitesurfing/foiling, by the time they're on the shelf they're out of date. Use the Internet and forums like this. There are quite a few forums worldwide, and with google translating your web pages you can read a German forum on foil kites as easily as this site.
And Youtube has a truckload of videos on foil kites, you could spend days watching them learning everything from how to launch and land to how to jump over small islands!
So now you're using the Internet, find someone who uses or sells foil kites close to you and ask to try them out. Make sure it's a foil kite suited to what you want to achieve, given you're wanting to hydrofoil and try waves with a foil kite, something like a Flysurfer Soul or maybe an Ozone Hyperlink may suit. You don't want a full on race foil kite. Also try the correct size for what you need so you're not over or underpowered.

Bear in mind some of the best foil kites ever made have just come out over the last year. They are designed to be versatile and user friendly. And sometimes you have to just spend the money and commit to buying one after doing your research. Sometimes that's the only way to find out what's right for you. And put the time in to learning to fly and use a foil kite. It is different to an LEI kite and it will feel strange until you get used to the way it works and then you'll understand why some people rave about foil kites and others don't.

I use both types of kite for foiling and now have a Flysurfer Peak4 single skin foil kite. The Peak4 is different again and also lots of fun.
Now you've written your post and so far have 3 pages of replies, read them, take action and keep posting on your experiences. Don't succumb to analysis paralysis, just do it :D
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TomW
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby TomW » Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:07 pm

Background: kiting since 2001. On lei on TT and then surfboard 2010.
Started Hydrofoiling 3 years ago on lei, Core xr3 and 4.
Sold those soon after and bought a quiver of North Monos 7-9-12. Used them for 2 years.
Bought a Hyperlink Ultralight 9m. It was a lot of money, but it did exactly what that video of the dude with the kite on a stick said. I use the 9m a lot. Replaced my 9-12 Mono. On some windy days I used the Mono 7 and it was really uncomfortable.... So Then got a Hyperlink 7m.
Now is use the 9 and 7 Hyperlink 95% of my sessions.
Now I will never go back. The set up, launch and ride experience is outstanding. Travelling it's really light and small. In Brazil the other kiters on 100% lei watch me walk to beach, roll it out, self launch and then kite 2-6 km upwind and wonder if they can do it...No one is foiling at that spot...
Hyperlink 9 and 7 together weigh 3,5 kg..
I bought a used Sonic 213m and get magic sessions in 8 knots. But it's a bit technical.
Wave riding on Hydrofoil is outstanding. I have shite waves here, so good wave days on surfboard are few, on foil all the time.
You have the cash? Get a Hyperlink V2 13, 9 and 7m it will cover 8 to 25 knots on foil. The 9-7 m 10 to 25 knots. Get a bar with 15m lines plus 5m extensions.

CARMELHILL
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby CARMELHILL » Mon Apr 29, 2019 3:22 am

drsurf wrote:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 4:43 pm
Now you've written your post and so far have 3 pages of replies, read them, take action and keep posting on your experiences. Don't succumb to analysis paralysis, just do it :D
Great information, all around. I still think I'll try an Ozone Hyperlink V2 and decide from there. I am really excited to dump the pump, and travel lighter.

But a quick question.....whats the difference between single skin, and....what is the norm....double skin? Sure sure, I know I could search the forum.

CARMELHILL
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Cabrinha Switchblade 14 (2017)
Pansh A15 - 15m
Switch x4 bar (2018)
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby CARMELHILL » Mon Apr 29, 2019 4:28 am

Nevermind. Don't get into it.

I just bought the 12m Hyperlink V1 on closeout for $1439 and a new 55cm Ozone Contact bar with 25 m lines for $600. Let's see what trouble I can make with it :-)

Thanks to all for your input and ideas.

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Kamikuza
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby Kamikuza » Mon Apr 29, 2019 4:29 am

jakemoore wrote:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 2:32 pm
Kamikuza wrote:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:32 am
Plus I've never had a foil kite get its TE swamped and refuse to relaunch.
I have had both unrelaunchable Tube and Foil kites in waves. There is less chance of a foil kite becoming unrelaunchable but its more of a pain in the rear. Then you have the single skin trend. I have had more stupid swims in the last 2 months than in years of kiting. But its so fun I feel compelled to go out again.
Swims because of single skin?

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jakemoore
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby jakemoore » Mon Apr 29, 2019 7:45 am

Kamikuza wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 4:29 am
Swims because of single skin?
2/3 from single skin. 1/3 for pushing light wind limits with regular foil kites.
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Kamikuza
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby Kamikuza » Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:42 am

jakemoore wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 7:45 am
Kamikuza wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 4:29 am
Swims because of single skin?
2/3 from single skin. 1/3 for pushing light wind limits with regular foil kites.
What single skin?

tomtom
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby tomtom » Mon Apr 29, 2019 10:40 am

P4

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jakemoore
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby jakemoore » Tue Apr 30, 2019 1:23 am

Kamikuza wrote:
Mon Apr 29, 2019 9:42 am
What single skin?
Peak 4, mostly riding waves.

elguapo
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Re: No information and lack of exposure

Postby elguapo » Fri May 03, 2019 1:51 am

FLandOBX wrote:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 1:20 am
CARMELHILL wrote:
Sun Apr 28, 2019 12:42 am
Does anyone use these kites for wavekiting? Or are they a niche market for low wind and foilboard kiting?
I don't know of anyone who is using foil kites for waves. They are simply too slow, and they don't have good drift capability when compared to good wave LEIs. There are some really good surf specific LEIs on the market.

I think foil kites have found good use for low wind conditions and foilboarding. But in addition, they are being used more and more for moderate to high wind airstyle riders who want the extra hang time a foil kite provides.
i have not tried all good wave kites yet... but the best depower and drift i have ever seen on any kite is Concept Air's Wave (smaller sizes only)
...which is a foil kite.
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