Rider: 70Kg advanced
Style: Freeriding, Surf, Wake, Freestyle
Weather: 17-23
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 8/10
Disclosure: shop rider for KSS Altona
The 2012 Nirvana is Liquid Force's answer to an uncompromised explosive C kite, which is still accessible to all kinds of riders. The kite has a pure c shape with a ultra stong construction for taking a beating while learning your new freestyle tricks. Coming off the Hadlows I found this kite a bit softer and a tad slower in comparison, which I preferred. The relaunch for this kite was super easy; the tips fold in allowing the kite to catch air. I found the kite had a tendency to flip over because of their being too much tension on the 5th line, a self rigged stopper ball would easily stop that. For unhooking this kite excelled, giving you loads of tension to pop but dies out quickly too allow for the pass. Looping was great, it completed a large turning axis rather then a quick pivot. All in all this kites suited to freestyle orientated riders more than anything begin able to take a beating but is accessible to riders just interested in taking their riding to the next level.
Hehe changed the name because last year's HiFi flopped. Anyone ridden these compare with 2009/10 HiFi/HiFiComps?
KSSA - by slower you mean sits further back in window or slower turning? Or both?
Rider: 67kg advanced
Style: Wake Surf and Park
Weather: 23-30 Head high+ waves side side on 9m Nirvana
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: KR employee and LF rider
I've been on the 2009 Hifi Comps because I really liked that years kite now I'm on Nirvanas. The Nirvana is a step in the right direction and if your riding a Hifi and should def give it a go. Very impressed with the tweaks they have done. The kite loops with a little more little more power and recovers quicker. Only rode it for an hour in flat water the slack is a little more than the hifi's making passing more consistent. Relaunch is easier and the below the bar 5th line is good if you dump your kite in the surf. New soft bar ends are a plus when your in bigger surf and the nose of your surfboard hits your bar. I've had about 5 hours on the new 9m in waves and very impressed. I rode a skim in about head high waves and the kite stayed where I wanted it to even when I rode at it and a little behind it. Rode unhooked on about 5 waves and it stayed put even after a few turns. Kite feels a tad slower but thats what I prefer. You can rig the kite for more or less bar pressure. The Nirvana won't pull you off the wave like other C's because of the amount of depower throw you have at the bar. Huge step up from the previous Hifi's.