Ozone’s Lightwind specific kite is designed with a high performance profile and a focus on weight saving. The Zephyr delivers the same superior handling, power, feel and control as you have come to expect from Ozone. The Zephyr is the ideal kite for any rider wishing they could ride in Light winds or for heavy riders looking for the ultimate large size kite with a huge wind range.
Great kite, 8 knot low end is far fetched for a 190 pound rider but I did ride my 134x43 TT in 10-12 (with a few lulls in the 8-10 range) when I would usually ride the 150x48 with my 14m. Climbs upwind very easily, has great top-end, no issues up to 18 knots. There were 14m around me though. Will I buy one? Maybe. Is it a kite I really need? I don't think so. Definitely replaces a 14m for most days. Very smooth, great bar and the relaunch is easy.
Monday 14 of September,
Wind was 10 to 15 knots so not really the best for testing light wind. The kite is fast for such a big kite incredibly stable and pretty powerful. It has that Ozone feeling from the first moment and nice bar pressure. Just a bit more then my Light XC 14m. It jump nicely and remind me of a 15m Sport 2007 for turning speed but with much more grunt. I test it against a Cabrinha Convert 15m and I felt the Zephir had more power but a bit slower. I test it against a Cab Switchblade 14m, still more powerfull and the power erogation is much smoother. The SB is definitely faster though.
Tuesday 15 of September, wind was around 11 to 14 knots.
People were able to go on 14m light and also on a CAB Convert 12m (very light guy). When the wind dropped I was racing a bit with a Flysurfer Titan 15m (old kite) and I was killing him. But I dont think we can compare such an old kite. I wish a FS Speed 2 was there...
Wednesday 16 September.
The day with the strongest wind in a while. I would say 12 to 17 knots. First went out on the 12m Light and then decided to take the Zephyr. No problem in holding the strong wind, did no have to depower the kite, the high end is unbeliveable for such a beast! I got a Japanese friend "Taro" to try the kite and he like it, he said a bit slow but good for freestyle. Every size and style of kite where planning in the water so coudn't really tell about low end.
Thursday 17 September wind drop a bit. I would say 9 to 13 knots. Me and Taro swapt between Light 14m and Zephir. Could hold the ground on the Light 14m but flying upwind on the Zephyr. I gave the kite to a heavy beginner (just learning to get on the board, weight around 85 kilos) but he could only go downwind.
I gave the kite to a big guy who usually fly Light 14m.. And he was holding his ground when he was loosing water big time with his Light. I had a great day in the water while most of the other guys were on the beach or walking up wind.
Wednesday 18 September, very typical Bali Light wind 7 to 11 knots.
Me and all the boys from the Bali Kitesurfing School used the kite and were all able to go upwind. Koman and Wayan that are under 70 kilos were flying. Me and Kadek over 70 kilos a bit less. The Zephyr was the only kite in the water going up wind.
Conclusions!!
Big, Powerfull, Stable, Smooth, Fun...
If you need a light wind kite to maximize your days in the water the Zephyr is for you. The low end for holding ground for me is 7-11 knots on my Underground Freewave Medium. I would like to try with a Race board in this wind (actually I will have an Underground Race Board soon!!! but don't tell my wife). To have fun, go at full speed etc. I require the wind to be 9 to 12 knots minimum, the kind of wind when were normally I would be on the beach! It is a BIG kite and will make big guys happy from 12 knots up. It doesn't turn like a rocket but I could still downloop it in the waves. The power erogation is so smooth, just like a car accelerator. Kite is very stable even in light wind. Turning is also nice, the kite is not pivoting on the axis but makes nice powered turns more like a C kite then a Bow. Easy to whip the kite from one side to the other of the wind window just with one hand. It can be relaunch in under 10 knots!!
Normally big kites are boring and heavy on the bar! This one is still fun..
My favourite thing about the zephyr is how it charges upwind like crazy! A couple of days ago the wind was about 13 knots and i used the zephyr 17m to tack 9km upwind from Curramundi lake to s-bends Kawana. I landed my kite, had a drink and scabbed some sunscreen of some old love then did a downwinder back to Curramundi. I tried some old school stuff on the downwinder because the hangtime on the zephyr is so dam crazy. On the sunshine coast we get light sea breezes mostly so I've been kiting nearly every day since i got it and its now my most used kite.
