Chris ripping

Well yesterday was a cracking day to test kites out so with the promise of 25pmh plus winds, Phat Dan and myself headed to Newborough Saturday morning with a few of the 08 kites in the van ready to get a testing.

When we arrived at the beach the wind was peaking at 23mph and the forecast was that it would be dropping later in the afternoon. Dan decided to get out on his 07 13mtr Sport so I thought I would take out the 11mtr 08 Sport while the wind was at it’s strongest, but as soon as I had launched and done a couple of runs the wind was showing signs of dropping off and I really did not feel that the struggle was worth it. So I headed for the van and grabbed the 13mtr Edge. The first thing you notice with the kite is how small the LE and struts have been reduced in size from last year, yes they are tiny..!

This also means that it does not take long at all even on the biggest kite to have it inflated. The isolation valves are also fully enclosed this year which is a nice touch and will help protect the sail when packed away. I think the 1 pump is a real god send on all the kites and I am happy that the Edge got this system and think most people will like it. You can still get plenty of pressure into the kite struts and I like a firm kite. Unwinding the lines and setting the kite up is just the same as last year except of course the control system changes that are very apparent when you get to the bar. Yes, Megatron The new Chicken loop system and new bar should make some very happy people.

Attached to the chicken loop is a small stopper ball which you attach one kite span length up the designated flag out line. This stops the bar disappearing up that line to the kite should you operate the safety or want to deep water pack down. It is super easy to fit.

Some of the benefits of the Megatron were instantly appreciated as I was wearing wetsuit gloves. It is really easy to load and operate even with clumsy gloves on, something that would have been impossible with the other chicken loop so from that point alone I would recommend that even if you are not tempted by an 08 kite and want to stick with what you have already, then don’t hesitate for one second, just upgrade your chicken loop to the Megatron. There are just too many plus points and it is not at all expensive at £30.

So now to the flying …

I was riding a 139 board, I weigh approx 11 stone and the wind was now going from around 12 to 20mph. The sun was out and there was a small swell running (2′-3′) Water state was mildly choppy with areas of good clean water towards the Llandwen end of the beach.

I launched the kite with 2 to 3cm of trim pulled in and everything looked really sweet. The sail filled nicely and there was no wrinkles, no flutter just clean sexy shape and a solid pull coming from my stomach.
Walking around on the beach with it at zenith there was no tendency to over fly and you could completely let go of the bar for really prolonged amounts of time and the kite just stayed put.

So board on and away. Dropping the kite into power you instantly feel the raw energy and power. I head a little down wind to pick up the speed and then shoot off heading up wind pulling the bar in and getting the feel for where the power is.

Second bite at the cherry and head a little down wind once again as I carved too hard up wind after the first sweep in the power zone. This time I don’t cut quite as far upwind and keep more speed in me and the kite. The kite responds well to this and with the apparent wind working its magic I am now rocketing along launching off the small waves and ploughing up wind as hard as I want. With the wind pretty much straight onshore I can make the Llandwen end of the bay with real ease and by the time I return to the middle of the beach on my first return run I am well out to sea and feeling like this kite is an old friend already.

I did hit a dead patch on the way back where the wind seemed to drop out so I just let the trim all the way out and worked the kite a little. This did the trick and when I felt the wind filling in again I just left everything alone and headed towards where the waves were and a few other peeps playing in the surf.

Comparing it to last years Edge I would say that the most striking thing is it’s speed and smooth delivery of power. Yes it is definitely faster..! as if the old Edge was not fast enough this one has some more horse power but delivers it in a more controlled way. It does not bite quite as aggressively at the wind as last years did but all in all this is much more finely tuned with improved turning radius. Like the original Edge, don’t expect the power to suddenly disappear when you bar out, it will take a second or two for the speed/power to dissipate.

So onto the jumping Well I’ll be quite honest about my abilities in this department, I love fooling around but won’t be any competition for the younger and more talented freestyle junkies out there or even some of the older ones either. None the less, I have a few tricks nailed and love it when it all comes together.

Due to the better wind being at the Llandwen end of the beach I give Phat Dan a shout and coaxed him away from the waves and crowd. So first off straight forward jump….bend at the knees and carve up wind while sending the kite(not very aggressive if a little on the timid side) Bar in nice and smooth and it was like being hoovered off water by a giant vacuum cleaner..!

Everything was so smooth, height gain was impressive and ‘Hang time’ well. This is something else, It felt like I had twice as much time once airborne to sort out all the things you need to do to make sure of a good landing. The feel for the kite through the bar was very direct without being heavy. The bar pressure is more than on last years kite and I would say about 20 to 25% more. I could feel exactly where the kite was all the time which gave me an instant boost of confidence. I feel that this is perfect bar pressure for me and if I am anywhere near mister average then David (Designer) has got this spot on and most people will love it.

Float!!! I Can’t really say more than there is soooo much of it, go higher and travel for longer than ever before.

Reverse 360, I send the kite with more energy this time and pull the bar in a bit earlier so I’m going to be swinging under the kite with a little more speed this time. Sharp intake of breath and those hamster cheeks are puffing out nicely God…! I was ready for maybe 10 foot with a rotation but this seems much higher than that. Still, I am just about all the way round and at this point I am still floating with plenty of height, kite is above me and I have loads of time, I think to myself “should have gone for 720″ I let a little bar out and then feather it back in on touchdown. Huge smiley and ride on.

I spend the next half hour or so trying all the tricks in my small repertoire, reverse 360 in both directions front loops, front loop kite loops including the odd Barnes Wallace transition and a few more things that I’ll put down as ‘Work in progress’.

Hell, I just ended up falling in love with this kite, it inspired confidence and will allow me to progress further. I also have to say that this kite does deserve some healthy respect though. It is powerful and put it in the wrong place at the wrong time, it will spank you good..!

I can imagine that in the hands of anyone from intermediate to Pro this kite will deliver everything you would want. It holds power through the turn and has plenty of raw energy to boost you into orbit, what you do while your up there is entirely up to you.

I was really impressed how easy it is to remove centre line twists with the spinner. No stretching up for the swivel everything is ready to hand. The new Beal line that Ozone have been using on the land kite de power ropes works very well with the new style clam cleat, it is very precise and locks instantly this is such a great improvement on the Amsteel Spectra and I know from experience that you won’t be having to renew this part of the system very often.

The bar ends are really comfy to use with a new rounded shape with foam inserted all the way up inside the bar end.

Other cool things about the package:

I liked the bag, its roomy and I loved the fact that they have included a separate storage for your bar and lines within it. This will also stop damage to the kite if you keep the bar inside.

Inner kite bag is great, if you just want to buy kite only then this means you get a good quality stuff sack to protect your kite without having loads of rucksacks.

Although the bag does not have the mesh extension(which I never used) it still comes with a mesh sock if you want to leave your struts inflated.

Well that just about raps it for now, just one apology to make……Sorry we did not get any more pictures but selfishly we spent the entire time riding until the wind dropped out completely.

Check out the INSTINCT EDGEII product page

Chris Hill - www.surface-tension.co.uk

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