Best Kiteboarding Kahoona+ 9m 2014
Reviews / Kites
55,300
At A Glance
Now in its 6th generation, the Best Kahoona+ has gone through many tweaks and improvements for 2014. The quad strut, delta platform design is an all-round kite for any skill level, combine this with solid bomb-proof construction and you are getting great value for money. With 5 size options to choose from, the Kahoona+ come in sizes 5.5, 7.5, 9.5, 11.5 and 13.5m. The new Twist-Lock LE valve and EZ-Pump inflation system makes pumping up effortless and gets you on the water in minutes. The Kahoona+ uses Double Core RS canopy fabric which has twice as many reinforcement fibres as standard canopies. It is a fairly low aspect design with no centre strut. This gives the kite lots of low-end power and plenty of stability, making it excellent for those riders looking for an easy-to-fly first time kite.
The Bar
The kite uses the Red Line Performance Bar, the last couple of years this bar has been constantly improving and this year it looks even better. The Pro-Cuff+ Quick Release has been improved to make it even easier to service and activate, it now offers one of the lowest trigger releases on the market, and of course meets all the international standards. The under-bar swivel has larger bearings and a better grip to allow you to untwist your lines far easier. The depower system has also been re-worked; it’s neat and tidy and features an above-the-bar cleat that is easy to operate with one hand. The grip itself has been softened a touch and the bar is finished off with EVA bar ends that offer plenty of grip when kite looping. There are three bar size options; 47cm, 52cm and 57cm depending on what size of kite you have.
In The Air
When you look at the line-up of kites in the Best range, it is easy to see where the Kahoona+ fits in, whilst billed as a do-it-all machine for any rider the kites remit quickly becomes apparent when it is in the air. The Kahoona+ is exceedingly stable, it sits happily in the window and takes direct rider input to move it. This makes it excellent as a learning kite or one for improvers to take you to the next level. Unlike the Cabo we tested last issue, fast isn’t a word we would associate with the Kahoona+, predictable and dependable are two words that describe it far better. Whilst it is far from being a whippet, don’t read this and think it is a slouch, with solid rider input you can get some good performance from the kite. Jumping is straightforward and intuitive, there is no rocket ship take off, but the hang time afforded by the low aspect canopy will give a feeling of flying to anyone who rides it. Upwind is also good and despite the low aspect powerful nature of the kite it will pull you upwind quite happily once you sheet out on the bar and drive the edge of the board into the water. Relaunch is an area where the Kahoona+ excels. It has been improved upon this year from previous versions and the kite will pop up off the water seconds after you crash it with little to no input from the rider.
For
A great kite for beginners, schools and intermediate riders who enjoy cruising.
Against
Not a kite for the advanced or freestyle riders due to the kite lacking speed. However, there are plenty of kites in the Best range that will excite the more advanced rider.
Overall
The Kahoona+ is a fantastic entry level and intermediate kite for anyone wanting a solid platform that’s easy to fly coupled with plenty of power. If you are new to kitesurfing and want great value for money, the Kahoona+ would be a perfect first kite.
Videos
This review was in Issue 43 of IKSURFMAG.
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By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
