09 sample kites arrived today. Look awesome, new graphics, a lot more detailed touch and better quality. Visit your local distributor to test. Production stock to arrive in the next 4 weeks. Full 09 clothing range also in shops.
I will as soon as the sun comes out. Blown them up indoors today but lighting wasnt good enough for good pics.
Lets see these shots!
Cant wait to get my hands on mine, you had one in the air yet padi?
Nope, waited for wind all day, but the sun was out so here are some pics -http://www.surfconnect.com/html/Shop/kiting/kites/Havoc09pics.htm
I like the looks of the bumpers on the LE. Looks very Solid/Sturdy. Good for self launching/drag launching. Very Nice.
Doesnt look like there is much changed at the bar end Smurfo, different graphics, but connection ends use thicker connection ropes/pig tails. Slightly bigger floaters too. There are also 3 bar sizes this year compare to 2 last - 45, 50 & 55cm, and it feels to have a bit more bar pressure.
I had the 08 Havoc pumped up next to it, the middle strut on the 09 is about 10cm longer, but the end ones are slightly shorter. It is meant to have a flatter profile too and fewer bridle lines, giving more lower end power whilst turning faster.
There are velcro straps on the inside of each wing tip corner for bridle lines storage. The other two black scraps on the inside of the canopy are for the bar to be tied onto, so it could be rolled with the kite with flying lines still attached.
Had a new 10m out briefly today in some very ****ty melbourne wind...
Will post a full review once I get a proper ride but so far everything looks awesome, a really nice refinement of the havoc 2. Construction looks sleek and bomber!
Hey Smerfo,
Where bouts in Melb you flying it? Wouldn't mind checking it out if your gonna put it up this weekend?
Hey mate,
I just messaged you my number give me a buzz this weekend and if we find some wind you can come take her for a spin. Anyone else who is keen for a look just PM me.
Will probably be around brighton / stkilda depending on the wind...
Took the 12m Havoc out today and I am sold! The kite flies exceptionally well in the lower end (8kts) and when wind picked up I was staying up wind better than a 14 & another 15 on the water - I was shocked! Wind was pretty marginal today, 8-15 max, rode a Recoil Comp 137 (my light wind machine).
The kite is very well built, great graphics. The bridle configuration changed. It has one line less and the front lines seem to have a outer point of balance. The arc seems flatter too, so that should give us better range and depower. Overall it is very well made, with lots of detailed attention, such as cable ties protection, reinforced LE, bumpers all along the LE etc. The different profile and new bridle design makes the kite better boosting and faster turning. I like the idea of the 2 in-built straps to wrap the bar up with kite whilst leaving the lines attached to the kite.
Bar has a bit more pressure than last year’s, so you have a much more direct feel of the kite. I was able to work the kite really well and precisely. Kite loops easy as. The bar has bigger floaters, longer donkey's dik, chicken loop looks slightly smaller (but need to measure to confirm). The new bar size (50cm) gave very good pivoting for the 12. Best thing was, the kite did not stall at all even when I pulled the bar in totally. What a beauty! I think I can save a few shouting to students ‘let the bar out!’ with this kite.
Very user friendly, combined with great built quality and performance, I conclude the 09 Havoc a very suitable kite for beginners all the way to top riders. Well done LF, you have produced another clear winner for 2009.
I totally agree with padi on this one! One word....... AWSOME!!!!!
I personally did not like the feel of the 08 havocs, I just couldn’t get the feel of them, just wasn’t the kite for me. So I chose to ride the hi-fi’s and loved everything about them (mostly the fact that they don’t stall). But after today’s session.... WOW..... Liquid Force has done a terrific job in creating the 09 havoc. There is slightly more bar pressure, so you feel allot more in control of the kite. I was able to ride with the bar pretty much all the way in and it DIDN’T STALL!!
I was amazed! There is allot more re enforcing in this kite which means if you’re like me and love trying new tricks but don’t like the big bang when you stack, it’s perfect. It relaunches as good as the 08 havocs, which is incredibly fast! This kite is pretty much a combination of all the things I love about the liquid force kites! After today’s session I think I have been converted....Oh and how sweet are the graphics! The 2009 havoc is by far liquid force’s best job yet!
P.s. was riding in same conditions as padi except with a 133 recoil and bindings!! I also found it heaps easier to stay upwind on the 12 2009 rather than the 14 2008 havoc.
It's back up, loaded the existing one back. It's taking ages to upload all the products on the new site. Shouldnt be far off though ;) Doing a bit a day when wind is not blowing lol.
Also changed link for pics for the 09 Havoc: http://www.surfconnect.com/html/Shop/kiting/kites/Havoc09pics.htm
Hi Guys,
Yesterday I took the 09 12m havoc out at wello point and have to say I really like it! First of all it looks sick! It was black and red and had wicked new graphics 
. The second thing I noticed about the havoc is that it is really fast! Most of the time I ride my 9m rebel which is also a VERY fast kite but this thing is almost as quick, and its 3m bigger! It is also very stable and doesn't stall! Although the wind was definetly on the dodgy side yesterday but the kite relaunched effortlessly by doing a "HOT" launch, ie with the kite LE up and the kite directly downwind and also by doing the normal launch. Yesterday we also had the 14m 08 havoc out and the new havoc was almost producing as much power because you could sign it really quickly. The kite also has a very responsive direct feel so you always no where the kite is sitting. The new havoc is definitely a kite to watch out for in 09!
Had the privillage of riding the 10m 09 Havoc in the Mackay comp on the weekend.
I thought the kite was awesome. Great turning speed, very fast to relaunch. This year the kite is tuned much better, it tends not to stall when unhooking. Also has sweet graphics
Overall i found it to be an awesome kite and will probably be changing my kite to one of these for this season.
That is great to hear Kozz and well done in coming 2nd in the Mens Open division!
Finally tested the 12m yesterday at wello in some 20 kts condition. It is stable as and my gawd, what great feel and control. Boosting was a pleasure and the kite did not stall once with bar pulled right in, hooked/unhooked. I am sold.
We have 100 Havocs arriving in 2 weeks. Contact your local store if you want to get one! Also 09 HiFis & Session samples arriving very shortly.
Plan to run demo at Wello this Friday/Satuday if its blowing a westerly, else the pool. Anyone keen in Brissy come along!
i had a ride on the 8m for like 10 minutes before busting my knee in a megaloop. the conditions were literally a sold 30 +.. bellz was powered on a 4m reactor!
the kite was super stable for the gusty conditions at safety bay that day, i was gettin lifted by the gusts if i ddnt sheet out (just as a reference for how powered i was) and wen i was riding i could feel like i had full control on the kites powere not only by sheeting but also with my edge, if you really edged upwind you could force the kite forward well. i was well impressed by the feel of that kite and i cant wait for my knee to heal and have a proper go in good conditions to try it unhooked. by what i felt from the kite on sunday i would almost pick those over the hifi for my style of riding. i honestly cant say ive ever flown a more stable kite in those kind of conditions.
wen i busted the knee i had to body drag back in with a bindings board.. sit on the beach and wait for bells to come in to help me land, the beach was semi sheltered by head land in the direction at the time and conditions wer super gusty but not once did the kite luff or do anything un predicable. I actually CANNOT WAIT to try this kite again and give it a real run
Demo at Wello tomor 12nn start. Anyone in Brissy welcome to come along to see the latest 09 kites in action.
Retail prices have not been set yet, should be done within the next couple of weeks. We have 100 Havocs arriving in 2 weeks. 09 prices should have a 5-10% increase to 2008's. 2008's prices are:
HiFi:
9m $1599 complete with bar & lines
12m $1649 ""
Havoc:
10m $1649 complete
12m $1699 ""
The '09 kites sound great! Does the bar have a swivel this year? Do you know when the boards are coming out and if there will be a recoil/aura PRO/COM model for '09?
Thanks,
Mayhem
No swivel on bar Mayhem, and yes, some boards are ready to ship and there are a few pro models once again and there's even one with metal rails 
Get those sliders out!
