Location: Paia, HI
I have been riding the the 8m Rise since December 18th. Since then Maui has had a series of small swells and extremely gusty conditions. By gusty I mean 5 to 45mph with rain squalls. In order to deal with these extreme conditions and make the most of the waves I have been riding a 6’8” swallow tail surfboard reinforced for kiting. The combination of the Rise and little larger board has allowed me to stay out longer, point higher and perform better than other riders most of whom are using 7.5 to 9m kites and slightly smaller boards down to 6’.

I must say that I could not be more stoked with a kite right out the bag than I am with the Rise. The set up is so quick and easy to set up with the one pump system. The details like the bridle end holders make keeping the bridles un tangled and easy grab. The bar is simple, effective and very safe. I tested it when riding unhooked as bar got ripped out of my hands. Being hooked into the cleat system worked perfectly, it was easy to uncleat it and relaunch quickly. I’m now using the D-Ring on the trim loop. It’s easier to relaunch.

The kite is bomb proof as it has already taken a direct hit by 5’ bowl and came out unscathed. The flying characteristic are so predictable that I have started taking even more chances in lighter winds. The kite looping is so tight and easy that I can throw a kite loop at will to get a little speed boost to out run a section then depower to stay in the critical part of the wave.

I have mostly been riding hooked as the wind has been so gusty. On 12/2/08 we had some slightly onshore conditions that steadied out the wind and made unhooking possible. With a quick depower at the cleat I could easily ride controlled and powered with no backward flying characteristics what so ever. I pulled in about 8” on the trim line to insure forward flight with good turning characteristics. I have been flying with the extensions on the kite lines to give the kite greater range and that has really helped in the lulls. Bar pressure is ideal. Jumping at will over whitewater is easy. Perfect super tight kite loops make adding power and speed as needed totally predictable.

On 3/13 & 14 we had one of the last sizable swells of the season. I met up with Richard Tampin an OR team rider wintering in Maui. We had an idea to get decent photo of two Rise kites on one wave. I figured it would be fairly easy. Wrong. The first day was just huge and closing out. We were the only fools going for it. On the second day the windsurfers were on the point so getting a good set wave was a challenge. In the end mission was accomplished and OR got a shot. We managed to pick off a few together and not cross lines. I did manage to get foam ball cover up that felt pretty good. Can’t say enough about the range of this 8m. Pretty incredible.

Overall the kite is a top performer both hooked and unhooked. I can’t wait to try the 12m. I wish I could have a 12m that weighed the same as the 8m. That truly would be a miracle kite. A 12m will probably be my main light wind kite with the 16 just for super light wind days. I know the 6’8” has something to do with my ability to outlast all the other riders on the gusty days but I give 90% of the credit to the kite. The bottom end of the kite is great and I haven’t even felt the top end.

Photos below on my custom designed and built 6’4” thruster.

Aloha from Maui.

Name:KiteHawaii
Age: 47

Weight: 205 lbs

Location: Maui USA

Level of kiting: Expert Waves

Most riding done in surf?

Size of product you are commenting on: 8m Rise Venturi

We are constantly asked about the performance of the new Ocean Rodeo ’08 RISE series.

Bottomline – you will end up flying a smaller OR RISE than what you are used too!

Ocean Rodeo has not been at the forefront over the past several years but have made an incredible comeback with the successful launch of the ‘08 RISE series of kites. Ocean Rodeo has always had the reputation for manufacturing extremely well constructed kites and again features on the new range of kites!

Innovation is evident – great graphics, solid construction but the most notable feature is not evident until your get on the water and do the thing that you do! FACT - you WILL require a smaller kite!!

I have been riding the 10m 08 RISE virtually 90% of the time this season! The days of my youth are gone so at 100kg I normally have to change kites frequently to match the wind. Last year most of the time I rode the BEST ‘07 Waroo 13m – this year I am riding the same locations and same wind patterns but on the 10m RISE!

Does the RISE have bottom end grunt? Absolutely – the 10m RISE has probably the best lower end grunt on any kite I have ridden over the past 7-years! The kite is extremely easy to handle – light but with massive response when you point and pop! The kite definitely likes to sit close to the water and rockets upwind to the point you end up feeling that you are heading thru the window up wind! Load your board, crank the kite and watch what happens – you will be amazed – the hang time is phenomenal!!

The kite is 100% stable but exceptionally responsive – you know where the kite is at any time regardless of where you have buried your head! The kite doesn’t flap around and the Venturi system does exactly the job it is designed and kicks in at extremely high gusts and rocketing bullets!

Over all I have found the 10m RISE to be excellent! For me the range is typically between 18-40plus knots. We have recently sold another 8m RISE to a guy who also purchased the 10m RISE – he states he has been riding in 12-13knot winds and up to 30knots plus on the 10m.

The 8m RISE is the premium kite for high winds and big surf – fast, responsive, stable and will not tear up if you drop the kite!

Overall this is a KSD 5 STAR rating! Mal Hooper KSD.