So I'm a cube monkey office worker who loves to kite a lot and would like to give a review of my latest purchase. Last weekend I had a session with my new 2014 14m Park in ~12 to 15 knots and I can report it is simply awesome for wakestyle and jumping.
Compared to the 2012 and 2013 it pulls like a truck and has a lot more grunt. Although a teeny bit slower, in the loops there's no more stalling at the bottom either. For unhooked passes, I was shocked at how much a positive difference the direct bridle made. Previous models tended to 'jelly' a bit on hard load, but now I feel like superman with the kite enabling great pop and line slack at the right time which for me makes it easier to get the pass. Also, no more back-stalling after your pass. My older Park's would crumple and tend to back fly a bit post handle pass, I'm stoked to report this little issue appears resolved. Relaunch is no issue whatsoever as I crashed it hard well over ten times.
Well done Naish team! Great improvement, great kite.
Nice!!!
I think I'll keep my 14 Draft, but I am considering the 12 Park.
I have the 2014 10 Park and I have the same report. Especially how it loops and rides waves..stellar stuff. I think the kite feels lighter, and I am suspecting the new struts are the "cause" I am super stoked about the kite. Unfortunately the fall here has been atrocious for wind but the times I've had it out have had me longing for more.
I used the 2014 12m Park with the Universal control bar in the video above.
The winds were rotored side off on the beach and gusty outside.
A kite like this can turn that unstable flow into a really sweet session,
and I walked away super stoked with the wind range of the 12m Park.
Its truly massive, from just capping to I don't even know yet!
I've been eyeing that 14m and 17m Draft too,
the air time glide of those wings seem like a real trip man!
Last edited by rodeoclown on Wed Jan 29, 2014 1:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
I used the 2014 12m Park with the Universal control bar in the video above.
The winds were rotored side off on the beach and gusty outside.
A kite like this can turn that unstable flow into a really sweet session,
and I walked away super stoked with the wind range of the 12m Park.
Its truly massive, from just capping to I don't even know yet!
I've eyeing that 14m and 17m Draft too,
the air time glide of those wings seem like a real trip man!
I've had a lot of time on the 14 draft..it is definitely hangtime magic..in addition to being my weapon for raceboarding. Also very easy to do tricks without dying. Very soft loops.
I'm currently looking at the 12 park, great to hear you had a session on it
Good to hear 2014 14m has improved Grunt over the 2013 but i wonder if that's just the feeling due to direct bridle??? if you are finding it slower to loop are you also finding it slower to turn than the 2013 which i have???? are you possibly choking the kite a bit on the loop??? maybe try letting the bar out a bit to give the kite some wind.
I have upgraded to the 2014 10 & 8m and am really enjoting them but am holding off on the 14m. Considering the Draft but want a larger race bred kite not a large 3 strut light wind kite as i'll be using it for open ocean racing in winds varying from 12-20 knots.
I am enjoying the direct bridle but am finding my arms and shoulders are getting fatigued which i think is a result of the kite surging forward in the window and without the pulleys its your upper body absorbing the force.
I'd be interested to hear input from other 2014 park riders on this one.
I have not noticed any problems on shoulders or arms. I generally like to ride powered. Id rather have a bigger kite and power than marginally powered and faster turning.
On the loops I am not sure how the surging would affect the arms..but again I am no pro at this so maybe I am just too weak in how I ride....what I have noticed is what Osprey is talking about. The kite completes the loops. Its...fantastic IMO.