Hi,
I have been riding the new Rebel 09 7m in the part days. In the previous years i have been riding a Rebel 07 7m that i really love. Normally with a wave board, always 20m lines.
First thing: one pump pumps nice, everything neat out of the bag, bla, bla. I experimented different 5th line lengths, but just leave it as it came it is perfect.
The conditions where 1m waves, chop ocean, wind 15-30 knots in the inside, 40++ on the outside with big lulls everywhere.
In the air, the kite is super stable. Just like the 9m, you can't get it to fall, no matter how hard you pull the front lines, it never overflyes.
Turning speed is fast, like any 7m. Still a little slower than Rebel 7m that is super fast. Turning arc is also wider than 2007.
A huge gain is in power. It is much more powerfull. Similar to 2008 but with more power.
I notice a very, very big gain in stability when hit by monster gusts. It just eats them with no distortion.
Responsiveness to turning commands even with depower fully in is very, very good.
Another very nice feature is the kite flying at the edge of the window when you let go the bar at 45 degrees or less. It doesn't start dropping, just flies nicelly and drops exactly what i would expect.
I dropped the 9m in a wave and the relaunche is just pull the back line (have it on movie in a kite cam)
Rebel 09 7m is more powerfull and much, much more stable in the air than the 07 version.
It has less depower and little longer depower stroke. It might be because of the "size difference".
I would say the 2009 Rebel 6m might be the equivalent to the 2007 7m.
I can see me out in 35 knots ok, but not at 45+ like i did with 2007 version.
Not as snappy and live as the 2007 7m, but then the 6m might be like it. The improvements in power and specially stability are really worth it!
I see myself riding this kite in very, very little wind, (close to 15 knots).
9m and 6m are my bet now for a perfect gear if you have lots of days at 35++ knots.
More info when i have a nice wind day...