Extreme Kites - HQ Neo Kite

HQ Neo Kite

Kites

Saturday, 21 June 2008 | Written by Joel Theodore

HQ have been developing a new kite called the Neo. The new HQ Neo is a closed cell foil and is designed by Tom Bourdeau who had previously worked for Ozone. His work included the much anticipated Ozone Vision which made it as far as the product catalogues for 2008 before it was announced the kite would be delayed. Seven months later and the HQ team appeared at Atmosphere 08 flying the new HQ Neo prototypes and news that Tom Bourdeau is now working and designing for HQ Kites.

The then Ozone UK Distributor Chris Hill informed individuals via Appozone that the Ozone Vision would be delayed another year.

During the later stages of product testing Ozone decided that they were not 100% happy with every aspect of the kite.... So it's with a little regret that I have been asked to tell you that the Vision is on Hold until next year.

I will update you all on any developments as and when they happen.

However no updates were made by Ozone. This was disappointing for a number of people who were holding out waiting on the release of the Ozone Vision. There had already been videos of Chasta flying the kite circulating the internet. However as it seems the roots of the Ozone Vision did continue development, as Tom Bourdeau headed to work with HQ. It is important to point out that Ozone were aiming to design a fairly light-bridled closed cell foil. Comparing their plans for the Vision to the release of HQ's Neo shows a kite with far more bridles then originally seen on the Vision. It is quite possible Ozone may in fact decide to pickup development of the Vision to continue supporting their position as a leader amongst Snow Kiters.

With Flysurfer the market leaders in flat profile closed cell foils, and Peter Lynn with their popular closed cell Arc range of kites there may be room in the specialised development of closed cell foils by another manufacturer such as HQ. With over 50 different brands producing a combination of tube kites and ram air foils, the Closed Cell market is produced by less then a handful of companies.

HQ produce some excellent beginner and intermediate kites for land based kiters, and also produce some well designed depower snow kites. This is the first Closed Cell design to be seen from HQ and could be a new direction for their depower range of kites.

HQ Neo Kite