Concept Air Smart Wave 6.5 & 4.5 & 3 and now 8.5

[TomW]

On FZ, riders around 70-75kg can ride the 4.5 starting around 15 knots with a big front wing (1200 and above). I can ride it up to 45-50 knots in gusts on a surf board (and I can still surf, no survival). But I also a 3m that I have not tried yet.

Stef, what's the techniques to get going in 15 knots? Please assume I am complete noob, which I am with this kite.

[stefFZ]

Stef, what's the techniques to get going in 15 knots? Please assume I am complete noob, which I am with this kite.

First thing is to trim it right so you don't over-sheet without control (as I said above, I usually remove all over-sheeting by tuning the bar) . Then looping is the key as far as I understand how they use in it on hydrofoils ... but I am a strapless surfboard guy so for me it gets me going around 22/23 knots.

I had a couple of blasts on my Wave 8.5, in particular last Sunday in 25-30 knots gust to 35 in side-off 1/1.5 sand beach waves ... a Mediterranean small Punta Preta Now I can say that the wind-range is around 15-35 for my weight on a (very) quick surfboard (32 liters). It has a sort of small instability on the zenith in very gusty winds (it move a little bit around) but it is nothing to worry about, it completely disappears once on the water or if you put the kite a little bit on the side (waves are very secure kites). This is really a kite to try ...

The wave 8.5 has become my central kite (usually it is more of a 6.5) and this is impressive how it can handle strong winds, drift and goes upwind .. onshore, side-on, side-off, everything works, I was never put off my board, even in the upper wind range. I am so stoked that I am considering ordering another one as a backup!

Heading to Portugal hopefully today... Camper van is ready.

Stef

[br44]

I recently bought 2 CA Waves largely because of this thread, 4.5 and 8.5. The 4.5 I flew only on the beach (not enough wind). The 8.5 I used for 4 foiling sessions so far. Wow!! It’s a fantastic kite for foiling. (175 lbs on LF Rocket)

Winds were from lulls below 10 mph to gusts over 30 mph. The 8.5 is an extremely gentle and easy kite. I was never overpowered. It’s amazing what happens in the gusts: basically nothing. Between 10-30 mph, I did not trim my bar at all. (65 cm bar with 50 cm throw; 26m lines). In lower winds, it packs a punch when looped, and that’s enough to start. In a first for me, I sometimes had to fly the kite to stay up on the foil. I suspect those lulls were 5-8 mph.

Great behavior in turbulent winds too. The CA Wave 8.5 may crumple into a ball every now and then (I experienced very dirty offshore winds at launch, over a treeline), but then it recovers. I can’t be sure, but I believe my high AR kites (LF Elites) could have easily bow tied in those conditions. The secret must be in its shape - I don’t quite see how this “fatty” could bow tie.

Very easy drift launches - I made my first 3 attempts in waist deep water, all successful. [MANY thanks to Sergio Horst for posting those instructions - wonderful material. I am no longer just dreaming about it. Great advantage - being able to avoid crowded beach areas altogether.] To drift launch I “flew” it a bit on the front lines to preinflate, then put it on its back and unrolled the lines (faster than the kite was drifting). Then just launched. There are 2 permanent dirt-out openings about 2-3 cm long (no velcro). It turns out they’re great for drift launches. About 2-3 liters of water entered the kite on my 2nd attempt and I thought I was done, but no, not at all. Kite went up with water flowing out quickly as from a faucet... a wonderful sight.

The travel implications are pretty exciting too. For a weeklong vacation I brought with me 4 LEIs, 2 LF Elites and a Peak4, in addition to the 2 CA Waves. Well I used only 1 kite on all 3 days when it was windy, the Wave 8.5.

Some downsides: high bar pressure on surfboard (tried just once, briefly, in wind too low to stay upwind); upwind angle not the best; likely not drifting as well as the Peak.

One word summary for me, for foiling: magnificent. Beats my Strutless (huge range, completely silent), high AR foils (easy, no worries in dirty winds) and Peak4 (relaunch guaranteed, no fluttering). Your priorities, trade-offs and mileage may vary.

[Regis-de-giens]

I can sell my Viron1 2.5 meter , since I just bought a second hand Wave 3m , to be tested in 3 weeks ...
if anyone interested ...

[elguapo]

sorry.

i'll post in 2nd hand whenever kite is ready to sale.
regards!

[stefFZ]

Some downsides: high bar pressure on surfboard (tried just once, briefly, in wind too low to stay upwind); upwind angle not the best; likely not drifting as well as the Peak.

I suspect that you are not using the adequate surfboard. You need a board that has some natural speed and lift, not the typical freestyle strapless kiteboard, waves are designed to free yourself from the kite. You mustn't push too much water with the board, that way bar pressure will not be an issue. Wind-range tested and approved for the 8.5 is 15 to 35 knots on a 32l surfboard, 63 kg.

I had a very nice session with the 12.5 lately, plenty of power and depower, still drifts well and very good upwind, kept me focused on catching waves:




Stef

[perrinkite]

Stef
[/quote]

Indeed Stef it looks like a nice session

[stefFZ]

Indeed Stef it looks like a nice session

Yes it was! ... it got me shouting at almost every wave ... and it was cool because I was also paddle surfing at the same peak before thé wind lights up.

[erwinsg]

Hi great stories I would like to try it in the Netherlands, wave foiling with slingshot 633. Anyone have a second hand 4.5 wave that is for sale?

Cheers

[stefFZ]

Wave 12.5, the Endless summer, Portugal 2019: