Name: pebbles
Post subject: Re: New Brand: Epic Kites
Posted: 29 Jul 2010 23:46
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 13:21
Posts: 236
Location: Brunswick, GA
I think the 10ltd is my new favorite kite of all time! I could almost use it as a 1 kite quiver if the wind here wasn't so lite. Once you get moving it really powers up.
Had a issue with a leaky strut, contacted Dimitri with the intent of buying a new one,but he went out of his way to get me a new one free of charge! I wish every business/person was as professional.
Thanks D!

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

Hi Dimitri,
My name is Bob Karetsky and you got me hooked on an Epic Screamer LTD at Jockey's Ridge at the end of May. Literally.
I was flying a green Naish Helix 12 and when I got to the beach you hooked me in to your Epic Screamer 10. I took a few tacks and really liked it.
That Helix was the first new kite I ever bought and I really really liked it until I flew that Screamer!
You told me to pop you an e-mail if I was thinking about getting one. I'm thinking, how can I get one?

Aki thinks there is something wrong

From: Aki
Posted on FaceBook.

"Dimitri...there is something wrong with you and the way you design your kites! Your 12M is NOT a 12M and your 9M is NOT a 9M. I was depowered about a foot (plus) and I was still HAULING on the 9M Saturday and Sunday. I love IT! But, to be on the safe side...I think a 7M needs to be part of my quiver. LOVE YOUR KITES!!!"

Email sent to Dimitri


“Whats going on Dimitri?

I just need to start by saying I have the be the luckiest guy to Have
Oliphant Ontario just up the road from me and also one of the few
dealers for Epic Kites in CANADA!!!!

I haven't taken my first lesson yet - but I am a pretty decent
wakeboarder so I have no doubts I will be able to excel at
kiteboarding. I have been doing ALOT of research and again I seriously
cannot wait until July 10th for my first lesson and purchase of an
Epic Kite. I dont know anyone who currently flys a Epic other then a
few people up here so Its almost like I will have my hands on
something that no one else does! I'm going to stay around here for the
summer to get really good then head down to Toronto and promote the
hell out of your brand, even the colors and designs are fresh man.

I have been watching alot of your online stuff and great job man,
seriously. I have alot of great photographer friends and videographers
and I will be sure to send you links showing how bad ass I look with
one of your kites!

just your entire companies branding and how you have went about
showcasing your kites is going to be the reason I go with you guys. I
am basically sold before I even try but I rather buy something from a
man who has lived the sport and knows exactly what he would want in
his own kite.

I know you are busy man, but I thought I would totally tell you I
probably wouldn't have gotten into kite boarding if I didn't come
across you guys and randomly stumble upon the dealer about an hour away!

Take care dude,

Ben Clouthier

Kincardine, Canada”

From: Rick Berlin
Place: Florida. Ponpano Beach


Hello Dimitri,
Just wanted to let you know that I tried a screamer 12 and tried the rpm 14 from slingshot and the screamer 12 blew the rpm 14
away. But then I saw a good deal on the epic 14, so i had to get it.
Love the kites.

Taken from the KITEFORUM.

First impressions of the 6m Renegade(20m lines): I got a lot of water time on the 6m Renegade last week. The conditions where I was riding start of in the low 20's and builds to the high 20's/ low 30's within a few hours, side to side-off wind. And, does get quite gusty at times.

Weight: 195 lbs
Board: 6' 2" Firewire stock surfboard(Flexfire)
Experience: 3rd year kiting.

Before I rigged the 6m, I was a little hesitant because most guys my size were on 8m and 9m kites(everyone was on surfboards/directionals) and this is a place where you do not want to end up down wind due to a cliffy shoreline with limited launch area. I could have rigged the 9m to be sure, however, I did not want to have to come in and rig down when the wind picked up. Also, I like to freesurf the wave as much as possible and rather not be over-powered when riding down-the line.

As soon as the kite went in the air I was impressed due to the incredible stability. The launch area boarders a small cliff, so the wind is light before the kite gets above the cliff, making it a little sketchy to launch sometimes when it's gusting. As soon as I started riding I was lovin this thing. The lowend on this 6m is amazing. In regards to high end, I don't know since I was never over-powered during all my sessions. I also really liked the lighter bar pressure and shorter throw to depower. That coupled with it's stability, made this kite such a pleasure to fly in these conditions.
In regards to the performance on the waves: I was a little bummed that we did not get the swell we were expecting so the waves were only head high at best. However, I was blown away how this kite flys when riding waves. It's the kind of kite that you do not have to pay attention when your on the wave. Which means you can put all your focus on the wave itself. This is the closest I've felt to actual free-surfing since I've been kiting on waves. I am so happy with this kite. For me, it has everything I want in a wave kite: great lowend, stability, power/depower on demand in a short stroke, gust eater, no heavy bar pressure, and fast turning. If you are into waves, you should definetly give this kite a try.

Lastly, I have been equally impressed with the customer service I've gotten from Epic. Many kite companies miss the mark in this catorgory which is really a shame for them. Thanks Dimitri for putting out such a solid kite for waves.