John hadn't yet dialed in the kite when these videos were shot, but we got out the cameras since he had just boosted two 40 footers, which were bigger than he's ever gone before. But sadly, he didn't boost another super-fatty 40+ jump for the camera. (It's kinda funny sitting on shore and boo'ing a 25-30 foot jump). He dialed in the kite at Roosevelt, where he learned that when you're really powered up, all you have to do is hold the kite at 11 (or 1), pop off the water like you're throwing a railey (sp?) without moving the kite at all, then pull in the bar. That's when he'd get 40-45 feet consistently.

I tried this method out in lighter wind when I was moderately powered, but it didn't work that great for me. I think you have to be really powered up to use this method. For me, I'd get my biggest jumps in moderate wind when getting a lot of board speed and throwing the kite just to noon. I'll need to play with it a bit more to really figure it out.

The nice thing is that you can take out the kite in overpowered conditions and not feel overpowered at all, but then you can huck enormous air since the kite is lit when you pull in the bar. That's a big benefit.

Beyond the safety and depower benefits, the coolest part about this kite is that it's going to open up an entire new slate of tricks for riders of all abilities. Intermediate riders will be able to do kite loops, while advanced riders will be able to do 720 board offs while looping the kite. I think it'll make pro-level tricks within reach of non-pro riders, and will open the door to a number of other trick combinations that haven't been possible before, especially for everyday riders. This is what makes me really excited about this kite.

Cimeron

Rufus is the spot for that kite for sure... 35 knot gusts are in abdundance, but holding a lot of speed on your edge on a 9m kite for a big jump can be real hard because the giant swells/chop is dang rough and the 5 knot current doesn't help you either.

I have no doubts about the Crossbow jumping in normally overpowering conditions (see review in reviews section.) In regular conditions, not sure yet... then again is jumping in non-overpowering conditions really that fun on any kite anyway? hmm...

Still not sure its the kite for everyone... but, no doubt its a good kite, well done guys.

cool,have you got video of anyone nailing these big kite loops yet.

There' been some folks riding this kite regularly at one our launches here in the SF Bay. Some have been posting their impressions and questions here for those who are interested:

http://bayareakiteboarding.com/viewtopic.php?t=2098

Cheers,
Ollie