Best Kahoona V4 (2012)

It seems strange to be reviewing the Kahoona again so soon after the V3 back in February, but we are getting the V4 early to bring the Southern hemisphere release dates of the full Best range to the start of our season rather than scattered through the year.

I have had the V4 for the past 2 weeks 5.5, 7.5, 9.5 and 11.5 and being in Geraldton have had the varied conditions. This time of year throws at us from mild 14 knots onshore to 35 plus knots cross shore fronts.

Initial package arrives and in display boxes, looks the part, I particularly like the 2 bags, one heavy duty backpack and a lightweight sock to store with the struts inflated, much better than fiddling around with extended bags and zips(in my opinion). This season brings one pump as an option to the range, this is going to be a major plus for some, but for me the weight saving and the dollars I go standard inflation.

We all know the canopy quality is as good as you get so I won't go into that.
I managed to use all 4 over the past two weeks, the Kahoona has maintained that simple relaunch, turn the kite off the water no technique required, for beginners this is fantastic, for wave riding getting the kite up quick before going through the rinse cycle is always good. Low end grunt is still there, bottom end for my weight on the 11.5 with surfboard was 11-14 knots and held this kite very comfortably to low 20s, 9.5 bottom end around 16 knots, 7.5 20 knots and 5.5 23-25 knots, I took my estimates from Geraldton Port shipping Channel wind readings after the sessions.

The 5.5, 7.5 and 9.5 feel very close to the V3 with slightly more top end, but the major improvement is their stability through looping the kite. Delta style kites have a tendency to get overloaded in the wing tips but these held their shape very well. For me the standout has to be the 11.5m, I hate big kites, living here my big kite is generally a 9m but they have obviously worked on the bigger sizes, Nice light steering input and a lighter bar pressure, this kite trucks upwind and has a great pull through the whole window without any heavy feeling at the bar a definite standout and one I shall enjoy using in light winds.

Do you need to upgrade your V3? Only if like me you love getting new kit, these kites last, there are a lot of V1s in use around here and we get more kiting than anyone, lots of UV, lots of flogging on the beach. Kites do get tired but we adapt and really don't notice the performance falling off until we demo something new. If you are in the market for an excellent freeride kite that excels in the waves give one a demo, they should be arriving in the shops any day now.