Rider Weight: 80kg's (81 if i wear boardies over my wetty ;)
Level: intermediate
Style: Freeride and Surf
Weather: 12 - 35+ knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: i am a rep for this brand and a few others!

available sizes- 7m, 9.5m, 12m, 14.5m
sizes tested - 7m, 9.5m, 12m









After last seasons successful ATV a small core group of riders and dealers were asked what they wanted to see in the next season of Fluid products unaminous votes were placed regarding the look of the kite eg graphics......
Enter 2010 and in my opinion Fluid have raised the bar for graphics by offering three different kites each with a killer look of edgy, standout pleasing eye candy, what kiter does not want to be the centre of attention?!









Lets get down to the nitty gritty of the ATV, not too much has changed from last years design. The kite is aimed at beginner to advanced rider, there are multiple settings for the rear lines for turning speed to slow the kite down or speed it up which are attatched directly. Front lines have two attachment points, first is the Freestyle mode which gives a firm bar pressure and slows the turning of the kite. This mode is for riders who do a lot of un-hooking.
Second is the wave/free ride mode which makes the kite turn much faster and makes the bar pressure light enough to steer with one hand all session but still feel the kite. I prefer the freeride mode as i dont do much un-hooking and like to ride a smaller kite and work it during lulls to generate more power so speed is key for me.









Bar and lines are exactly the same as last seasons models besides the new logo and shapes in the EVA, below the bar sheeting makes trimming the kite a cinch. Some like it some dont, im a big fan as you dont need to hunch over the bar to get to straps in a sticky situation. There is a sliding stopper ball that works great this is handy as the length of the bar is fairly long, if you put the stopper ball at the end of the bar stroke and let the bar go the kite slowly falls down to the edge of the window with little to no power.
Simply attach your safety to the end of the depower line and once the chicken loop is released the kite falls from the sky ready to be reeled in and reset.








Contruction this year has seen Fluid take the step up and use the latest Teigin Cloth for the bulk of the canopy, this is surrounded by a heavy duty dacron frame to protect the edges and give ridgity. The leading edge and struts are still bigger than most of the ATV's competitors with gives the canopy a more ridgid shape under load of flying and re-launching. The ATV has much less chance of folding up during hard crashes in the flat stuff or even the surf due to this feature.









So how does it fly you might be asking by now?! Smooth and stable is my opinion and generally the comments i get from other riders who try the kite. The 9.5m is fairly fast and has great low end grunt getting me up and riding when other guys are riding 12m's. It does not jump around in gusts soaking them up with little trouble. Range wise the kite has one of the largest around, on the 7m i have ridden it from 18knots to almost 40!!
Jumps were easily dialled in, high, long floaty jumps are easily possible once you get to know the kite. Kiteloops are predictable and adjustable easily giving you what you want, fast safe landing or drawn out put your neck out loops are just a bar tweak away depending on how you want it.
Relaunch is very easy due to the sweep in the leading edge and the ridged canpoy, the kite moves to the edge of the window by simply pulling on a bead attached to the turning line, this stops rope burn on your soft little hands! (so considerate!) If you decide to adjust your harness, footsraps or hair the kite waits patiently and quietly on the edge of the window ready for you to command it to launch.









Overall the ATV is one of the friendliest kites around that has a dam good go at doing everything well, surf, wakestyle, cruising or just boosting. The ATV will suit a beginner, get them kiting safely and get them to a high level and still enjoy the kite and not outgrow it.








footnote- last years ATV review- www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51270

I spent a couple of hours on the 9.5m

Super gusty and shifting wind, swinging from cross to offshore. Solid 4 to 5 foot surf.

In hindsight - it was tricky conditions to test a new kite, but I immeadiately felt comfortable on it. I found it was predictable and it soaked up the gusts extremely well. It flew unhooked like a champion! Absolutely no stalling, and steered well.

I want to replace my light wind kite, so assuming the 12 works as well as the 9.5 did, I will buy one.

I got a chance to demo the 7m Fluid ATV on the weekend and was looking for a kite that suits someone who is just starting to go upwind. Loved it - The ATV had heaps of depower and felt really comfortable. Used it from about 15 - 22kn. I just ordered one. Can't wait to use it.

I tried the 9.5 again today...
I just ordered one.

I have been using the 9.5m ATV for about a month now, and I am totally stoked with it, so here is an update.

I am 85kg, and do 90% of my kiting in the waves on my surfboard. (I still enjoy the occasional blast on the twinnie though...)

I have been riding in a variety of conditions, and have found it to be very versatile and forgiving. It absorbs the gusts very well, and has a big immediate depower in the throw of the bar. I have been super impressed with the low end range on this kite. I was planning on getting a 12m, but I am holding off for the moment because the 9.5 has been getting me on the water so early.

I think the build quality of the Fluid ATV is on par with any of the "big name" kite brands. I don't anticipate any problems in this area.

I find the kite is agile and predictable. I have the pig tails set to the fast turning setting, and hardly needs any space to loop. (Without pivoting - it still maintains a steady pull and forward momentum through the turn) None of that ugly fluttering stuff that so many kites seem to do in tight turns either. The canopy always seems tight as a drum.

As I said in an earlier post, this kite feels great when unhooked. Compared to my old kites (Waroo), it is a pleasure to unhook. No need to adjust the trim (or pull in the chicken loop in the surf), as it doesn't seem to stall at all.

I have passed it around at the beach, and quite a few of my mates have tried it now. So far, everyone seems to be pretty impressed with it. I won't be surprised when these kites start showing up on beaches all over the place.

So thats all I can think to write. I am totally happy with my decision to buy this kite, and would recommend anyone who is after an "all rounder" to take a Fluid ATV for a demo!

I received my 7m ATV a couple of weeks ago and have been using it whenever I get a chance. The kite looks awesome. Definetely one of the most stable kites I have tried so far (tried about 4 different brands before), doesn't backstall when oversheeted and turns are smooth. I am still a beginner and would definetely recommend this kite to any other kiters who want to get into this sport. I felt comfortable on it straight away. Very happy about my purchase!!

Considering buying the 9.5 ATV now.

Had a chance to take out the 9.5m last night.

I currently ride the Fluid vice, previously had North Rebels - 08's 09's, and LF havoc 08's, ridden bandits and a few others.

The ATV is the easiest and most predictable kite I've ridden. Super stable (due it its fat leading edge) so much depower in the bar throw... I found myself pulling the stopper ball a long way in (As I’m use to my C's constant pull) Screams upwind and holds plenty of power. Relaunch is so simple just hold one side of the bar... then up she goes, and if you crash and struggling to find yourself... once you look around the ATV will be just awaiting your input at the side of the wind window... nice. Kiteloops are lots of fun, just as pro merc said, predictable so they can be as gnarly or friendly as you want.

All in all you would be silly not to give one a try if you where looking 4 line hybrid delta shaped kite... especially since it's so much cheaper than the big brand equivalents.

Will be getting one as my surf kite.

Steve showed me the new chicken loop and QR on Tuesday night which should be available in the next month. Looks awesome, proper push away design. Thats the only thing I really didn't like on the current models, but this pretty much completes the package.

look out for a full review on the new push away chicken loop coming soon!

I've been riding the Fluid ATV for a few months and have been damn impressed by the overall performance, in particular smooth handling, durability and relaunch. I crash. A lot. Mostly because of a severe case of over estimated ability level. No matter how many waves hit this kite, or how long I'm underwater regretting the last attempt, the ATV is always ready to go before I am! Makes those experimental sessions a lot more fun. Cheers James!