What a phenominal range of kites to try.
Big thanks to all the sponsers/manufacturers who took time out to come to kitestock and let us ride their gear at no expense.
It was fantastic.

I didnt try a crap kite, there were none there, but the characteristics between each kite were massive a lot more than i anticipated.
I will attempt to give a brief on each and if you want to know more pm or post..

Cabrinha

Tried the 08 8m Switchblade and the Revolver

The Revolver must be an entry level/beginner kite, low aspect very stable. Very predictable forgiving and stable.
Put this kite where you want and it will sit there nicely. I found it a bit slow in the turn but able to hold a lot of power and a general nice all round feel about it.

The switchblade 8m however was a totally different kettle of fish, this kite was fast powerful as hell, i was lit on an 8m in about 22 knots. Nice comfy bar, lots of feedback from the kite fast in the turns big booster with lots of float. Very very very impressive kite. Changed my whole thoughts on bridled 4 line kites.

North

The 08 Rhino 9m. What a grunty grunty grunty kite, so insanely powerful, again 22 knots totally lit, big floaty jumps super fast in the turns. Take your eye off this kite and you will be punished. I am unsure whether tis kite was properly rigged as i found it back stalling a lot and easily choked.

New

Tried the 9m in about 20-25knots. Liked the kite lots of feedback, lots of grunt and i liked the fact it didn't completely shut off all power when sheeting out so gave a real c kite feel. Found it a bit slow in turns in comparison to the Switchblade, but well made simple design for a good price.

Air rush

Tried the Vapor II. Was a nice stable flat 5 line kite the only criticism that i had of this kite was that it didn't reveal anything new. It was a standard 5 line hybrid IMO. Nice to fly, reasonable in turns, reasonable grunt but for me nothing new and exciting.


Ozone.

Tried the entire range sizes 9 11 and 13. Very impressed with these kites and walked away from Kitestock with a 9 metre edge (Cheers OZONE)
I will write up the 9 Edge in another review.

Best

Tried the Waroo, and again didnt find anything new and exciting about the kite.

Other kites i would have like to have tried but didnt included the Slingshot REV have flown a 7m a while ago now but would have like to try an 11 or a 9, Caution kites, Flysurfer or some of the other kites in the airrush range.

Again thanks very much to all the manufaturers that came along and let us try there products.

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poor relative said...


Cabrinha

Tried the 08 8m Switchblade and the Revolver

The switchblade 8m however was a totally different kettle of fish, this kite was fast powerful as hell, i was lit on an 8m in about 22 knots. Nice comfy bar, lots of feedback from the kite fast in the turns big booster with lots of float. Very very very impressive kite.

Ditto. I was also totally lit in about the same wind strength 75kg on a 130x40cm. A very well behaved kite with big gliding jumps.

i ditched Cabrinha kites back in 2002 after my 2 line CO2 exploded but with this kite they may well have redeemed themselves. Only downside seemed to be the lack of effective single line flagging system?

Hey PR,

Can you give us your stats; weight, number of years kiting, level etc.

I wish I tried the Switchblade, I learnt something new at kitestock - I like fast fast fast kites that generate their own apparent power. Can grunty kites generate their own apparent power or I suppose you don't need it?

Cheers
Rich

you still have not tried the best one

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Can you give us your stats; weight, number of years kiting, level etc.

88kgs, kited since 03, intermediate level like a bit of everything from boosts to waves to freestyle.

PR,
I tried the Rev 11m on Saturday morning and then the 7m when it was cranking on Saturday arvo. Both kites were amazing, very stable, responsive and had plenty of power. I'm buying a 9m which should will cover me but if I had the coin I'd buy the 7 and the 11!! Give them a demo if you get a chance. Good work on the Edge! I'll remember to froth even harder next year!!
Cheers,
PK.

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airhead said...

Ditto. I was also totally lit in about the same wind strength 75kg on a 130x40cm. A very well behaved kite with big gliding jumps.

i ditched Cabrinha kites back in 2002 after my 2 line CO2 exploded but with this kite they may well have redeemed themselves. Only downside seemed to be the lack of effective single line flagging system?

The SB3 (and 2) can be flagged to either side/rear line, there is a ring on one side of the bar and a ball on the other (I have never been able to find out why the RED ball, or a ball is on the right side!!?!!)
It is also very easy to rig a front line flagging ring system.
Does not need a swivel, but I have found the easiest way is to buy a Best or SS swivel bunny ear, and rig flagging rings through it. The SB3 comes with an excellent swivel chicken loop and it is very easy to wind out twists.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

One quick question, there were slingshot rev's and the new T3 there to demo is there a reason you didn't try them as well??

Hi Reli
Have you had your 9m Edge out in the waves yet ?
If so can you give me a quick run down on how she went ?
Im considering.
13m Edge for mainly flat water seasons in light medium winds
9m Sport Waves
7m Sport 2 for waves
but if the edges go good in the waves i may just go all edges !
How is she flying backwards ? i find my sport 07 flies quit nicely for a short period backwards ... overtaking the kite etc

Hi JiP,

These are just my impressions. I find the Edge II to be a phenomenal kite in many areas, but for me, waves aren't one of them, but then again that would depend on the kind of wave riding you are doing. If it is cross off, the Edges will be perfect, if it's cross on, I reckon you will be better off on the Sport II's.

The Edge and the Sport both have the same bottom end but the difference is the Edge creates it's power from flying forward or in other words, apparent wind power. The Sport also relies on a little of the apparent wind power, but no where near as much.

The Sport II is a little heavier (marginally) bar pressure than the Egde II and develops much more grunt straight off the bat like after a hard turn or carve. The way I ride waves I rely on the kite to turn quickly and develop power from a standing start at times and this lends itself much better to the Sport.

To be fair I haven't ridden the 9m Edge II in the waves so can't really make a comment on it's individual performance, but with my experience, Lower aspect ratio kites work better in the surf, especially in the larger sizes as they are used in lighter winds when "down the line" riding is more critical.

We are also getting in some 7m Edge II's, they will go well in the winter squalls for wave riding.

The rest of the quiver you mentioned looks right on!

Again, to be sure, give us a call and have a demo ride before you buy. I'd much rather you bought the kite that fits your style to a "T" rather than you having to adapt your style to match the kite.

Good winds,

Thats good info thanks ! if i was sensible i would go for all Sport 2s but i just love flying and the Edge promises to be a Jet Pack.
I have decided i like the mutant style of riding waves and not use a directional.
I dont see the point in wave riding unhooked as im able to do all of the manouvers (in onshore conditions) hooked in, although on my backhand its a bit tricky keep bashing my head with the bar doing off the tops !! but its cool i wear a helmet
So basically i will be riding strapped in ...in onshore cross on conditions hooked in ....sounds like the Edge will be ok for me but i am concerned about the backstalling although im not entirely sure what backstalling is .............IS IT....overtaking the kite because im going to fast on the wave so the kite gets left behind ? (therefore if the Edge is good at flying forwards ....i should be able to let the bar out and the kite will hopefully catch up (or fly up and forwards as directed)with me if i straighten out on the wave momentarily ?
I would have thought that the Edge being 7 struts would hold its shape and sit in the sky better than one with less struts....
Im still a noob kiter so i may be talking Ballocks
Comments anyone ?

sounds like you have a good as grasp of the theory in a short time as the experts.
go for it ,don't read to many magazines

Hey JiP,

I'll have the demo truck at Pinnaroo Point for most of the weekend, if you wnto try any of the kites, rock on up and have a go, that way you'll know for sure what works for you.

Good winds,

Cheers WindPig !
Darren i am actually in Perth this weekend visiting friends so look out for my shiney head coming your way for a demo!
Are there waves at Pinaroo ?
I would like to try if wind is right 13m Edge and 13m sport 2 to compare hope thats cool

Hi JiP,

No waves at Pinnas, but the "reef out the back" will be working if there's swell. We have both kites in the truck so no worries.

I sent you a PM so give me a call when you're lookin for a ride!

Later,

About the switchblade 3 8 mts. Do you think i can ride unhooked at 25 kts?? I am 78 Kg... Thanks!!