Ozone Catalyst 2011.

Go a metre bigger in size than you expect to need.

They are a very smooth and well behaved kite but definately not grunty and overpowering.

You need to fly and move the kite around to generate oomf so well suited to beginners wanting to get up and plane with minimum fuss.

I made the shift from grunty kites (switchblades - which I still rate as good kites) to non-grunty kites (Ozone C4s) nearly a year ago and haven't looked back. There was an initial adjustment period in terms of the lighter bar pressure and positioning the kite differently in the window, but very soon I was getting more wind range with less effort and enjoying much more subtle responsiveness to edging and minimal bar movement. My kite flying skills have improved enormously.

As GF suggest, the Catalyst will provide a similar slippery, non-grunty feel and be a bit more versatile than the C4 if you want to explore some waves too.

Disclosure: Ozone team rider.

Disclosure disclosure: I'd happily buy my C4s even if I wasn't sponsored.

Na these are the new 2012 Peter Lynn models.

yeah. there are times for grunt and times when working to get power is suitable.

i also ride the C4 and love it. you need to work its arse off if you want to extract the goodies.

on days i feel like taming raw unrelelnting train like power i reach for the 15m speed in 18-20 knots.... you really know your holding insane power with that kite.

Anyone else flown one of those new peter lynn kites radman is talking about?

BWS ;D

Aseela said...

I think the Naish Cults are non grunty... Not sure if the more recent Bolts fit that category. I've found the kite user friendly enabling me to concentrate on the waves. Input on the bar is responsive but not unduly sensitive giving room for error if necessary. The kites are well made and long lasting. The only real downside is the 'octopus' one pump system, if it happens to go wrong!

agreed - love my cult, except the below the bar depower

I'm no shredder and just like to get on the vater and free ride (if I said I ride like a girl, it woul be an insult to most girls )

I recenetly bought a delta kite (Bandit DOS) and after flying that and going back to my Airush Vapor (much more "c" shaped) it seemed like the vapor was smoother and dampened the gusts more, therefoe less "grunty" in my book.

So ,is a general rule of thumb that more "C" shaped kites are less "grunty" ??

au_rick said...

I'm no shredder and just like to get on the vater and free ride (if I said I ride like a girl, it woul be an insult to most girls )

I recenetly bought a delta kite (Bandit DOS) and after flying that and going back to my Airush Vapor (much more "c" shaped) it seemed like the vapor was smoother and dampened the gusts more, therefoe less "grunty" in my book.

So ,is a general rule of thumb that more "C" shaped kites are less "grunty" ??

Yeah, Rick - I instantly thought of the Airush Vapor's. They are super quick but dead easy to fly and well behaved. Insanely light on the bar and at no time could be called grunty - but always had the power you wanted.

I'd say the latest Varial X is similar, but perhaps not quite so C'ish.

thanks for that Paradox,
I' keen to try the Varial X and the Vapour X to compare.

i'd go for a C4. little bit more gruntier than a catalyst no much though, i switched from catalyst to C4 for this exact reason. liked not getting the crap pulled out of me, but sometimes found myself working my ass off. i think the C4 is the perfect balance between too much and not enough grunt

I think the grunt of the kite determines where it sits in the window, deeper in the window more grunt, at the edge less grunt.

Therefore low aspect kites sit deeper and high aspect kites sits at the edge without surging forward.

I reckon medium aspect kites are the go as it gives you a happy medium, have you not noticed that the newer kites are going back to being more medium than low aspect - its going full circle.

I personally prefer kites with wider tips, medium aspect that you can tunr to generate power and stop working the kite to turn off the power. the kite must be balanced nicely to slack line it and drift.

Have at look at kites like the C4, Park, Fluid Ego, Switch Element and even the Religion and REO especially if you into surfing.

Cheers
Rich

Definitely try out the Airush Varial X if you have a chance.
Its a bit more playful and loftier in the jumps!

@Aquaplow, the one sits furtherest back in the window so its definitely a bit of a grunty.

One ---------- Lithium ---------- Varial X ---------- Razor
Center of Window -->------------------------<--Edge of the Window