Neoprene Hood

Originally all kites were C shaped in design as a true C shape was the only shape which would not collapse when under load with direct attachments to the wing tips. In time kite designers began to alter their kite's shapes to offer riders different flying attributes such as greater depower, larger wind ranges and hang time. In order to support these new shapes bridles were used to spread the load and Supported Leading Edge kites were born. Some designers called these kites Bow kites due to a swept trailing edge design which Ocean Rodeo has never used.
We currently classify our kites as SLE kites but make the distinction that we also sell SLE C Kites, that is, a kite which offers riders many of the original C Kite feel with the added benefits of current technology.
Kite technology changes all the time, if you have any questions about the latest trends in gear please contact us directly or your local Ocean Rodeo Authorized Dealer as we work hard to stay in front of the latest developments and, in fact, are responsible for many of the innovations now standard in our sport!

Yes. However, there is no point. Our kites all feature Roll Over Bridle technology that offers near total de-power and any small advantage you gain in relaunching your kite are offset by the potential for a 5th line wrap up ending your session and damaging your kite. We do not recommend adding a 5th line to your Ocean Rodeo SLE kites.

With proper storage and regular maintance you dry-suit will last many years (see the Drysuit manual for all the details). You may find after 2 or 3 seasons it’s time to replace the latex seals but, under normal use, the suit itself can go on and on!

All seals must be “snap” tight to keep out the water, however not so tight that they cut off circulation to your feet, hands or head. If your neck seal is choking you it’s too tight!
To make a seal larger simply trim the latex down with a pair of sharp scissors. (See the Drysuit manual before attempting this!) Before trimming a seal, you can also stretch it over a larger diameter circular object, such as an ice cream tub, and leave it for 24 hrs. This can make the seal slightly larger.

In the unlikely event of major rip occurring on your dry suit you will not be dragged to the bottom. Water is neutrally buoyant in water, so there is no “weight” to pull you down. Also, the outer skin layer places external pressure on the dry core bladder minimizing the amount of water that could enter through a rip.
Note: In big surf wearing a dry-suit or a wetsuit, it is always advisable to wear additional Floatation (Floatation / Impact vest).

A tear in the Drycore can be easily repaired in a few minutes. Repair patches (included with suit ) are heat activated by a hair dryer or heat gun, so no gluing is required. See the Dry-suit manual for all the details.

During a wipeout excess air may be forced out of the suit by the external water pressure. As this air leaves your neck seal a small amount of water may squirt in resulting in a damp neck. To minimize this risk crouch into a ball before going out and squeeze most of the air out of your suit. Note: don’t squeeze all the air out, as this will make the suit tight with suction and less comfortable.

Use the “condom” technique! Turn the legs of the dry-suit inside out. Simply pull your ankle seals over your feet, and locate you toes on the other side. Now “roll” the legs of the suit up. This will leave your fleece in place. See the Dry-suit manual for all the details.

Ocean Rodeo latex seals are nothing like the seals from the past. We custom blend our own seals with a hybrid of polyurethane and latex. These new school seals can be easily repaired or replaced if damaged, please see the Dry-suit manual for all the details.

The water pressure associated with wipeouts can force small amounts of water past the seals of the suits. Improved dryness can be achieved by wearing gloves, boots and a hood that lay over the latex seals to keep any water seeping in past the seal.
Additionally, during a prolonged session you are likely to sweat inside your suit and your undergarments may become damp.
We recommend layering self-wicking undergarments such as polypropylene fleece to keep you warm and your body dry.