Hi Guys,

Have just seen the new Kahoona on the Best website and it looks pretty sweet. Anyone had a go on one yet or seen any reviews?

Hope to have a ride on one soon. If it is better than the 09 model it should be great i really liked the 09 good intermediate kite at a great price.

Due in Australia mid February. Will have some demos at Kitestock. Most of the premium Best delaers have orders in so check them for updates.





This kite is the perfect all round forgiving kite that relaunches real easy. Also well known as a great wakestyle and wave riding kite. Suits the rider looking to progress into these genres and wants a well built, but price conscious option.

Joe

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waxman said...

Hope to have a ride on one soon. If it is better than the 09 model it should be great i really liked the 09 good intermediate kite at a great price.

Intermediate kite ? .I think anyone who gives it a go might rate it a bit higher ...

HI, I Cant speak highly enough of the 09 7.5 Kahoona .I bought this kite as a beginner after having big probs with the 08 EVO 10. ,Im 75 kg . The difference was absolutly amazing I went straight up wind and begun progressing faster than I would have ever imagined, its so forgiving but super fast and powerfull .after almost a full summer season I can,t get enough .all the great riders where I kite Have had a go on her, and they were blown away by Her abillity .Im so Stoked

Agree totally, and with the refinements on the new 2010 design the performance is supposed to be better.

I think the great thing with the Kahoona is the price, It basically blows most the other brands out of the water and is backed by the best warranty in the industry hands down.

You cant go wrong.

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Mr float said...

waxman said...

Hope to have a ride on one soon. If it is better than the 09 model it should be great i really liked the 09 good intermediate kite at a great price.

Intermediate kite ? .I think anyone who gives it a go might rate it a bit higher ...

Ahh looks like the pimps are out there again red thumbing a kite that they aren't affiliated with nor have ridden and wouldn't know what I or Hicks or others WHO HAVE ACTUALLY RIDDEN IT are talking about. !! If you had a negative experience then feel free to post your thoughts and observations rather than hiding anonymously behind your little red thumbs. ya kooks!!

I ride Kahoonas and cant speak highly enough of them...my supplier tells me the 2010 has only minor changes(biggest is the graphics) and that he is expecting them next month(Mar)..though the Best website says April?

The only negative I can speak of is with the Bar: the trim straps dont glide smoothly and the redline scuffs where it passes through the bar...
A tip from the USA is to use the Core ESP Bar which apparently makes this great kite even better.

cheers

The bar you are referring too is the Redline bar. This bar is great but the setup is very basic. There is a new bar being released very soon. We have been testing it here for a few weeks and will have some at Kitestock as well. Very tidy, well engineered and solves the issues from the last years bar.

Australia has first dibbs on the new Kahoona. The official release will be this weekend at Kitestock. Demos are planned after Kitestock in WA next week in Perth and Gero. Check with your local shop for East coast demos.

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arsa said...

The bar you are referring too is the Redline bar. This bar is great but the setup is very basic. There is a new bar being released very soon. We have been testing it here for a few weeks and will have some at Kitestock as well. Very tidy, well engineered and solves the issues from the last years bar.

Australia has first dibbs on the new Kahoona. The official release will be this weekend at Kitestock. Demos are planned after Kitestock in WA next week in Perth and Gero. Check with your local shop for East coast demos.

good .i'm not a fan of the redline set up . A front sliding ring system and not so longa c lopp line would be good

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Mr float said...

Mr float said...

waxman said...

Hope to have a ride on one soon. If it is better than the 09 model it should be great i really liked the 09 good intermediate kite at a great price.

Intermediate kite ? .I think anyone who gives it a go might rate it a bit higher ...

Ahh looks like the pimps are out there again red thumbing a kite that they aren't affiliated with nor have ridden and wouldn't know what I or Hicks or others WHO HAVE ACTUALLY RIDDEN IT are talking about. !! If you had a negative experience then feel free to post your thoughts and observations rather than hiding anonymously behind your little red thumbs. ya kooks!!

The fact is that i have ridden the Kahoona, the shop i ride for sells them and they are a great allround kite. But i do not think they are a high performance kite that would suit a advanced rider as they have allways left me wanting a bit more from the kite. As a wakestyle kite they are ok, they are great for unhooking, and have a lot of grunt and they boost well. But they lack a little in speed and turning, i allso think they sit a little to far back in the window which makes it a bit harder top go hard upwind compared to other kites but does give them that great grunty feel.

At the end of the day different kites suit different riders, some will like them and some will hate them. This is one kite that i would definatly recomend people demo if they are after a delta kite.

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waxman said...

Mr float said...

Mr float said...

waxman said...

Hope to have a ride on one soon. If it is better than the 09 model it should be great i really liked the 09 good intermediate kite at a great price.

Intermediate kite ? .I think anyone who gives it a go might rate it a bit higher ...

Ahh looks like the pimps are out there again red thumbing a kite that they aren't affiliated with nor have ridden and wouldn't know what I or Hicks or others WHO HAVE ACTUALLY RIDDEN IT are talking about. !! If you had a negative experience then feel free to post your thoughts and observations rather than hiding anonymously behind your little red thumbs. ya kooks!!

Settle down freak. The fact is that i have ridden the Kahoona, the shop i ride for sells them and they are a great allround kite. But i do not think they are a high performance kite that would suit a advanced rider as they have allways left me wanting a bit more from the kite. As a wakestyle kite they are ok, they are great for unhooking, and have a lot of grunt and they boost well. But they lack a little in speed and turning, i allso think they sit a little to far back in the window which makes it a bit harder top go hard upwind compared to other kites but does give them that great grunty feel.

At the end of the day different kites suit different riders, some will like them and some will hate them. This is one kite that i would definatly recomend people demo if they are after a delta kite.

I think it's a bit steep calling me freak ,I suggested that the kite would rate a bit higher by people when they try it. Your further insights on the kite are valued I am sure by the readers of this thread . A bit of insight from me on turning is that I have found that they do require plenty of input to turn .I have sent people out on them who initially have'nt done this and been a bit dissapointed in this department. I have told them not to be afraid of really cranking the bar and they have come back happy with that dept.

LOL, always love the gear review section for hyperboles, slagging off and pure fantasy comments on air time and upwind performance.

Laughter aside, anybody selling kites or doing a demo on these kites down safety bay some time?

Would like to try the 7.5/9.5m sometime. PM me if have the kites in stock. cheers

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meerkat said...

LOL, always love the gear review section for hyperboles, slagging off and pure fantasy comments on air time and upwind performance.

Hmm yes .Well the thing is with this thread there aren't any "pure fantasy" comments

(yet) and hopefully won't be any

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Mr float said...

Hmm yes .Well the thing is with this thread there aren't any "pure fantasy" comments

(yet) and hopefully won't be any

We both know that this thread is far from done and the fantasy comment from fanboys and other suppliers are yet to arrive.

Best way to buy a kite is to demo a whole bunch of kites in the same wind conditions over a short period of time.

Then shockingly I buy the kite that suits "my" requirements and budget.

Meerkat, are you going to Kitestock? We had the Kahoona up the first time today at Woodies, the kite kicked ass and has much improved performance than last years model.

I am in WA until Tuesday and would be keen to bring the Bularoo and Kahoona to anyone on the West coast while I am here. We have wind for Kitestock and we will be riding these babies all day long.

If you've been flying bow-style kites for quite awhile like I have...
the delta-shape Kahoona makes a refreshing change.

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waxman said...

[
the shop i ride for sells them and they are a great allround kite. But i do not think they are a high performance kite that would suit a advanced rider as they have allways left me wanting a bit more from the kite.

pfft... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

G'day all!

Over the past week I got to test the new 2010 Kahoona, I’m pleased to say that this year’s modal is a big improvement on last year’s! I got to give the 11.5m a burl at woodies in Perth in about 15-20 knots to start with.

I found from a freestyle aspect that the kite is more sufficient to perform your Arial and handle pass manouvers.

I also found that it generates good power in the low end, has no problems with back stall and kite loops with a nice gradual power (unhook kite loops) with good height!

we then took the kite to kite stock where they were on demo for all to come and try, the wind was a lot stronger averaging from between 15 knots in the morning to about 25-30 in the arvo, with sizes 7.5 and 11.5 on show.

from all reports it held up to expectations and was a pleasure kite to ride from a surfing aspect, after kitestock we then tested the kite in 30 knot winds at Geraldton in the surf and we had a blast! power on and off when needed and very forgiving, also looped nicely and the wing tips didn’t fold back when looping as did the previous model.

if you want to learn both freestyle and surf wave riding then this kite will be a great buy, if u are an intemidate rider throwin some freestyle moves and still wave riding then this is more then sufficient to do the trick.

imo if you are a high end freestyle rider then stick to your nxg because that at the end of the day still performs beta in this department then the kahoona even tho u can still throw passes on this kite.

cheers

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Colesy said...

G'day all!

Over the past week I got to test the new 2010 Kahoona, I’m pleased to say that this year’s modal is a big improvement on last year’s! I got to give the 11.5m a burl at woodies in Perth in about 15-20 knots to start with.

I found from a freestyle aspect that the kite is more sufficient to perform your Arial and handle pass manouvers.

I also found that it generates good power in the low end, has no problems with back stall and kite loops with a nice gradual power (unhook kite loops) with good height!

we then took the kite to kite stock where they were on demo for all to come and try, the wind was a lot stronger averaging from between 15 knots in the morning to about 25-30 in the arvo, with sizes 7.5 and 11.5 on show.

from all reports it held up to expectations and was a pleasure kite to ride from a surfing aspect, after kitestock we then tested the kite in 30 knot winds at Geraldton in the surf and we had a blast! power on and off when needed and very forgiving, also looped nicely and the wing tips didn’t fold back when looping as did the previous model.

if you want to learn both freestyle and surf wave riding then this kite will be a great buy, if u are an intemidate rider throwin some freestyle moves and still wave riding then this is more then sufficient to do the trick.

imo if you are a high end freestyle rider then stick to your nxg because that at the end of the day still performs beta in this department then the kahoona even tho u can still throw passes on this kite.

cheers

what was the tips folding back thing in the previous model .I have a 13.5 and didn't experience this .What have they changed? You say the kite has changed heaps and say that the kite is a pleasure in the waves .I find the old model a pleasure .My reason for using this kite is fast relaunch,fast turns spin on the tip and plenty of switch on /switch off power . Sorry to push hard for more info on this appreciate the review but if possible more specifics please .

Thanks

Hey Mr Float

Haha to easy I will try my best to be more specific on the review, You said you find the old model a pleasure to fly, then I will quickly say I believe u are going to fall in love with the new modal!

Ok so this kite hasn’t lost anything in the relaunch department if anything has been sum lot easier to relaunch then the last modal, in the old modal the section between the bridal and the wing tip under load we found to bed and flex (wing tips fold in)

The 2010 modal however is allot more solid in the sky and does not have this problem, it also is very stable in the high end and we found it absorbing everything the wind had to offer!

But I can only really pass judgment on this kite from a freestyle aspect and like I said the major differences between the 09 and the 10 kahoona is that manoeuvres are much more achievable in the kite and even slightly under powered tricks in light wind upon landing would not experience back stall as some kites do. I found that unhook kite loops on the 09 modal not good and this has had a dramatic change this year to that!

I believe Nigel will give a more in depth review from a surfing aspect with the kite so too will Joe (Australian Rep). I believe Nigel (WA Rep) will be doing a demo day at Perth with these kites sometime in the near future stay posted for the dates!
I hope this is helped you that little bit more

Cheers
Colesy......

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Colesy said...

Hey Mr Float

Haha to easy I will try my best to be more specific on the review, You said you find the old model a pleasure to fly, then I will quickly say I believe u are going to fall in love with the new modal!

Ok so this kite hasn’t lost anything in the relaunch department if anything has been sum lot easier to relaunch then the last modal, in the old modal the section between the bridal and the wing tip under load we found to bed and flex (wing tips fold in)

The 2010 modal however is allot more solid in the sky and does not have this problem, it also is very stable in the high end and we found it absorbing everything the wind had to offer!

But I can only really pass judgment on this kite from a freestyle aspect and like I said the major differences between the 09 and the 10 kahoona is that manoeuvres are much more achievable in the kite and even slightly under powered tricks in light wind upon landing would not experience back stall as some kites do. I found that unhook kite loops on the 09 modal not good and this has had a dramatic change this year to that!

I believe Nigel will give a more in depth review from a surfing aspect with the kite so too will Joe (Australian Rep). I believe Nigel (WA Rep) will be doing a demo day at Perth with these kites sometime in the near future stay posted for the dates!
I hope this is helped you that little bit more

Cheers
Colesy......

yeah it did thanks

Colesy
Did you have the "new" 2010 redline? bar over West???
If so how's it perform

Where can I find the 2010 reviews by Nigel and Joe?

cheers

We have prototypes of the new bar, it's working well, but there has been a few things that need changing or confirmed beofore production starts. I believe there will only be one bar released. April at this stage.

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Where can I find the 2010 reviews by Nigel and Joe?

I think its only fair to this forum that I keep my opinion brief at the moment and stand aside to offer advise and service to people who need it. My reviews and comments are as unbiased as possible, and unlike many other reps, I am lucky that I am able to compare other brands first hand.

Our store stocks, North, Naish, Cabrinha, Core, Fone, Best, Slingshot and a good mate of mine has Griffin. Having experienece with all of these kites and selling day in day out I start to understand where Best as a brand fits within the industry.

Seabreeze.com.au helps us as a brand to build awareness of a product, to help spread the word of good things, but at the end of the day, customers need to have the right to chose what they spend their money on.

I love kiteboarding and everything that goes withit, and there are many good kites on the market this year. As previously mentioned, bug your local shop for demos, get out and test the different brands, dont throw your money down based on online reviews only.

In saying that, this kite rocks, it is priced well, and will suit a huge market and variety of styles.

I would like to hear some views from the 70+ registered demoers at Kitestock. Most of them had nothing but good comments, so more detail on here to help answer some questions that people have.

Guys, there is a Best demo on this weekend in Perth (Woodmans pt) hosted by Choice kitesurfing and WA rep, Best kite guru Nigel Cassidy.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The new Bularoo and Kahoona's will be on full demo so get down and try them out.

For further info check in with Dave at Choice Kites.

08 9336 7884

Thanks

^^^ The kahoona is relatively heavy on the bar which means there's less slack on the rear lines and that translates to responsive steering and zero backstall.

I love the 2009 7.5 kahoona so much ive just bought another one for when my current one finally weares out! they were so cheep i bought a 9.5 as well. hope it flies as well as the 7.5.
now all i have to do is some how let the missus know before they arrive at the door without her killing me!