During HQ Powerkites' trip to Fano they unveiled their new race kite called the Prodigy on the beach.  We first reported on the new HQ race kite back in July 2008 and now the first photos of the kite have appeared.  The new kite is said to be an easy handling race kite offering maxium performance.  Feedback on the kite has been its stability and remarkable upwind performance of the kite.  At the event in Fano the pilots on the new HQ Prodigy race kite were reaching speeds just shy of 100km/h with the changing wind conditions.

We have photos of the complete Naish 2010 lineup.  This year Naish will be introducing a geo-tech delta kite called the Charger to their range.  Along with the new kite Naish are also releasing a new board called the Momentum available in 130cm, 132cm and 134cm lengths.  Some nice photos of the new Naish Helix 2010 with the geo-tech removed for a different design this year.

Perhaps there's something inside Flexifoil HQ that the general public don't know about, with names such as the Asylum, Anarchist and Hooligan we're surprised they didn't release a Terrorist.  These are the names given to Flexifoil's new lineup of kiteboards and footpads released on their new website today.  The Anarchist being an all round freeride board and the Hooligan being aimed more towards the freestyle and pro level riders.  The Asylum Footstraps are flexifoil's new "backless binding" setup with air cushion heels.

Some more photos of the North Vegas 2010 kites have appeared, this time with production graphics on the kites.  The new kites nearly have and "old skool" look to them with the colours schemes.  So far there is a Blue and Orange scheme, White and Black colour scheme and finally a Brown, Green and White colour scheme.  We also believe there will be a Yellow, White and Green colour scheme based on the earlier North Vegas 2010 Prototype photos.  The colours are accompanied by a nice touch of off-centered graphics on the kite.

Naish have continued with their Sigma series for 2010, with photos of the new Naish Helix 2010 showing a more rounded look to the elbows on the leading edge.  The print on the Helix looks interesting, being non-symmetrical with middle sections of the canopy being different colours.  There are photos of the new 2010 Twin Tips and Wave Kiteboards and a photo of the new Torch.  The footpads on this years Twin Tips look different, nearly like a deluxe style sandle. 

U-Turn have released an update to the Oxigen line of kites with the Oxigen III featuring U-Turn's new PPNplus Technology on the kite.  PPNplus is the use of small synthetic rods sewn to the cell walls and the center of the cell openings to keep them at an open and defined shape throughout the flight of the kite.  The Oxigen III is the complete replacement to the Oxigen Basic and Oxigen Pro and will be available in 2.5m, 3.5m, 4.5m, 5.5m, 6.5m, 7.5m, 9.0m sizes.  

The new Flysurfer Speed3 kite has been seen in a video with what looks like final production prints and designs on the kite.  Previously the kite had been seen in a gold and black colour, now the blue and white Speed 3 can be seen.  The kite is on the Flysurfer Infinity Bar and will feature the Flysurfer Triple Depower on the kite.  The new kites look incredibly high aspect similar to the older Speed 2 however much squarer in the wingtips.

The new ION4 kite from Flexifoil has made its way out the factory doors and in to the hands of kiters!  The new kites have a similar design to the previous model with a new pattern on them.  The kites also also seen to have no center strut, similar to the Hadlow Pro 2009 model kite from Flexifoil.  This year Flexifoil seem to be making aim at creating a more versatile kite, with both fast and slow turning settings on the back of the kite, and also featuring Freeride and Freestyle settings on the front of the kite. Flexifoil have also continued to use the One-Pump system on the new kites.

North have been the first to have photos of their new 2010 kites leak out in public, after having the prototype North Vegas 2010 and North Evo 2010 appearing for a session.  The 2008 Vegas was one of the most popular C-Kites for the year, with the 2009 having a few changes the pickup wasn't as good for North as in 2008.  The new 2010 Vegas looks like it has been changed in some aspects back to a more similar 2008 model.  The kite looks slightly higher aspect then the 2009 and also a deeper wingspan.  The other photos around the Vegas are most likely of the North Evo 2010.

Photos and information about the new upcoming Flexifoil Blade V is starting to make its way out with the first demos appearing.  There's still no official word direct from Flexifoil at this stage and information is scarce.  However what we do know so far unofficially is that the kites will be available in three sizes, 4.0m, 4.9m and 6.5m.  The kites will be offered one colour per size, so three colours will be made available.  Rumors continue that Flexifoil is due to release the kites somewhere between August and September.

U-Turn originally came from a paragliding background then moved to also incorporate land kites, now they are following that progression with the introduction of a new kite aimed for kitesurfing called the "Q" kite.  The new "Q" kite from U-Turn has no center strut and looks to be another delta kite release reading "an almost straight trailing edge with a swept back (arrow shaped) leading edge and a deep C-curve."  The new kite is a 4 line setup available in multiple sizes ranging from 5m to 14m with the accompanying "IQ" control bar.

U-Turn is bringing another technical advancement to its kites called PPNplus (Precision Profile Nose).  The leading edge of their Paragliders and Kites will have synthetic rods sewn in to the cell walls and across the center of the cell openings.  The synthetic rods keep the cells open wider and increase stability of the kite by keeping the same opening structure optimising the wind flow over the kite canopy.  U-Turn are using the PPNplus technology opposed to Mylar which they state by reducing the Mylar they have reduced canopy weight increasing the sail's performance.

HQ have released the new Beamer IV.  This is the 4th generation of this kite adding to its refinement and this year has had a number of enhancements to make it an even better package.  First off the kites have a new colour scheme and are made one colour per size making identification of the kites easy!  The new kites whilst still being user friendly are offering greater performance and will produce a little more power and be slightly more responsive per size.  Whilst HQ have improved the performance of the kite they have still minimised the lift from the kite and increased its stability so that it is still suited for beginners to intermediate kiters.

Kitemag Issue2 should now be hitting your letter boxes!  If you haven't registered already for a FREE copy of Kitemag then jump on quickly before they literally run out.  This edition has a complete wrap up from Labour Day to a bit of banter with George Balas (Spartan) our local doom blade resident.  On the front cover of this edition is Aaron Hadlow, 5x world kitesurfing champion now aiming for his sixth title!  There's lots of local info and this edition has even got your future catered for with a copy of Hooky's horoscopes for kiters!  Well done to the team at KiteMag showing us once again why this is Australia's No.1 magazine for kiters!

New photos of the Eolo Radsails Savage II have appeared from the Atmosphere event in the United Kingdom.  The photos show a new Radsail featuring the Savage printed graphics with a custom colour scheme being flown by kite designer Andy Preston.  The kite appears to be featuring the unsleeved bridling that appeared on the Savage, changes seem possible due to parts of the old bridle having red dyneema sections.  The new Savage II seems to hold a similar shape and profile to the Savage indicating further refinement of their design.

Flysurfer have been busy working on the new Speed3, we have some of the first photos of this kite!  The photos show a kite with new production graphics on it and the title "Speed3" on the wingtip.  Notably the new kite has different shaped wing tips to the original Speed2, where they are now squarer on the new Flysurfer Speed3.  It is unknown if the design being featured is part of the new "Deluxe" options from Flysurfer with the Gold, White and Black colouring.  There is no mention of the technical aspects of the Speed3 yet, however it is expected the new Speed3 will share the variable aspect ratio technology that was featured for the first time with the Psycho IV release from Flysurfer.

Earlier today a new Kite Buggy World Speed Record was set on Lake Ivanpah at the North American Buggy Expo (NABX) by pilot Arjen v.d. Tol (H42).  A small group of XXtreme pilots made their way over from Holland to the NABX event hoping to produce some fruitful results with the new Peter Lynn Vapor race kites.  The end result for the day was Arjen v.d. Tol setting a kite buggy world speed record of 117.16 km/h (72.8 mp/h) on the Vapor 3.8m.  Their goal before the end of the NABX event is to push towards 125 km/h.

We were the first to report on the Ozone Yakuza GT July 2008 where prototypes of the kite were spotted. Earlier this week Ozone had removed a number of fixed bridled land kites from their website.  Leaving the IMP, Flow and the aging Ozone Yakuza online, this seemed like quite an odd mix.  However this has self-explained itself with the release of the new fresh looking Ozone Yakuza GT.  The new Yakuza will come in 11 different sizes being 2.5m, 3.0m, 3.7m, 4.5m, 5.5m, 6.8m, 8.3m, 10.0m, 12.0m, 14.0m and a huge 17.0m!  

Perhaps this would have been the best kept secret for 2009, PKD are going to be releasing an update to the PKD Century Soulfly.  Since the birth of the PKD Combat it was assumed that this was the successor to the PKD Soulfly, however as it seems PKD are now going to release the Soulfly II which will be placed between the PKD Brooza and PKD Combat.  The new PKD Soulfly II looks like it has evolved from the original Soulfly with the graphics having a similar pattern.  The German PKD Team Riders have been testing prototypes of the kites which are due for availability in approximately August.

The new Hadlow Pro for 2009 is here with the Hadlow Pro Website getting an update and a feature trailer with a new video of the kite put together by renowned editor Andy Gordon.  The new kite will be available in 5.5m, 7.0m, 9.0m, 11.0m and 13.0m sizes.  The wingtips on the larger sizes are now inflatable with the smaller sizes being optional to include a baton.  There is no center strut on the kite, however it does have 6 struts, three on each side not including the inflatable tips.  If Hadlow Pro kites aren't limited enough already there is news that the kite will also be available in a dark colour scheme of mainly black, red and gray. 

This is your chance to win a a Silver Fox 2.3 UL sport kite!  BrisKites is giving away a kite aimed at the Intermediate to Advanced freestyle flyer.  The Silver Fox 2.3 UL features Ventex Polyester sail, lightweight dynamic wrapped carbon rods and a pre-installed set of weights, ballast and yoyo stoppers.  BrisKites is also throwing in a professional set of sport kite lines so you can feel directly in control of the kite.  

New photos of the Flyboards 2009 range of kiteboards have started emerging.  The new boards have a modern and an old authentic look to them mixed together to make them look absoloutely spectacular.  There were rumors circulating that Flysurfer will be adding another board to their range this year, however only photos of the new Flyboards 2009 Radical M, S and Door have appeared so far.  The new Radical boards have nice rounded edges and slightly tapered ends.  There is also an indented area on the sides of the boards for grabbing the edges during board offs.  The new Door has a concave rail so the board tapers in through the middle of the board and is wider at the tips.

Australia has a new dedicated magazine called Kitemag, we were sent a copy to have a read and naturally to try and persuade us that this is THE magazine for Australian kiters.  We had a good read of the magazine and for the first time it felt like here was a magazine that was well written, well illustrated and didn't suffer the verbal diarrhea that so many other kite magazines suffer from.  This is now unsurprising as we find out the team behind Kitemag has years of experience with professional editing and producing for Newspapers around the country.

New photos of the Peter Lynn Vapor Race Kite have emerged!  The new kite looks a level up again for Peter Lynn with the graphics on the new race kite looking stunning.  The kite has a considerably high aspect ratio and a high cell count.  The photos show the final Peter Lynn prototype kites where the race team did their final testing day before choosing which kite for production.  Peter Lynn has now settled on a design and the kites will be entering production shortly.  The Peter Lynn Vapor to date has been the best kept secret with only a handful of articles and very few photos, with none showing the production graphics until now!

Rumors were circulating that Ruben Len10's kite gear had been stolen from the back of his car., this has now been confirmed.  Ruben's kites are all custom, marked with "Len10" on them.  They thieves managed to steal Ruben's 5m, 6m, 7m, 9m, 11m, 13m Fuels, two boards, three bars, onboard camera and a number of other items.  As the thieves are clearly not the brightest, if you see any of this gear for sale online please contact Ruben via his website.

Flexifoil are releasing a new Kitesurfing kite called the Neutron in March 2009.  The new kite from Flexifoil is aimed "for all levels of rider."  Instead of being a particuarly focused kite it is an allround kite.  With no news of the 2009 Atom update it is possible that the kite is replacing the Flexifoil Atom as it keeps in line with the naming trend of "Atom, ION, Neutron."  However the Flexifoil Atom 09 and ION4 are rumored to have a 4 strut setup, similar to that of the Hadlow Pro 2009.  So the release of the Neutron may see Flexifoil running a 4 kite water range for 2009.  The Neutron will be available in 3.0m,  5.0m, 7.0m, 9.0m and 12.0m. See the photos!

Alright, maybe he's not the Janitor however he is the Product Manager, Jan Henrik and HQ's designer Tom Bordeau have been in Utah snowkiting as part of the HQ World Tour.  With nice blue skies, light winds and time to play Jan Henrik and Tom made their way up to Skyline, one of the great snow kiting locations in Utah.  After a day of play some photos were taken showing just how fruitful the new line of HQ kites is proving around the world.  Like anyone at HQ, they are passionate about their kites and the photos really show them spreading their wings.  Take a look!

Ozone have released a video featuring the 2009 Ozone Instinct Kite range.  The video features the Ozone Instinct Edge RX, Sport Plus and Light XC.  The new kites are 4 line, no longer a 5 line setup with the previous model instincts.  The new bar from Ozone now features a through the bar safety that is integrated on to the Megatron chicken loop.  The kites feature similar graphics to the Ozone Snowkite range.  Quietly Ozone has also updated the IMP series with the new IMP III Quattro, Two line and Trainer kite.  Watch the video for more info!

Kite Buggying's biggest pretty boy has had an update to his website, with a complete makeover!  Flexifoil buggy team rider Craig Sparkes has released his new personal website which has all the typical team rider sections to it, however has also thrown in a Videos section as well as a Downloads section for your entertainment.  Craig, who is feverishly technical in a buggy has brought that to his website.  The new look is fresh and displays Craig's style within the sport of making sure he's the best dressed buggy kiter out there! 

Mathias Wichmann has released 12 small instructional videos called "The How to Project."  In these short videos Flysurfer team rider Mathias Wichmann goes through and explains through each video what the rider should be focused on to score the move.  These twelve videos are aimed for those looking to learn new tricks and go through Backmobes, Slim Chances' and S-Bends etc.  You can go through them one by one, watch and download them for further study later on.

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. 

Demo as many kites as you want for just $10!  Are you interested in a new kite but not yet sure about pruchasing it?  Need some hands on convincing that it's the right kite for you?  As of today you can book yourself a demo of the kites we have available, the kites are sent to you for two weeks for you to try, test and if you wish review as well!  

Put a chill down your spine, watch this slowed down version of Sebastian Bubmann throwing a kiteloop in front of a Casio EX-F1 photo camera.  The Casio EX-F1 is a high-speed camera that capture still frames at 60 frames per second up to an insane 1200 frames a second video.  Sebastian was at the Triple-S event at Cape Hatteras and this is part of the footage taken.  You can see every bit of detail, ever drop of water splash, every bit of time suspended!  Take a look at the video and enjoy!

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.

Flysurfer has released a press release on a new kite called the "Outlaw."  The new Flysurfer Outlaw is an open cell Snow and Land kite.  This is an interesting release by Flysurfer as they are featured as a premier builder of Closed Cell foil kites suitable for land, water and snow.  The new Flysurfer Outlaw brings with it a number of features found on their closed cell kites such as their Jet-Flap Technology, Auto Bleed Over control removing sand, rain and other foreign objects from the kite, and their Total Depower System.  

Well our first competition since launching the new website has come and gone, so now it's time to share the prizes.  First off we would like to thank our two sponsors for the competition, Briskites and NSD Powerball Australia.  We appreciate the support from them for the competition and helping bring some joy to those entering!  Now on to the winners, all entries were printed, put in to a shaving bag and drawn at random.

North have released the new 2009 Vegas video and information is on their website!  The new North Vegas 2009 kite has a lower aspect then the previous model and is aimed as a more freestyle kite opposed to a freeride kite.  The new Vegas is still aimed at offering a high depower C-Kite with a Freestyle Newschool setup and a Freestyle High Depower setup.  You have the option of riding the kite in 4 line or 5 line mode using the North 5th Element bar.  Sizes available are 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 which indicates North will not be offering a 16m version of the Vegas as they did in 2008.

This could be "The" Buggy Off!  Luke Southern from New South Wales has attempted to achieve what usually happens by accident, purposefully.  Sporting his moves on a Flysurfer Psycho3 Luke was attaining enough height and hangtime to be able to remove the buggy from his body, float then reattach the buggy below him on his way down creating the "Buggy Off."  There's a few photos from a short sequence and video to follow.

Pro Limit have just released the Aaron Hadlow Pro Model 2009 Harness.  The new harness has a different shape to last years and a new neoprene kidney belt.  Also featuring on the 2009 harness is the MPL 4 way webbing bar, extended spreader bar pad and an easy safety release on handle pass cord.

We think it's best you check your 2009 chicken loop!  A small number of 2009 BEST chicken loops have been shipped with a possible non-functioning quick release mechanism.  The problem has arisen where part of the internal section of the chicken loop is injected with "thread lock."  A small amount of excess in some cases has seeped out after the injection gluing the eject sleeve to the chicken loop.  If you were an early adopter of the 2009 BEST bar or chicken loop you can simply test this by activating the release on the chicken loop and seeing if it releases.

Ocean Rodeo team rider Jeremie Tronet has released a new online dvd called Freestyle DVD.  Together with team rider Linn Svendsen they travell many islands and kiteboarding hot spots exploring the lifestyle, culture and of course the unique kiteboarding scene each has to offer.  You can watch the full dvd online or choose to downloading in High Definition.  The whole online DVD has been directed, filmed and produced by Jeremie.