Want to see the new StarKites 2009 range?  Check out the photos here!  This year StarKites are running with a two kite range.  The Starkites SBOW for the beginner to intermediate rider learning to kitesurf and the StarKites ExA for the intermediate to advanced rider looking for a kite with the safety of the SBOW, but a more agressive and powerful kite that will give you a bit of a thrill on the water.  This is the first time we have seen an SBOW or ExA, the kites are full of extra little details and features that we found impressive. 

HQ have just released their 2009 catalog featuring a series of new kites!  New for 2009 is the HQ Beamer IV, extending on the worldwide success of the Beamer III.  The Beamer IV will be available from February.  They continue with their closed cell inflatable kite the NEO, and introduce a closed cell trainer kite designed for learning in the water that can be relaunched.  In addition to this they have updated their three line relaunchable land trainer kite.  We have put the whole catalog up so you can download and have a browse of their 2009 range!  

We have some of the first photos of the Ozone Instinct 2009 kites, featuring the Ozone Instinct Edge RX, Ozone Instinct Sport Plus and Ozone Instinct Light XC.  The photos of the kites are clearly pre-production level, so there is still possibility for some changes.  It is confirmed that they are shipping with 4 lines, no longer the 5 line system of the previous 3 years.  Ozone is also now using a through the bar safety flag out system.  The new kites are featuring a print design similar to the new Ozone Flow.

The new Sysmic S1 buggy has hit the beach for one of its first runs!  The new buggy is the product of a French designed and Chinese produced collaboration from BuggyKiteShop.  A few months ago photos of the Sysmic S1 and Sysmic S2 buggy (click here) appeared online of the buggy nearing production level.  The buggy received some criticism for its design, however continues to offer small features that make it unique to buggies already on the market.  We now have photos of the production level buggy, complete and flying on a beach!

Ozone Instinct 2009 Kites are due for release in January!  The 2009 model Ozone Instincts continue with the same naming structure as 2007 and 2008, with an Ozone Instinct Light, Sport and Edge.  Bringing the whole Ozone range in line with similar artwork and designs the Ozone 2009 kitesurfing kites will share similar graphics to the 2009 Snowkites (Click Here) and the new Ozone Yakuza GT (Click Here).  The kites will feature a new tip profile aiming to achieve a greater direct feel to the kite through the bar.  The bar system is getting another upgrade, still retaining the moulded Ozone chicken loop it will now have a through the bar flag out safety system.

Ozone have designed a new kite "for any conditions any rider" called the Flow.  The Ozone Flow is a fixed bridle kite that can be flown on either handles or a fixed bridle bar.    The kite will be available in a colour per size configuration of four different sizes being 2m, 3m, 4m and 5m.  The Ozone Flow will be suitable to Buggying, Landboard, Snowkiting or just general flying.  Interesting on the design is that this seems to be the first kite that Ozone are using the mesh over the front vents, it is possible that this may become a trend for future Ozone kites.  The benefits of this are not only that it stops debris from entering the kite, it also holds the opening of the cell shape near perfect to the design.

Windwing have just finished their runs of the 2009 Batwing kites.  We have uploaded some initial photos of the kites before our testing and review.  Initial opinions of the kite are well built and well finished, from tip to tip of the kite.  There are reinforcements in places such as the trailing corners of the kite and bumpers over the leading edge.  The kite comes standard as "Multi Pump" without the One-Pump system.  However in the backpack there is a kit which you can plug in to the kite to make it all One-Pump.  This is good news for those who prefer One-Pump and those who don't.  The bar has a clam cleat adjustable depower on the chicken loop, and offers a jerk off style release.

Peter Lynn have been developing a new Race Buggy for kiters, most likely to accompany their new Peter Lynn Race kite that is due shortly.  The new race buggy from Peter Lynn uses a clamped rear axle, with cross-bracing on the rear of the side rails to add strength and stability.  The read axle is designed to also lower the rear point of the buggy from the wheels, bringing it closer to the ground.  Seen also on the buggy are support rails below the side rails, these were first seen on early buggies from Peter Lynn offering strength to their design.  

Nobile have released three different models for 2009.  The Nobile NHP, 555 and now the Shinn.  Not much information is known about the kites aside from what we can draw from the photos.  The new Shinn seems to have no center strut, and to be a 4 strut design with the two center struts fairly close together.  The NHP looks slightly higher aspect then last years kite, with both the NHP and 555 still retaining a similar look to last year.

We have some photos to share of the new Peter Lynn Composite Axle.  The new Axle is aimed at Freestyle Buggy Jumpers, allowing them to have an axle the flexes and returns to its original shape.  Presently axles are made out of steel, which upon hard impacts bends and does not return to its original shape.  Interesting with the new Peter Lynn Composite Axle is the use of stainless steel between the composite and having it clamped down.  The axle has a "Carbon" look to it, however it is highly unlikely that it is made from carbon fiber.  Peter Lynn are fairly tight lipped at this stage on the material used in their composite axle.