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I'm an intermediate who wants to transition from 2004 Cabrinha Nitros RECON (12 & 14) to a 1 kite bow/sle/hybrid quiver. I'm trying to narrow down which kites to demo. I'm a pretty conservative rider who mostly cruises and doesn't really enjoy being worked in overpowered gusty conditions. I can jibe and do basic jumps, no tricks really. I weigh 175, ride a Lightwave 136 board and typically kite at 3rd Ave. Based on what I have read in the forums I'm thinking the Ozone Instinct Sport 13m would be best for me -- folks keep refering to it as a Mercedes type ride which sounds like it is right up my alley. From what I have read is that this kite could take me from 15mph to 30mph. Other kites that seems interesting are the North Rebel and Naish Boxer SLE but I am attracted to the simplicity of the bridle with the Instinct. One alternative that seems interesting is buying an 06 Instinct and getting the bridle retrofit that I have seen mentioned a few times on the www.kiteforum.com. Any advice?

Also, does anyone know how I can get a demo of the Instinct?

Chip in the East Bay has a Ozone Instinct Sport 11 you can try and will probably have an Instinct Edge this week. PM me for his contact info...

The "1 kite quiver" is something I'm hearing more and more about. I know Yuri has a 10m 07 Rhino and rides it in almost any kind of wind; strong and light! That's pretty dang sweet! I don't know if the new Rhino is on your list to try as well but that kite looks sweet and no bridals is appealing. I've also seen Max at Alameda on a 12m Cabrinha ride in almost no wind and staying upwind! That was pretty impressive. It seems the key to the 1 kite quiver is two boards. A BIG GIANT board for light winds and a smaller board for honkin' winds.

You can always demo kites (Rhino, Rebel, Cabrinha) at KiteWindSurf in Alameda. If you are an "intermediate" rider and don't "thrash" the kites I'm sure he'd be fine.

-Bobby

I want to try the instict light. Sounds like a nice concept. Light kite, easy flying, would be great for the waves.

We have both an Instinct and a Rebel 10 in the shop(Kite Wind Surf) you can demo. Call the shop 11am today to schedule. 510-522-WIND

I picked up the North Rebel 12m from Jeff this weekend and am LOVING it!! I swear out was goign WAY upwind and jumping in 8-11mph winds. SUPER light winds
AWESOME KITE!11

I honestly wouldn't get too excited about a 1-kite-quiver. Sure, you might be able to survive on a 13m Instinct in 30 mph winds, but, I doubt it would be fun. Even yuri, king of the "riding my 10m in all winds" has two kites. Pretty soon, you're going to decide to give sherman a try, and your 13m just isn't gonna cut it.

The 13m sounds like the right size for 3rd ave however. You'll find that mose of the hybrids out there give you a solid amount of range. I would look into getting another board too. If you really like to cruise, get a small board and a big board. Something like a slingshot glide will improve your low end significantly.

My hammer is by far the most versatile tool in my box. I can fix just about anything with my hammer. I can fix anything from swiss watches to the brakes on my Mercedes. The thing is that it works exceptionally well on nails. :|