What kites do the professionals use?

[elementalsurfer]

Are the professional kitesurfers using bow or SLE kites or are they sticking to C kites. From the limited footage I’ve seen to date it seams that most are using C kites still.

 

It seams to me that the greatest advantage the flatter kites have to offer is de-powerability and thus increased safety. I’m not yet convinced it’s the way for me yet as I still like to sail powered-up most of the time. I also suspect that there is quite a bit of development needed yet before they will take over.

 

Comments please, but no pimping, we’ve seen too much of the “My kites the best” on this forum.

[Tone]

90% are on C's still;.

 

some great riders using bows though,

[rushextreme]

Give it time and I believe most pro's will use a kite with more depower either "flat" or "c"

 

In fact I reckon they wont have much choice cos the Manufacturers will go more in this direction.

 

p.s. my kite is the best;)

[doc]

It stands to reason that the pro's use the kites that they have been dialled in on from infancy and that's a c kite.

 

But in time new kids will be "brought up" on bows/hybrids and then u will see at least a partial transition.

[lewiss]

plus through what i've seen is that the higher aspect kites with higher aspect ratio, and better performance are c kites.

 

the sle kites are more mid aspect, so not what the pros are looking for??

[subby]

they will all move over to venoms by the end of the year...

[mini_man]

Pros can afford to have more kites to suit the wind, meaning they dont need to worry about such a high windrange, or that much depower..... they want fast turning, buckets of lift, and lots of power..... the can also go in places with more predictable wind, not so worried about low wind flying

 

All my opinion - if you dont agree, fair enough

[lewiss]

think ur right though.

[ezstevie]

C kites mostly, cannot ever see Arron Hadlow signing to Flysurfer!!!!!

[lewiss]

yeah, but he must use the ion or probs atom now aswell.

[RPatrick]

When you say "Professionals" I assume you are talking about sponsored riders. This is just a guess, but I am thinking the pros may not have a choice as to what type of kite they ride. Are they not required by their sponsor to ride a certain brand and style of kite ?

[lewiss]

no just as long as they use say flexifoil kites.

[thegman89]

I'm guessing they fly what ever kites their sponsers give them!

[sprogg]

they will all move over to venoms by the end of the year...

 

I think you're spot on there. LOL

 

Not seen yet whether the north team will be on the Rebel, but maybe.

Most pros will stay n c kites for the grunt and performance they can offer IMO but then they can afford to have the full range and use the kite perfect for the wind, plus most of the world events are in nice places with steady wind. Bows are great for u.K as we have such changeable and often gusty weather.

[mini_man]

Sprogg, why didnt you quote me as u basically just backed up everything i said lol