Rider: 80kg, 7 years
Style: Freeriding, Surf
Weather: 18-28knots
Disclosure: Used to work at a shop, team rider.
My Comments:
Lost my last review whilst try to upload, here goes take two. Will try and leave out the pimping keeping it straight to the point, if you would like any more info or comparisons just ask :)
Background:
Rode surfboards on a Generator 5.5m and 7.5m fixed unhooked for a couple of years, moved to Lithiums chasing something a bit easier to learn new things on, and for more freedom on the wave. Rode a Lithium 6m for the last 3 years, gave me a lot more freedom on the wave even hooked in, no more getting ripped down the line and missing sections. Made it heaps easier to learn new tricks, tacking etc. Easier getting upwind too. Used as my only kite even in super light winds on a skim board, when it started approaching 28knots I switched to a surfboard with a skinnier tail that could handle more speed.
First Impressions: Small LE, only 3 struts, kite feels light once pumped up, front bridle, direct attachment to the TE. The "aramid framing" is visible, you can see where the fibres have been sewn into the canopy, creates a large diamond/criss cross pattern.
Flight: Staright away it felt like a fun kite to fly, reminded me of a cross between the generator and the Lithium! A kite that you can fly actively, sin it whilst going upwind, flick it around etc. Seems extremely stable, very balanced in the sky whilst drifting as opposed to some of the front heavy delta kites. Unhooked seems to have a lot of potential, trim it and unhook you can edge against it to depower it and it turns nicely whilst unhooked, will have to test more over the coming weeks.
Turning: Kite turns faster than expected, turning mostly off the wingtip, carving through the sky as opposed to pivoting like a delta. While flying the kite I noticed myself flying the kite more than a delta style, sining it up and down, a style I much prefer, more hands on and quite fun.
Forward Speed:
The kite pulls forward in the window more than the Lithium, probably due to the finer foiling and small leading edge. Points higher upwind, effortlessly. When on the wave it makes a big difference, too powered coming into the bottom turn? Edge to push the kite forward into the window and depower it slightly before committing to the bottom turn. When approaching the face and going for the top turn if you're kite isn't in the perfect spot you won't get ripped off the wave mid top turn, instead the kite will fly forward smoothly, this made a huge difference when it was windy
Summary:
I'm stoked, a really fun kite to fly that i should still be able to downwind on in 15knots and use as my only kite. It's what I'd hoped for 3 years ago, generator performance that's easier to handle with a slightly larger wind range :)
Vishy good stuff, thanks for review.
Latest KW Mag claimed kite had a wide wind range.
80kgs downwind on a SB in 15knts thats good bottom end.
Seems a good measure be interested to hear if generally the modern surf kites all have that claim, except the BWS that would be the 5 to stay in line.
I'm not so into big air so smallest kite and surfboard appeals.
Yes it's a very precise and stupidly fast turning kite. Not sure on the 15knots at 80kg, but yeh it may be possible at 80kg. I wouldn't say you will be ripping. I flew it at that winds and it wanted more. 74 kg on a chop top. Apparently at the higher end it can go big if you wish.
Yeh I'd like to see more crew on this kite who enjoy surfboards (I hate them), as Airush make a fine kite indeed. Be good to hear some more on this from local riders.
Yeh I doubt you would be ripping in 15knots but it beats flying a 10m
It will be my only kite for the season(have been riding Lithium 6m for the last 3 seasons as my only kite), obviously going downwind you only need just enough power to tow into the waves. Although in all honesty I will probably be riding the skimboard in those sort of winds as it has the extra glide 
It will have a pretty high top end I would say, you can pull it forward in the window to depower it.
Well worth trying.
It will be my only kite for the season(have been riding Lithium 6m for the last 3 seasons as my only kite), obviously going downwind you only need just enough power to tow into the waves. Although in all honesty I will probably be riding the skimboard in those sort of winds as it has the extra glide
Got a chance to ride it in some lighter winds on Monday?, rode the skimboard on a downwinder.
Most kites seemed larger even on the downwinder.
Was still able to develop apparent wind and do some little ollies etc.
Skimming up the beach and hitting waves no worries, hooked and unhooked, kite seemed to drift ridiculously well when skimming down the beach in such light winds.
All in all I'm absolutely stoked
I just picked up a new 6m wave kite today. It was around 18kts, the sand was just moving, I thought I might struggle. Turned out to be fine, could go up wind no worries. ( Im 70kg)
Ive only used it the once and my initial thoughts are that Its a great kite. Nice and light on the steering, you can turn it from anywhere in the wind window so its easy to get it where you want it.
It drifts down the line well, but doest pull you as it does. It floats more that flys.
I dropped it a few times and was suprised how easy it came back up.
I also liked the rubber bar ends, should help the board when you bang it.
The only thing I wasnt a big fan of is the finger molded grips on the bar. Might grow to like them, but not straight off.
I get the feeling the more I use it the better I will like it.
Yeh I'm not a fan of the moulded finger thingies, turns a good diameter bar I into something too wide. But you get used to it. The bar system is very good. Try holding your kite at 12 and releasing, it pulls on both front lines and slowly comes to ground. Really excellent safety system when in nukin winds for a self land.
I really question the quality of the Airush Wave , I had the stitching come apart on the leading edge of my 9 meter after only a month, admittedly it did get hit by a wave but this never happened to my rebels, I think I will be selling it when i get the replacement and looking for another kite.
Mmm be careful not to generalise by one incident on a kite. It takes time to develop a trend of build quality.
But...I have had the rebel and the wave side by side and infact the rebel, Vegas and the VX, Lithuim and the Wave side by side.
There is no doubt the north construction is 'beefier', stronger looking. But this comes at a price, that is weight.
I'm almost at the stage I think the north kites could be considered over engineered. But there are arguments to and for.
You will not get the precision on nimbleness of the wave using the rebel, but to be fair you are comparing the rebel to a three strut kite. Best to compare it to the Neo really.
The Airush build is on the 'light ish' side but my argument is the build is all that is required.
You get to a point you want performance from the wing, which outweighs to a certain degree the strength of build. Any kite that gets hit by a wave can be destroyed, including a rebel.
But I do see you point, my rebel did get a beating or two (but not from when I was riding it though!!), can't choose your family !
