Dakk

Please, please think about where you're putting your kite. If someone is upwind of you and trying to pass just lower your kite. The number of people who just sit there with their kite at 12, preventing anyone from passing, it's driving me nuts!!! If you are a beginner (nothing wrong with that, we were all beginners once) please just go downwind of the main group of kites. Of you must kite in among everyone keep your kite low when others are upwind! Thanks.

I've been thinking about splashing out on a few Hadlow Pro's and just spotted this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-COMPLETE-FLEXIFOIL-HADLOW-PRO-08-11m_W0QQitemZ330302669892QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportingGoods_Kites_Kitesurfing_CA?hash=item330302669892&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318 How cheap is that!?!

I apologise if the tone of my message came across a bit strong and brash, that's just how I am. I am an experienced kitesurfer who has probably rescued more people from the water in 8 years kitesurfing than Danny has had kitesurfing sessions altogether. 8 times out of 10 it's because the kiter has no idea how to relaunch their kite in deep water and when chatting to them afterwards the common element is usually that they have taught themselves or been taught by a friend. Just for the record. Although it's not my regular spot I have kitesurfed at Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton and, unless it's a big spring tide (or unless you only go 20 metres per tack) you will be out of your depth and coping with some pretty evil currents too at times. You're right, I don't know Danny or his mate (or you for that matter) and I sincerely hope that I am wrong. I hope that you have actually all practiced deep water techniques (as everyone should) because one thing I do know is that one day you will get into that sticky situation and you will need those skills. Good luck Danny (and friend), keep up the riding and practice those safety techniques. Don't let a grumpy old sod like me put you off. As you rightly point out I don't post much so I won't post again on this thread.

So when you taught your mate I assume that you showed him how to deep water relaunch, how to do a deep water packdown, what to do when another kitesurfer is coming the other way, how to body drag upwind?? No? Let me guess - he'd been flying land kites for years and knew how to fly a kite so you put him straight in the water where he did a bit of downwind bodydragging (teaching him nothing about how to recover his board). On the back of that success he very quickly progressed onto the board and thanks to the magic sheetability of the modern SLE he was up and riding in a matter of hours. Oh? And you did tell him to get BKSA insurance didn't you? You have done your mate no favours at all. I would go so far as to say that he could drown one day thanks to your lack of training, however good you think that your teaching is. Even worse you've done all of us no favours either because now there's another kiter on the water who doesn't know anything about water etiquette or the extreme side of safety. Do the right thing next time a mate asks you to 'show him the ropes' when you have only been kitesurfing yourself for a few months (evident from this thread): TELL HIM TO GET SOME LESSONS. I know you will be offended by this post and it may seem harsh but it is harsh for a very good reason.

Sorry, I don't mean to be rude but that is not what I would call a great review. Thanks for taking the time to write something but 2 brief, marginal sessions in dodgy wind?? You can't learn anything about a kite in such a short time. It's obviously a rushed review from someone with a vested shop interest to try to pimp the 09 and to stem the flow of cries from concerned Vegas fans who are clinging on to their 08's because North have made a mistake with the 09. I know that I'll be keeping my 08's, that's for sure The more I read, the more I'm convinced that the 09's are going to suck. For example, the review states that the 09 is like a Rebel when depowered (the Rebel is a good kite but it's not a Vegas) and that it changes it's aspect ratio when powered up (eh?)

There is so much more to kitesurfing than flying a kite and riding a board. Lessons will teach you: Safe LEI launching/landing techniques Site/risk assessment Deep water relaunch Deep water packdown and self-rescue Rights of way rules Much, much more... The number of idiots on the water who don't have a clue how to relaunch their kites or what to do when another kiter is coming towards them is growing all the time thanks to the SLE/bow kite. Please don't be one of them - do us all a favour and get some lessons. Oh & also get some insurance as well if you haven't already done it (http://www.bksa.org.uk).

No, it's like saying the new Golf is going to be 'more Polo like'.

I have the 08 Vegas' and I intend to keep hold of them for as long as I can!! They are perfect and I would not change a single thing. Build quality is 100% so hopefully they will last me for a few years before I am forced to change. Sorry but the 09 Vegas is not looking too good. I hope it turns out to be a great kite but at the moment it's not looking promising. The thing is, I don't want a kite which has a deeper profile (in other words a lower aspect ratio). I also don't want a kite with a million confusing setup options nor a kite which is 'more like a rebel'. Why not just keep the 08 exactly as it was? Sure, update the graphics and give it a one/two pump system if you must but why make such drastic changes? ARGH! 08 forever!!

Well, it's sports PERSONALITY of the year so....

Fair enough give it the Hadlow name, but 'pro model' is just lame, so so lame

From that graphic it looks like it's going to be called the 'Aaron Hadlow Pro Model'. What a lame name!!!!!!! Seriously, c'mon Flexi use some imagination and come up with a decent name for the kite. Oh and on his website, Hadlow says 'That is the Hadlow Pro Model due to be released Feb/Mar'

Yep, thanks everyone.

I'm seriously tempted to make the switch to a waist harness but am concerned that I'll put extra pressure on my already slightly bad back. Has anyone here got a back problem which was made worse by a waist harness? At the mo I use a Dakine Fusion - looking at getting a Dakine Tabu or Pyro. I've got a kinda V shaped body so riding up shouldn't be a prob..