Rider: 87kgs, Level -intermediate
Style: Freeriding, TT/Surf, Downwinders 99% of the time
Weather: 15-23 knots
Build Quality: 8/10 (Haven't tried bar yet but kite is great)
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: (no freebies, bought 2nd hand - demoed main competitors)

My Comments:

Ok 1st of all I have had 2 good downwinder sessions and just bought this kite after trying several competitors. Obviously I liked it (a lot) to buy it. : )

Only reservation so far is it was the 10m on sale and I reckon the 9m would have been perfect for my sizing/quiver needs.

Generally speaking I have ridden 3 strut fat SLE kites for last 4 yrs and Mid aspect C kites prior to that. I like simple, stable but grunty allrounders. I like good behaviour but power. I also like foot massages.. but maybe that's not relevent here..

Now.. (commence gushing). If you are on a TT and spend most of your time in the waves/moosh as well as enjoying the odd hefty boost, I urge you to try out a Lithium, especially so if (like moi) you like power through the turns.


This kite is a true allrounder and exactly what I wanted. I like good grunt and medium bar pressure, I like to truck downwind and have (smooth) power throu turns. I have hated some modern kites (although they are good and suit others) that feel super light and gutless but great for floating along trimming on a surfboard (ie Catalyst - not sayin it isn't good - but not for me).

The Lithium is never going to be the biggest booster out there but it is no slouch at all. Could do with a little more float but again not bad, maybe I need to dial it in a bit more? Genuine height to be had if you can get it together.

Upwind is pretty good for a grunty kite, not a concern for me I DW 100% these days.

Stability is very good, not as perfect as my old Nano 9m, but out of the 4 delta kites I have tried it is the best. No backstalling, no diving on slack lines (not quiet as good as my trusty ol Nano tho).

Relaunch? I did try this out accidentally. I stuffed up and came screaming thru a frontside turn lost a rail, went straight at the kite on slack lines that dropped to the water, The kite gently went down to the water (in shallows with a wave coming) "FK fk fk!!" I thought, but the moment there was even half tension on the lines - with kite drifting back for me - up it popped, bugger all bar input even! Nice.

Bottom end is healthy and I have ridden at 15kts on my 151cm TT. Could maybe eek out a couple of kts lower? Low end and power in general is very smooth. Everything about the kite feels solid, smooth and straight forward.

Top end? Not tried yet. Easy as at 25kt gusts so I supect around 30 is the max for an intermediate?

Turns are unreal. I like to crank over and the radius of the turn and constant smooth power are awesome.
Turning speed for a 10m is very good. As I said wish I had the 9m, but the 10 is no slouch and fast enough for sure. If you want it to boogie - just put on some music and throw it around.. soo much fun. Power all the time, nice and smooth!

Here's the kicker though. If you are familiar with edging to control kite position as you would on C kites then the Lithium can be super fun! If you want to edge just a little harder, the kite (whilst generally sitting medium deep in the window) will come quickly around forward and it is time for speed! Too much and you start to stall a bit of course but get it right and you are flying along!

Oh - one thing to add. I used the kite on my own 45 cm bar with 20m lines and reckon the Airush 45/55cm bar will be even better.

After trying it on 20m lines I'm going to run it that way for sure! Maybe losing a little boost but soooo good in sideshore waves!!!

All up I'd say this is a great kite for beginner - advanced kiters (maybe not rank beginers but anyone with lessons and a few sessions under their belt).

Suits anyone on TT in surf/chop, or SB riders with some nurries!

If you like all round riding, smooth grunt, sweet power through turns and down the line fun get on it.

Next up - new board (1st in 3 yrs) Gonna be an awesome summer!




Oh -

So what did I compare it to?

2012 Catalyst 10m (smooth kite but more like 8m power. No power in turns. Disapointing)

2012 Wainman 9m smoke (pretty good but not quite for me)

2012 North Rebel 9m (Great kite but too much over engineering and weight - I like 3 strut kites a lot).

2012 Kahoona V4 9.5m (was given a dodgy bar set up with demo and kite was super slow, backstalled badly and also dived. Awful. Bar a factor? Who knows?)

Yep it is kite that doesn't get much of a mention and yet it kicks the ass of the kites in that class. Hard to find much on them even through the other forum and on the net.

it could be the fact that a lot of schools use them to teach on and this gives them a beginners badge. Not true, well yes it is great kite for a beginner but put it in an intermediate/advanced rider and it really is something.

The forward LINEAR turning is its best feature among many others. Smooth consistent pull. This kite has grunt but not in the old fashioned grunt sense, it is smooth controlled grunt.

The most suprising feature of this kite is its ability to wrap itself enough around the wind window a feature that most of the delta/C style kites mentioned don't come close to. Airush seemed to have kept all the benfits of a delta but reduced all the negatives.

Glad ya stoked get Funky and a decent review, good to hear some substance and informative perspective on a review.

ps Get Funky, try the kite in 20+ knots on 24m lines sometime, edge and pop and keep it a 1 oclock for a while before redirecting, it can go really big when you want to ..oh yeh sheet in as you hit the apex, not before and hold it. Soft as landings man and plenty of glide. That's what I found anyhow. Flatten your board and actually sheet out a little when you send it, this will allow the kite to fly forward more and develop speed. Due to it's delta, you don't want to be sheeting in as you send it, this will drag you down wind, reduce the vertical and reduce the glide, develop line tension through speed.

ps You could have had 2012/2013 in the title, no difference at all to the canopy design, except a bridal attachment for lighter bar pressure, that most of us that like to know where the kite is and like a direct feel will never use.

Great review, thanks. Your feedback correlates with my experience on 2013 Lithium 12 - this kite just loves to fly, no hint of backstall in light winds. I can go upwind in 10 knots on a Sector 60. It turns really well and parks well when on a wave. I really can't fault it. Sounds like the 10 is just as good.

Ditto on your objective review - Nice. I find much of the same with my experience with my Lithiums > 12 meter & 9 meter. I'm about 72 kg and found the 10 meter that I demoed good up to 26 mph - first year kiter. I can ride the 9 m up to about 30 max. At the same time I can get going on the 9 in 15 mph on my North Skimfish. It has good power for it's size but as mentioned, doesn't feel "grunty" just smooth power. My experience with the 12 meter has me believing this will be my light wind kite with the right boards. I used it in 12-18 mph on the the twin-tip (worked well) but when I switched boards, I was really lit up on the North Skimfish. I could have been on my 9 m Lithium in 12-18 no problem.

'm a first year kiter and agree that it's an excellent choice for a newbie. I started on Cabrinha Switchblades, and had an opportunity to demo a 013 Lithium 10 m for an afternoon. Though there are some things about the SB that I like (little better upwind ability; bit of a higher wind range, and less bar pressure on the 2009 anyhow) but I liked everything else about the Lithium. One of it's best flying character for a beginner is it's "smooth controlled grunt", it's quicker turning - pivot esp, and it's shorter depower stroke at the bar. This lessen's the likelihood of a beginner getting "yarded" for their mistakes. The SB, albeit a great kite, doesn't respond as quickly as the Lithium to turning or sheeting out. Another big plus for a beginner is the Lithium's relaunch. The SB tends to stick in the water if not for a few more seconds, then for a few more re-tries. If your a beginner in deeper water this can add up to a long body drag back to your board.

I tried at length an 013 North Rebel 9 m and 11 m. They are really nice kites, but I liked the Lithium just a little better for all the reasons you guy's mentioned. If I were just cruising and or even racing, I'd def. get a Rebel or perhaps a SB, but I like a variety of venues > small waves, swell riding, to flat water, and the Lithium is hard to beat.

I'm at a stage where I'm learning to ride strapless on a North Skimfish and will be getting an Airush Cypher 5'6 soon. I find the Lithium is much better at powering me up onto the board more quickly than the SB (it's that "all-over the window" power) and this is a plus when riding in small waves and or when dealing with a mild current.

Ta folks.

I must admit other than a 2003 Airush Flow 15.5m I have never owned an Airush kite and not demoed their gear for several seasons.

I've just never really been fussed on Airush, but have to admit my error here. Wish i had tried the 3 strut version of the Lithium (2011 model was 4 strut) earlier!

Damn you windtzu! Did you have to mention you have a 9m! LOL.

EDIT: for original post. I should have written .around 27kts estimated max wind range. (Haven't had it higher than 25kt gusts so far) as 30 may be a handful but time will tell..

I should also have mentioned that I set-up the kite on the fastest (closest to the wingtips) rear connections which allows for quick turning and lightest bar pressure apparently.
Bar pressure was perfect for me on this setting. Enough to know where the kite is (I hate super light/vague feeling kites) but no chance of fatigue unless you possess chicken winglets.

Anyone else got any info on the rear settings on the Lithium?

So chuffed to have finally found a kite that is well behaved but not a total nancy-boy like a LOT of recent kites.

Happy riding folks.

I to rode the lifts and lift pro from 2002 to 2004. Then I reckon they went ho hum until the Varial came out. Since then Airush has been real innovative with their designs. The new wave and the one strut one kite an as example. So to the Varial X an edge of the window hunting machine.

Get Funky the dude above is 72kg man! You weigh in the high eighties! Dude it is the right size for ya !! Lol.

Airush seem to be really pushing the limits with design, although the lithuim is really their plug and play contribution to the market a lot of these innovative designs have kept into this kite. Hence we have an all rounder that has all the benefits of a delta without the negatives. Beautiful wing this one. Perfect for free riding in the surf, especially on a TT.

If I didn't have an obsession for boosting to the moon, this is the kite I would be on.

Disclaimer: I bought Eppo's 10m Lithium and am spewing I didn't get a set of steak knives with it! [}:)]

Any info on wingtip settings Eppo?

I gave up on absolute altitude when I switched over from C kites to SLE's. I'm just realistic about all kites having pros and some cons. For me safety (after a near death C kitemare) windrange and all round useability outweigh the negs on SLEs.

Same goes for Lithium, boosts are great but not the best aspect of this kite. All round turning arc, smooth power and wide-grinning finish to sesh is all good with the 10m for sure.

You did a brand new bar and lines never used and a kite only used a fraction more than the bar and lines!! Lol.

Wing tip adjustments. Yes quicker obviously, but you do lose glide and hang time in the jumps. The second setting is better for this. But still fine jumping on the light bar setting, its a compromise.

On 20 meter lines I would be on middle setting as you should already have enough turn speed.

But when I was doing transition roll loops, I would have it where you are flying it for some extra turn speed, but I was on 24m lines though!

From my experience I have always moved back to the factory settings on any kite I have used. It's not the case for some but me, always gravitate back to them.

Depends.

I'm just glad their is more exposure for what is a highly underrated kite that doesn't get much of a mention in the land of ozone and north.

Getfunky, Eppo is right about our weight difference. When I rode the 10 m I hung in there when it was blowing 26 mph and the gusts read a bit higher, but I certainly wasn't overmatched on it...you're good for another 3-5 mph on the range maxed out on your 10 m. Keep in mind I'm 5'6 tall (that's what in cm > 168?) so not only do you weigh almost twenty-five percent more, I'm betting your taller as well = height equals leverage. And I'm, albeit progressing rather quickly (veteran windsurfing experience has me at least comfortable in high winds) I'm still learning the ropes so to speak.

I was on the fence about getting the 10 m since I loved it so much. The 9 meter feels real close to it but at your weight I would no doubt would choose the 10 m. The turning speed of both is real close from what I can recall.

I too have played with the settings. I tried the factory default setting > med. and med. I liked it but a little high at times on the bar pressure when cruising at length, at least on the 12m. The 9 m wasn't as much of an issue, but still higher than the Cab. SB 2011 8 m (which is on the higher side / 2009 12 m SB is almost too light = can't feel the kite). I switched the 9 m to light on the bladder and left the wingtips on med. It's a little lighter and I didn't notice much in the way it flew, but then again it's not something I can do an A / B comparison on the spot.

I'm going to try Getfunky's setting o the 12 m and try light/light. I'd welcome just a little lighter bar pressure. I have anything but "chicken winglets" lol, so I should be able to handle it. It's my damn tendonitis that's the real bugger. I wonder if this will speed up the 12 a bit? It turns quick for a 12 but it's still a 12, and I'll bet there's no such thing as a too fast for the bigger kites.

Per recommendation, I also tried tying a knot below the standard setting on the wingtips. I noticed that it made for a shorter bar throw (I have T-Rex arms) and full power came in with the bar sheeted touching the chicken loop. On the flip side it seems to slow the kite down a bit and is less responsive. I changed it back the standard setting > much better. I don't mind the further reach short arms and all. Talk about having to stretch out to depower the kite, on the Cab SB's I'd be riding in a constant "poo stance" anytime I just started to approach the upper end of the kites range. At the time, I thought it was normal. The SB may have upper range but you'd better have really long arms to match or perhaps a seat harness.

One kite that has an amazing short throw is the North Rebel.

The SB is more stable overhead at the top of it's windrange (waterstarting) but I believe it's because the SB doesn't turn all that fast to begin with. It's part of the design compromise; you can't have it both ways. Personally I'd rather deal with the Lithium's more lively character, besides I found it behaved better when I just sheeted out and let it sit in the sky fluttering away overhead until I got situated.

I also like the loops/handles on the depower lines. I know this is hit or miss for some, but it beats trying to grab those tiny rat balls on the Cab kites. lol. ...The secondary safety works flawlessly as well > had to self land one time and had a near kite-mare launch twisted lines, giving the thumbs up prematurely. NO problem, just hit the Brain quick release and the kite "gently" floated to the ground. The SB works but not always as well or as smoothly.

Enjoyed the chat guys!

I've been trying to tell him this....lol. 10m is the go. Ha ha ha

Mate I to had tendinitis for a bit and yes the wing tip setup did help a lot. Also, when riding back the other way towards shore ( wa reference), drop your right hand and wrap your left under the bar, uses your biceps more and puts way less strain on your wrist.

Yeh good chat, for sure.

Thanks for the advice Eppo! I'll try that technique > when windsurfing we would use an opposing underhand grip on the boom with the forward hand. It works.

I tease my kiting when they complain about "high bar pressure" - bunch of girly men (I believe the Au term would "Nancy") ha-ha. Windsurfing with a grunty wave sail, even though your hooked in, that's high bar pressure. :) It's a different kind of pull however, and it doesn't tweek the tendon's in your arms as much. Nonetheless, I don't miss carrying my windsurfing gear back and forth out of the water (nasty bicept strain) or the extra half hour rigging and de-rigging...and the oh shoot, the wind dropped I have to re-rig again. I love every memory on the water windsurfing and grateful as well, but it's exciting being a beginner again with less effort, more versatility, and a faster learning curve, albeit a bit more in the danger department.

Ta for the info guys.

I've got no probs with the 10m but could easily have stepped down to a 9m on the 2 sessions I've had. Both were days with gusty breezes ranging from 14-20 and 15-25.

Just puttin it out there that if, like me, you are 87 kilopies and on a decent sized TT or SB you could get away with the 9m Lithium in Perth I reckon.
10m has a good bottom end for it's size and 9m would be the classic one-kite for most Perth breezes.

Hey get funky my mako arrived today!!

Should be a posterior tibial Tendonitis mako king review soon!