Well I just finished trying out 6 new kites after the Pismo Beach Kite Expo. For the sake of time, I am only going to review the aspects that stood out to me on each kite. I am going to review the 2010 Liquid Force Envy, 210 Liquid Force Havoc, 2010 Best Kahoona, and 2010 Caution Zombie.
Kiter Background:
Well I currently own two 2009 Liquid Force Sessions; 12m and 9m. I am only 20 and have been kiting for 3ish years. But I really started riding this last season. I weigh 175lbs and ride a Liquid Force 133 Recoil mostly but have a 145 WLF too. I am really working on progressive riding right now; working on my airs and technical skills such as riding toeside and waveriding. Every day I am landing a new trick or catching a bigger wave.
Conditions tested in:
The wind I tested the 2010 12m Zombie in was about 20mph onshore with some lulls and a little more gusty than normal. The water was pretty rough. Swells up to head high and ocassionally, what I call cross waves (waves going perpendicular to the beach). But of course we also could ride in the little whitewash close to shore. I spent about 30-45mins on the Zombie.
Performance:
-This kite definitely pulls. I could have been riding a smaller kite but I was using my 12m right before testing this kite. This is the first kite that I have used that gets you planing before you are finished with your powerstroke. That was a really nice sensation. It got me riding instantly.
-Air time! This kite LOVES the top of the wind window. When you hit a wave and pull in. It begins to pull you up, up, and some more up. I took it out past the break to the over head waves and it pulled me right up over the top of them.
-Predictability. This kite never was in a spot I did not know. It was always where I wanted it to be. Great for waveriding!
-Depower. I really liked that when you power this kite up and depower it did not change the steering response.
Complaints:
-Hand position. The kite was responsive to the first steering input when I had my hands centered, but when I had to adjust that input, I had to move my hands out to really get it moving.
-Materials. The bar materials seem like they are not 2010. Nothing wrong with them, but some of the other bars I held are using more advanced materials.
These are small complaints that I noticed. I am sure if I spent more time on the kite I might find these complaints false/unfair.
Who is this kite for:
This kite is for any freestyler wanting that extra hangtime and air! Also, because of the predictability and power, it is for the waverider looking for a kite to get them planing instantly and powering out to the waves. It will have no problem pulling you into waves.
Thanks to Kinsley from http://xtremebigair.com/ for the demo. If you are around the central coast come check out the kite for yourself and see what the Zombie can do for you!