
This particular one is from the former Freak Dog (I have difficulty even writing that) which is Eric Hertsens' production and design. Eric is someone you can trust to not short-spec the kite, so the build is excellent. It is a 12 and looks like a high aspect ribbon in the sky. The last very high aspect kite I had was a Peter Lynn F ARC. It was an electric animal: the power came on/off like a bolt of lightning. I love the simple graphic stripe. A spray can of auto bumper paint dispatched the big F__ D__.

Picking a first-try day when the gusts were into the low 30mph was kind of stoopid but I stayed close to the backside of this point. When time to put it down (I self-launch/land 90% of the time..) I dropped the kite into a wind shadow. Out into deeper water it was Victory at Sea and not much fun anyway.
I only rode for about 45 minutes but was really pleased how it held this air. It was waaay too gusty for me to feel totally safe, but after about four tacks I could ride one hand. I was afraid the kite would turn into a Jack Russell, but not, it was very stable. Yet, perhaps the best thing - you can really throw this kite. It responds to the bar like a 7M ...yet is stable like a 14/16.
I am used to a much longer depower throw, but with a little strap I found a happy medium. I will also need some more time to figure out jump timing. It does not seem to have the abrupt boost as some kites. I am also used to a lot of bar pressure, whereas almost all the power was sent to the hook.
I love that sound when the kite 'feathers' as it reaches zenith in a jump. Because of the confident control, landings were simple and smooth. Conditions were such, the only time I really let it generate speed, I exploded ..and went for a high and long rotation - without my board. Even upside down and backwards, the kite was easy to control.
The forecast is good for the next week, so I should be able to make a side-by-side comparison with my other favorite 12 - the 2008 j-n DiVinci.
Jim
.... I edited this post because I mistakenly thought the patent was for Bruno Legaignoux 'flat kite' design. The design is from the board of Eric Hertsens.