This is a wave dedicated kite, their best-selling model and easily
one of the most popular wave dedicated kites in the world.
Improvements from the V3 include greater low end power and
longer hang-time. The v4 combines solid stability, smooth and
endless depower with precise handling. When wave riding, the
Kahoona v4 serves up its best attributes, combining incredible
downwind drift, precise steering and huge depower.
Kite Mag: We asked Kristin Boese what she thinks of this kite.
“The Kahoona is great for travelling because it has a huge range.
It feels like it has less drag then last year’s Kahoona which makes
it even more comfortable to ride. I love the superfast turning speed
and responsiveness. It is very forgiving in gusty winds.”

This is the 3rd generation and Fluid’s freestyle and freeride kite. The Ego offers smooth, deliberate power and responsive direct turning. The bridle and wingtip enhancements along with the rock solid canopy has given the Ego improved turning and response, lighter bar feel and greater wind range while keeping the C like feeling at the bar. The 2012 bridle, aggressive open C shape allows depower of a hybrid giving the best of both worlds.
Kite Mag: The bar pressure on this kite is ridiculously light. The graphics are better than 2011 and so is the handling thanks to a thinner leading edge.

Since Henry Rebbeck and Oli Thorman ditched Flexifoil to start Mutiny
kites, the kites have won fans all over the world. The designers and
makers of the Hadlow Pro and Ion have now created another masterpiece,
the P-Series. This is a ultra-high performance kite for aspiring freestyle
riders. This kite delivers a crisp and direct feel on the bar. The P-Series
is ideal for grinding sliders, hitting kickers and learning the latest new
school moves.
Kite Mag: The Mutiny is one of the toughest kites on the market.
The simple design can be used by all riders, with all kites, in all conditions.
This means mean you’ll only ever need one bar which you can use with
any kite.

The big difference this year is the introduction of North’s new double rip stop material to their entire kite range. The Vegas is a versatile C shape kite, integrating uncompromised new-school/wake attributes with free-ride comfort.
Kite Mag: This is a competition C kite but one that you could easily progress from as a beginner. It has been three years since I’ve ridden a Vegas and the improvements are incredible. The kite handles better, is easier to relaunch and punchier than ever.

The 2012 Bandit V has just been unveiled. The diameter of the leading edge is 20 per cent smaller which makes the kite lighter and smoother. The profile is a lot flatter and bridle is shorter. The kite has impressed critics for its wave riding ability after testing in Mauritius. The graphics on the kite are the funkiest we have seen from F-One.

KITE MAG: Mat Colefax tested the B5 in Mauritius. The first report was that the kite has stepped up again from the B4. “Fans of the B4 will definitely not be disappointed, B5 is better again.”

The GP C kite is about raw performance and nailing every new trick you try. The GP is team rider designed, tuned, and tested and delivers an unbeatable combination of pop, responsive steering, and amazing unhooked feel.
The Patented Reflex leading edge design is unique to the GP and works just like suspension for your kite. The Reflex LE also gives the GP an extended canopy lift area giving you more lift for jumping and effortless drive for staying upwind in the competition zone.
KITE MAG: This kite is designed for new school and wakestyle riders. The GP’s Twin-Tune feature gives you multiple front and rear attachment point options so you can dial in more pop, better upwind ability, and more responsive handling for competition heats or detune your GP for practicing your latest tricks.

The Drifter’s minimal 3 strut design both hides and illuminates its brilliance. The three well placed struts keep the profile of the kite intact through constant angle of attack changes while reducing the weight. This light weight but durable kite is dedicated to surf, yet it shines as a freestyle kite for wakeskating, skimboarding or flat water freestyle. While surfing hooked or unhooked the Drifter makes the most of its excellent slack line drift ability. Slack line drift is the kite’s ability to stay aloft even when the lines are temporarily slackened by depowering.
KITE MAG: Pro rider Damien LeRoy says this about the Drifter. “If your area of expertise is the surf and you spend countless hours doing just that, then this is without a doubt the kite for you. If you spend a majority of your time in the surf and just a little time in flat water, then this is still the kite for you. If your flat water to surf equation is 50/50, you may want to think about the Cabrinha Vector or the Cabrinha Switchblade.”

 The F-One Trax 7 2012 brings outstanding planing and tremendous comfort in high wind conditions.
With unmatched upwind ability, acceleration is continuous yet remains controllable. The board absorbs all vibrations instead of passing it onto your legs. It has unbelievable directional stability and an astonishing precision when edging. It’s 3D bottom shape, composed of a double concave shape, lateral V and channels makes the Trax (VII) F-One’s fastest board.
KITE MAG: Combining a concave in the bottom part and a channel straightening the middle, the F-One Trax 7 has huge upwind potential. The concave absorbs the chops and improves the grip. The tip channel enhances the water flow exit, and relieves pressure on the back foot.

The Trigger is already well known and respected in the freestyle world. The addition of the Advanced Wave setting to the bridle is set to now position it amongst the top with wave riders. Setting the bridle in this position adds depower and seats the kite even more forward in the window. The kite is perfect for carving waves and has solid stability.
KITE MAG: The Trigger promotes progression especially for riders who are powerful, playful, and dynamic. If you like to do a little of everything on the water, the Trigger was designed to be your ideal kite. The 4th Generation Trigger continues to excel as a fast, nimble, and powerful all-around performance kite.

The 2012 FUEL is built on a 5 strut platform, making the kite incredibly rigid and stable in even the toughest conditions. The company have incorporated new trailing edge construction for extra protection to decrease wear.
KITE MAG: This is the weapon of choice for Ruben Lenten and our very own Andy Yates. A fuel was my first kite and this latest version has progressed in leaps and bounds. It’s great to have more depower on the bar.

If you are beginner and don’t want to buy second hand and spend the next six months repairing leaking bladders, valves etc etc....then consider the Volt.
This kite has been sensibly designed for new kiteboarders and has extra reinforced material on the leading edge to cope with wear and tear. It is a sensible addition which hasn’t added any real weight to the kite. This is tipped to be the beginners kite of the season.

Kite Mag: Thanks to its three struts, the kite is light. The bar control is precise (almost identical to Bandit IV) but also very forgiving to riders mistakes. It’s also very stable and offers a fast and efficient auto-relaunch which is exactly what you want if you are new to kiteboarding.

This kite is one of the most versatile on the market place. Best have stepped up to the challenge to make a kite which is suitable for beginners right through to experienced riders. The Best philosophy of making one kite for all riders has positioned the brand as one of the most popular in Australia. Responsive unhooked handling, great downwind drift, and auto-relaunch all combine to make the Kahoona the most evolved kite they have made so far.

Kite Mag: Best kites are built tough. You can be guaranteed your Kahoona will stand the test of time. At my local beach I’m amazed at how many riders buy Best year after year. I tried the 9.5m on a pretty average day. It handled the gusts well, was quick to relaunch and had plenty of de-power.

Precision, reliability, strength and sex appeal go hand in hand when it comes to Cabrinha. The control bar is comfortable and all the depower settings are located right where you need them. The kite has five struts which is unusual these days with companies tending to make kites with less struts.

Kite Mag: The 12m and 9m sizes are the perfect quiver if you weigh between 80 and 90kgs. Whether you are an old time cruiser or a freestyle superstar, you will love the responsiveness and pull of this kite.

Light wind riding is the new black and it seems everyone is adding big kites to their quivers for marginal days. The X-19 is a foil kite that is designed for kitesurfing, unlike foils from other companies which are mainly modified paraglider airfoils. The kite’s wind range is increased drastically and its handling is unique. The X-19 is also the lightest kite on the market and uses special cloth material which is light weight.

Kite Mag: What good is a kite that works in 6 knots but drags the kiter off his/her board at the slightest gust? The use of specialized depower profiles enables the X19 to extend its wind range considerably. The X-19’s turning speed is impressive considering its size.