So I got a chance to ride some Epic kites while I was on vacation in OBX for 10 days. I was riding in Waves at KHK when Dimitri showed up. I myself have been riding for 11 years. Riding style is mostly freestyle with a little wake style and wave riding.
The first day I was riding, the wind was @ 20 mph.. I got to try the Screamer 10m. I am not sure if it was a 2010 or 2011. Overall the kite looked good but honestly I didn't like it much. Just not my thing. I spent about 1/2 hour to 45 minutes on it and everything was off. Everyone has a preference on gear and this wasn't it.
The next day I met Dimitri to try out the 9m Renegade. (once again, not sure on the year) The wind was @ 25-35 mph.. While blowing up the kite I definitely notice how beefed up the stitching was. Very nice! Looked like it could take some abuse. Once inflated, it was a rock solid (stiff) for a 3 strut kite. The bar was nice too but I'm not one to take a lot of notice on bars unless it sucked. It didn't. The below the bar spinner worked nice although you have to spin it by hand and the release looked simple although I really didn't test it. Dimitri showed me how it worked before I went out. In the air it was completely different from the Screamer. It was very direct and fun with great power thru the turns. Bar pressure was medium and I felt at home on it almost immediately. It jumped really well and had great float. I was also impressed with it's mega loops. I love big loops in high wind and this kite caught me every time at 20-35 ft. high. It was really a super fun kite.
In the afternoon I went for an ocean sesh with Dimitri down in Hatteras. I'm not sure of how much wind there was but I was well powered on a 6m Renegade on my SS Verve 2 strapless. Some of the waves were over head but most were waist to head high. Fast kite but not too fast. We stayed in one spot for about a 1/2 hour and then did a down winder. Super fun sesh!
Now to set the record straight. I ride SS RPMs size 14m, 10m, 8m and 4.5m and absolutely love them. There are still some kites coming out that I want to try out but the Renegade goes toward the top of my list for some new kites to buy for this year. For anyone that thinks I am just pimping, I don't own any Epic kites, the shop I work with doesn't sell Epic kites, (yet) and anyone that knows me will tell you, I hate Eclipse kites. Always have. I have also been on my RPMs for a couple years and am not even thinking of getting rid of them. But I will probably be buying an 11m and 6m Renegade to fill the gaps.
Once again to each their own but this was an awesome kite and I had a lot of fun riding it with Dimitri.
Noel
Otherside Boardsports
Islamorada, Florida Keys
www.othersideboardsports.com
