|  | | | Design Brief:
Phat Dan and the entire Ozone UK team having been instrumental in ensuring the replacement of the RIOT is the kite needed for today's modern advanced/expert land-kiter. Land-kiting has undergone a phenomenal change towards serious hardcore freestyle in the past year or two that would put any seasoned kite-surfer to shame. Pretty much these days if you head to a beach used by land-kiters you'll see a core group of riders launching monster airs, pulling off moves above the dirt that most wouldn't dare on water. Phat Dan, Kelly, Mikey, Butch, Appo and the rest of the gang are taking it to another level altogether and over the past year Ozone have been working with this incredibly talented Team to make the HAKA exactly what they want.
The Spec from the guys was that they needed a high lifting wing with plenty of power in a usable form, fast turning and insane pop and hang-time to get them and their buggies off the ground. The HAKA needed to be super stable and maybe the hardest part for the design Team was to ensure that the kite did all of the above by just steering with the front lines. Most freestyle riders are using four-line handles and want to be able to release the handles, therefore need to be able to turn the kite easily by just using arm length across the strop range to turn the kite in the air. Pretty much the guys are generally using the handles/brakes to just land the kite. The HAKA does all this and its super quick turn on the front power lines means that it's a dream on the fixed bridle 4-line bar with safety leash.
Features:
Advanced D rib construction has been used on the Haka to reduce drag from the bridles; this is done by adding internal strength to the kite enabling less bridle to be used for support. The brake line bridle has also been reduced to a minimum to save on drag and has been designed to stall the kite out of the sky quickly and safely.
Manufactured without compromise to the same exacting standards for which Ozone's paragliders are world-renowned. Quality and durability are pushed to the very highest levels, with all materials chosen for longevity and performance. The same Ultra high-spec fabric as used on the Frenzy and Manta, is also used to make the HAKA. All edges and attachment points are taped and reinforced for extra durability.
Review:
Read the review on the HAKA by 'Phat Dan' Team Ozone Rider and Highwaymen Store Rider:
…..The kites have varying aspect ratios, so that the characteristics remain predictably the same throughout the range. Well that's my take on it. I have recently been lucky enough to take this range of kites to Tunisia for the Ozone land kite photo shoot. After many stunning locations and in a variety of wind conditions this is what I think:
The 3m is super fast and stable you could hold this kite in some serious wind and probably could loop the hell out of it but unfortunately I have not been out in enough to get airborne yet and I think that would have to be in an absolute hooly maybe in the thirties to forties, serious wind!
The 5m… again quick, stable, it redirects quickly and progresses over the top of the window well so that the downward pull of gravity is converted to more lateral forces for those soft fast landings. It loops like crazy turning through window with the same predictable pull. I flew my first test in winds starting at around thirty (I could probably hold it in quite a bit more) and dropping off to 12 and it was usable throughout even if the jumps got smaller and smaller. In the event you do luff this kite it recovers well and soon re-inflates without much tip tuck and is soon back at the edge of the window waiting for input… a fantastic kite.
The 7m is the one I have flown most and it works well… smooth power, lots of it and in all the right places to get lift float. Like the 5m, it redirects quickly and progresses over the top of the window. It loops well for new technical freestyle tricks and will also create a nice progressive turn for the bigger old school tricks… so old or new it's up to you.
The 9m I have flown only once and what can I say? Power House, this kite has the ability to take you stratospheric although the biggest kite in the range, it still turns quick enough to generate the pull and lift needed. It has the same characteristics as the rest of the kites producing pop and progressing through the top of the window. It was only out in a very light wind and I was still boosting 4ft so can't wait to get it out again and really scare myself. The whole range inspired confidence to perform and I'm looking forward to this season's riding on the HAKAS.
'Phat Dan' (Dan Vaughan)…..Team Ozone and Highwaymen Store Rider
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