Unlike most kites it did not effect the turn-ability and responsiveness of the kite too much at all. I was riding the kite fairly de-powered most of the time and was very surprised on how well it flew whilst de-powered. It handled the gusts really well and had a good feel on the top-end side of things. The initial feeling that I got from the kite was really positive, it was very fast and responsive, it went everywhere I wanted it to and I felt as though I had total 200% control over it at all times. The condition were not ideal, it was super gusty and a lots of water moving.I knew if the kite went well in these condition it will kill it in everything else. If you don’t reassemble it correctly, you might not be attached to your kite the next time you pull your primary quick release.Size:8m Rider: 65kg Style: Surf Weather: 17-29 knots Turning Speed/ Responsiveness : 5/5 Bar pressure: Medium Stability: 3.5/5 Drift: 4/5 Build Quality: 4/5 Satisfaction: 4/5 Disclosure: Work at Ocean AddictsMy Comments: After reading heaps about the new 2014 Park, I was super keen to get out there and get on it myself. There’s a small ring and pin system that releases the chicken loop assembly from the red IDS line in order to completely cut away from your kite, that is the secondary quick release. The Cabrinha QuickLink quick release system has some new features, such as a secondary quick release, so make sure you test it out on the beach before you try it in the water. That means when you untwist your lines, the leash will not wrap around your chicken loop at the same time! Some other manufacturers have this feature and it’s nice to see Cabrinha adding it to their bars, I twist my lines a lot and some above the bar swivels don’t always work. Some new features include a molded composite chicken loop assembly and a below bar swivel for the leash and center line. ![]() The kites seem pretty similar to last years models with stylish graphics as usual, and the new QuickLink control bar is very nice. I have personally ridden some of the new Cabrinha 2012 kites with the new bar. I don’t know if it can compete with my 2011 Airush Choptop LW Active 5’8, but I sure would like to ride one and find out for myself. Additionally, it also has cool, art-deco style graphics like the Skim Fish, and u can see the wood laminate on top side of board, which I am a big fan of! Wood laminate composite style surf boards are becoming almost common place due to their incredible flex, strength, sustainability, and they are less harmful to the environment to produce. The step rail gives you increased volume by being thick at the middle of board and tapering (or “stepping”) down to thin, performance style surf rails on the sides. It’s 5′ tall x 21′ wide x 2.375″ thick with a step rail design. The North Nugget was a nice looking light wind/small wave surf shape at the Surf Expo too. The construction appeared to be top notch and bullet proof, like all LF boards. It was a little heavy in my opinion, but sometime that helps keep it from flying away while trying airs or bouncing around too much in some chop. ![]() Maybe better than any other skim I’ve ever tried? The nice thing about the Twin Skim is the blunt tail for ollie power on one end, and the other end has a more rounded pin style for better carving ability. I did get the dimensions of the Skim Fish after seeing it in person and it is 138x50cm, and looked to be somewhere between one and two inches thick, which should work very well in light winds and small waves. ![]() I really want a new kite specific skim since my old WZ fiberglass skim is on it’s last rides. I can’t decide between the LF Twin Skim or the North Skim Fish. Great article Jessica, here’s my opinion on some of the new gear:
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