TIPS FOR VIEWING - The Kiteboarder Magazine

caution
Designer’s
Corner
The biggest change to the 2010 Zombie was to make some slight shaping modifications to get a little more performance out of the wing
without sacrificing stability. Photo David DeVries
The Renegade is Dimitri’s all-around kite for his new kite company, Epic Kiteboarding,
best suited for riders that want a kite that performs well in a variety of conditions and
riding styles. Photo Helen Trotman
Designer’s
Corner
epic
Designer Profile:
Name: Peter Schiebel Age: 32
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Job Title: Owner/Head of Kite Design
Designing: 20 +
Kiteboarding: Since the beginning
Product name:
2010 Zombie
Product category: SLE
Sizes available:
4, 6, 9, 12 and 15m
Release date: Fall 2009
The Zombie is a next generation kite from
Caution. Where does it does it fit in your
product mix? The Zombie is our free-ride
line; it’s designed to offer high performance
flying characteristics while still delivering userfriendly
handling.
Why would a rider prefer the Zombie over
the Mayhem X? An intermediate kiter would
prefer the Zombie because of its super stability
and user-friendly qualities, which will help riders
excel through the various stages of kiting. Some
of our team riders prefer the Zombie in the waves
because of its turning dynamics and increased
drift for down the line wave riding. Although the
Mayhem X is slightly faster in turns and across
the window, overall, the Zombie boasts well
above average input response with super stable
flying dynamics. The Zombie excels in freestyle as
well, with really impressive hang time and good
unhooked sheeting.
What were you main goals in changing
the Zombie for 2010 and what are the most
significant changes that a 2009 Zombie
rider will notice? The biggest goal for the 2010
Zombie was to make some slight shaping changes
to get a little more performance out of the wing
without sacrificing stability. We also made some
minor construction changes with a few additional
reinforcements to increase the Zombie’s already
bomber reputation. By experimenting with some
The 2010 Zombie is by far my favorite kite. The 12 meter is without a doubt the
best kite I have ever flown in that size. The 9 meter has insane range, with an
amazing high end, where the kite still performs and responds well when it is
sheeted out and way beyond the kite’s ideal power range. All the kites have
a nice even power delivery, work really well in the waves and are “sh-weet”
for unhooking. The Zombies are super fun to jump because they have awesome lift and really
impressive hang time. I’ve had a quiver of 2010 Zombies since August and that’s definitely what
I will be riding through this winter and spring.
70 thekiteboarder.com
Josh Nehf, Team Rider
tested
subtle shape changes, we were able to get a little more performance
out of the wing without making any sacrifices in stability or float.
What are some of the other key product features and performance
characteristics? For 2010 we are introducing a new bar, which is a
complete redesign. We took input from our riders and started from the
ground up to build the 2010 bar, which is now getting rave reviews. The
2010 Bar has a spectra trim line, an on-the-fly stopper ball for cruising on
long tacks, a variable length bar so that one bar fits all kites, and a new
spring activated quick release for easy and uniform release.
What are the safety features on your bar? For 2010 we took a look
around at what was on the market and we came back to the conclusion
that simplicity and functionality is the key to keeping our riders safe. We
did substantial testing with a new spring activated quick release, spent
some time dialing in the spring tension, and ultimately found a system
that is easy to access with a crisp and clean release, while eliminating
unwanted or unexpected releases.
Any other key features you want to point out about your control
system or lines? Riders have been raving about the new sliding
stopper ball. Being able to set and then hold the kite’s trim comes in
handy at point breaks where you are taking long tacks out to get back to
the top of the peak. I would also like to point out the advantages of our
above the bar power adjustment strap. Although the concept has been
around since the beginning, it offers the best leverage for adjustment,
minimal wear, and can easily be adjusted to be in reach of all riders.
What style/level of rider do you think will get the most out of this
product? We have seen instructors and intermediate kiters give rave
reviews about the kite’s direct feel and stability, and at the same time
we have team riders that have chosen the Zombie as their main kite.
Ultimately, it comes down to rider preference, and a demo is the best
way to make the best decision.
What is your warranty policy? The fine print says 90 days on defects,
but we always do our best to take care of the riders that support us.
What do you believe differentiates your product from your
competitors? We are located in one of the windiest regions of the world,
with a large number of our kites getting daily abuse in our own backyard.
This allows us to keep tight control over quality, design and durability and
with 10 years of experience on both the design and the manufacturing
side, we know how to make a product that both performs and lasts.
Epic Kiteboarding may be a new brand to the kiteboarding
world but you and Dimitri are industry veterans. What do you
hope will first come to rider’s minds when they think of Epic?
Dimitri started Epic in order to bring the best quality, performance
and customer service to fellow kiters. As you said, he’s been in
the kiteboarding world for a long time now and has been fortunate
enough to try all different types of kites and gear. He is using
that knowledge to bring you, the riders, the best possible
kiting experience.
You are introducing two kites, the Screamer and Renegade.
What level of rider, what style and what conditions is the
Renegade best suited for? The Screamer was designed for big
hang time, big jumps, big handle passes, big boards off and you can
do at least four moves in one jump due to the hang time. If this is
your style of riding, then the Screamer is the kite for you. It is also a
fantastic kite for racing. If you are looking for more of an all around
kite, then I think the Renegade will suit you best. It is excellent for
teaching, for unhooked moves, wake style, wave riding, big jumps ,
big kite loops and also freestyle. It’s a very stable kite offering super
easy relaunch — you’ll feel right at home on it as soon as you try it.
What were you main goals in developing this kite? I wanted
to make this one of the most durable kites on the market with
the best quality and amazing performance. Our goal is to make
customers happy. We like to see customers excited when they
see the kite for the first time and see how well built they are. Also
we love when they take it for a test drive and we get to hear their
comments once they get out of the water. The expression on their
faces is the fuel that makes us want to come up with the best thing
on the market.
If you could choose one standout performance or new
construction feature to highlight, what would it be? The
quality is outstanding and the performance will blow your mind.
What are some of the other key product features and
performance characteristics? I made sure that all the
attachment points on the LE were EVA-protected so when sitting on
the ground it would protect the Leading Edge and also will be easy
to grab in the snow. Once you fly the Renegade, you will be amazed
with its performance and how easy it is to relaunch, how stable it is
and of course the amazing power it has. Just check the testimonial
videos on www.epickites.com and you will see what people are
talking about.
Describe the safety features on your control bar.
The XTEND bar we are using is an amazing bar that
works for 45cm to 55cm so no need for two bars
any more. One bar works for every kite you own.
With the help of Yaron from Blade in the design,
the Chicken Loop is very simple and very easy to
use. Check out the videos on the bar by clicking
www.epickites.com
Any other key features you want to point out
about your control system or lines? We made this
bar to be a very simple user-friendly bar with lots
of safety. It is kook proof so there is no mistake to
make when you set up the lines. Also the lines come
in 20 meter plus 4 meters extensions. So if you like
to use 20 meters all you have to do is remove the 4
meter extensions.
What is your warranty policy? We will have a
standard 12 months factory manufacturers defect
warranty, and also we are working on additional
EPIC guarantee.
What do you believe will differentiate your
products from your competitors? Just try the kite
and you will get your answer.
Anything else you want to point out about
Renegade? Yes, once you try the Renegade, make
sure to try the Screamer next!
tested
Designer Profile:
Name: MoMi
Age: 48 but feel younger
thank God to Epic Kites
Location: Haif Bay - Israel
Job Title: Kite Designer
Designing: 14 years
Kiteboarding: 9 years
AJ Morgan, www.kitetricity.com
Product name:
Renegade
Product category:
SLE/Hybrid-C
Sizes available: 6, 9
and 11m
Release date: 12/25/09
What can I say, the kite fits like a great pair of shoes or gloves. The Renegade
9m was a very fast turning kite, had a lot of steady pull, and was the easiest
kite that I have ever relaunched in all my 10 years of kiting. I feel that the
Renegade will be the best all-round kite for anyone who is getting into
kiteboarding for the very first time. It is very simple to use, easy to relaunch,
has a very nice safety system and was very simple to set up right out of the bag. I have very
short arms, and it was hard for me to reach the trim strap when I had the kite in my hands
for the first time. I was shown that it could be made shorter with just a simple and very fast
adjustment on the chicken loop line. I also like that one bar fits kites from 6m to 14m and can
be easily adjusted in seconds.
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