There's a whole new style of kite that has taken the market by storm and every kite company offers their version. You'll see several of them posted in the photo album section from Best, Slingshot, Cabrinha, Naish & Globerider. These bow style kites offer greater safety for beginners in that they can be fully depowered quickly and easily relaunched when dropped in the drink. With some of them, the bar pressure is minimal which helps reduce the amount of arm fatigue that can result while learning on more traditional kites. Perhaps the best part is that one can get by with a two kite quiver versus the normal 3 to 5 kite quivers that can often be desired to cover all wind ranges.

For those accustomed to the traditional kites, while the economic benefits could be desired, the bar pressure is probably something you've grown accustomed to and will not likely want to give up soon. Hence, with the exception of the Cabrinha Crossbow and Switchblade (which in my opinion have too much bar pressure), the rest may be too little for you. It's not hard to get used to them as they turn fast and certainly have enough pull to keep you moving, it's not the same as locking down a tradition mid or high aspect kite and in steady winds and going for a cruise ;-)

Would love to hear other people's experiences with these new kites. Any one flying one this season?