Here's the 2008 Waroo 20M review.


Test Conditions:
- ocean waves 1-2 feet
- moderate longshore drift headed in the same direction as the wind
- wind - 12 -13 mph and gusts to 16mph - NO whitecaps 100% sideshore from the north
- board - 2008 Spleene Monster Door 64
- bar and lines - standard '08 Best Bar 55cm and standard lines
- kite setup with rear lines on A-A (see the waroo manual for more info)
- rider weight 240lbs (Not inlcuding a full wetsuit and seat harness)


First impression on the beach. The kite was easy to launch. It handles much like my 15M waroo just a bit slower turning. I was able to make some small jumps on the beach. The kite just lifts. My jumps on the beach were super floaty.
On the water the kite is amazing. The extra lift and pull from the 20M is just what I needed to quickly plane and charge through the small surf. The combo of the monster door 64 and the 20M waroo allowed me to ride upwind and stay upwind. I could move 100 yards upwind on two tacks of 200 yards each.
The extra pull offered by the 20M allowed for smooth transitions and no sinking and stalling. Just slowly swing the kite overhead and in the opposite direction and head the other way. No sining the kite to pump for speed. I just parked the kite at 60 degrees and cruised around, hopping waves and chop.
I was the only kiter staying upwind. The rest of the crew had to do a down-winder and some still didn't have enough wind to ride at all. I was able to pull a few small jumps too.
The 20M waroo lives up to Best's claim that all 2008 waroo's handle the same. I have a 9M, 11M, 15M, and 20M. They all rig the exact same! No guessing or remembering different knots for different kites. They all handle the same, turning does slow down as size increases, but that's to be expected. I was able to downloop the 20 in my transitions without fear of it crashing into the water. Speaking of water....I didn't drop it on the water or try a water relaunch. Light wind relaunching any big kite it tough and I expect that to be true of the 20M.



Conclusion: ADD a 20M to your quiver and add 20+ more days of kiting to your year!

This is a great kite for light wind especially when coupled with the Spleene Monster Door 64. It will give me another 20-30 days of riding a year.

Keep in mind light wind kiting on a big board and a big kite is sort of like surfing on small waves with a longboard or SUP. Neither are adrenaline pumping activities. However, you will be riding and having fun. You may be the only one on the water too. Nothing is more fun than having all of the fun while your buddies just watch from the beach. Turning a big kite is like turning a SUP or longboard. You have to think ahead and anticipate your next turn. You have to be a bit more precise in you kite handling skills. Mistakes cannot be corrected instantly like with a 9M.

...I'll update this post when I get a chance to try the 20M in winds under 10mph. Hmm landboarding in 5-10mph might be a possibility!