The kite is here and will be demoed at Melbourne on Saturday, wind willing.
Torquay/geelong Sunday. and maybe back to Torquay for Monday.

At some stage we may even get a head to head showdown between Impact/Tribal/Vegas/Matrix.

stay tuned

Saturday: set up kite at Altona flew in about 6kts. Laid out a Vegas ober top of matrix to check out some obvious differences.

The curve in tip is relatively mild compared to F-ones, and the vegas simply looks as if the leading edge is cut short and the battern angled back although mount pionts are very similer on both.
the wipika has slightly bigger stitching and closer panelling.

It also has a very reinforced and wear resistant area around front mounts.

in 6kts and variable some times the kite would fall backwards in lulls but seemed to keep shape till either the wind came back or a short tug on centre lines, resulted in it calmly returning to flying position.

Sunday: Pt Henry, Geelong. One of those now you have it now you don't Northerly wind days. coming in around 22kts in high points and nothing in low points.

Set lines and kite up at front forward/ rear back and for max power line lengths wise.

taught a bystander how to hold kite, and launched. NICE.
First tack out, it felt comfortable and grunty straight away, and first jump on that first take was big and controlled and like I'd had the kite forever.

turns quick but more Tribal like quick than Impact like ultra quick, so carve turns were very smooth and controlled but with a larger arc.

as wind boosted, then the boost of the kite also went ballistic, this kite is huge on the boost and hang time. I can but hope to try the settings for boost and hang time as I was only on the max depower settings.

The cruising grunt was great for my galeys. which means to me that unhooked raleys would be even better.

The little cleat notch in bottom stopper for 5th line adjustment works great but when relaunching you have to be aware of as it can stop 5th line feeding out, the bar is pretty much same layout as 05 save for straight taper which is way more comfortable and C/loop.

the donkey dik on this kite is too short and disengages on my Mystic harness. And I would like the whole C/loop smaller as this size is more ok for unhooked, that's of course my own personal opinion.

Monday: Breamlea-13thbeach. downwinder in ****ty westerly from Breamlea to 13th beach mainly riding swells with occasional breaks.

Simply nothing to say but the kite did everything asked of it. Turned when and how I wanted power when I wanted, depowered when I wanted. the depower strap is very effective, and usable and a willingness to use it can make crappy wind days like this way more fun.

Best winds
Tony L
ABK

Saturday at Pt Danger.

Front lines on forward pigtails and shortest knot.

Bar still at end knots.

Wind getting into low 30kts range with maybe slightly bigger gusts associated with rain fronts.

at peak winds depower strap on full and 5th cleated on about 4th notch. With bar fully out, canopy starting to flap indicating kite was as fully depowered as it was going to get. So at top of the wind strength kite was supplying power from LE drag.

At this point it was hard to control speed down the face of waves and hold edge across chop on backside of waves, on way out.

Still, it was fun and do-able. maybe not for someone lighter than my 95kg.

So conclusion is, the 13.5 is real fun into the mid 20's and will not kill you in 30kt gusts. but over 22kts use an 11m.

Wipika are supplying a bar upgrade FOC.
to all who got their 06 matrix's in the first shipment.

I have some coming but need to know who wants one.

Also the first shipment of "Surf systems" are on their way to me so those who have said they want one better get them quick.

Best Winds
Tony L

Hi RAL What is the bar mod and how do I know if my kite is from the first shipment
Thanks
Beavey

probably real easy to work out shipment.
the secound shipment only turned up in April.

the first shipment was all gone by end of March, so if you bought your kite in March then organise your Upgrade.

The kit involves a replacement bar, 5th line and C/loop line.

A couple showed abnormal wear on the c/loop rope which was attributed to incorrectly finnished SS ferul in bar.
Wipika in it's true fashion just decided to change all straight away rather than let a potential problem develop.

It appears that it was only the first Aussie shipment involved and those lucky owners also get the better C/loop and bottom stopper as all are now Euro speck and reverted back to 05 c/loops.

I think the 06 is better for holding C/loop in position for rehooking.

Best winds
Tony L