Rider: 78kg Intermediate
Style: Free riding
Weather: 26 to 30 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: Team rider Kite power Queensland
Took ownership of a 14m and 10m 2012 Rally on the week end. Had a session on the 10m and one on the 14m on saturday in wind from 18 dropping off to12 knots which gave me the feeling the 14m is pretty much the same as last years. I am yet to ride this kite for any length to pass judgement. The 10m which i did not use from last year was allot of fun in 18 knots, but today got to try it properly in 26 to 30 knots. I was reluctant to use it as the wind was really gusty and there were squally sections coming through constantly. I used a friends 8m rally in these winds normally but decided to take it for a spin.
I was surprised at how controllable the kite was with a little trim on, i had no problem riding through gusts with one hand. It has about the same par pressure as last year which is fairly light and riding in small choppy waves generated by the wind were fun, not getting pulled off the waves as the kite sits nicely down the line. It jumps nice with enough hang time for my liking and docent drop you like a brick like some smaller kites i have tried. Slingshot said they had ironed out some of the minor problems of last year like the flutter from the trailing edge when taken through the window at speed and the weird jerky motion they had in really gusty conditions. Not that either of these things affected the performance of the kite but neither of them happen on the new model.
They sit very stable and are very predictable. The kite itself has had the tips where the outside lines attach beefed up so the nots dont rub if you have them around the wrong way like last year. It would take a life time for them to rub through there now. I cant tell you how the re launch is as i didnt ditch the kite today. I snuffed one jump and when i surfaced the kite was still in the air. I am assuming it will re launch as effortless as the 2011. The bar is the same as last years except they have changed the colour on each bar length. They have done a good job at matching bar length with kite size as the 8, 10, 12 and 14m kites all pivot turn fast.
This kite is a great for free ride and waves and i would totally recommend anyone looking for a stable and predictable kite to demo one.
