Blank kite test with Youri Zoon

[rnelias]

I think we need more reviews like this one.

Impressive that Youri got it right 3/4 kite's brands.

[Blackened]

Three quick thoughts:
1. Why is the Rise in the freeride rather than big air group?
2. Why didn't Ozone send the Catalyst instead of the Enduro?
3. Youri shouldn't be researching the kites beforehand

Well done on organising this. Very surprised companies actually wanted to do this, so will be very interesting to see future iterations of this style of review. Looking forward to it.

[jyka]

This was a great test.
Youri recognized the kites surprising well - but he saw the shapes.
I wish there was a test with more kites and more guys. 5 strut big air kite test would be my favorite
One test would be great to compare older kites to new ones. Is (unused) 5 year old kite bad compared to brand new one when tested blinded, how much development is done?

[Havre]

Yeah. That is cool. Even if I think quite a few would be able to recognise many kites just based on their shapes.

Not trying to really defend the Enduro as I actually think he describes it very fairly, but I think he judges it based on having a skill level very few people got. One might obviously ask the question if Ozone should make it slightly more aggressive to separate it more form the Catalyst. I don’t know and not going to have much of an opinion on that based on one rider’s feedback. This test would have been even cooler if they have had three riders doing it or something (independently).

[direnc]

Would have been better if there were more testers. Also he could have worn a very wide brim hat and been handed the kite in the air, so that he sees it less or not at all.

[Fatso]

In defense of the Enduro, it's a compromise between Freestyle/Freeride/Surf and you need to tune the bridle (easily, the difference is notable) to get it more one way or another.

Youri is a pure twin tip old school performer and his liking will always be towards more well defined kites.

The Enduro is very stable and if you are riding in unknown conditions with choice between a twintip, surfboard or foil it will work and make you feel safe whatever the conditions.

Disclaimer, don't own an Enduro but have kited with it in all conditions/disciplines on the V2 when my mate's was taking a rest on the beach... It's hard to fault the kite for what it's designed to achieve.

[nothing2seehere]

Three quick thoughts:
1. Why is the Rise in the freeride rather than big air group?
2. Why didn't Ozone send the Catalyst instead of the Enduro?
3. Youri shouldn't be researching the kites beforehand

Well done on organising this. Very surprised companies actually wanted to do this, so will be very interesting to see future iterations of this style of review. Looking forward to it.

The ozone catalyst is a single strut kite now. It would be way too obvious up against a bunch of 3/5 strut kites.

[Havre]

Interesting idea.

I would suggest to have 4 different riders:

Pro
Intermediate
Advanced beginner
Intermediate woman

With these 4 more people can identify themselves for their needs.

[Exal]

That was really well done. I heard about the planning in the podcasts and stoked they managed to pull it off. The way he described the enduro with it beeing too much effort reminded me instantly of exactly what I was feeling with the dice, awesome in prime conditions and otherwise just a pain. Maybe adrian can answer about how they connected the kite since that's what lots of people seem to have issues with.

...

No idea how to tag someone, maybe this works

[Havre]

How would you define "too much work" and what is "prime conditions"?