I just got this email from a mate in Hawaii comparing some of the new 2006 range for those that are interested.

Bowski

Tried today all at once, SSTD 12, Crossbow 12, Naish Shockwave 12, Nova 12 and 9, Octane 16 in about 12 mph wind.

My conclusion was the Octane was the most fun in flatwater for jumping and tricks because of the height of the jumps, hangtime, soft landings, smooth turning and overall feel. Any of the Bow kites worked really good in the waves but the preference was the Nova because of the lighter bar pressure. The best all around kite was the Nova 9 if you could live with a kite that small. It can do everything well. The SSTD is very similar to the Crossbow but with a much better bar. Only kite I have which I am sorry I couldn't try at the same time was the Globerider Sonic 11. It is supposed to be really good.

On a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being highest or fastest:

Bar pressure:

Nova 3
Octane 3
SSTD 6
Crossbow 7
Shockwave 8

Turning Speed:

Octane 5
12 Nova 5
Shockwave 7
SSTD 8
Crossbow 8
9 Nova 9

Smoothness:

Shockwave 7
Octane 8
Crossbow 8
SSTD 8
Nova 8

Jumping:

Shockwave 5
Crossbow 5
SSTD 5
12 Nova 6
9 Nova 8
Octane 9

Down the Line Waveriding:

Octane 6
Shockwave 8
Crossbow 8
SSTD 8
Nova 8

Low End Grunt

12 Nova 4
9 Nova 5
Octane 6
SSTD 7
Crossbow 8
Shockwave 8

Aloha,

Jeff