Forums > Kitesurfing Gear Reviews

2012 Best GP 13m

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Created by Charl dv > 9 months ago, 5 Nov 2011
Charl dv
WA, 2485 posts
5 Nov 2011 7:13PM
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Rider: 86kg, advanced
Style: Wakestyle
Weather: 12-18 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: ?/10
Disclosure: Team Rider

My Comments:
Ok so i have changed brands a fair few times over the last years always just chasing kites that i like over the hook up that i can get from other brands etc.

I have also never been a fan of big kites and generally dreaded the days that I have to pump up something bigger than an 11 as with bindings and riding a solid wakeboard it generally meant i was never going to go up wind.

This 13 really changed my mind though and it reminded me how much fun lighter sessions on bigger kites could be!
On a comparison to my 11m Airush Razor I had last season it clearly had a significantly better low end being a 13, but the turning speed was on par if not faster than my 11 (I had it set on the middle turning setting where my razor was normally on the fastest and this still felt on par if not faster).

The fact that I was riding upwind better than most of the other guys out that day on 10 - 15m kites on my Watson Hybrid wakeboard vs their flatter/ significantly more efficient kiteboards was a big surprise to me as i'd normally have to walk all the time when i rode big kites. I still had to do a few walks when the wind dropped down to 12 knots but so did everyone else, once it hit 15 i was powered and pumping upwind and could carry enough speed to unhook and do basic tricks.

pop was quite predictable and steady. I will have to test it in proper winds though or on a kiteboard because my wakeboard only works well when i'm over powered.

I have had two sessions on it now, both in very marginal conditions and i actually had a lot of fun. Will update when I ride my 9 and when I get the 13 out in steady good winds.

birxi86
WA, 6 posts
10 Nov 2011 7:38PM
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Hi,

just found that review of the GP
kiteforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2372879
I tried the 7m & 9m recently in Tarifa and it's a great C-kite.. i was riding the Torch before but that one has a very good depower as well and the slack in the lines when u pop is awesome!
Try it!

Charl dv
WA, 2485 posts
10 Nov 2011 8:16PM
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I tried my 9 on the weekend in very shyte conditions. had it set with the front lines on the furthest back settings.

it was insane, was soo good to hit kickers with and it gave pretty intense slack after the pop. I really want to get both the 9 and 13 on flat water in some good winds to give them a proper test so that i can compare them to other kites but so far i am pretty damn stoked.

Charl dv
WA, 2485 posts
21 Nov 2011 11:25AM
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Had a couple of solid session on the 9m now.

It has a pretty big unhooked windrange and it doesn't work you too hard when you stuff up in stronger winds which is nice. Pop is pretty damn big and very consistent as well, bar slacks off and it stays slack for a bit longer than i'm used to which makes trying new tricks while you're over powered a lot easier.

Best really stepped it up with this kite and it's definitely a main contender in the C kite ranges. It's definitely worth a try and if you see me down the beach come ask and i'll let you have a fly of mine.

Satisfaction is a solid 10



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