Hi Unhook679,

Having not flown the 09 rebel yet I can not coment from experience, however after speaking with Drew Beavis (who's been riding them a bit) they sound much better than 08. Especially having the bigger sizes a lot much "C" shaped. They have also addressed all the back stalling issues. The kite is much happier to fly more over sheeted. All models esp. the bigger ones are turning much faster, and have more pull. SO I would say coming from a 2008 Rebel, the 2009 Rebel would be much better for unhooked riding. I will post from experience once I get to fly the kite.

Regards,

JB

Hi unhook
I ridden the rebels for the last year and they are sweet for unhooking no dramas at all and for me it felt better than the Vegas both for freestyle and wave riding. They drift nicely for unhooked wave riding sitting nicely in the wind window and hardly having to worry about it at all and for freestyle it work super well great all round kite.
Paul.j