Looking for some help deciding between these 2. I have the Matrixx 15M and Kahoona 11.5 and love both kites but Need a 9M. Looking for good Boost and hangtime, + I'm trying to get into Kiteloops and powered moves. Prefer answers from someone who's ridden both kites, but any help would be appreciated

if you're into high jumps, and kiteloops and "powered moves" why are you looking at beginner / foil kites?

What do you recommend? From what I hear the Kahoona is not only for beginners, and can be great to progress on at any level.

A lot of people gravitate towards C-shaped and semi C-shaped kites for powered moves and loops. Generally speaking, C kites and less flat SLEs will give you lots of height but not as much float as flatter kites (like kahoona and matrixx). I've never used a matrixx, but I have used a kahoona, I really like it but it isn't the kite I'd go to for powered moves or kiteloops. Also, I've never used a 9 m kahoona, (only 11.5 and 13.5) so I have no opinion of its pros and cons, but in general, just because you like a kite of one size doesn't mean you'll like the same model of a different size. Not telling you that you won't like a smaller kahoona, just that you shouldn't really feel in model loyalty when considering different sizes.

You are right that the "beginner" label for kahoona does not mean that it is only for beginners. Lots of very experienced kiters prefer the pure bow feel, so it is definitely something you can use as you progress, but depending on the direction towards which you progress you might find you want something different. Great wave kitesurfers would probably find that a kahoona wouldn't hold them back at all, someone into kiteloops might be frustrated by the slower and less responsive turning of bow kites. Can you do a kiteloop on a kahoona? Absolutely, but it isn't necessarily optimized for kiteloops and other kites (including other kites made by best) are optimized for that style of riding.

I don't have a recommendation of a specific kite for you. But I would recommend that you consider different kinds of kites if you are looking for a kite for kiteloops and powered moves. Despite what manufacturers like to claim, no single kite is great at everything. In fact, being really good for one style of kiting requires it be less good at other styles of kiting. Figure out which aspects are most important to you and buy accordingly. If you can try some kites out, definitely do so.

the above is very good advice, the kahoona is a great kite, and you really can't go wrong buying one for general riding around, and even starting to unhook it's pretty good because of how stable it is. however it's not going to give you that solid pop and slack of a c kite for powered tricks and it's not going to have much power in the loop because of its pointy wingtips, it will just want to spin in place.

the thing is, no kite is going to be great at everything... if you want a kite that's comfortable for riding around on and doing small jumps, riding waves, maybe unhooking and trying a raley or two, the kahoona is great, it's a very forgiving, easy to ride kite. it's great in the waves especially. if you want to jump high, there are better options (flat, high-aspect kites). if you want to do kiteloops, there are better options (c kites, hybrid kites). if you want to do unhooked powered tricks, there are better options (c kites). if you want huge windrange and do a little bit of everything, the kahoona is good, as are the 3 strut hybrid and delta kites (like the envy and park). if you want to ride in no wind, c kites are terrible, grab a 21m foil kite.

like the guy above me said, the best thing to do is to try a few out and see what you like, maybe mix and match a few kites for different sizes. if you only kiteloop in high wind, get a 7m c kite and an 11.5 kahoona or something.

I have flown the 9.5 kahoona V4+ a lot this year, but if you are looking for more agressive moves you really ought to try the Best TS.

I have the TS 8, 10 12 and 15 and I also had the 9.5 and 11.5 Kahoona. I sold both Kahoona and kept the TS. I do miss the 9.5 V4 Kahoona which is my all time Kahoona favorite. A lot faster than the 11.5, it does loop pretty good but it is far from being a Kiteloop machine, you will have more fun (power) looping the TS.

The Kahoona are pretty much the best freeride kite that I have ever flown but the TS when flown more agressively are way better for freestyle.

You will loose a bit on the low end and on the Hangtime; you will gain a lot in the boost; speed, unhook etc... The kites are a blast when the wind is cranking. Still they have really decent low end as opposed to last year's taboo.

Bar pressure is about the same on both; just perfect !

Amazing Guys, Thanks for the great advice! I'm now considering the 9M TS, but hoping to get some advise on the Matrixx. Just wish the TS had a one-pump system! Something important I forgot to mention- I don't plan to keep my Kahoona V2. Looking to keep just my 15 and buy a new Matrixx. Can the low end of the TS handle 19 MPH? I'm 190 Lbs and My Matrixx is fun up to 19mph

you'd probably be pushing it at 19 mph but my friend around 70 kg rides it in about 20 knots no problem. you could probably ride it in 19 mph but going downwind

Hey darippah,

The TS and all Best kites for 2012 come with the EZ Pump system (one pump) even the Kahoona which now comes in a (+) version which is one pump.

The Kahoona is a great kite, and works very well for handlepasses also, so not only for beginners. The super easy relaunch is why beginners like it, but also nice when you are trying a new trick. It´s a perfect allround kite if you ask me. If you put it on B-setting it will be even greater for those kind of stuff And a foil for freestyle!?!?!?! I don´t think so...
Just take a look here: