I have been flying many kites since i opened my school in Tulum and i can say the waroo 2009 is my favorite kite, great lift, fast drag and great de-power.
The construction of the kite is excellent , the relaunch ability really good.
I suggest this kite to every one likes to improve is riding fast.

I managed to wangle a go on a 9m 09 waroo last weekend, brand new out the bag from the kitesurf centre!

It was around 20-25 knots, and I tested it back to back with bandit dos (see other review!)

So.... similar sales pitch, similar kite...... very different reviews!

The Dos, as I said was a little too fast, but good unhooked and would suit 70 % of riders.

The waroo.... not so good. Its much more tame, I would go as far as saying more so that last years. It's really aimed at the mass market, which I guess is good for a lot of riders because it will suit their ability. I managed to use it with both straps and bindings and found I didnt get on with either.

Straps- for boosting I was a little dissapointed. I would expect a 9m to be fairly powered in 25 knots, and although it felt powered, it certainly didn't boost big. With the kite really well trimmed, it still has a certain degree of oversheeting. I didn't megaloop it, as after all, this is still a bow. I did some unhooked loops and found it almost always back stalled coming out of the loop. As I have already said in other reviews, I compete nationally and know how to set up a kite correctly!

Turn speed- again, compared to the dos, a little slow for my liking. I ride bindings a lot and like a stable kite, but this, for a 9m was a bit too slow for me.

Pop- better than previous years, but a lot way off most other SLE's on the market.

Relaunch- really good

Build quality- Best have definitely improved their build quality on 08 and 09 kites, the 07 and 06 were terrible.

Overall - A good kite for beginners and intermediate, a little dissapointing to the higher level riders. There are many other kites on the market now with the same safety / ease of use features that the waroo has, but with far superior performance.

I've been kiting since 2001 and I've owned 20 or so kites.
To give you some reference on my taste here are a couple of snap-shots:

Cabrinha SB, Contra, Xbow:
I like the raw pull and great pop for don't-move-the-kite-and-just-pop monkey style tricks. Great power.
I don't like: Sluggish steering, too long throw needed for proper depower.

Slingshot fuel:
I like: Awsome kite. Constant pull and fast steering.
I don't like: It broke my back in 2005 and I still have issues with my back.

Best Waroo:
Since 2006 I've these waroos:
2006 9m ( I had a proto but it was pretty similar to the real deal )
2006 14m: Great kite. Superb range...some jelly-fishing though.

2007 7m: there is no upper end of the wind range....this is your go-to-kite for nukin days.
2007 9m: allrounder that could have had some more grunt but oh so nice.
2007 11m: my girlfriends weapon of choice but somehow ends up between the 14 and 9 for me. Good kite.

2008 13m: Goes higher/further out in the window but also rides better sheeted in (back in the window) than previous versions. Really nice in the waves and super-stable. The 2008 waroo is the best kite/dollar you can get now (june 2009). Really my favorite kite ever.

2009 9m: EZ-pump!! Wohoo..At last Best has implemented the external "one-pump" system and the 9 is fantastic. It is very similar to the 2008 so if you're low on cash go for some of the killer deals out there on 2008 waroos. I must say that the EZ-pump really is a great feature though on your smaller kites. On the 13 I don't care as the wind is not so strong when i pump it. For the 9 on the other hand it's usually quite windy and the kite will flutter about when jumping from valve to valve ( for thouse poor bastards who did not get a waroo 9m with EZ-pump ).

I love the 2009 waroo because it does Waves, boosting and my half-assed attempts to new school tricks very well. The only other kite I'd concider buying is the Wainman Rabit series but they are almost 60% more expensive and don't have one-pump-

The 2009 Best Waroo
The Best Waroo is far and away the most popular kite in the world and can be seen in the backyard at REAL being setup for a beginner lesson or ripping The Slick with more advanced riders. The reason why… the Waroo is the most versatile kite in the industry. A kite that can be put into the hands of a rider who just finished their first day of lessons or in the hands of a team rider, the kite does not disappoint!

Adjust the Turning Speed
For 2009 the Best Waroo continues to allow the rider the ability to change the kites turning speed simply with the change of one knot on the backline. This allows the rider to have a kite that turns lightening quick for HUGE jumps and wave riding OR just change one knot and you have a kite that turns a little slower… perfect for a beginner or if your working on that handle pass.

One thing you’ll notice in your first few minutes of riding the new 2009 Waroo is how smooth the kite is. No drag from the trailing edge as you whip the kite through the wind window on a powered downloop. This also gives the Waroo MASSIVE HANG-TIME for the biggest jumps you’ll ever throw!

Waroo Relaunch
When testing the 2009 Waroo’s relaunch, it was nearly impossible to accomplish, the kite will not stay in the water! Whether the kite is set to turn fast (for awesome wave riding) or slower (for wakestyle) the kite just will not stay in the water if you crash it. Upon hitting the water, the kite rolls over on its side and sits on the edge of the water, often times before you can wipe the water from your eyes!!

Safety and Control with Comfort
To top it off, BEST has introduced their most versatile bar ever! Easily converting from 22m lines to 25m lines in a few seconds. The 2009 bar is also sporting one of the most comfortable grips the coaches at REAL have ever seen, allowing the coaches to teach for days on the same bar without wearing their hands raw.

When it comes to safety, the coaches at REAL are the best resource. Every coach that tried the new depower system on the 2009 BEST Bar loved it… killing nearly all the power in the kite instantly!

Best Waroo Wrap Up
The ’09 Best Waroo’s ease of use, paired with the most versatile bar in the industry and you’ve got the best setup to advance your riding. Whether your focus is shredding in the waves or going huge in The Slick, the 2009 Waroo will allow to you push your riding like never before.

For more info or to talk with someone who has ridden the new 2009 Best Waroos, call us toll free at 866-REAL-KITE or 252-987-6000.

For 2009, the REAL Flagship Store, REAL Rental Shop and REAL Kite Camp will all be fully stocked with 2009 Best Waroos !