Rider: 75kg experienced
Style: Freeriding,
Weather:sub 10 -14/15 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Ozone brand manager Australia
My Comments:
Last night I rode the 2011 Zephyr. I used the stock 54cm bar, 25M lines, and an Underground 1.52x46 2011 Tahee.
You can see from the 2 wind graph images, that the wind was light, both of the wind readings are taken from points well upwind of where I was actually riding. The Airport meter is approx 7-8klms North of where I launched and the Kurnell meter is approx 8-9klm ENE of where I launched.
Tide was incoming and would have taken a couple of knots off my real wind speed where I was riding. I rode from approx 5.45pm until 7.45pm
I had no trouble at any time staying upwind, an I'd estimate that at times the wind dropped below 10 knots and remained there for periods of up to 10-15mins. During those lulls my board speed was slow, still planing, and just holding ground.
The last time I flew the 2010 Zephyr was approx 4-5 weeks ago, but I had flown it quite a bit in the previous 12 months.
Main differences are improved bottom end and upwind ability or lift, turning speed/speed of turn initiation is improved by 15-20% and flight speed by around 10-15%.
The kite still has that familiar strong pull on the front lines, with slightly higher, but not uncomfortable direct feeling, bar pressure.
I self launched easily in approx 10 knots and self landed and put the kite exactly where I wanted it, easily. The kite relaunches easily using the pull one rear leader then the other in quick succession. Pulling just one leader and letting the kite drift to one edge of the window does not work as well in light winds, you really need to launch the kite as directly downwind as possible, for a fast relaunch.
Having flown the 2011 15M Ozone Edge on Monday evening is almost identical conditions, I think I get a very similar wind range, and I think the Zephyr will best suit people bigger than me at 170lbs or 75kg.
I have a 2010 Zephyr and like all great things in life, it is definitely an acquired taste.
It took me some time to learn to fly it how it wants to fly and to not be pulled of my edge when boosting. Timing is really different. But this summer we have had the ****tiest wind ever in Melb and I am now almost always on the the big Zephyr and loving it.
Slow motion kiting and boosting in glassy water is such a pleasure, especially as I am the only one out - and on my normal 130cm twin tip. Last Saturday I had the best glassy surf ever (unaffected by the onshore breeze). Only the Zephyr and a huge Flysurfer where able to get out through the whitewash.
I never thought I would own a big kite again but I am once again enjoying the best floats off the jumps - It was not love at first sight but now its a keeper.
BTW I am 80kgs.
i have it since the beggining. I also am not changing it. When weather is .....
when all the other people praying ...
you go kiting
