Ozone_kiteboarding_c4_kite_review

Ozone C4 2010 Kitesurfing Kite Review - 5m / 7m / 9m / 10m / 11m / 12m / 13m / 15m

Ozone C4 Product Page

First off, The  Ozone C4 is a brand new kite from the ground up to replace the Sport+ from 2009. A minimal bridled C kite makes it the hardest kite to categorize because it really does do it all. It can be as hard core as you want but at the same time as forgiving as you might need. Suitable in the hands of beginners or pros alike this kite has delivered in all situations we have put it through. Land, Water and Snow!



The over all package is the usual top draw from Ozone, A High quality outer ruck sack with separate inner draw string stuff sack, loads of spares, fabric, safety leash, a pump with pressure gauge etc, but that's not the exciting bit!

The main difference between this kite and a "traditional C kite" is the very minimal bridle along the leading edge of the kite. There is no point arguing that this is not a C kite, it is, and instead of getting confused about the bridle - accept it exists and move past it - the kite feels direct like a C and it be honest it rocks.

The C4 inflates with the same external one pump system that was used last year and will let you pump a lot of pressure into it, Once inflated the kite keeps its shape extremely well, both on the ground and in the air. Whilst setting the kite up for the first time one of key points you notice (If you have previously owned or flown Ozone) is that the bar centre hole size has been increased this year which allows the bar to slide much more freely with de-powering/powering and turning the bar at the same time.

The bar feels very solid if not a little too thick in the hands (in my opinion). One feature I love on the newer Ozone Control Bar is the addition of mini trim straps on outside lines, This allows you to easily add or decrease back line tension without having to land and walk back down to the kite. This feature was particularly useful when flying in conditions where the wind was up and down throughout the day, when wearing gloves with cold hands and swapping the kite between different riders who all like to fly with slightly different settings. 

Reverse launching the kite is very simple on 4 lines. We found it spins very easily without much need for rider input on land for launching after nose down crashes which generally occur when letting go of the bar when unhooking. Both through the air and turning speed the kite is fast and remains powered through the turns. This makes the kite great when carving, sliding or pulling big transition turns - The kite does exactly what you want it to and fires you out the other speed keeping its power at all times.  

Even when flying in turbulent winds or dropping in and out of terrain whilst snowkiting the kite remained super stable at all times. The depower throw as standard is fairly large and in the stronger gusts you had the option to edge harder to ride them out or let the bar out without the kite loosing its shape or threatening to do crazy things.

The Safety on the C4 is a 100% one line flag out system, Unhooking from the kite when not riding suicide of releasing the quick release on the chicken loop results in the kite very quickly falling from the sky without power in it. The kite falls landing with one tip upwind and one downwind. The system worked flawlessly every time and the relaunch from this situation was easy each time. To relaunch on land was simple - as you regained tension on the lines by pulling thebar back towards you the kite was pulled back into position for a reverse relaunch.

When it comes to jumping with the kite, its goes up like no other Ozone Lei which has been flown to date. There has been some almighty boost and hangtime from the Sport+ in the past but this seems to go bigger still, and with less effort. The kite does not require much speed to generate decent pop which makes it quite fun to static fly also. When on a board travelling at speed a short snappy redirect to 12- 1/2pm results in big floaty airs where you can do your thing.

At this point in time its worth admiring the view, waving to passers by or rotating furiously with a massive boned out grab! Because the kite itself is fast and responsive you don't have to worry about getting in your timing or redirect in until the last second.



If the standard hang time from the C4 isn't enough the kite loops like a peach. It is fast and maintains constant pull through out the loop - all the way back above your head again to catch you before hitting the ground like a rock! On the water these kites have massive potential for some mega airs (and high speed wipe outs)



To conclude Ozone have managed to make something different, a fast and poppy - yet high depower extremely versatile kite... oh and with bomb proof Ozone construction from the repair pack in the rucksack to each piece of stitching on the canopy.

The kite honestly is aimed at everyone, in lighter winds or without whanging the kite around window in a frantic rage its suitable for complete beginners due to its large depower, flag out safety, build quality and stability.

Give it to a freestyle or freeride rider in a bit of wind and go huge hooked or unhooked on any surface you fancy - Land, Water or Snow.

Even if you are not looking for a new kite, It's worth grabbing a demo just for the experience.