I have flown the 2007 Flow Hybrid SLE (supported leading edge - aka a bridle) 12.

I would expect the 14 to have similar characteristics - as far as i know nobody in Australia has had one on the water yet.

To put this review in perspective:

I am coming from a reactor / lift preference, ride mostly in surf with a kite turning style (rather than park and go) and jump unhooked (cant do any handle passes but i like the extra boost, excercise and massive hang time that unhooked jumps deliver)

I am very impressed with the 2007 Flows- it seems the guys have a product that has the direct turning of a C kite with (very close to) the wind range of a Bow.

There are no pulleys on the bar so kite feel for me was the same as a c kite - this has been one of the major criticisms in the past of Bow kites - the lack of direct steering "feel" due to the pulles etc. The 12 flow on the 55cm bar had about the same turning speed as a lift of similar size - ie - plenty. The 10 on the 45 cm bar was actually slower and i would personally ride a 55 bar on the 10 flow - i have heard of some riders who prefer the shorter bar - (perhaps riiding unhooked and preferring the less responsive bar for handle passes ?)

The bar worked well - i personally will be throwing a harness line on mine (we get steady wind here in WA) as i like the locked in power feel and extra bottom end this delivers. The cleat power and depoer works an absolute treat - i was sceptical here because i REALLY like the traditional airush depower strap - but the new system feels better! And for people with shorter arms - girls , kids etc having the depower on the chicken loop will make life super easy.

With the kite being so flat the 12 is delivering bottom end approaching a 14 c kite. Yet the top end was insane with most 10m kites coming off the water while i could still stay safely out (although eventually steering response does fade away as back line tension comes totally off the kite) - 1 Flow = A quiver of 9 , 12 and 14 C kites - The range r4ally is awesome

The depower is incredible- if you do get hit by a spike you can eliminate it by sheeting out- this is great for the knees! However there is always good power on offer so you can keep your rail engaged (unless the wind totally drops out).

The build quality was outstanding - clearly extra reinforcements and stronger materials / lines have been used - these flatter styles of kites work up alot more canopy pressure so i guess the kites need to be a little more built than a traditional c- and airush have done a great job here.

Some nice details on the struts and wing tips with elastic straps on there to stop the bridles getting wrapped around thge strut ends.


The dump valve on the LE is handy with the pump valve having a stopper ball - so pumping up really is easy. I leave my struts inflated and just pump up the LE each time - so i have 1 pump functionality withou having to TOTALLY inflate the kite each time AND avoid all the hassles that 1 pump gives when a bladder replacement is required.

All up i think Airush are on to something special here- get a fly on one as soon as you can - or just get one - i am confident you will be pretty happy!

PS Flow 10s and 12 s into Australia sold out in record time on their arrival - there are more due late OCT but even the next shipment is nearly sold out too. Pre ordres may be nescessary to secure one.

Feedback has been extremely positive from team riders (especially all the townsville crew who have been putting them through their paces) and early adopters.