Rider: 82kg, intermediate
Style: Freeriding, Surf
Weather: 5 to 20 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 8/10
Disclosure: Sponsored by whettingsteel super fund
Other kites, 2011 rebel 10(ok), 2012 rebel 7 (love!)
Board: Wam, strapped.

My Comments:

Finally got a session in on the Zephyr after 4 or 5 failed attempts to get out on it, so thought I would pass on my first impressions. It's taken a while to get out, because I've been trying to use it in 10 knots or less and for me, and my skill level it just doesn't work at these wind strengths. The kite feels like its going to drop out of the sky at lower than 9 or 3.
Now I know I need 12+ my expectations are reset and all good.
Setting up was easier than expected, with the big inflate valve it's actually quicker to pump up than my rebels, and the 4 lines are quicker and simpler to setup than the 5. I've been launching tethered, and it's quite a task to flip the beast and lug it into position, but once on its tip it sits nice and stable.

Out on the water, a couple of dippies to get up to speed and wow it feels good, very stable just sits there and cruise up wind maintains speed through gusts and lulls. I found the depower made a lot more difference to the power than with my rebels, where I normally don't worry about it unless badly overpowered. Seemed quite sensitive to the setting. I opened it up a bit and got a heap more power. Gybing takes a bit of learning with it. With the rebels I would whip them over and carve the board hard against the pull of the kite. Doing that with the zephyr resulted in going airborne and flying off downwind halfway through the turn! Need to do more flowing turns that match the speed of the kite.

Out at point Moore there were some young guys out on 10's and 12's struggling to get going and definetly not staying up wind, whereas I was well powered and having a ball. That was worth buying it for on its own!

Riding the shore break, about waist to shoulder high was also a real treat. Sheet out, and she just drifts beautifully down wind while I played with the wave, then gybed off the back of it.

So it's slow, but very smooth, powerful and controllable. Haven't dropped it yet, so don't know how she relaunches....bit nervous about that!

I'm happy I bought it, it covers that 12 to 18 range where the 10 would struggle.

Am looking forward to doing some boosting with it, I think it will have unbelievable hang time.