David Morph Sponsored by OZONE Kites and Mexkites.com

 

SET BY NATALIA SCHELOTTO

 

SET BY KEVIN MORITZ

   

SET BY SJ

Nov 13th 2012, 

I have received my new kite Catalyst Ozone 2013, Starting in 2013, www.ozonekites.com and www.mexkites.com , will be sponsoring me as far as kite gear goes. 

People have asked me what's going on with EH KITEBOARDING, and well, although I have a long time story with EH and I love his kites, Eric Hertsens has decided to retire of the kite industry, this is a bummer. Because he is the "Versace" of kiteboarding his attention to the details on the performance and the real state of the art class kites, are no longer in the market. I still have a couple EH/Morph Kites, but this supply won't last forever..... :(.

As well, as you know I'm a promoter, and an ambassador of the sport, and my mission is to continue to spread the stoke for kiteboarding, and to assist the people that are getting started in the sport , making sure they have the best information that we didn't have in the early days. For me to be using another kite, is not coincidence.... And not easy.... Throughout all of these years I´ve had access to all kind of brands, sizes, models, weather conditions, spots, challenges, etc. And although I had my own kite, I was always of course, testing all gear that I could get my hands on.... And reviewing them.... Ozone, is the brand that stood out, by far from all of the other brands.... Why??? Well, first then nothing they have been in the business for a long time, and not only in the kite business, but in the flying business, they produce, parachutes, paragliding, foil kites , and they do have a big background as far as R&D goes not to mention all of the technology to be able to deliver a great quality product. As well Ozone kites, are super versatile, I can get away with my old school moves, as well as the new school, freestyle, wake style.....etc.... 

Anyway , today I have received my new Catalyst 2013 , 14 mts. I decided for the 14' cause, really here in the Mayan Riviera , I don't want to be struggling with the lack of wind, and for those days of high winds.....well..... We will just fly really high!!!!! :) my 10m is coming so I will mix and match...... 

Today was the perfect day to try me new toy out.... The wind was kind of borderline, from 10 to 14 knots, with average of 12.... There was some kites on the water, and they would bare downwind..... mostly 12s.... I believe I was the only 14 on the water..... As the wind was not really strong I started training some underpowered freestyle moves... As far as handle pass variations..... Back mobe, slim chance, flats, raileys, etc, the kite moves very well, of course, super stable and although is a big kite, reacts really "fast", delivering really steady pull and direct feel on the bar without ripping my arms off.... Where the real test comes, is to try to kite loop a big kite on low winds.... I tried some f16's, flat kite loops, landings, blind , pass, or just direct landing, and when I got used to the timing of this kite...OMG!!!!! Crazy kite loops, really horizontal to the water, very powerful, and high enough so I could land perfectly with both hands in the bar, and a super smooth landing..... So far I like it, as I can do freestyle with it, and that was my bigger concern. However if you know me, you know I love to boost some old school big air , board off moves....etc..... However this day was not great day for such thing, but either way, I was flying really good, and I was the only kite upwind..... Remember I was the only 14.... But still....... 

One of the highlights of today was a very large turtle that was watching me riding..... And as I rode by it, of course she sank and said good bye,,,,,,, :)

Nov 14th 2012.

Today, the wind is stronger, and promising a great session, and as well great conditions, and stronger conditions, to test out the versatility of my new kite.

The wind is ranging 14 to 18, I drove to Playacar Fase 1, and parked ad Diego´s house, meet up with him, and as I´m walking to the beach, this Morpho Butterfly, showed out of nowhere.... it was beautiful, and I think that butterfly has just recently hatched, because the tons of Blue and Brown underneath are so bright, and so beautiful..... anyways, I walked the first 2 blocks, and this butterfly just kept flying around me..... taking care of me and guiding me to the beach..... this is a signal of a great session!!!! 

I hit the beach, and I start to pump my 14m, and also another thing I love about this new kite, is the inflation system, although Im not a big fan of one pump systems, due to safety on the water, this 3 strut kite and the double action pump, makes the pumping of the kite really easy.... as well the swivell right above the chicken loop, just like EH kites, makes the un spin of the bar, a piece of cake

Another feature that stands out, is the 2 settings for the leash attachment on the bar, you can choose between a safety re ride leash, attached above the chicken loop, or the suicide leash loop connection located inside the chicken loop, getting the leash clip out of the way of the bar.

well, it looks like today will be only a BIG AIR SHOW day, as I don´t think I´ll be looping or unhooking this monster, not specially after seeing the 10 mt kites out there boosting really high!!!!

I got in, ride for a bit, and the Old School show starts.....1 footers, board offs, Dead man, jajajaja, and the Morph style, and Im just having fun.... 

Today is about FLYING REALLY HIGH, and that´s what I did.... boosting really high Jumps, doing some fun board variations.... I love it when I jump on days like this, specially close to shore ( kids, don´t do this at home...lol!!!!) and when you are up there, you get to see people looking at you, taking pictures, some of them get scared, some of them scream...and anyways, this is one of the things I love about kiteboarding, not only the rider gets to have fun, but the people watching them...and I love kiting for the people....

Well, at some point I started to trim and feel the kite, and I decide to give it a go on a small railey, just to see how the power of unhooked tricks feels over here.... on this weather conditions.

surprisingly, even tough I was waaaaay overpowered, I managed the unhooked.... and started trying some tricks, not going super crazy, because let´s face it I´m not 20 years old anymore....jajajaja-----

well, let´s go for a Front Mobe-...... I unhook, here I go, it definitely pulls me higher and stronger than what I´m used to, but I did it, and actually, the momentum of the pass, I felt it really steady, I dont know how to explain it, but it felt really solid, without been agressive on my shoulders.... landed it....

so on and on.... I then, tried a "fishing pole" kite loop, taking specially care of the timing, making sure I don´t fly to the infinite and beyond!!!!, same thing.....flew out of the water, really nice, made me scream one of those YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOs!!!!! right deep from my lungs, and landed 2 handed, just right when the kite is going up to the zenith.....sweet!!!!! now, time for an F16....... OMG!!!!!! want to talk about SCREAMING REALLY LOUD?????? but....wow, what a feeling!!!! I love those kites that when you kite loop , they really take you across the water on an horizontal flight, rather than a kite that only loops so fast, and you feel like traveling without moving....

well, in the end I had a Blast!!!! and apparently , the people at the beach as well!!!!

there was some cameras, and as you know, I´m very shy when I see a camera..... :)

Thank you so Much you guys for this incredible pictures!!!!

Natalia Schelotto, Thank you so much for cheering up for me at the beach, and thank you so much, you managed to capture all the fun!

Kevin Moritz, thank you so much Kevin, for taking time to get this frames, I really like how you managed to capture "text book" pictures of the tricks, even though you are not familiarized with this tricks.

SJ, thank you very much for all the support>!!!!

in overall, I haven´t flown this kite more than 10 hours, but I can tell you, performance wise, it´s an amazing all round kite, and as far as quality goes..... well, just go to www.ozonekites.com and see what is what i´m talking about.

It´s all about Having fun,

It´s all about doing what you love to do, 

It´s all about sharing, 

It´s all about Morph , Just Fly.

David Morph.