Ozone C4 (2011)

I decided to sit down and write a review on the 2011 Ozone Catalyst because it has just thrown me into an entirely new world of kiting happiness! Here is the story.

A good mate started kiting less than 12 months ago and had lessons with the great people at AKS. They then hooked him up with an 09 12m Ozone Light XC. I was very impressed how quickly he was progressing and how he had no fear of crashing the kite because it was so easy for him to re-launch. And the wind range he is getting is very impressive. I have been thinking for a couple of seasons that I need to finally upgrade from my old Airush gear, but seeing this first hand pushed me over the edge.

With big thanks again the AKS crew, I was able to demo the Catalyst and C4 back to back one windy afternoon. I bought a 12m Catalyst the next day.

First thing I like is the simplicity of it all. It was ready to fly perfectly, straight out of the bag. It takes about 60 easy strokes from the included Ozone metal shaft pump to get the 12m to the recommended 8 psi. The new high flow inlet valve is AWESOME! And the bar and line system seems simple, very refined and very high quality.

The flying characteristics are just amazing for me. It should be though because until now, the newest kite I had flown was a 2004 Airush lift. My kiting session experience has gone from something like a mix of the Ninja Warrior TV show and Total wipeout UK, to pure ecstasy.

It has been written in other reviews but I can confirm that it is a very fun kite to fly. It is very stable making one handed riding actually easier than holding on to the bar with two hands in my opinion, especially when riding it upwind, which it seems to excel in doing. It has a very light feeling to it and just drifts about the sky happily while your on full depower riding a wave or playing with chop or whatever, but the power is ready to turn on as soon as you want it!

Total beginners would love this kite too. It is just so friendly, and apparently it is easy to relaunch, but I haven’t tested that. I don’t want to get it wet yet, and I am still in the old C kite mind set of not wanting to crash the kite because there is only a 50% chance you might get it flying again.

The pivotal turning is reasonably fast. It took a little getting used to after flying C kites for so long, but I got it dialed pretty quickly. I haven’t tried the ‘low bar pressure’ line attachment position but I think I might like it better. And once I worked out the right timing for boosting air, I was happy with the boost power, especially when given a wave to ramp you up. Also it has nice long hang time for a super soft landing.

The C4 turned much quicker and boosted much higher. I can see why the freestyle fanatics are loving it. After trying both, I realized I was having more fun with the Catalyst. So I bought an 8m as well.

Everyone seems to be super stoked on their 2011 kites. It seems to be a very good year to be upgrading gear. The Ozone guys are providing some very high quality kit with little details included right down to a fully equipped repair kit included in the bag. If you want an easy, fun kite that you can use in the surf definitely demo the Catalyst.

I finally got to try the new C4 2011 12m and to test it back to back with my C4 12m from last year. Also had a chance to exchange impressions with Ozone Pro Rider Marc Ramseier that had the 2011 to test!

If you are already flying a C4 you know that at the trailing edge there are 3 different positions to choose from to custom the kite to your preference: "Slow - Medium - Fast" this also changes the bar pressure from harder to lighter.

So basically is like this: - < Medium Turning/Medium bar pressure > - < Fast Turning/Light bar pressure >

The feeling when picking up the kite is really similar but when you fly them back to back you can feel the difference:

Bar Pressure: The 2010 Light Bar pressure is the same as the 2011 Heavy bar pressure! So is quite lighter.

Turning Speed: The 2010 Fast turning is about the same as the 2011 Medium turning speed.

Low End Power: The 2011 feels like it has more juice, wind was pretty good so hard to tell.

High End Power: Realy good as in the old one.

Depower: The new contact bar (very similar to the 2010 bar that came with the Catalyst) with the longer depower give you more range at the bar without the need to pull the strap.

Stability and Overall flying: Very very good when the kite was at the zenith I felt was easier to control and to get inot the power window.

Extra Adjustment (Wake Style option): I really like it!!! makes the kite more reactive and direct more like a pure C kite.

Few differences in constructions with the main one beeing the new inflate/deflate bar Cabrinha style with a nice neoprene cap to protect from the valve when folding the kite.

So if you liked the 2010 C4 you will love the new one, if you haven't tried one yet you don't know what are you missing.