Ha, my login still works after so many years away!
I flew the 8m Machine in strong wind at an event in North Wales last weekend. It was the back end of storm Arwen and I'd guess was 30 to 40+ knots. I tried it for 20mins on Friday for the first time in about 35knots just before storm Arwen smashed into the NW coast with 70knots all night and then we competed the next day. It was 4degC
. 40knots was outside my comfort zone but the kite behaves perfectly; it wasn't that hard to hold an edge once I got on the water. It was a big air event but I haven't ridden wind that strong for over a decade so I was not going to try kiteloops (I have 49 year old knees and I hope to celebrate their 50th birthday next year!). I basically just did massive airs (probably the biggest I've ever done) and by shear luck (another rider pulled out after my second heat) I ended up in the semi finals against Lewis Crathern who had just got back from KOTA in SA. Best seat in the house was boosting huge airs watching Lewis shredding
I was out of my league but it was the best buzz I've had on a kite for a long long time! Lewis was also on his 8m and doing some insane megaloops... He was on a 10m at KOTA which gives you an idea of how windy it was.
I've been flying Adi Conrad's Axis Kites for about 6 years which are a really nice bridled C kite. I like big air, kiteloops, downloops and the occasional back mobe. I'm 76Kg, 180cm tall. This is a biased review, as I know Adi, but I try to be honest about the kites I fly.
The Machine has been developed as a big air kite. It's high aspect ratio with a high lift aerofoil. It can really fly upwind, the lift is insane and the hangtime is great. The bar pressure is perfect... after flying the same kites for 6 years I thought I'd have to get used to a new kite but you can feel exactly where the kite is; it was really easy and intuitive to fly.
Hopefully over the winter I will get to try the machine in other sizes, back to back with other kites and fly the 8m more. I'll report back.
If your local dealer can get a demo, don't take my word for it just try one if you like riding fast, cranking upwind and boosting big air. After 20years flying kites I would be very surprised if you were disappointed with this kite, but we are all different and have different styles. If you are in North Wales speak to
https://www.pkswatersports.com/ in Rhyl. If I can, I will meet up in the North Wales area with my 8m. Get in touch via PKS as I average once a decade on this forum
Martyn