THE HYPE:
The NAZCA 2 surprises with its smooth and comfortable ride, speed and constant traction, as well as its super-fast turning. A bold, curved leading edge design helps for more efficient power delivery and ease-of-use while seven struts maintain the profile over the high wind range and a tight turn. The board’s profile is designed to offer a high wind range and to be able to efficiently create your own apparent wind in the lower wind range. The special Gin touch in the handling of the bar is always light and precise and with the position of your bar you can choose the power during your moves to be strong or very light, but always smooth. All these details have been developed together to produce an intelligent, balanced design that results in the kite feeling fluid, comfortable and lively.
TEST TEAM NOTES:
The kite comes in a very robust hiking-style back pack that would definitely double-up as a travel bag, which is a nice touch and first impression. Unravel the kite and everything feels well put together, there's a solid one pump, good grab handles in the middle of the leading edge as well as at the tips, so it's well fitted out with features. Moving down to the bar, we felt it was let down by a tiny chicken-loop. The quick-release is quite a chunky push-away system but is nicely covered by a neoprene cover that slides over it (the system works with the cover over it – just to clear that up). The bar is comfortable, wellsized and powers and depowers smoothly. The pull-pull webbing trimming system can be adjusted in small increments when depowering, but with a solid pull can go back to full power in one action. There's more gubbins on and around the bar than some of the cleanest systems and make sure you practice deploying the 5th line safety when you first get it to get comfortable with it. It's really simple, but because you leash onto the ring inside the chicken-loop rather than the 5th line itself, which instead attaches to a small metal loop on the outside of the chicken-loop, you just need to get familiar with it. Attaching to the metal loop in the middle is the perfect place for leashing onto for unhooked tricks and you do get good depower when you let go of the bar. In the sky the kite feels nice and lively for a 15 with good low end performance and power delivery. Turning speed is above average for a big kite and sending it for jumps doesn't feel like a cumbersome 15. It definitely likes to travel forward in the window, but maintains grunt, which is important for a big kite. The flying speed is quick and on first goes it was noticeable that everyone put the kite low to the water, dug the edge in and enjoyed a few speed runs! That forward drive meant that upwind tracking was excellent. We think this would be a good racing kite, because of the ability to get forward in the window and drive with good apparent speed, but it also behaves well unhooked because of that and doesn't just drag you like a bull. It instills confidence unhooked because it doesn't run away with you and keeps medium power. Instilling confidence unhooked it's not an explosive unhooked performer though and the downside to unhooking is the small chicken-loop, but as it does have a lovely soft neoprene cover, feels nice in your hands when you have to grab it.
SUMMARY:
A C kite shape that doesn't handle exactly like a traditional C kite. Sitting much further forward in the window, the Gin provides incredible pace and upwind traction. Steering is fairly direct and light and unhooked it's surprisingly usable for something that has such a fast pedigree, providing more pull than other such forward flying kites. As a 15 metre, you couldn't ask for much more – good low end, good movement, plenty of lift, pleasant unhooked and incredible generation of board speed.
KW LIKED: Overtaking everyone on the water.
KW WOULD CHANGE: Incredibly small chicken-loop.
SIZES: 15, 12, 10, 8 and 7m
www.ginkites.com
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THE HYPE:
The Revolt 2 delivers simplicity, safety and accessibility in order for you to develop your kitesurfing skills quickly. A four-line kite that features innovative Delta C shape technology, combined with the EVO full depower system for no-compromise safety and control. It has a four metre safety lifeline, featuring a V-shaped bridle with a pulley system on each of the front lines, offering complete control with direct and responsive steering in all riding conditions. On the water the kite inspires confidence with smooth and responsive power delivery, even when the kite is fully depowered. No matter what your skill level, the Revolt 2 offers a rewarding and forgiving ride that will safely aid progression through the sport.
TEST TEAM NOTES:
The initial differences between this and F-One's Bandit Dos (and now Three) are clear. The bar is a little more basic (still well made, but with fewer bells and whistles in the finish, such as a webbing pull-pull depower system rather than the clam cleat), the bag is a much cheaper product and there's no bag for the bar. There's no one pump either, but the Bandit Dos doesn't either, so no change there. The build quality of the package is good, it's well put together still, but it's definitely made with budget buyers in mind. When you put the kite up the first thing that's clear is that the Revolt is packed with grunt, but there's also a huge amount of depower on the bar throw, the bar seemingly retreating up the line for miles. In flight the kite is quick and carries oodles of power. The bottom end is fantastic, getting you up and going as soon as you dip that kite. Instant power, but also instant depower. This would be good for the heavier rider looking to progress after their lessons. Smaller riders could probably get away with a size smaller than usual. The relaunch is instant with you barely even needing to pull on a back line to get it to go up. It tends to roll over and get to the edge of the window on its own. Moving onto jumping, the huge depower and power mean that this baby goes up like a rocket and stays there with way above average hang-time. We had it out underpowered in about 15 knots and really powered in 28 – 30; the jumping is good in lighter winds, but just incredible when over powered. You go up for an age and get brought really gently back down and are given a lot of time to get yourself settled for landing, which makes it great for learning those floaty transitions. Above your head during a jump it's not the easiest kite to instinctively feel where it is, but it's not supposed to be a super-agile bit of kit. It provides basic, safe but grunty power for riders in their early stages of development who want uncomplicated performance. Having said that, it does fly around a kite loop well! It's a quick kite in general, providing good forward pull and gets to the front of the window nicely with the bar trimmed correctly to shoot upwind. The bar does lack a little finesse in a refined feeling of control, but what it does have is that wonderful characteristic for early intermediate kiters who need to be able to power up or depower the kite by simply pulling in or sheeting out on the bar instead of having to move it around to generate power.
SUMMARY:
The Revolt is crammed with power, but has the ability to ditch it very quickly. One minute it's swaggering around the showers after a match swinging its massive balls about and the next you could spray it with a freezing hose pipe and it'd be out of there in the blink of an eye. Sure there's no one pump, but there's less to go wrong therefore and you could spend more money on a fancier kite, but would you rather be walking down the beach with a new kite in a cheap bag, or a second hand kite in a good bag. Ease-of-use, good grunt to get you going, great hang-time, simple relaunch and good forward flying speed for upwind gain are what this kite is all about. A job well done.
KW LIKED: Simple, usable power by sheeting in on the bar as well as great boosting.
KW WOULD CHANGE: Add a little more of a refined feeling through the bar, but only more advanced riders would notice that.
SIZES: 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 4 and 3m
www.f-onekites.com
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THE HYPE:
The Light XC has come of age in 2009. No longer can it be viewed as just a school or beginner kite; this new generation is truly the perfect crossover kite for all levels of rider. It boasts progressive power delivery, sharper handling and better all-round performance with a smooth bar feel. The Light XC is ideal for intermediates, beginners, schools and wave riders alike. As a low aspect, three strut kite, it's simplicity without compromising performance.
TEST TEAM NOTES:
Beautiful construction as we've come to expect from Ozone. Everything really is tailored to an immaculately high standard. The workmanship is phenomenal, from the super clean and solid feeling bar to the stitching on the kite. This is the baby of the Ozone triple pack this year and is obviously aimed at the price-point market, coming without one pump and a slightly less high-grade bag etc. But that's about all they've skimped on. What's immediately apparent (as it is on the Sport and Edge ranges) is an incredibly tight canopy when the kite is in the sky. There's zero flutter and the wing seems to be incredibly efficient. The trimming system, as we've said for Ozone kites for a long time, is probably the best on the market for ease-of-use. It never sticks - even from brand new – is at an easy reach and can be adjusted to the millimetre with the ultra smooth cleat and the three balls on the line give you something good to grip. The bar also has a self-righting slot for the chicken-loop when unhooked, which is always a good touch. All small kites are nimble, but this isn't a whippet around the sky, it's 'sensible', which is a good word to describe many things about this kite. The turning speed is moderate – it never runs away from you, the depower isn't to the same level as some beginner and early intermediate kites, meaning that the kite always holds some power, which is probably why it flies and handles so well all the time. There's still very good depower, but just not 100%, but the other good thing is that the bar doesn't travel a long way from you to get the kite's full depower. The Light jumps satisfactorily but isn't on a race to the moon, it's good fun unhooked, offering surprisingly good pull, but does require a slight trim before coming out of the loop. It's never scary, but is assured and steady. The Light actually feels very much like a C kite in its handling, but with modern refinement and more depower. It's very positive, holding power as it moves around the sky, there's nothing off/on about it, it just behaves itself. We immediately got on it and felt comfortable, trying things straight away on a 30 knot day.
SUMMARY:
It's not going to set your heart on fire if you're looking for a super-boosty kite, or a mega looping monster, but for an all-round workhorse with nothing quirky and no real down sides, it's a good, honest performer that you just can't fall out with. It's a bit like a puppy – you can have a lot of fun with it, but you know it's never really going to threaten you like a bigger dog might, which is why we felt confident enough to rig the pulley bar on it in 30 knots of wind for the first time. Says a lot.
KW LIKED: Top notch build quality and throw-around user-friendliness that inspires you to try things.
KW WOULD CHANGE: The urgency. Could do with a couple more gears at the top end ideally for better riders, but then you should be looking at the Sport.
SIZES: 14, 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4m
www.flyozone.com
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THE HYPE:
Martin Vari's first entry into the market place comes in the form of the Condor One. Each size is constructed separately, from the ground up, right up to the individually sized bridles. A progressive bridle system allows for feather-light control, providing the rider with an incredible feeling through the bar. Supertough construction and top-quality materials mean it can stand up to the knocks of rigorous riding life and plenty of tuning options make it suitable for a wide range of riders and conditions.
TEST TEAM NOTES:
The kite feels like the business from the go. The material used on the big bag is even quite different, it feels textured, strong, and the bar has a matching bag. Open the kite out and there are sturdy fixtures and fittings, immediately giving the impression that this is a tough kite. There's a robust one pump system and plenty of attention to detail, which is great for a first kite from any brand. The Condor One flies on a simple four line set-up and the bar feels well proportioned in your hands with good grip. It's not the most luxurious but perfectly adequate and there's nothing to fall out with on the bar itself as it's simple and uncluttered. A big red plastic push-away quick-release is very easy to grab and use and also to re-assemble. The safety system is a standard short fifth line to leash onto. Above the bar is the sliding stopper and webbing strap pull-pull trimming system, which was a bit fiddly at times and we had to keep an eye when powering the kite back up as the retaining strap (not pictured) on the depowering strap had a habit of retreating up above the sliding stopper when you repowered the kite all in one pull. So when we went to pull on some depower next time, occasionally the stopper ball came down with the strap when you pulled it, but once you're aware that can happen, you'll soon see if the strap has slid up above the stopper. Perhaps a much looser retaining ring of elastic would solve that as it would pass over the stopper much easier? Removing the elastic altogether certainly would. It's not the closest trimming system to your body, requiring a slight stretch for shorter arms, but is easier to depower than a below-the-bar system and you don't end up with loads of strapping around your waist when you've hauled on a load of depower. For a bridled kite it has quite a unique shape – it's not delta shaped, but seems much more rounded than most hybrids – and the first thing you notice is how well balanced and poised it is in the sky, seemingly flying equally off all four lines. It's a kite we got on and enjoyed from the first moment, which is an important asset, feeling alive and quick with a lot of feedback and control through the bar. The steering speed is spot on; quick and reactive with good feeling. There's no change in speed throughout the turn and it only backed up very occasionally when we stuffed up an unhooked landing and didn't have it trimmed enough, but a quick pull on the chicken-loop to unflare the kite and it would immediately fly forward in the window again, but this is perfectly normal for a bridled kite. For someone that likes throwing a kite around it's fun and doesn't require much trimming at all when riding in and out of the hook. The kite loops are respectable – not the most manly, but not really pivotal either and give you confidence to try them as you knew the kite would always make it round. There's plenty of boost in there too with good hangtime, allowing plenty of time to spot your landing as it brings you down very steadily. There's no rush up and down. So loads of time to figure out your transitions, which were beautifully floaty, leaving you hanging there with time to look at who is watching. No issues at all on relaunch. Although it's a first generation kite from a new brand, and excusing the slightly fiddly trimming system, this is right up there with the stand-out all round kites this year.
SUMMARY:
If you're looking for a good performing kite, that's extremely comfortable boosting, doing unhooked freestyle, kite looping and wave riding, then this is a really well balanced tool with good speed and power. Because it was so easy, balanced and well-behaved with good feeling in the bar it encourages you to try things and would work for early intermediates upwards as it ticks all the basic boxes too.
KW LIKED: Control and feeling through the bar, making the kite feel up for it and adept.
KW WOULD CHANGE: Slightly fiddly control system.
SIZES: 14, 12, 9 and 7m
www.varikites.com
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THE HYPE:
Messrs Jochum and Nesler are so sure of their new swept-back wing shaped kite that they've called it Mr Fantastic. Designed to be used fowave riding, high jumps, freestyle and, simply, freeriding, the fantastastic element extends to its simplicity and easy upwind performance. If you're looking for a kite to be used in a wide wind-range, in all conditions that's suitable for any level of rider, this is it. Complimenting its performance, the incredible user-friendliness is highlighted by the easy relaunch, optional four or five line set-up, simple bridle system and single-point inflation.
TEST TEAM NOTES:
What an exceptionally well-made kite. When a manufacturer has the bravery to call a kite Mr. Fantastic, in the back of your mind, you secretly think perhaps the name is a not-so-elaborate cover up for an inferiority complex. But JN have been making really refined, good products for a long time, and the Mr. Fantastic takes things even further. Let's start at the top: the kite itself isn't lightweight, it's robust, sturdy and strong with lots of reinforcement. The bridle is basic, relatively short and easy to set-up. There's a good exterior one-pump system and as soon as you start blowing it up the huge JN logo appears, blazed across the canopy. We quite liked that. The bar is comfortable, simple and clean. Lovely cleat depower system and there's an easy-to-use and reassemble push-away quick-release. Nothing more to comment on there; all good.
What stood out immediately on launch was the kite's stability. There was no flapping at all – it's another tight canopy kite. Mr. F can be flown on four or five lines. We flew it on four, so can only comment on that. The steering on the kite requires firm input, there's nothing wishy-washy about it and there's ample depower. Turning speed isn't insane, but it's no slouch. It's comfortable for a ten metre. Park the kite, edge and you'll scream upwind. The power delivery is very progressive and comfortable; not off and on in any way. The relaunch is very good, the low end, excellent and the top end just keeps on going. Those are the three things that most intermediateriders hould be looking for and all boxes are ticked here. We aven't even got onto the boosting yet. Most manufacturers seem to be trying to create kites with C kite-like feeling. JN have nailed it with all the other benefits of a hybrid shape, such as depower and good relaunch. Jumping is C-like. You can't just move the kite above your head and pull down on the bar like on bow kites. This will jump way higher than that and keep you up there, rewarding good technique. Learn how to send the kite properly and you're going to love this kite for nice floaty hang-time and floaty transitions. At the end of the day, this has enough performance to satisfy the most hungry intermediate. Good, direct feel at the bar, lots of feedback and needs a little more input to get the kite to turn than some, but in a reassuring way. There's no accidental steering traits, which makes it good for more basic riders as well. It's rock-solid through the gusts as well when conditions turn flukey and weird. Looking to unhook? Go for it. Mr. F didn't back up on us once, just pulled nicely through the window. We loved the Prima Donna 3 last issue (yes, it was definitely the 3!), and the main difference we can find between Mr. F and the PD3 is the increased intensity of the kite loop on the latter. Other than that, kite loops are perfectly acceptable on this kite – it's just an extremely complete all-rounder.
SUMMARY:
We don't really have too much to criticise this kite for. Beginners and
intermediates can grow into its performance at their own pace, while advanced riders would have to be really good to not appreciate the fact that it really is a kite that does it all.
KW LIKED: The whole package.
KW WOULD CHANGE: The fact that we don't see more people riding
these kites.
SIZES: 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4.5m
www.jn-kites.com
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