I have had a few sessions on the 12... will let you know what I think soon.

All sizes are available now and I have a 9 and 12 demo if you are ever in Brisbane. Could be up at Caloundra tomorrow if you want a go on the 9 or 12.

I am stoked with the 12m. I Have spent about 15 hours riding it in winds between 15-30kts.
Straight out of the bag the bridle was not tuned properly, which caused the trailing edge to flap loudly. After making the adjustments to the bridle, the Kite stopped fluttering.
* Performance: It feels stable when unhooked, turns fast and relaunches easy. It has done everything I have asked of it and has a huge wind range. I have felt comfortable with the 12 in the surf in 30 kts on a (twin & surfboard). (I weigh 78kg). I am loving the ability to switch off the kite (almost) when i'm on the right tack in the waves.
Still havn't had a good go in lighter winds yet....

Judging from those photos it looks just like a switchblade. The bar setup looks like a dead set copy, maybe even using some of the same plastic parts!!

Anyone have any RRP on these things?

blowinup
what are your thorts on the difference of opinions between yourself and smurfo?
he claims 12 is overpowered unhooked in 18-20 and reccomends the 9, your claim is that the 12 is good for 30 knots in the surf!
not dissin either of you guys, i know they are both different conditions, just keen on these kites but not sure of what the sweetest size is.
LF always seem to have a real sweet size in all their models.
so, u r happy with the 12, or do you think the 9 wood do what you want?

Sorry guys - have not been near the computer for a few days...
Flyer: I am from Maroubra. Where are you from?
Caution: While I have been comfortable on the 12m in 30 kts, it is only because I have been in the chicken loop the whole time after it gets over 20kts (aprox.) I am sure that I would be following Smurfo's advise and swithching to the nine after 20kts if I had one, but at the moment I am a one kite man.
Having said that when using the chicken loop in high winds, I am not just plodding around - the kite still performs well when you have it sheeted out!
Still waiting for a light day to check out the low end... Damn these windy days we keep getting - Ha, ha.

My perspective on the LF Assault.

My background: I am a complete beginner who has 2x2hr lessons under his belt. I have got to the stage where I know all the landing and launching techniques and am practicing body dragging.

The Kite decision: I was looking around for kites as my instructor told me to get a kite and practice body dragging. Initially I was looking for a kite identical to that which I had learnt on - typical C kite (5 lines) - I think it was a North kite, hence I was looking at Naish Boxers, LF M80s etc. Spoke to one retailer who suggested that I consider the LF Assault as it had some great features including instant depower and easy relaunch. My instructor has told me that one of the things which stops people progressing weel whilst learning, was the inability to relaunch the kite after a water crash.

Anyway these two factors persuaded me to try out the kite. I did this and also had a free lesson on how to use this new style kite as certain techniques were different to those I was taught on the C kite.

The Outcome:
I am now in possestion of a new LF Assault 12 kite (in Black and Red - I had only seen white in the previous reviews)

As a beginner I can recognise that I have a lot to learn. I have to say I thought I would have problems relaunching from the water, but with this kite it was so easy. I cant believe how easy. I relaunched with the leading edge down, the kite on its back etc. You just have to pull on one of the back lines and hold your position (not swim towards the kite) and hey presto the kite moves to the edge of the wind window and it launches easily. The winds I tested in were really quite low (10 knots) and still I was able to get decent powere from the kite to enable me to body drag upwind.

Certain things will take time to get used to, but then I am new to kiting, so I am sure that would be the case whatever kite.

I cant comment on how good this kite is for experience 'power' riders, for for beginners I thought it was superb. (That said I am sure this kite will provide more than enough for me as an intermediate and maybe and expert too). The instant depower, but not losing the bar meters up the line (like the 5 line c-kites) was excellent. The water relaunch was 'too easy'. The kite turns well and it looks nice. It will take time and practice to get the hang of the bar position in relation to the sheeting-in and out ability, but as I am not coming to the kite with previous kite 'baggage' this wont be an issue. I think that the previous poster probably should have given the kite more then 20 mins of use before deciding it was no good.

Anyway I am loving my new piece of kit and am looking forward to practicing some body dragging and then working up to the board.

I will post some pics of the Black and Red version next time I am out with it and have someone along with me with a camera.

Lemm

wants to dive, hmm interesting, not cos u are pulling on one side?

i dont see why you need to use the depower strap anyways.
dont you just set the back lines to the knot depending on the wind strength and then use the chicken?
if u wanna unhook why dont u just move the back lines down a knot?

Is the Assault built as tough as the LF Spec II? If so, then I may be in the market for one pretty soon.

What would be the ideal size for a 90kg rider on a WLF 141 board, with a wind range of 12 to low-20s kts? Thanks for any input on this.

Thanks for the input. If the Assault's built better than a Spec II, then it's definitely something I'll consider buying soon. My friend's Crossbow split at the leading edge when he crashed it (into the water, mind you) and as soon as he dragged the carcass back to shore, we examined it and compared my Spec II's leading edge material with that of his kite. The difference between materials used for the leading edge of both kites convinced me to hang on to my Spec II for the time being. His Crossbow has since been repaired by the dealer and no further problems have arisen.

lemming,

so you've got the 12m assault, i suppose?

I have a 9m LF Assault and am a beginner just learning to get on the *!$@ board. Rhys didn't like the depower strap. Neither did I - it just wouldn't budge. Good news is LF have recalled and replaced it. New one works fine. Doesn't seem to fiddly to me and no clear indications of gayness.

Also there is a recommended mod to the bridle (involving knots...) and a replacement bridle "in the post" (for the last month... like the cheque...)

I don't have much to compare the kite to, but it is easier to relaunch from the water than the C I learned on and has the advantage of being able to pull on a heap of power (and let it go when I hit the water face first).

I'd say if you have the cash (few available used / cheap) go for a bow kite - I think I am progressing (i.e. getting back to my board) quicker - but if budget is important you will also be OK with a C kite.

If you cut off all the webbing on the depower strap it works great, they tried to make it too trick, not always a good thing

St kite