09 sample kites arrived today. Look awesome, new graphics, a lot more detailed touch and better quality. Visit your local distributor to test. Production stock to arrive in the next 4 weeks. Full 09 clothing range also in shops.

wtf, didn't the 2008 LF kites just come out like 3 months ago? it's only june!

I will as soon as the sun comes out. Blown them up indoors today but lighting wasnt good enough for good pics.

tino said...

Share some pics please

Neil, LF 2008 kites came out same time last year and they were at the Mackay comp. June/July is the beginning of new season for US/Europe.

Nope, waited for wind all day, but the sun was out so here are some pics -

http://www.surfconnect.com/html/Shop/kiting/kites/Havoc09pics.htm

smurfo said...

Lets see these shots!

Cant wait to get my hands on mine, you had one in the air yet padi?

I like the looks of the bumpers on the LE. Looks very Solid/Sturdy. Good for self launching/drag launching. Very Nice.

HEy Padi, What are the 2 valcro looking things on the inside of the wing tips?

felixk said...

Andobear said...

HEy Padi, What are the 2 valcro looking things on the inside of the wing tips?

I think its just to wrap the bridles in so they dont get tangled when you pack the kite up.

Na they cant be for the bridles because they are on the actual canopy. would reduce the streamline and add more drag to the kite. those velcro straps are hidden underneath the LE most of the time. dunno what those are on the 09 tho.

padi said...

Doesnt look like there is much changed at the bar end Smurfo, different graphics, but connection ends use thicker connection ropes/pig tails. Slightly bigger floaters too. There are also 3 bar sizes this year compare to 2 last - 45, 50 & 55cm, and it feels to have a bit more bar pressure.

I had the 08 Havoc pumped up next to it, the middle strut on the 09 is about 10cm longer, but the end ones are slightly shorter. It is meant to have a flatter profile too and fewer bridle lines, giving more lower end power whilst turning faster.

There are velcro straps on the inside of each wing tip corner for bridle lines storage. The other two black scraps on the inside of the canopy are for the bar to be tied onto, so it could be rolled with the kite with flying lines still attached.

smurfo said...

looks nice! Any changes at the bar end?

ohhhh... thats actually a really good idea!

Hey Smerfo,

Where bouts in Melb you flying it? Wouldn't mind checking it out if your gonna put it up this weekend?

Took the 12m Havoc out today and I am sold! The kite flies exceptionally well in the lower end (8kts) and when wind picked up I was staying up wind better than a 14 & another 15 on the water - I was shocked! Wind was pretty marginal today, 8-15 max, rode a Recoil Comp 137 (my light wind machine).

The kite is very well built, great graphics. The bridle configuration changed. It has one line less and the front lines seem to have a outer point of balance. The arc seems flatter too, so that should give us better range and depower. Overall it is very well made, with lots of detailed attention, such as cable ties protection, reinforced LE, bumpers all along the LE etc. The different profile and new bridle design makes the kite better boosting and faster turning. I like the idea of the 2 in-built straps to wrap the bar up with kite whilst leaving the lines attached to the kite.

Bar has a bit more pressure than last year’s, so you have a much more direct feel of the kite. I was able to work the kite really well and precisely. Kite loops easy as. The bar has bigger floaters, longer donkey's dik, chicken loop looks slightly smaller (but need to measure to confirm). The new bar size (50cm) gave very good pivoting for the 12. Best thing was, the kite did not stall at all even when I pulled the bar in totally. What a beauty! I think I can save a few shouting to students ‘let the bar out!’ with this kite.

Very user friendly, combined with great built quality and performance, I conclude the 09 Havoc a very suitable kite for beginners all the way to top riders. Well done LF, you have produced another clear winner for 2009.

Hey Padi

How long till your website is back up?

Hi Guys,

Yesterday I took the 09 12m havoc out at wello point and have to say I really like it! First of all it looks sick! It was black and red and had wicked new graphics . The second thing I noticed about the havoc is that it is really fast! Most of the time I ride my 9m rebel which is also a VERY fast kite but this thing is almost as quick, and its 3m bigger! It is also very stable and doesn't stall! Although the wind was definetly on the dodgy side yesterday but the kite relaunched effortlessly by doing a "HOT" launch, ie with the kite LE up and the kite directly downwind and also by doing the normal launch. Yesterday we also had the 14m 08 havoc out and the new havoc was almost producing as much power because you could sign it really quickly. The kite also has a very responsive direct feel so you always no where the kite is sitting. The new havoc is definitely a kite to watch out for in 09!

That is great to hear Kozz and well done in coming 2nd in the Mens Open division!

Finally tested the 12m yesterday at wello in some 20 kts condition. It is stable as and my gawd, what great feel and control. Boosting was a pleasure and the kite did not stall once with bar pulled right in, hooked/unhooked. I am sold.

We have 100 Havocs arriving in 2 weeks. Contact your local store if you want to get one! Also 09 HiFis & Session samples arriving very shortly.

Plan to run demo at Wello this Friday/Satuday if its blowing a westerly, else the pool. Anyone keen in Brissy come along!

kozz said...

Had the privillage of riding the 10m 09 Havoc in the Mackay comp on the weekend.

I thought the kite was awesome. Great turning speed, very fast to relaunch. This year the kite is tuned much better, it tends not to stall when unhooking. Also has sweet graphics

Overall i found it to be an awesome kite and will probably be changing my kite to one of these for this season.

Demo at Wello tomor 12nn start. Anyone in Brissy welcome to come along to see the latest 09 kites in action.

Retail prices have not been set yet, should be done within the next couple of weeks. We have 100 Havocs arriving in 2 weeks. 09 prices should have a 5-10% increase to 2008's. 2008's prices are:

HiFi:
9m $1599 complete with bar & lines
12m $1649 ""

Havoc:
10m $1649 complete
12m $1699 ""

Andobear said...

Hey Padi do you have a price list on the 09 gear?

No swivel on bar Mayhem, and yes, some boards are ready to ship and there are a few pro models once again and there's even one with metal rails Get those sliders out!

mayhem said...

The '09 kites sound great! Does the bar have a swivel this year? Do you know when the boards are coming out and if there will be a recoil/aura PRO/COM model for '09?

Thanks,

Mayhem