Hello,
I had the opportunity to test fly the latest Flysurfer kite, the Psycho4, in 10 m, and thought I would share my thoughts on this kite.
Rider: 75kg, 5th season
Board: Nobile 666 board (132 cm x 41 cm)
Style:
- Rider: Freeriding, jumping and speed
- Kite: Flysurfer promotes the kite as a freestyle and wakestyle kite. I add "waveriding" to the list.
Weather: 12 to 15 knots, variable (see attached graph between 5:00pm and 7:00pm)
Build Quality: 9/10 - Flysurfers are generally built to last. I was still using my first kite (Flysurfer 7m Extacy, 5th birthday last October) in strong wind until very recently.
Satisfaction: 9/10 - I tested the Psycho4 only for 2 hours. The satisfaction level during this period was very high 
Disclosure: I have only flown Flysurfers during my kitesurfing life.
Previous kites (all Flysurfer): 4.5m Extacy (bought in 2004), 7m Extacy (2004), 10m Speed1 (2006), 13m Speed1 (2007).
My Comments on the Psycho4 (that I will call "P4" below)
- the line arrangement is relatively simple. In particular, there is no pulley. I would like to emphasise that, although the bridle system of Flysurfer kites is scary at first sight, tangling is generally not an issue (unless the beach is covered with seaweed).
- the P4 is really enjoyable and comfortable to fly,
- its great depower and super high turning speed allowed a very accurate flight in gusty conditions; the kite can be repositioned anywhere within the wind window in a microsecond;
- the wind conditions appeared gusty when I used a Flysurfer 10m Speed1, to the point that I came back to the beach to take a 8m Psycho3 when I was offered to use the 10m Psycho4. The wind, although variable, was very enjoyable with the P4.
- I have flown the 8m Psycho3 ("P3", last year model) only for a few hours on the day before, however, the 10m P4 and the 8m P3 seem to have similar reactivity and turning speed;
- it is an ideal kite for a very accurate, reactive and energetic flying style.
- great depower and high reactivity makes it a kite to play in waves;
- the kite flies very quick when sent back across the window, allowing powerful and high jumps;
- the pull on the bar is light to very moderate, which makes the kite comfortable to fly.
These are the main thoughts that came to my brain when I came back, happy
, to the beach.
Fred
