Fellow Arc'ers

I was fortunate enough to attend the Sydney Venom demo, generously
hosted by Lach from Kiteworks (aka Mr Float) and Steve from
Kitepower with Peter Lynn (Jnr) & Aaron Jarman thrown in for good
measure (sorry if I've missed anyone important, I'm new to this
scene). Awesome day (a gusty 15 to 20+ knot wind) with the kites
very much talking for themselves. Upon arriving to Dolls Point there
were probably half a dozen LIE guys in the water, mostly on 14's
from a glance. After a flurry of twin skin and lines, the balance
was quickly tipped in the arc favour, with (get this!) the V19, a
couple of V16's & V13's and a V10 all hitting the water
simultaneously (and more were soon to join us). I was on the V10,
and seeing that there's been some interest on the forum in the wind
range of this kite, I will elaborate a bit. I'm about 78kg, riding a
142 wavetray, and would describe myself as an advancing beginner. I
learnt on a couple of G1 protos (10 & 13), and after only a handful
of sessions on each was given an extended loan of a Naish Boxer 12m
and 16m, which had been my preferred kites until now. I had the V10
on 30m lines by the way. Well when I hit the water this thing felt
more like a stunt kite than something I was going to ride a board
under. So thinking I'd be well underdone I gave it heaps on the
downstroke and 'lift off', away I raced to join the fleet of Lynns.
Now for comparisons. On the LIE vs. ARC debate, the greatest
difference I felt to my Boxers was the added power I could achieve
through sinning. When the wind dropped to around 15 kn, I'd normally
be having to going way downwind with the Boxer 12 to stay planning.
The V was more like a wind up toy. With each cycle of up and down
stroke combined with sheeting in and out, I was able to edge a
little harder and basically hold my ground until the next gust came.
And when 15 kn was turning to 20 kn or the occasional 25 kn,... what
a luxurious kite. I was speeding along with a complete sense of
confidence and security. No hint of being overpowered, unlike the
Boxer that would have either yanked me off my edge or lofted me like
a teabag. These kites really do have a superior wind range. It was
similar to my old G10 in its light feeling in the air, and I'd
presume a similar or even better top end (not at all tested that
day). What it did undoubtedly prove was that it has tonnes more
bottom end. So here I am, feeling like I have total control over
this baby, unlike my usual hesitance that any minute now, the boxer
will take the upper hand. And with this newfound confidence, I began
to explore the kite's limits. So jumping. I must emphasise, I've
probably only attempted 20 or so jumps in my life, so we're talking
beginner. Anyway, I waited for a good gust, edged hard and fast,
back hand down and BOOOOM. I'm not just in the air, I'm staying
there! Back to the LIE comparison, unless I have the Boxer moving
quickly back to the front of the window, I drop like a stone. This
had like a second elevator ride. Certainly the biggest jumps I'd
ever had, and I'm out there on the smallest kite! So what can be the
next test. Turning. I currently just have one transition to my
repertoire. I guess it's what most do. I switch to toeside, flick
the kite across the window and carve around with it. I'd seen guys
do this with turning the kite down through the window rather than
over the top like most do. With my newfound V10 invincibility, I
gave it a go. Yeehaa. Around I went with a bunch more speed, but at
no time felt like I was in a struggle with this baby. I'd probably
been kiting non-stop for about 2 hours now and could see the number
on the beach increasing so thought I'd better up the anti a little
more. So I tried my first ever unhooked jump. After a couple on non-
lift offs due to the unfamiliar shift in centre of gravity, I made
some adjustments and wahoo, up I went, flailing around like a flag
in the wind. No, I didn't attempt a handle pass, but no kidding, a
couple more V sessions and I'd give it serious thought. After
probably a total of around 3 hours straight on this kite I came back
to the beach and reluctantly ended one of the best sessions I've
had. Keep in mind, that all this time, Aaron and Lach were ripping
on V19's and V16's so I certainly wasn't in ideal conditions. But
the greatest thing this kite provided me was confidence through
always having a feeling of being in control (I guess helped by
riding mostly in the lower part of the kites wind range). After half
an hour of getting my breath back on the shore, I ventured out again
on a different V10, which I think through a combination of being set
up slightly differently (strap not as tight I suspect), wind
dropping a bit and my fatigue, wasn't quite the same, but still a
fun cruise. So with visions of my new quiver in my head, I headed
back to shore and lined up a squirt on the V16. The wind was still
around 15 kn and the V16, whilst feeling comparatively bigger and
slower, was a bunch of fun. I had plenty of power for jumping and it
did everything I asked of it. Overlap with the V10 was very
acceptable in my mind. I didn't try a V19 or V13, but would gladly
swap all my kites (and windsurfing gear) for a V10 & V16 combo. A
little side note was I went out on the V10 on a 50cm bar, then the
second V10 was on what felt like a 45cm bar and the V16 was on a
60cm bar, all 30m lines I think. My preference would be V10 on a
50cm and V16 on the 60cm. If I was to live with one bar for both,
I'd guess the 50cm. Sorry for the long post. Still very much on a
high from the weekend. 10 out of 10 Peter Lynn. A fantastic kite
that I belive will really accelerate beginners through the learning
phase.

Baz