Kite: Noise 12
Wind: 15 - 18 knots, S
Location: Hampton
Time: 18:30 to 17:15 (45m)
I flew my Noise 12m kite for the first time today. Yes, its taken me quite a while to get around to it. With such as poor wind season I have opted a couple of times to use my Switchblade 14m instead.
After flying the Noise, I realise this has been a mistake. The kite is superb. It flies like a dream and turns much faster then the Switchblade 14. The bar pressure is good, enough to get good feel, but not too much.
The southerly change after a 40C degree day came through at 6pm as forecast. I got on the water at about 6:30, by which time the wind had dropped, making the 12 a good proposition.
The Noise 12 bladders are much smaller and quicker to pump up. This lean profile would be one reason the kite flies so well. After launching me, a friendly kiter pointed out that I should cleat the depower line to avoid the plastic stopper getting torn off.
The kite really wants to fly, but it is predictable and sweet to turn. I tried a small jump and even in the light 15 knot wind I got some boost.
I stayed out for a while and picked up some short bursts of good wind, then it dropped so I came back to shore. I didn't quite make it to the second groyne beach and ended up on the third, which is a dicey place to come in. The reefs just offshore have leg-swallowing holes in them (which I avoided) and some line grabbing rooks in the shore break (which I got some lines caught on briefly). The beach is narrow too. Next time I self land, I will do so along the sand rather than from the water.
It took me a while to untangle the lines, but I headed home happy.
A summary of my initial impressions of the Noise 12m kite by Benwilsonsurf.
- Ben and his designer Dano have created an excellent kite with the Noise
- Great turning with the right amount of bar pressure
- It flies well with the bar in - making it easy to use unhooked
- Good profile with a slim leading edge bladder improves flight characteristics
- Well finished with reinforced wear points
- Good power for its size - I estimate it has the same or better power than my Switchblade 14
Looks like my Switchblade 14 will now be for sale.