F One Bandit 7.5m

Hey All,

got to finally try out my F One Bandit 7.5m kite the other day. Went down to Tramore at 9am on Saturday last and was on the water in 26 - 32 mph winds. It was the gustiest conditions I have ever been out in but turned out to be the best session I have had yet. Was bloody freezing down there but got 2.5 hours in before hypo started to show it head and I decided to call it a day.

The sea was pretty rough and waves were fast and furious. Not so much the highest I have ever been out in (being 6ft) but so fast one after another that it made for keep your wits about you riding. Highest waves I came across were roughly 4 ft high but coming in in broken up groups.

Like I said though it was a brilliant session. I was amazed by how easy it was to use the Bandit in such bad conditions and for the first time. It was really as if the kite was an extension of myself or was connected to what my brain was thinking of doing. I wanted the kite to turn fast or stop dead in a position in the sky and it was there. Really nice control which helped my confidence and riding big time. Was riding upwind no prob at all. Returning to and even passing further past the spot I headed off from. Great.

One thing that I found bad about the kite is that the inflation until you get the knack of it is a bloody pain in the arse. It took me nearly 20 minutes to get the kite pumped up and even at that I was not even 85% happy with how much it was inflated. This is due to how close the leading edge is to the valves, thye get in the way and make it hard to get the stopper closed. So after mcuh pumping and cursing I got as close to pumped up as I could manage. This did have an effect on the kite in the water as it would at times while changing direction lose its shape and fold and jolt a bit. I have heard this is a common enough problem with most peoples first attempts inflating these kites and is called "doing a helix" as the kite momentarily takes on the shape of the Naish kite.

But saying that overall for flying I wold give the kite a 8 out of 10 for flying, really enjoyed it and looking forward to more. On first day inlfation of the kite 3 out of 10 and when you get used to it 6 out of 10.