Rider: 73 k,Level (experienced?? Sh_it Yeah )
Style: Freeriding, Surf rarely, Wake, Freestyle
Weather: 24 knots for two hours 28 for half an hour
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 11/10
Disclosure: **** disclosures :) if you think I am not honest go and try one yourself

My Comments: LOOOONG sorry

It is going to be a bit of a story but considering that Ozone has just changed their line completely I reckon a word of explanation is in order as to what exactly has happened....


I loved the first Instinct. This was the first kite that felt like C and had massive depower and pull.
Then came the Edge - and first ride I few over a stack of poledancers ramping off Tarifa winter swell...my mind exploded :)
Then the Edge continued and along with it my pleasure from riding it. Most significant thing about that kite is that anyone could enjoy it. Whether you are a beginner or advanced rider - Ozone has given you the tools to enjoy ride on only one kite - Edge. Sports apart from the first one (which was only called Instinct at that time) wasn't my cup of jungle juice. So I kept my arse faaar from it...Until recently that is

When I first heard Ozone has changed their line - I bumped my head and asked God simply WHY? Why change something that was perfect?

Took 9m from KP to check it out....
I will not go into details of accessories like bag and spare parts cos you can expect that Ozone will always stand for quality.

It was a light breeze (13knt) in Hawks Nest that day so pleasure = 0. Kite stalled behaved like a pompous french chick with no respect for the dude who hold the bar. I was almost ready to write it off (you know first impression sort of thing) but I told myself this isnt the wind for this kite and no you cannot expect it to do anything else other than fall down all the time.

Then - NE came :))) 25 ish knt Kurnell (gusty like ****)
smooth tack left and right :) and first thing that comes to your mind - God this kite is smooth!

Then fishpoled it to F16.........and the rest is history. Instead of looping in almost one place like Edge does I felt massive upward lift and yank in forward direction. My arms were pulled like carrots from the ground and I was bloo dy flying through the air giving justice to this tricks name. Full on justice!!!

ok ok dont get excited. Being used to rotation cycle of Edge I landed....with my face forward heheh and started to scream with excitement. Then I knew that I found my kite I was waiting for.

Next one - I decided to have a bit more speed on take off - oooooaaaaaaaaaaa my ****ing stomach landed in my heels as I was traveling through the air like a polish rocket :)

Then I pulled first Dead Man (a true old school rock) since I sold my last C shape Torch1 (did I sell it or left it in Nam?? dont remember heheh). Bloo dy hell I was high.

Then Donwloop - again arms pulled with strong but nor brutal force and again and traveling fast and high looking for a place to land. Railey, Unhook, old school - all with smooth power.

Then some bottom turns - and the kite is just responding like a true freestyle bee otch should.

Then I did some more stuff and it was more fun than I ever expected - but the story gets boring so I skip to conclusion

Conclusion:

Kite is more focused on riders like myself liking a bit of everything with strong C tendencies to freestyle. Due to lack of massive depower you will need to adjust your boarding skills to keep it in track when gust comes. The kite in strong wind in more demanding than its predecessor but then again - it is completely different kite all together.

I have my kite of choice for 09 and if you are looking for smooth power delivery and massive massive fun on looping - give it a good try and enjoy :)))

Thanks Ozone :) you have done it again.

daPole.

Hey DaPole,

Nice Review!

It has taken a while to get accustomed to the new kites as I felt they were the freeriders kite similar to last years ...... However, once you get the message that the kite has been designed more specifically to freestylers needs, then you start to appreciate the new characteristics as opposed to comparing them against last years model.

I spent yesterday pretty powered up on the 11m Sport + and dedicated an hour or so to unhooking and handle passing. The kite is perfect for handle passes because the turning response isn't instant like on previous models so you can grab the bar with one hand for a second before it starts to loop.

Loops are scary powerful and hangtime is sick as you have mentioned. As a freestylers kite, it's one of the best. If you're into kiteloops, then like DaPole has said, you need to grow a pair and get off your SLE pulley kite and try something that RALLY pulls in the loops.

Good stuff! As a Freeriders kite, I would say maybe have a look at the Light XC but if your thing is going hard freestyle/new school, then demo one!

Good winds,

Hey Gorgo,

Been a few reviews here www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=46390

It's a damn nice kite!

Good winds,

Yeah but the Sport+ does it in a totally different way... Better...