Oh yeah sorry. It took so long to edit the video that I forgot about the review! Got that all dialed in though and I will have instructions on how to edit high-quality videos from the GoPro using Windows Movie Maker and compressing with HandBrake.
After only having kited once the entire summer since late May, it was a refreshing change to pump up a kite and have the wind stay up until dark. While we do have a Matanzas sensor on IKitesurf.com now, it is somewhat blocked on a southerly wind direction, so it was reading low that evening. The sensor was reading 6-14 mph from the SSW, but the actual wind conditions were averaging around 15 knots with gusts to 17 knots from the SSE.
I was stoked to try the new Spleene 12 meter because I had heard it had solid low end due to it's delta shape and lower aspect ratio. Upon pumping for WAY too long, I realized that although it is a 1 pump design, the leading edge is fitted with a dump valve near the wingtip which I had unknowingly left open. DOH!!!
After I closed the valve it was much quicker to pump the kite up, even with my short worn out reverse air flow Best pump that needs to be replaced.
While it did not feel like much power on the beach, as soon as I got a small amount of speed on the board the apparent wind kicked in and I was cruising effortlessly. At 200 pounds, it is impressive that a 12 meter kite can pull me in 15-17 knots. I stayed upwind the entire session without having to walk upwind at all. The Spleene 12 reminded me alot of the Best Kahoona 11.5, with plenty of low end, fast turning and great upwind ability. It is also very easy to relaunch. The only drawback I could find was that it did not seem to jump very big, but again the wind was kinda light. Kite construction seemed solid, and the 1-pump system was easy to use for both inflate and deflate. I am interested in flying the new Spleene kite in more wind to see how it will perform near the top of it's range.
