Hi Chris,
I saw your other post about the Contra and Naish Fly. I didn't reply due to no experience at all with the Naish Fly, but only the new 2014 17m Contra. I just got my demo Contra and will give a quick assessment.
We had a 2 week trip to Cape Hatteras and just got back. Great winds during the trip. Everything from 6m up to 17m Contra and Fat Lady riding.
The Contra is one gorgeous looking kite in the air. As with all Cabrinha kites, the materials and craftsmanship are second to none. I like the new bar and lines and center line single flagging. It's designed like most modern light wind kites with just 3 struts to maximize light wind stability and performance without sacrificing other aspects.
The winds the day I rode the 17m Contra were right on the border of being good, but not great. Probably around 8-12...maybe 13 or so. I weigh 200 on the nose and ride a 148 Axis Vanguard. The Vanguard is a great freestyle board, even in that size, but gives up a little on the low end compared to other bigger/flatter boards. But...the Vanguard let's me do freestyle moves even in lighter winds.
That being said, the Contra pulls like a truck and has an excellent bar feel to it. Not too light and not too heavy. There we're quite a few other riders out and I was staying upwind better than most. I was able to do some raileys with ease. Very smooth unhooking feel to the Contra 17m. I couldn't really test how well it jumps since the winds were on the low to middle end of the range. My guess is it's an excellent jumping kite with great hang time, but cannot confirm yet. I'll let others confirm unless I get another session on it soon before our lakes freeze over.
On each unhooked trick, I'd go downwind quite a bit, but the Contra would rip back upwind back to where I started easily. Anyone who rides light wind kites a lot knows that it can take a long time to get upwind on big kites. The contra goes upwind really well.
Turning speed was good for a 17m, but not as fast as the 17m Blade Fat Lady. Most big kites turn slower than the Fat lady, so this was expected.
Cabrinha was smart to make the Contra a great light wind kite for the majority of riders out there. The Velocity is a huge jumper and has incredible speed, etc., but it's also built lighter to maximize low end and high end performance. If income is disposable, the Velocity might fit the bill for some, but the Contra will fit the bill for most.
I hope this helps...Where do you live?
I have the 17m Contra demo if you are interested in trying it first.
Bob
www.kiteridersllc.com