Rider: 77kg, Experienced
Style: Surf
Weather: 18-22 knots
Build Quality: 8/10 Although this can really only be properly assessed over time
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure:

Straight out of the bag the 9m Drifter felt smooth and stable. Developed great power and seems to lose nothing when the kite is turned hard. Very predictable and I barely gave the kite a glance in two hours of kiting.
In all aspects the Drifter performed flawlessly, the only thing I can't comment on is the re-launch as I didn't manage to get the kite wet.
The Drifter cranked upwind easily and when I caught my first wave it steered effortlessly and drifted nicely back when surfing towards the kite. Spent the whole session repeating this over and over and was able to surf without being pulled around by the kite or having to compromise on the wave to keep the kite in the air.
The bar is heavier than last years but not noticeable when kiting. Didn't muck around adjusting anything so can't comment on the virtues of the new bar.
The front lines now join down closer to the bar which makes it easier for untangling the lines in the water if you roll the kite in the surf. Not sure how it effects performance but it makes it easier to self-land the kite.
I personally prefer to surf and I felt the drifter allowed me to do just that. The fact that I hardly had to make an effort with the kite and got heaps of great waves is what makes the Drifter perfect for me and where I kite. I just use my everyday surfboard (5'11" Magic Thumb).
I spent the next two days on another 2014 wave kite from a leading manufacturer and it didn't even rate when compared to the Drifter. I won't criticise the other kite but it just didn't work for me. It was very interesting to compare the two kites back to back though and for me they were light years apart in terms of refinement and use-ability.
Strongly recommend giving the Drifter a demo though if you get a chance.

just wondering why build quality was 8/10 most reviews give cabrinhas 9 or even 10. have the new 2014's gotten weaker due to skinny struts or something? cheers for the review tho. allso bit of a guess but was the other kite a bws?

Kozzie,

Yeah bit tough on the build quality I suppose, perhaps I should have just left it blank for the time being.

My personal experience with Cabs has been nothing short of exceptional as far as durability but this can be a personal thing depending upon your expectations V's the way you treat your gear.

And no, definately not a BWS. I haven't tried one yet but am keen as they guys I kite with that use them seem to love them.

I would feel uncomfortable naming a kite that I don't like because it might just be a matter of it not suiting me. I see so many people criticising kites when they are just simply talking out their back-side.

Listen to everyone by all means but demo everything and make sure whatever you use is properly trimmed. It sh1ts me to tears watching someone struggle with a poorly trimmed kite.......