New session today with the 4.5. Wind was from 20 to 30 with some lulls around 17/18 and some gusts 32/33 knots at the weather station. No waves, only an awful very short wind swell. Not really interesting ... sort of bump & jump session. Very sunny and 30°C, a nice windy summer day otherwise. I was using a Surftech Strech 5'10 tri-fin, a quick board with a low rocker but with still some volume (i.e. not a freestyle board for strapless but still funny for bump & jump sessions).
The smart wave 4.5 performs very well ... I have nothing to complain about: Very good upwind, turns quickly but still controllable, drifts very well, depower very efficient and it is very very solid in the air, no tips moving, no flaps ... rock solid. I was even asking for more wind in the gusts Fake bottom turns strapless -- going quickly downwind in 50cm wind swell -- in strong winds are easy, the kite is not pulling me out of the board.
More (in French) about the session >> Here on LesFoilz.com << together with the comments from two other riders. We are now three French riders with a smart wave 4.5 and our tests lead to the same conclusions.
Stef