by andyandmarlys » Sat May 14, 2011 8:09 am
I tried this kite while in Ventana this winter and one of the first things I thought of was my time at Alameda. I used to ride the 16m Turbo 1 and my Glide extensively there from my apartment. Funny, some of the light wind sessions there were the most memorable. Just calm, cruising, and sightseeing.
Anyhow, I got a chance to try this kite in Ventana. I am not the biggest fan of the Rally (prefer the RPMs), but I'd consider the Tubine as a lightwind kite.
The wind was light, but other people were out making 14m's work. I had come in underpowered on a 14m RPM not able to stay upwind on a directional, and went out on the Turbine.
I weigh 215lbs, so I grabbed the Turbine, launched it and what I thought was a Glide from the beach. I went out and was going upwind well, and having a good time again. Small jumps, and just cruising. Wanted to see how the new Glide popped off the water unhooked, and was surprised at how much pop there was. Upon closer inspection I realized I wasn't on the Glide but a Misfit 137, which had the same paint job as the Glide had. I had been so focused on checking the kite out, I didn't realize I was on a normal board... not a lightwind board.
Anyhow, point of the story is that I was able to ride in lightwind, on a normal board when I had just come in on a 14m and directional. For some people that can make the difference between riding every day after work vs a couple times a month at their local beach.
Andy
