14M Waroo experience?

colby · Since 23 Apr 2005 613 Posts Celebrity Photographer

thinking about something a little bigger for the coast, but have had sluggish experience with bow kites of this size before, and done all right with a 12M and glide board in light conditions, but not lit up of course...can anyone speak to this kite's performance compared to a smaller Waroo?

Thanks much in advance!

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 27, 06 1:57 pm

Due a thread search, I covered this same question a while back. These types of discussions apparantly lead to problems but you asked so I'll give you my opinion...

I have been Kb'ing for 4 years and have ridden a pretty good amount of kites. I fly a crossbow 16 for light days. The bottom line is you have to demo one to see for yourself. But in my experince:

The downsides.

1. The kite really lacks low-end power and is sluggish in low wind.
2. It won't reverse re-launch unless your in the upper part of its wind range.
3. It seems to me it should have more struts to better hold its shape
4. It is really fincky when adjusting i.e. easy to oversheet

The plus sides.

1. Its inexpensive
2. if you don't like it, just return it for a refund.
3. The bar is simple and uncluttered and the depower strap is much better than the CB's

Try one out, I would look elsewhere, but hell try it out and see what you think. I think someone here has a 05 17m machine for sale as well.

Good luck!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

I think the 14m Waroo is a cool enough kite, not as sweet as the 9m but its a big kite so that's to be expected to an extent.

It doesn't have low end grunt, its a front line flier and likes to be sheeted out and takes technique to get the most out of. I guess you could say it doesn't have much low end, but remember just because some big kites may make you feel "lit" doesn't mean you can jump (higher), or go upwind, or do anything besides plow along.

That all said, stick with your 12m and the Glide. You won't get a lot more (usable) power by going bigger than 12m. Heck I was on the 9m and Glide the other day making it work in uber lightwind.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 536 Posts Oregon Addicted

I witnessed the great WAROO yesterday in action at Stevenson. Not sure what size it was but in the end it was half the kite. A normal crash on the hard side created a rip in the canopy from leading edge to trailing adge along the middle strut Shocked

.

I think inexpensive kites are good for the industry and may get more people on the water however, I dont think a kite that rips to easily is good for any body unless it costs a hundred bucks. better to get the Pro if your on the Waroo Juice Wink

I Bam may have taken a few shots of the destruction.

jack · Since 12 Mar 2006 211 Posts Stoked

ryan, admittedly the waroo lack some of the very nice bells and whistles of more expensive kites and the bars for sure blow, but i dont think it is fair to judge a kite by on crash. i and most all here have seen every brand rip in two in many different circumstances. I have crashed my waroo as hard as any kite i have owned on both land and water and have not had a problem.

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Promised not to post them to save the identity of the rider...

I was out on the rock and suddenly there is a kite on the upwind side of it all wrapped around it and about to take me and my camera gear out...

Thought a second about bailing ship (rock), but some cutie ran down and saved the Bammer's day...

Here is are two from "The Almost Warpooed Rock Shoot"...

Jon

colby · Since 23 Apr 2005 613 Posts Celebrity Photographer

thanks for the advice and of course the ass shot Bam! I had a terrible time with a 16M bow for a few sessions some time ago and then the LE blew a 4ft hole down the seam - at Sauvies on a light wind day no doubt. Just wondered if I was cursed or if some of the bigger bow kites have issues...may just stick to my wonderful friend the Glide for awhile...I may have hurt its feelings by making this post Very Happy

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Hmmm, flat kite advocates... Please don't take my "Warpooed" comment or the ass shot to be any commentary on my personal opinion of BOW/FLAT kites. Think they do what they do really well and that works for some, but I guess deep down I have a general fear of them that must go back to some deep seeded incident in my childhood.

"Now the question is, do I give her the crotch or the ass"... Tyler Durden...

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Those Escalade bindings look ssweet.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Fuck, I wouldn't have jumped off the rock... I'm always paranoid as shit when I'm on top of that thing with my digi SLR, let alone when big kites get close! Confused

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

ryan - I have seen pretty much every brand of kite rip in half at one point or another. I even saw a certain photographer shamefully rolling up a torn in half kite one time. Then again he has been known to be hard on his gear. Very Happy

Best to pass on your condolences to the rider and be happy it wasn't your kite, rather then tempt fate with bad karma!

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1735 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Nice freakin shots dude!

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Hey Phillip...

Thanks for dredging up that memory...

Hear ya man, a kite is just a kite. Yeah, that Boxer never had a chance that day at Secret Spot. Some Bam Bam dude slammed dunked it at mach 2 straight into the water, and the outcome was obvious before the kite even hit.

Kite on, Jon

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Sorry Bammer for bringing it up... Similar thing happened to my 13m Yarga at the very same spot, of course I was on the Washington side at the time and the setting sun, lack of anyone else on the water, long swim, and LE filling up with water made me abandon it.

Shit happens!

To be honest, I can't recall ever seeing a one pump Slingy blow up... I have seen then blow valves on heavy impact a bunch of times which I have heard is a feature. Seems to work because I can't recall ever hearing of one blowing a LE. I have seen a couple cases of a Slingy ripped canopy, but never from impact on water alone.

Tip of the hat to Slingy for that, but pretty much every other brand regulardless of price or age I have seen in blown out, torn, etc.. Good thing those guys at AirTime are so kickass at repairing stuff. Thumb's Up

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Yeah man Casey and others over there a great! I have been working for them building a new sizing chart and they have been very easy going and real easy to work with!

And those slingys are awesome! Definately built with unmatched quality! Just check out that link! The proof is in the pudding!

Griff_miester · Since 26 Jun 2006 28 Posts Stevenson Wa

hey colby,
you should check into a contra its desgined as a light wind kite with the proformance of a small kite(speed). I have heard nothing but great things about the contra and think you should check one out. Cabrinha is haveing a demo at sauvies this upcoming thursday. Give one a try. if you got a 14 contra with your glide or normal board you would have a dream setup for the coast on a light wind day. Very Happy

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Griff_miester · Since 26 Jun 2006 28 Posts Stevenson Wa

nice pics bam bam. i feel like a kite hooker exposed, lol
there great shoots keep up the good work man.