Rider: 100kg Im advanced Pro at being an intermediate beginner kook
Style: Surf
Weather: 16-18 knots
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: Paying customer

My experience in the past has mainly been with bridled kites, Ocean rodeo, Eclipse and Liquid force. Saying that, I learnt on C kites and spent some time on the 5 line HiFi, which was the best kite I had flown till trying the C4’s recently.

My objective after recent frustratation was to find a 4 line kite with similar characteristics to the HiFi in regards to smoothness and turning capabilities. I got my hands on the 7m C4’s at kitestock and was instantly impressed, weeks later I grabbed a 9m (thanks go to West Oz Kiteboarding) and spent a few hours in the waves. I ended up purchasing a 7m and 10m to cover my conditions best, it was suggested to get 1m bigger than usual as they are a bit light on the bottom end. Which is debateable, but I’m happy with the choice.

So far I have only had a couple of sessions on the 10m, I will add more detail later after getting some more hours in through our winter (hopefully on the 7m). But what I have found so far is that for me in the surf the C4 meets all my requirements. Firstly it’s very fast for a 10m, which is good for me as a majority of my riding is more aggressive flying than park and ride. Saying that though, I did park and ride on a few waves and didn’t experience any stalling or luffing. The kite drifted well and when called upon was ready to resume work again without any silly resistance. I threw in a few kiteloops and downturns during transitions and whilst riding the wave face to get around sections, the kite turns tight with a smooth consistent pull. At no point did the kite give an abrupt pull, even when very low in the power zone. This is important to me for when riding unstrapped, nothing more frustrating than fighting with the kite and getting yanked of your edge when lining up a turn, especially in big surf.

Other things I like is the effortless relaunch capabilities, not only on the water does the C4 just sit waiting for your input but self launching on the beach is as easy as any bow/SLE kite I’ve used. Only downside I can see, but haven’t experienced difficulty yet is self landing. I think the compact bridle might make it a bit harder than a typical bridled kite to self land, no big deal as the front line has a stopper ball, so pulling the safety to land won’t end up with a huge birds nest.
I never had to or needed to heave in much depower like on the SLE’s I’ve used, the kite seemed to absorb gusts well, I’m not a big fan of trimming the kite continually. I found the bar to have just the right amount of throw for me and the bar pressure is medium, but the available settings allow you to modify that as you see fit.

To summarise this kite I would say it’s an all rounder, perfect for any discipline and rider level for that matter. The build construction and materials are right up there, reinforced in all the right places without making it a heavy kite. The usual one pump arrangement with isolating clamps to each strut. The bar is simple, clean and comfortable to use, also equipped with reliable and easy to reset safety system and spinning chicken loop. The trimming arrangement is in easy reach with cleat, none of these straps and plastic buckles flapping everywhere. The lines are 25m, which is fine for a fast kite like this.

The Con’s- looks like they have one size bag for all kites, no big deal with the 7m but the 10m needs to be rolled and packed tight. There is a pointless adjustment buckle on the rear lines, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a leader with knots under float. The bars come larger than required IMO but that’s ok as you can then easily cut it down to your own preference.

So these are my findings so far, I can’t wait for the winter fronts to give the 7m ago and hopefully report back with more for those interested. Look forward to reading others opinions on the C4, or get your own opinion by demoing one from Darren @ AKS or Jason @ West Oz

Cheers Sam

To be Cont……….

Nice review Sam.

Don't worry about self landing, flagging to the safety works perfectly.

Does anyone know if there is a 2011 C4 due at the end of the year ?

I am seriously looking at getting one but I am wondering if i should be waiting it out to see what 2011 brings.

The only real "improvement" I can see is bringing it inline with the rest of the push release systems for the QR.

Not to sure addikt, Steve from KP will probably know best. I did hear something about same time as usual, probably meaning October November here in Oz.

On a different note: I was unaware of a previous review on the C4 which had expired, so I would of had to start a new one regardless. Anyway I was reading through a few of the comments and was glad that most of my views coincided with those that had already posted their opinions back 6 months ago.

But this snipet is classic from Kitehard, you can feel his passion through his descriptions as below

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Kitehard said...

fear as you look down from 30 feet and see the water rushing up to meet you, and the feeling of relief as the kite returns to 12 o'clock bringing with it a smooth decelleration for a very fast but controlled landing. These feelings are so exciting and create an intoxicating blend of emotions that strike fear and ecstasy into every move.

Hopefully I should get some time on the 7m tomorrow with a bit of luck, so can't wait for that. Better go get some rest, it's late.

Yes there will be a 2011 C4, it will not be available in Oz until the end of the year, around late November or early December.
I know they have pretty much finished the new design and are just working through graphics and final protos. All I can is say that the new one will be a C4, but more refined, with some tuning options designed for wakestyle or waveriding.
Robbie and Torrin are working on the 2011 Catalyst in Oz for the next few weeks.
Other than this my lips are sealed and I'm waiting like the rest of you.

@Addikt
If you live in an area where you are getting wind over winter then don't wait, get in touch with a dealer now and see how far you can twist their arm! C4 is an awesome kite, best of both worlds and no pulleys/direct connect feel!

hopefully ozone will make some more interesting colours this time so everyone doesn't have to fight over the green ones.

I know of at least one new colour, and its not green.

Thanks Steve,

I was checking out the Ozone website this week and I noticed two new colours added to the C4 page.........could that be one of the colours your are talking about ........hint........nudge.......the grey/black was long overdue.........
Whats the go on the QR any talk of changing to push release ?

Oh great...black and white...and poo smear.
Maybe I'll get the poo smear one because noone else will so my mates can easily find me on downwinders...."yeah nah yeah I'm on the new mustard sandwich diahorrea poo smear C4, ya can't miss me"

Wishy the Poo smear ;)

I have just ordered black and orange in the Edges i sure as hell hope they don't come in that orange colour!
I ordered orange and black on my 6m Catalyst but when it came it was orange and like a grey/blue colour. Luckily that wasn't to bad.

That's pretty bad if you ask me, it's not like you are buying a pair of double pluggers down the local surf shop. You pay top dollar for your gear and I don't understand why it is so hard to supply what you ordered and then some "manufacturers" feel it's acceptable that you have to settle for anything less than what you ordered.

Far enough if they are low on stock and give you the option to take another colour because you can't wait any longer But I don't see how hard it is to pack the correct colour into the bag an label it.........

Bit more qaulity control please....

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Addikt said...

That's pretty bad if you ask me, it's not like you are buying a pair of double pluggers down the local surf shop. You pay top dollar for your gear and I don't understand why it is so hard to supply what you ordered and then some "manufacturers" feel it's acceptable that you have to settle for anything less than what you ordered.

Far enough if they are low on stock and give you the option to take another colour because you can't wait any longer But I don't see how hard it is to pack the correct colour into the bag an label it.........

Bit more qaulity control please....

In all honesty though if it was really windy I wouldn't even call them up about it, I would just go out and boost. If the colour is really boring you can always get a permanent marker and write some cool swear words on your kite.

those colour charts never seem to be very accurate, they miss the finer tone differences... happens with a lot of brands actually..

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wishy said...

Addikt said...

That's pretty bad if you ask me, it's not like you are buying a pair of double pluggers down the local surf shop. You pay top dollar for your gear and I don't understand why it is so hard to supply what you ordered and then some "manufacturers" feel it's acceptable that you have to settle for anything less than what you ordered.

Far enough if they are low on stock and give you the option to take another colour because you can't wait any longer But I don't see how hard it is to pack the correct colour into the bag an label it.........

Bit more qaulity control please....

In all honesty though if it was really windy I wouldn't even call them up about it, I would just go out and boost. If the colour is really boring you can always get a permanent marker and write some cool swear words on your kite.

Yeah like big arrows saying
------------->red
and
------------->blue

I am just cranky because I have not been out for a while.............

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Charl dv said...

those colour charts never seem to be very accurate, they miss the finer tone differences... happens with a lot of brands actually..

Yep - It's funny how many people call up and ask for the 2010 Switchblade with the Black canopy and orange wingtips


It's actually blood red.

Back on topic though -
As far as i'm aware, nobody's been given an alternative colour Ozone kite without being asked first. Actually as far as i'm aware - none of the new colours are even in Aus yet.

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Actually as far as i'm aware - none of the new colours are even in Aus yet.

Rhys any idea when the new colours due in Aus......or are they going to be with the launch of the 2011 model...?

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Rhys Porter said...
It's funny how many people call up and ask for the 2010 Switchblade with the Black canopy and orange wingtips

It's actually blood red.

Switchblades should be in sky-blue and green, that way they have maximum chance of blending in to their natural environment (tops of trees).

......Continued from initial post

I've now had the 7m out for two sessions, both in typical frustrating slightly cross offshore winter gusty conditions in some nice quality waves.

As expected, being a small kite it's very quick, especially considering it's on 25m lines. The pleasing aspect for me was that like the 10m C4, the 7m is very smooth through the power zone. I personally prefer to fly small kites agressively, so the smoothness is a huge benefit in reducing the chance of being pulled of my edge or rail during turns.

I also found the the kite absorbs gusts well, plus it had enough to get through the lulls even for a heavier rider like myself, albeit I had to work the kite alot, which is fine as it's a fast kite with a lightish bar pressure.Once planning I could park the kite and it would fly nicely forward.

Another impressive characteristic I'm finding is the upwind ability the C4 has. It's definately better than any kite I've owned in the past in this regard.

So far I have only managed about 4 hours all up, so as you would imagine I'm looking forward to some more consistant frontal weather to get more aquainted with the kite.

How are you other C4 flyers experiences going

A friend of mine left his team deal with our national Royal/Airrush importer to ride C4's. I guess he likes them (I'm from Europe)
Must try them but think I'll stay with my RRD Obsessions. Never know though

My 2010 catalyst came in the wrong colour scheme and no they didn't warn me first! Just appeared in blue and orange instead of black. Was since told they ran out ifblack and sent a few out in the blue. I agree they should have let me know and let me decide if aNted to wait or not but hey ho. The kite still liokedik thankfully.

Blue? Do you mean grey? I have not seen The Catalyst with any blue!

You guys the c4 handles gusts well. What do you call gusty conditions. I live in area that can have regularly 10 to 15 knots the norm And bad days 20 to 25 knot variations in the wind.

^^um yea. not that gusty

15 knots to 25/30knots

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oscar1 said...

You guys the c4 handles gusts well. What do you call gusty conditions. I live in area that can have regularly 10 to 15 knots the norm And bad days 20 to 25 knot variations in the wind.

Bluey/grey. Not sure what colour it was but it wasn't black as ordered!

I've just spent the last hour changing one of my bars down to 21m lines from 25m. I think having 2 bars with different length lines will give me more options during winters gusty conditions. Didn't want to go under 20m as the 7m is pretty damn quick already.

I'm now ready for 30+ knots tomorrow, bring on the swell now huey

Anyone else used the C4's on shorter lines

^^^Short lines worked OK, but the kite became twitchy. I definately prefer the standard length of 25m.