AT A GLANCE

A first look at the new Kahoona and it is very impressive; the design of the kite has a high-end finish with black and white graphics and a choice of five different centre primary coLours. The Kahoona still has a four strut set up leaving the very centre of the canopy completely open to aid catching and keeping a clear air flow in the centre of the kite where it counts most. The struts this year have been given a kevlar wrap around the connection point to the leading edge, giving the kite a nice strong rigid frame. The inflation valves have been given a new housing to ensure they stay put and all bridal attachment points are now attached on the inside to avoid snagging and wear, as opposed to being stitched on top. A new mini VP2 bridle has been fitted to give maximum depower for a small amount of bar travel, the bridal also helps with stabilization, whilst the leading edge has plenty of bumper pads for all terrain use as this kite has proven to be a popular choice of kite for ATB and snow kiters. To finish off, the new revamped, stronger, better looking Kahoona V2, there is a new leading edge seaming system for added stiffness and lighter construction called Flat Pack LE barrel seams.

THE BAR

Best have finally finished their new kite bar that can work across the whole kite range. The new bar comes as standard on 20m Lines which works perfectly on the 9.5m, however on the larger kites Best are producing an upgrade extension line set if the rider wishes to use longer lines. The bar still features a double pull down depower strap for adjusting kite trim on the move, and the chicken-loop line comprises of two centre lines with a slide down stopper to adjust and set bar travel on the fly. Best have scrapped the line swivel on top of the depower strap and stuck a swivel within their all-new chicken loop. The new loop has a locking pin situated on top to lock the loop out straight for easy entry and exit when riding unhooked. The quick release is very sensitive and can release with ease under any amount of pressure. The leash system works on a false fifth line that travels through the middle of the chicken loop and up onto the two front lines. For complete safety and depower the new bar still has reride on both outside lines with grab handles.

IN THE AIR

The new Kahoona is a pleasure to ride, as it sits solid as a rock in the air and shows no signs of the canopy wanting to ripple or flutter. For a small kite, the Kahoona 9.5m has plenty of low end power which means you can stay at a pleasant riding speed without the kite getting carried away and wanting to out fly itself at any stage. You can stick the kite at 12 and leave it when fumbling about for your board like a beginner would, without much chance of the kite falling. The new bridal gives a well connected positive bar feedback, and the kite responds realty well to rider input. Re-launching is automatic and really impressive, you will struggle to keep this thing in the water! For 2010, this new Kahoona has really been made for pretty much anyone to use regardless of discipline. Wake style riders will benefit from the ability to park the kite and have the confidence it will behave itself and won't become too active without bar input. The Kahoona does not send you to the moon when jumping, but there is plenty of float and glide and learning to kiteloop or performing complex kiteloop tricks is made easy with the ability for the kite to loop at the riders chosen arc. The Kahoona is a brilliant wave riding machine as well, having great low end enabling you to put up a small kite early. The fast re-launch and the all-new stronger kite construction give you plenty of confidence when things do go wrong in the waves. The responsive well-behaved nature also helps make wave riding simple and easy. However, one area the kite does not excel is its forwards flying speed, which is typical on a kite of this aspect ratio. Big air junkies would definitely prefer the Nemesis.

FOR
Not just beginners, but advanced wave riding, free riding and wake style riders alike. It is a durable kite at an affordable price.

AGAINST
Speed sailing in high winds and high attitude freestyle is not made easy by such a deep powerful canopy.

OVERALL
The kite is priced affordabty and designed to be easy enough for the beginner entry level kitesurfer, however is it also built strong enough for the toughest of kitesurfers to learn high end wake style tricks and wave riders to give it a hard time in the biggest of surf.

Had a sneaky session on the new Kahoona. I know it has been out for a couple of months but I have not had the opportunity to ride it until the weekend at Alva put on by IntheLoop Kiteboarding!

I was very surprised with level of performance and power this kite has. Don't get me wrong I really like the Bullaroo for its stability and bar pressure etc, and I thought the Kahoona was mainly an entry level kite....well I was wrong!

I was about to ride my 11m Bullaroo and in fact was thinking of rigging my 13m, when Joe from Best handed me a 9.5m Kahoona! I said for sure I will need a bigger kite yeah, well no, this thing trucks!

It has amazing power and control, I guess being a Delta Shape gives it its high performance characteristics. I did find it more difficult than the Bullaroo for handle passing but this would be like any kite, takes a bit of time to get them dialed etc. But for anyone looking at a one kite or two kite max quiver, the Kahoona would be a great option for it demonstrates good power low end, jumps well, maintains power in the turns and has bucket loads of depower.
For the hard core freestyle rider or wakestyle, the power is insane and offers a great platform for powered tricks, it does challenge you to pull the bar in as it tends to pull up wind on long load ups.

It certainly is no longer just a entry level machine, I challenge you to go test one from your local Best dealer and see for yourself!

I was fortunate to be able to try the new 9.5m Kahoona (V2) this weekend and it amazed me.

It amazed me that they managed to change so little about the kite and keep it almost the same as last year's, kite, apart from an to the top end stability- yet when they re-did the Waroo this year, they made a completely different kite.

I like the Waroo, don't get me wrong, but the changes they made to the Kahoona are just perfect, ie next to nothing. It's maybe a tiny bit little more responsive to turning in, it is still the same speed through the turn, just a touch less lag.

The build quality has gone way up, same as the new Waroo and NXG. The new LE seams and pads look perfect; last years Kahoona could look a little 'ropey', like a price point kite, but there's no hint of that on the V2. The graphics are great, I hope this signifies the direction with graphics from Best- i like them.

There's little point reviewing the kite. If you have ridden the Kahoona before then this one is the same, until the wind hits 30 knots. Where the old 9.5 would be about to kill you the V2 is just rock solid. At 30k I am hanging on, I am only 58kg, and this feels like the old 9m Yarga did, like it could just go on forever.

It's scary but I love kites with that endless feel.

I didn't get to try a 5.5m but that is going to be the first kite I add to my quiver, that will be perfect for my little Slingshot surfboard. Here's hoping the bar, if they ever release it does the V2 justice it deserves a great bar.

Dee