Just got my new 7m Code Zero today and went straight out to Yorkey's Knob to give it a crack. I only started foiling a few months ago. Have had about 20 sessions I think, so still struggling a bit. Going out sort of OK, coming back in is a struggle for some reason. Still trying to figure that one out!
Anyway, I had a quiver of 2022 North Carves, which I have now sold. I used mainly the 6m, in 10-15 knots, and it was quite good when the wind was closer to the 15 knot mark, but not that great in lighter wind. I am only 70kg so don't need a lot of power. Had two sessions using a 9m Liquid Force solo but found it too powerful if the wind was over 15 knots.
So, my big hope was that the 7m Code Zero would cover me for 10-15 knots and maybe a bit beyond the 15 knots. A one kite quiver for foiling. The nearest wind indicator, Cairns Airport, was showing 11 knots during my session today, but I suspect it was probably closer to 13-15 knots to start with, but the wind did ease off for a while.
Anyway, the kite flew really nicely. It is very light weight (1.798 kg) so it just stayed in the sky without any effort at all. Never a hint of backstalling, which was one of the weaknesses of the 6m Carve in light wind. It only hit the water once when I crashed it during a stack. Power delivery was incredibly smooth - that was possibly the stand out feature. Light bar pressure. Stays steady at 12 o'clock really well. Like all North kites, sticks to the ground really well when setting up lines. Typical North quality. I really liked it and based on today's experience, it could well be the only foiling kite that I need. (perhaps a 5m for 20 knots or so)
I'd love to hear what a more experienced foiler thinks of it. Who else has tried it?
Have now had my first session on the 9m Code Zero, Norths foiling kite.
WIth the 7m in really light wind, I couldn't get going when the wingers were going. The 7m would fly, but not quite generate enough power to get me going, so I thought the 9m would solve that problem, and it did. Just took a bit of getting used to the extra power on take off. Went over the handlebars on my first attempt.
It seems there are very few people foil kiting - everyone is switching to wings. I decided to stick with kiting as I have a terrible history with tennis and golfer's elbow in each arm. The light bar pressure with the Code Zero in both the 9 and the 7 is amazing, so I can certainly recommend kite foiling as a way to preserve the health of the elbows.
Also interested in updates! And curious of anyone's experience riding them in the surf?
I've got a '23 9m, intended use was kite foiling but we've had lots of wind since September so I've only used it 3 times on twintip at between 14kn to 22kn, I'm 84kg.
In short I rate it highly - power delivery is excellent, if you pump it hard the powered loops are OK but tricks wise it's sweet spot is floaty moves with the kite high, drifts well, low power loops during transition are smooth, stays in the air fine at 10kn (didn't ride at that), I'm guessing it'll be great on foil.
