Postby windrupted » Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:04 pm
I flew a 2011 9m Spitfire, and I was amazed at the low end power. Love the way it pulls you through but your better be hangin' on tight when you send it over. It's takes off like a Top-fuel Dragster. (Do they still have those?) It's not really made for jumping but watching the Caution guys riding them would make anyone a believer. And they sure do some super cool little surf style airs all over the place, never seen anyone flow kite surf airs back into the waves like those guys do. I haven't tried the 2012's but they sure look nice in the sky, and riding alongside them I don't notice much difference to what I fly. I'll bet they work insane in waves, how could they not?
I'm on a 10m Nitro right now, and I am really loving this kite in surf. It has a "hoist" effect when barely moved, I guess "like an overhead crane" is the only way to describe it. This feature can lift you up when you want it, and you hardly need to send the kite back to get it. It enables me to do certain tricks a lot easier, for example simply tacking up into the wind becomes super easy because when you are stationary and the kite is at noon it's so solid. Kiteloop tricks are kind of tricky. It develops some scary force real quick once it starts moving and the faster it turns the more it pulls. I can't do a megoloop and hang onto my rail yet, (and possibly never will)..... It's a very progressive increase but it starts pulling exponentially harder and faster as it loops and if your not used to the timing it could get you in trouble. Having said that I seem to have less disasters then on my previous kites because it's always holding me up. I learned to be respectful of it's mighty power and now it's like having a pet dragon on a leash that gets me to wherever I need to be. Upwind it just kick the shit out of everything else, and I don't really ever want to give that up.
I had a session on it yesterday that just blew my mind. It's a fast little wave and just hoons down the line. The Nitro was absolutely suited to the angles I guess, I never went so fast on a tiny wave in my entire life. There was thick kelp (keeping others away possibly) but this relentless power just allowed me to lean back and chop through like some kind of triple knifed shredding equipment back on the farm. I could feel and hear it breaking off on my fins and I must say that is a satisfying feeling. One time I got tripped in the shallows and would have penetrated the surface and caved my skull into a boulder but that steady winch overhead just skimmmed me along on top till we stopped sliding (40 feet later). I am raving here but that is how this thing is. There is a reason why grumpy old Screwfeets is getting almost hostile about defending his beloved Nitros, the things have "balls" (as he puts it). (Kites and people as sex organs, that's kind of weird. Don't beat me up please.) Anyway he's a big strong guy and probably needs this power, it's like some sort of drug: once you develop a tolerance, you will become dependent.
I personally don't think the Nitros are the perfect kite for everyone, but the guys who know how to use the power are just raving about them. I do think the Cautions hold shape better when overpowered. You don't ever want to be OP on a Nitro. Having said that, I have held it down over 30 mph and still had fun, I just had to go fetch the board more and was a bit scared at times that I would not get back home if it picked up another 5mph....
One more great thing about the Nitro. I ride strictly ultralight surfboards, and I am not strapped on. I go through them pretty quickly. But this "crane" effect has me snapping less boards, because right before I land I just pull down on the bar really hard and catch the descent. I have not experienced this effect with any other kite I have flown.
Hope this helps. You'll be super stoked whichever kite you buy.