Just came back from CPT spending enough time riding again on new 2019 gear Duotone 7m, 9m EVOs and 12m Rebel.
Unusually, this year has been a lot of light wind days and I was lucky to listen to my friend and carry with me the 12m DTK Rebel 2019 that I used 7 days in the first 10 days!
Graphics: Although I had my doubts when 2019 DTK were released, I am glad to have the three color combos where I liked yellow the most, then RED, then the Blue. So fresh, in pics look very modern, lit and full of positivity.
The Rebel in 12m is the first 4-line Rebel that I ride. Excellent low end, builds speed and upwind ability like no other. Coming from a 12m EVO that is heavy, the 12m Rebel is so crisp and quick in the hand that it feels and rides as if it is a 10m. I am so happy with my choice on the Rebel in 12m for a better low end, comfort, upwind and softer bar feel than the Evo. The kite did not feel neither the lulls and kept going forward in the lightest breeze on a strapless Nugget directional. When wind pumped, jumping was so easy, high, gives you a second at the apex of the jump to do the single footers and glide down slowly like a drone, never needed to spot my landings due to the floaty feeling just before touching down.
Coming to the EVOs, it is the time to have fun, go loud, do mistakes, race, go wild, lose the kite, wipe out, ... the 9m is gruntier than the 2018 and the same for 7m. Although the 2018 were so good and I had the same kites, I felt 2019 embed more power, more solid bar feel (2018 were more liquid), jump the same, as if better low end, a bit more power but still so forgiving that it pushes you to stay on the water for hours... I was able to ride waves with the EVO, just fix my edge a bit tighter than with a NEO and it rides beautifully. The EVO gives excellent confidence to push limits... was doing speed runs on production Twintip and reached 59.7KpH which is excellent for my level . It is a kite at PAR with the rider pushing me to do more.
Happy with the gear... Will keep the EVO 7, 9m, Rebel 12m for the rest of the season. I think right choice. Waiting for the Mono to go out and will add a foiling light wind kite to the 2019 season. Maybe a 10m Dice