North Demo @ Crissy

mbzporvida · Post by **mbzporvida** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:26 am

=D> Thanks to Mike,Sandy and "Smokin' Man" for the GREAT BBQ.Did'nt get to try the new Rebel kite from North, but many did and it look's like a cool kite.Was good to see everyone out there! THANKS AGAIN Curt P.S. Who ever brought the Keg....CHEERS

windhorny · Post by **windhorny** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 10:38 am

I would be very curious to read an un-biased review of the rebel as I am interested in checking it out.

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:23 am

So was it windy enough to actually kite? I know the Crissy sensor always reads low. Does anyone think it's gonna be kiteable there today?

panzerfaust · Post by **panzerfaust** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:42 am

yeah, there was a bunch of people out. Very tough to get to the windline though.

fearlu · Post by **fearlu** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 12:30 pm

First, thanks to the North crew for the kite demo and BBQ with ample suds. Smokin' man ran out of cigarettes, but the other supplies were more than adequate! Thanks to Mike and Mike...

I rode the Rebel 14 nicely powered just inside the North Tower for about 90 minutes or so (thanks to Travis, who even pumped it up.) I watched Sky and Jaime roaring around during the same period and it's evident they are incredibly skillful. I've never seen such aggressive non-stop full-throttle riding with huge unhooked and seriously-sent tricks too (my personal favorites of course.) They took the broad reach back from the middle of the Bay at mach speed and were just smokin' fast. Inspiring board speed for sure.

Got to see the new: Rebel in several sizes, Jaime Pro, Sky signature model and a new production speed-board with a shorter toeside rail and a cut-away heelside outline/rail. I wish I could try that sometime too.

My unbiased review? Super easy to fly that kite. I kept it fully-powered with no sheeting strap tension and found the de-power more than enough. One great innovation is a sliding bar-lock that lies between the bar and the sheeting cleat. Once you have the bar pulled in to your liking just draw back on the "chuck" and the bar stays sheeted in until you decide to press it away again-- which it does very easily. For jumping, it was nice to spot the take-off point, pull in the lock for full-juice and send the kite. Excellent hang-time. Not the highest jumps I've ever had, but plenty of float once you're up. Fast turning and the smoothest application of power I've ever felt in a kite. I may actually prefer a little more throttle response/instant yank but I'm the largest kiter out there and have special needs. I managed to get in and out without much trouble-- relaunched only once with the steering line, NOT the 5th line on this kite.

It turns well (for swell-riding anyway, since that's what we had at Crissy) and the team guys tout it's unhooked performance and great attributes in the surf. I believe them. Nice construction, similar to the Vegas, great new lines which seem to be really slippery and stronger than others that are out there. All-in-all a great ride.

How bad could it be to ride under the Golden Gate on the hottest day of the season, followed by sunset socializing with the full crew? Worth the frightening traffic actually!

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:28 pm

Damn, you hogged that kite for a hour and a half!? I'm surprised they didn't send the Coast Guard after you.

berrisbob · Post by **berrisbob** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:26 pm

I can attest to the fact that Dave really did like that kite. How could I tell? Well, when he saw me dump my kite directly under the bridge between the towers, with a freighter headed my way, he never even hesitated - he just sailed right on by with a big grin on his face. So unless he really doesn't like me, he must have been having a sweet ride with that kite.

fearlu · Post by **fearlu** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:39 pm

Ouch. Were you really in peril? If so, it didn't register. Wave like crazy next time and maybe I'll get a clue. Now I'm all bummed out...

OliverG · Post by **OliverG** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:34 pm

Crissy was good today, nice cool breezes, although many had a tough time getting out with kites falling, falling on the way out with some doing repeated attempts, but those who made it out enjoyed good winds today...

berrisbob · Post by **berrisbob** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:56 pm

Oops, maybe I should have have used an appropriate emoticon in my previous post. No, I was NOT in peril. Don't worry, and please don't be bummed out in the least. My point was not that you didn't help someone in need.. but rather that you were having a really good time with that kite. Believe me-- if I had thought I had needed help, I would have made it well known.

It was simply a downed kite, in mellow and properly powered conditions. Not a problem (though the kite was a bit uncooperative for a minute or two). The freighter was downwind and way far away, at least in my opinion, though both Mary Grace and later Sky or Jamie (I forgot which) each told me they were a bit worried that I might not get it relaunched in time.

On a related note, here's a link to the helmet cam video I shot out there-

2006-07-22_crissy helmetcam

It's long and it's lame, but I'm sure you and some of the others that knew I was shooting yesterday would be curious to see the result. Note that I edited out the part where my kite was down and you uncaringly blasted right past me with a big smile on your face as that menacing freighter bore down on my helpless self

(Note proper emoticon usage this time ) :)

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North Demo @ Crissy

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