Yeah Happens to Reactor 06 9m , extra strong gust, and kite tipps fold inwards, bunches up and falls, recovers usually before it hits the water, you can see it start to happen, looks like air flow around the kite is distorting, have put more presure in kite but wont resolve problem completely , you can pull on the bar to get it to recover. Apart from that, great kite. Had this some years ago with AR5 15.5m was kiting at Coros, and exactly the same thing, feels like some one just took your kite away

We are the Airush distributors - Just wanted to square this issue up once and for all..

We have heard of cases of this fold up occurring - in every single case so far the problem was under inflation. These kites need to be pumped up super hard - virtually until you can't push the pump handle down any more.Many people are scared to pump their kites up this hard (i was at first)- it is not a problem (we work with Ben Severne - the designer here in WA and he has assured me that the kites can handle it no worries - and indeed they do)

Airush kites tend to have different profiling and foiling compared to many other brands out there - especially the 06 Flow, Lifts and Reactors- finer super efficient profiles that rely less on wind pressure (ie sitting back in the window) to hold their shape and more on rigidity generated through the structure of the kite.

As a side note Many 5th line specific 05 and 06 brands WILL NOT FLY in 4 line mode as they rely on the 5th line to give the required structural rigidity to the canopy. 5th line is available for all Airush 05 onwards kites and will allow you to fly a less inflated kite - but the issue still goes back to proper inflation.

Part of the Airush design philosophy is to have products on the bleeding edge of efficiency- this is why those whose styles suit the Reactor and Lift in the Past are so loyal to these models.
Yes you do have to pump them up hard - the reward is bigger wind range, better upwind ability and easier relaunch. These were in evidence at our strong showing a last years Gerro Nationals where we had great results across the board in super windy condiiotns.

These kites will tend to have less static / downwind pull and reward a more efficient / faster riding style.

It is not unheard of (FOR ANY BRAND) for the odd kite to come out of a factory with a slight twist or missed shaping - this is the nature of how these kites are manufactured. If there is a problem with a particular kite that isnt fixed via proper inflation or other means we always keep an open mind and are more than happy to get the kite into our hands so we can QUICKLY get the customer back on to the water.

The moral of the story is to "Pump it, pump it, pump it, pump it nice 'n' hard"

Hmm, if my memory serves me correctly, somewhere from the deep dark ages someone once said:

I felt it was my bizz
To find someone who wasn't a kook, I guy not afraid to pump it
That's when I overheard a guy named WaveSlave, just blowin' his own trumpet
He said he knew just what to do once he got out on the water
I grabbed his kite, we sailed, I'm 2 and 0, but who's keepin' score
He said how'm I livin', I said thanks be given, you're livin' but not too large
I said you're pumpin' okay but you're in no way to pump it, pump it nice 'n' hard (launch me)

I was pumping it up hard thats the thing, i didnt know you had to pump it up ultra mega death hard. It wasnt happenin till i was overpowered either. Oi man, im going to Yorkieys Knob up at cairns and also the to ski park, tmoz, shood be good.

Yeap,
happen to me few weeks ago specially in overpowered condition and depowering at max the kite.
I contacted Airush and got immediate reply that I had to pump at least 5 psi.
I did that and the kite is working fantastic (flow 14).
Had to be one of the best 14 meter I ever tried.
Bye Jankie

dang.