Friday, February 26, 2010

An Email from Nick

“Dimitri,
Today I tried my 7m screamer for the first time after using my 10m as well this week. The 10 was insane and had a great low end and hang time.

About the 7m:
The wind was around 32 to 36knts and still had the steering line knot on the second one. The kite had to much power so I tried the normal knot and the second knot on the power lines. This was allot better but still thanks to the insane gusts I was overpowered sometimes. Other people had the same problem so not entirely the kites fault. After that I removed the 4m extensions, and on the 20m lines I managed to keep my edge. The jumping on a high powered 7 is absolutely insane especially when you get a gust whilst you are in the air. Though still the kite was a bit overpowered. Would changing the bridle setting to slow (was on fast) help a bit more? Or do you know the best setting?

Thanks in advance, as I said before I am happy with the kites and the way they fly.
Yours,
Nick de Rijcke”

Monday, February 22, 2010

To Dimitri

"mate... saw you at DISCOVERY channel... destroyed in seconds :)

the pier jump ;)

at the end they say that you now use helmet and that you do not take risks anymore... LOOOOOOL

KITE ON!!!!!"

Friday, February 19, 2010

even more from PR

Just demoed some Epic kites in Puerto Rico. Here's my take on the kites....

Test conditions:
Average wind speeds: 16-20 knots and some stronger gusts
Spots: flat water and small chop
Board: 131 x 40 2009 Skywalker Rider
My weight is 70kg (155 lbs)
Kite experience: 2 years, intermediate, freestyle

Gotta start by I'm not affiliated to Epic to Epic or any other brand. I have flown Best, Royal, Liquid Force, Cabrinha, Ocean Rodeo, Monkey, Eclipse (Nano) and Slingshot. Currently flying SS RPMs and REVs, so I'll compare to these.

Flew a Screamer LTD 10m, a Renegade 12m and a Renegade 9m. The three felt perfect right away, like if I had already used them many times before. The only kites I've tried that have felt so good right from the start have been SS and Royal kites.

Screamer LTD 10m
Got a new kite straight from the bag. Flew it as it comes from factory. Only change made was, as per Dimitri's suggestion, adjusted the front lines to innermost knot (made them shorter).

Seems extremely well built with good attention to details.

First of all: the bar. I loved it. It is light, with green on the right, red on the left and a good written warning when you have the bar on the wrong way. Colored lines. Elastic bands on each tip of the bar to hold the lines (brands like LF have it, I wish SS did.) The grip is super comfortable. So far my favorite grip has been SS. Epic's has a perfect thickness, super soft. Sailed for three 3 hours and my hands didn't feel tired. Could have kited the whole day without hurting my hands a bit.
The quick release is very easy to access in an emergency, without getting in your way. With some quick releases it is easy to activate them by accident, but i don't thing there's a chance here. Can't tell how good it works cause I didn't use it. Everything looks of good quality and strong. Chicken loop has a very neat size.
Power/depower above the bar. I'm not used to this, since I'm used to SS's depower below the bar. I always loved the idea of having the power/depower rope below the idea, but I recently had some issues with it...when I pull the depower rope it gets stuck in the cleat, so the whole thing comes out including the chicken loop. You know what happens rest. So I got to appreciate the power/depower above the bar in Epic kites. The nicest thing is that it has two very distinctive, reachable and big handles to pull. This helps to avoid pulling the wrong end in a hurry. Liked it a lot.

Bar pressure - I suffered from tennis elbow a year ago that kept me from kiting for a while, so I always look for light pressure. Heavier pressure in C kites bring me back the pain in minutes. This bar felt like heaven. Very light pressure, even better than the pressure on Revs, which was my favorite till now.

Boosting - This kites wants to jump all the time. High boosting without any effort. The hangtime is great. Compared to my 10m RPM, it gives me about the same hang time but a lot more height in flat water. Better hangtime than my 11m REV. I wish I could try the Screamer with some good chops!! I don't dare to say its the higher jumper out there, but if there are any kites better at jumping, I'm sure the Screamer beats them in most other aspects, like safety, relaunch and stability (see below)

Relaunch - The kite fell three times but but didn't actually get to lay on the water, so I wasn't able to test the relaunch well. I did do a self launch from the water and it was super smooth and fast.

Turning speed - Super fast. Moves like a 9m. Not extremely fast, but, for me, it was the perfect speed.

Power - This is where this kite excels. Super powerful. I felt I was in a 12m. Also, when the wind died and other 10 & 11m kites were not enough, I was still moving.

Stability - Very stable kite. I never had to watch it, you always feel where it is even with the light bar pressure. Flew great everywhere in the wind window. Easy to control - toe side, heel side

Overall, compared to my RPM, i felt it performed similar in most aspects, but the Screamer excels in jump height, stability**, pulls harder, and the power/depower system. I would have to test in more in lighter conditions to be able to say it really has a better low end, but It definitely felt very well powered at 18-20 knots. At that wind speed it pulled stronger than all 10m kites I've tried and as much as all 11m.

RENEGADE 12m and 9m

I didn't that much time in these. Same great bar as the Screamer (read above). The stability on this kites is even better. I loved how the Screamers managed the gusts. I didn't get the harsh pull you get in other kites. In this it was similar to my RPM, better than Screamer and SS REV. For students this kite feels extremely safe. With 3 struts the kite is very light. I tried letting the kite up in the air without holding the bar and it stays perfectly up at 12 everytime.
When parked, the screamers stay there and feel great. I believe these would be great for riding unhooked.
The 11m Renegade turns noticeably slower than the Screamer ltd 10m and my 11m SS Rev. I know many guys that prefer it like this. It didn't jump as high as the Screamer but jumped pretty high. It is a super powerful kite for going fast. Relaunch was instant. It felt super comfortable at 20 knots. Actually felt as good as the Screamer 10m.

The 9m Renegade
Got amazed with this guy! Felt perfect when everyone else was with 10 - 12m kites. Felt powered, very good jumps, and as stable as the 12m. I loved the turning speed. Felt very similar to the Screamer 10m. Great speed, not crazy fast speed, but super good-controllable speed. Loved it. According to Epic's website its high end is more than I'll ever need, and I'm sure it will still feel safe and stable. If I were to buy a 9m today, I would buy this one right away.


The three Epic kites felt perfect right at the first time. I would buy any of these right away. I was stoked with the Screamer 10m and the Renegade 9m. Would love to try the Screamer 12m - might end up buying a Screamer 12m and the Renegade 9m , or a 10m Screamer Ltd as a one kite quiver. I've loved SS kites for a while and am now loving Epic kites.

Have to say that Dimitri was extremely nice with everyone and was thrilled to have us try his kites. It is uncommon to have the big shot from a kite company come spend time, open a bunch of kites for demos, take pictures, give shirts, surf and tell jokes with local kiters. I didn't even have to rig my own kite. Getting to know the man gives an extra value to his products. (kudos to Dimitri for his marketing skills:) ) My friends liked the kites very much and already offered Dimitri to buy his demo kites before he leaves the island.

These kites are very good in every aspect. I haven't checked their pricing, but at a right price these kites might well be the best buy in the 4 line inflatable freestyle/wakestyle kites market. Can't tell about surf - we spent the day in flat water heaven( Parguera, Puerto Rico)

More from PR

Thanks Dimitri for bringing the Epic show to Shacks. I am sorry that we could not deliver on the typical sideshore wave riding that this place is known for, but it was fun to ride your kites anyway. I had the chance to ride the Renegade in both the 11 and 9. I weigh 160lbs and have been riding at Shacks for 4 years. My first session was on the 11 with a 5'8 strapped surfboard.

For the record, I have no interest in riding an 11meter in the waves. But the wind was light and a bit on shore so I decided to give it a go. I am glad that I did. The kite performed extremely well. It was stable and still reasonably fast for its size. I tried to make it back stall and it would not. It pivots well and when you get the timing right, it leads you just like a wave kite should.

Fortunately, the wind picked up a tad and I decided to get on the kite that I really wanted to try, the Renegade 9. It seems that a 9m is often the sweet spot in the line up and the 9m Renegade did not disappoint. In fact I felt like I had more useable power with the 9m (at my weight) than with the 11m. For me an 11m just pulls. The 9m just danced. Nice pivot on the turns and seemingly a more linear power delivery as compared to the 11. Although the wind was measurably the same, I felt like I had more power and speed with the 9. Work the kite, and she goes!

This was my first time on a 3 strut SLE. I was a bit skeptical when I first looked at the kite as I am used to a much more rigid canopy design using 5 struts. After trying the kites, I think what you might give up in structure is made up for in lack of weight and a greater ability to fly fast. So if you like to ride waves powered up, keeping your kite low and moving in front of you, you should consider this kite. It was remarkably stable for having only 3 struts.

My only constructive criticism relates to the bar. I could have used a bit more throw. Another inch or two would have been perfect.

I am not affiliated with Epic in any way and only re-met Dimitri and his crew for the first time in a long time. Thanks again Dimitri, and best wishes in what seems to be a very successful venture.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

From the PR demo

“Hi Dimitri,

Thanks for a great kite day in Paguera. Hope you got some good shots.

I will get back to you regarding the kites, cus that Screamer LDT has been screaming my name all the way home in the car:-) And even Sophie is thinking of getting rid of her 5 lined kites. See that's a compliment!!

Saludos, Anders

ps. If you need a contact/dealer in Denmark let me know. I could set something up. I know the scene there and my brother (also kiter) has his own internet company. Well, those kites sell themselves anyways:-).”

Thursday, February 11, 2010

What a day at Black Pine






Spent a great day up at Black Pine, MT. I love the pics. with the ski resort in the background. To think those people are paying to ride while I can ride for free. Why wouldn't you want to kite.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

From the kite forum

Emerald Coast Kiteboarding had an EPIC demo day last Friday, at St. Andrews State Park. It was a little light in the morning, like 12-14, so we rigged the 14 Screamer. Nice looking kite and built well for being so light weight. The bar is well thought out and the swivel just above the chicken loop works really well and the quick release ( we actually tested it ) works every time with no problems. It is quick and easy to change the bar size with just a couple of knots, either on the inside or outside of the bar ends. I self launched this kite and it rolled right over and had immediate power in the light wind conditions. The bar pressure is just right, as it is nice to feel the kite a tad, but not too much. I could feel the low end on this 14 meter kite with just a flick of the bar.......this kite turns super fast for a 14 as well....I weight 215 so it is nice to have low end and fast turning speed all in one kite. As the day went on, the wind picked up and the waves did as well. A lot of riders were out on 10's and 11's but the 14 had so much range, I de-powered it a bit but when I finally came in to rig the 11 Renegade, it was blowing over 25 and the Screamer 14 was still manageable. The 14 has a lot of loft time, as it just seems to hang in suspended animation once you send it. This kite loops great for a 14 meter kite.We rode the 11 Renegade, a three strut kite in the 20-25 knot and gusty conditions and had a blast on it! Really a nice looking kite. If you want a big kite for lighter wind that will hang in there when it picks up, you can't go wrong with the 14 Screamer, especially of you are a bigger rider.

Panama city Florida

Got to ride the 10M Screamer back to back with the 11M Renegade. The 11M Renegade looks smaller than the 10M Ltd upon first glance. When in the air, it has more bar pressure and turns slower than the Screamer. However, it has good power and nice jumps. Fun in the waves, however, I personally like the faster turning Screamer. Both kites are extremely stable, however, the Renegade seems to sit in the sky no matter how bothched a trick may be. Both relaunch very easily. The decision as to which to kite to buy will be personal preference, as they are very different feeling kites that will match any riders' style. The local shop, Emerald Coast Kiteboarding, found these kites to have excellent wind range and great performance. If you get a chance to try them, fly the Screamer and Renegade back to back in order to get a true feel for each one. You will not be disappointed!!

from San Diego

Who was at the Jupiter event? I heard Dimitri almost won the big air contest and it was down to the last few seconds! Who has details? What size kite was he on? Was he really the oldest man in the bunch? ;)

Nice work on second Dimitri!

(and now for something completely different)

Had a very lightwind session on my 14m Screamer. I love this kite more and more each session. It was extremely light out and no one was staying upwind, neither was I, but I was able to unhook and pull off a lot of moves and a few jumps that I never would have believed in that kind of wind. The Screamer is just so stable in lightwind!

A friend who flew Thrusters got to go back to back on the 16m Thruster and my 14m Screamer. He didn't want to give my kite back and bought one the next day!

The 14m Screamer has easily the same low-end at the 16m Thruster and I have no worries that this kite can replace my old standby. I'm liking the Screamer even better in light stuff since it's got more power in the turns and is overall more stable.

I also got to test the water relaunch in very light wind. I seriously thought I'd be swimming in as did the peanut gallery on the beach, the wind was below 10mph. Pulled one outside line and the kite rolled right over and took off! No fuss, no issues, amazing! There wasn't even enough wind to get planing back to the beac

From Montreal Canada


Epic pass the -30oC extreme weather Test.

This weekend , i go out with the EPIC Screamer 14M in EXTREM COLD weather.

I go out in kiteSki at -30c , wind was maybe 8 to 20km/hrs.

I was a bit scare about the CL safety , because the Safety is a plastique lock .
I try i few time to unlock the CL and Lock again everything go well . All work well with this cold weather . The plastic part , look well built

Other thing a validate in this cold condition (Also the Kite still in my car all the weekend average -20 to -30)

- The onepump clip style. work , because the tubing on the OP still soft , the click still working
- The small ball in the main Inflatable point still work
- The Valve was harder to close , but no problemo
- The Bar , work well the system to untwist the front lines style working very good.
- I drop the kite a few time in this hard pack ICE and nothing wrong. Good construction A1 ..

- The only thing, i do not know why, Screamer do not have the small tissus on the front bridles connector loop in the kite to help me to open the loop to connect the line to the bridales. In -30 , you do not want to put your glove out. Maybe a small add on in the Epic 2011 products.

- Again i do not try the jumping , It's was ICY condition . But i can tell you the Screamer 14 a have a very good low end..

Also the relunching in the snow/ice is very easie , just grab a direction line and wait... Faster and easier then a Eclipse T14.

Video soon , maybe next week in the SnowKite race in Champlain Lake

More from the kite forum

Hey guys ,

I have had quiet a few sessions on the epic screamer 10m and i am 70 kilos riding a brunotti pro x 128 * 39

Firstly,can i say well done to dimitri and co for prompt delivery and great service.

Now down to the kite ,out of the bag you can see it is top notch construction.

Rigging was easy with kook proof connectors.

Bar is the way i like it with depower above the bar and very easy to adjust size.I adjusted the front lines one knot t shorter which made it perfect for me

I have had the 10m out up to about 25 knots and oh my god the jumps and loops are amazing also great for board offs ,
I went in a local comp recently and took out the big air and hangtime prize. :jump:
Also worth noting the relaunch is very good in comparison to the thruster.
For me the bottom end is easily 3 knots better than the thruster so maybe 12 knots .

Anyway give it a go and have an EPIC session

good winds to all :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

Monday, February 1, 2010

Spending a whole month in La Ventana (Baja Mexico) has been surreal. We arrived in La Paz to rain showers and no wind. After nearly getting into numerous car accidents and narrowly escaping wal-mart we eventually made it to the small fishing village of La Ventana. I was very anxious to get out and kite. The next day was very light wind and cloudy, I still made it work for my 14m Epic Screamer and enjoyed my first session of the trip. After my attempts of going upwind remained futile, I made a grave mistake and came into the beach near the reef and sliced the heel of my foot pretty bad.
The next three weeks was absolutely amazing with consistent wind and sunshine. I super glued my foot back together and kept charging it out on the water. On an up-winder with Janet I ran into my old amigo and team rider for Wainman Hawaii, John Bonetti. He is always a fun person to ride with and we push each other to new limits.
The kite expo (La Ventana Classic) was a blast and even though the wind was not cooperating 100% the mood was Irie, and everyone was having fun. Dimitri and all the Epic crew did an amazing job getting the kites out and spreading the word about how the Epic Kites are a notch above the industry. After the event the wind picked back up and we got some nice days with mellow crowds. I would have to say this was the part of the trip that was the most progressive for me. I pushed myself pretty hard and feel like I made some stellar achievements.

So for now it is back to the cold northwest and hopefully we have some fresh snow I can’t wait for another kite trip into the warmth and sun of Mexico.
-Matty