I've been wondering this same thing on a variety of kite sizes. I know the K.I.T.E.S. Method guy advocates this for learning, but do shorter lines mess with the control and feedback of the kite so much that it flies like a different kite? Is it less power but also "twitchy" or too fast etc.? Does it...

By far the biggest change is construction. Not having the tearing issues is HUGE. Other than that, yeah, the changes are only progressive, not revolutionairy. Better upwind performance would be #2, better bar dugout is #3, the colors and graphics -- well, whatever. If anyone doesn't care about those...

Lots of stores will sew up the kite for you inexpensively. In the USA, I had a Contra repaired for $80. It sounds like it had the same type of tear. DROP THE BAR. That is the key to keeping the kite from tearing. When crashing leading edge down, hard and fast, drop the bar before the kite hits the w...

This topic comes up periodically. You can't go wrong with either board. They are both among the best made boards out there. Depending on what you are trying to do, one may fit your needs better. The Door 154 is slightly better in super light wind, but doesn't quite release from the water as easilyt ...

I don't know about the kite, but that bar is exactly how Cabrinha said it would be -- ovalized chicken loop hole, constant radius over the length of the bar, new foam, etc.

-Stafford

Are all the Nobile 2007 boards supposed to come with a board bag? The 555 and the 666, etc.? I got a board bag for one of the two boards I got and it is for a 130cm or smaller board and I got a 132 and 135 (?)

It seems when this happens, and it does, the rider is still holding the bar -- that means the kite hits the water at full power. Were you still holding the bar? Was it pulled in? I've found that when I completely let go of the bar before the kite hits the water it not only slows down, but also just ...

I've got the new Spleene 154 2007 model. I rode it purposefully in chop on a 12m Switchblade II in to see how it would respond. I then switched to my Cabrinha 2007 Custom 133. I never felt overpowered at all or that the Spleene board got skatey, upwind was so easy I felt lazy, and I rode it downwind...

The Contra is the oldest kite in the product line, but it seems to work pretty well for its intended purpose. Bob knows but that is probably the best thing for a dealer to do is not reveal anything before the company wants it revealed. So, I guess we are right back where we started then.... -Stafford

It doesn't seem like there is any RECENT news on the new kite. Everything posted so far goes back a while. Cabrinha seemed to be releasing a new kite every 3-4 months until the Omega took so long (SBII was out early last fall I think, then we didn't see the Omeba until March/April). One change we mi...