How's this for a blast from the past. An old school Wipika and some sort of 80's windsurf board.

Scott

Is that you in the pic?

I was talking to a kiteboarder yesterday that said he flew one of these old wipikas. He told me he flew a 2line and the only way to depower was to let go of one of the handles :wow: He mentioned using a surfboard with his wipika as well.

It's crazy and interesting to see how kite technology has evolved throughout the years. Even the progression from as recent as 2004 up until now is incredible. :frog:

Yes it is me. I don't like depower kites. It's better to learn to not rely on your equipment to get you out of trouble. It's better to use your head and not go out in crazy conditions. It's also better to use a kite that is sized for the gusts not the lulls.

The only inflato kites I have left are a North Rhino that is probably a 2001 model and a North Toro (I don't know what year). All my other kites are fixed bridle foils.

Scott

I started with an old wipi and surfboard with straps (we all did in the "old days"), but Scott's got a couple years on me, I started in 2000. Just as twin tips and 4 line kites started to appear on the beach (in Hawaii at least).

Quote:

He told me he flew a 2line and the only way to depower was to let go of one of the handle

Never flew a wipi on handles (didn't know anyone ever did, only knew folks who flew them with a bar) but I think he was pulling yer leg. You handle the gusts by edging the board and driving the kite to the edge of the window, let go of one end of the bar and the kite will go "ker-splash"... Pretty much the same technique you should use today, except with modern gear it's a lot easier and safer.

Scott - if you haven't flown a modern 4 line bow or SLE you've got no idea what you're missing out on. Inflato kite technology has evolved a HUGE amount since the original Rhino and Toros (I had both of these too). They were great kites back in their day, but the wind range and depower of those kites aren't 1/10th of what the new kites are capable of.

I've flown lots of the "modern" bow kites. I have a Best Waroo in the garage as well...it's not mine but I have it.

I find they just don't fly very well compared to a say a Flexifoil Blade or a Quadrifoil Competition X kite.

Scott