Product Watch - Kites

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

Naish have completely redeveloped and reengineered the Helix for 2009.  The new Naish Helix is no longer a 7 strut design kite, rather they have gone to 5 struts and increased the turn speed of the kite.  The new kite is more of a sigma shape then previous and compared to the Cult 2009.  The new Naish Helix 2009 is also lower aspect this year giving the kite better glide and hang time.  The kite also comes with the new 2009 Naish Bar and is supplied on 4 lines, however the kite itself is 5 line ready for riders that prefer the 5th line.  Check out the video as it has some great footage of the new Naish Helix 2009!

Ruben Lenten has released a video flying the new 2009 Fuel at The Gorge.  In typical LEN10 style it features huge airs, massive kite loops and powered wake style tricks.  The new Slingshot Fuel 2009 has a changed profile which gives the kite more constant power, a greater low end then previous models and now the kite recovers better from looping.  Originally Ruben Lenten was presented with different profile Fuels from Slingshot, he spent time riding them in the Gorge and out of the various profiles and designs the Fuel 2009 is the one he choose.  Check out the video!

Finally photos and news of the 2009 Eclipse Thruster.  As of late Eclipse have spent a lot of time marketing the new Nano and Kima kites for 2009 whilst questions on the Thruster were put in the queue.  Last year Eclipse had success with the 2008 Thruster, in 2009 the changes seem subtle reflecting a more refined Thruster this year.  To accompany the new Eclipse Thruster is the Morph bar which now features below the bar depower and colour coding Green and Red bar ends.  This year Eclipse is planning a great brand presence in Australia which should lead to the availability of more demos!