TheKiteMag - The Ultimate Test Guide by Water Born Media

THE uLTIMATE

TEST GuIDE 2O19

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

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T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

INTRODUCTION

5.45AM EARLIEST WAKE UP TO TEST

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WARMEST TEST DAY COLDEST TEST DAY

8°C

8 - MOST HOURS TESTING IN ONE DAY

NUMBER OF BRANDS

IN THE TEST

YOUNGEST

458

28°C TESTING HOURS

382M²KITES

TESTED

TESTER

Welcome to our Ultimate Test magazine. It’s been a pretty busy few months for us and we hope you appreciate the results. So why have we done it? Well, our philosophy with TheKiteMag has always been to present kiteboarding in its most visually appealing form. We spend a lot of time gathering and editing the very best photos that we can, and pulling together the kind of features and interviews that make you want to head off on a trip, or just get out on the water at your local spot... For us the magazine is more about trying to capture the magic of kiting, so we’re a lot glossier and a lot more photo-focused than

1AM = LATEST FINISH MEASURING BOARDS COMPLETING STATS

TOTAL FLIGHTS TAKEN BY THE TEST TEAM

5 28884

18 # OF SPREADSHEETS COMPILED

AVERAGE # OF JUGS OF COFFEE EACH MORNING

# OF METERS OF AIR PUMPED INTO KITES

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

PACK DOWN TWIN TIP

29.6 KNOTS FASTEST RECORDED SPEED

100% dedicated to testing. You can read more below about how we tested, but for us the focus was on being completely independent and to have an infallible system so that you can expect completely legitimate results based on the opinions of real-world kiters. No sell out tests, and no bias. So if you’re planning to purchase a new board, kite or foil then there is plenty for you to look into within these pages, or if you’re just intrigued to see how your setup compares with the competition then there’s plenty here for you to look at too. Enjoy the stats! Alex

MINUTES AVERAGE TIME TO

TESTER

OLDEST

other mags. That’s why we’re different and – hopefully – that’s why you love reading TheKiteMag so much! But we know that that isn’t always enough and that kitesurfers (us included!) also want to know what’s going on in the world of kite and board development, and also to read tests… As you know we do test in the magazine, but we’re very conscious that we don’t want to have a magazine that is 50% full of tests. Where would all the nice pictures go?! So instead we decided to embark on this, our Ultimate Test. We have gathered together a staggering 24 brands and tested their equipment across Freestyle, Freeride and Foil categories, and we’ve put together this magazine which is

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CONTENTS

04 // Introduction THE KITES 0 1 6 - 0 1 8 / / Kite Test Criteria 0 2 2 - 0 3 2 / / All round freeride (Red charts) 0 3 4 - 0 4 5 / / Performance freeride (Green charts) 0 4 6 - 0 4 9 / / Mono strut kites (Orange charts) 0 5 0 - 0 5 3 / / Freestyle kites (Purple charts) 0 5 4 - 0 5 7 / / Boosting kites (Blue charts) 0 5 8 - 0 6 0 / / Lightwind specific kites (Black charts) 0 6 2 - 0 6 3 / / Kite Category Winners and Gold Awards THE BOARDS 0 6 6 - 0 6 7 / / Board Test criteria 0 7 0 - 0 7 6 / / Freeride (Red charts) 0 7 8 - 0 8 7 / / Performance freeride (Green charts) 0 8 3 - 0 9 4 / / Freestyle (Purple charts) 0 9 6 - 1 0 0 / / Lightwind (Black charts) 1 0 2 - 1 0 4 / / Board Category Winners and Gold Awards THE FOILS 108 // Foil Test Criteria 1 0 9 - 1 1 6 / / Foil Tests 118 // Foil Category Winners and Gold Awards

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

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T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

WHERE DID WE TEST ? The test took part in two stages… Stage one was held in Dakhla, in the Moroccan Sahara. The test team got together, tested equipment and focused hard on establishing the best quantitative and qualitative criteria for the test. We stayed at Dakhla Spirit on the lagoon, and wind conditions varied between 6 and 35 knots, averaging 18 knots for the test days. Stage two was in Obidos, Portugal. Testing took place on the Obidos lagoon with all test equipment on the beach and backto-back testing undertaken throughout the time we were there. We stayed at The Kitesurf Lodge and wind conditions varied between 6 and 25 knots, averaging 22 knots for the test days.

HOW DID WE TEST ? We figured that if we were going to do a serious back-to-back test then we would need some serious criteria! We spent many hours debating exactly what information was useful and interesting to regular kiters. The tests fall in to two parts. Objective Test Criteria: This entailed looking in minute detail at every element of kites,

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boards and foils. From the precise flex of the boards (using a Newton meter) through to the quality of the supplied kite repair kit. If you like stats then you’ll be referring back to this for the next few years! You can find a full breakdown of the criteria for kites, boards and foils before the start of each of those sections. Subjective Test Criteria: To establish the subjective test results, every rider entered a score of 1-10 for everything they tested. We then eliminated the highest and lowest scores and took the average of the remaining scores. Through this we believe we have done all that we can to eliminate any ‘brand bias’ and to ensure that everything has been tested fairly. We often hear that ‘the tests aren’t fair because the brands pay for their results etc’. Well our process here has been entirely transparent. As well as recording scores for everything tested, testers also gave written feedback which we have incorporated in to the test write ups. Please note that the test write ups do not go into microscopic detail about constructions or layups – the point of the tests was to compare the products in real-world conditions and to decide which we thought performed best. If you want more details about products then you can find them on the brands’ websites!

WHO DID THE TESTING? In total, 15 people tested the equipment for at least two days and fed into the assessment criteria. The core team who tested all the equipment for most of the days were: Richard Boughton (Head Tester) Years kiting: 16 Experience: 10 years kite repairs, 12 years instructing and managing kite centers, brand R&D and testing, professional team coaching. Favorite set up: F-ONE Trax Carbon + WTF?!

Tanja Rosenkranz Years kiting: 14 Experience: GKA Judge, instructing 13 years, school owner 9 years, Production Manager of kite facory. Favorite set up: Duotone Dice + Nobile NHP Carbon

Jennifer Bell-Taylor Years kiting: 9 years Experience: Instructing and managing centers, 8 years, co-founder of kitespot.com. Favorite set up: CORE Nexus + Lieuwe Shotgun CARBONara

James Ward Years kiting: 16 Experience: Kite repairs 12 years, school manager / senior instructor and kite shop manager. Favorite set up: Slingshot RPM + Naish Monarch Carbon + WTF?!

Max de Travieso Years kiting: 22 years Experience: Owner and manager of multiple schools and centers internationally. Favorite Set Up: Duotone Evo + Duotone Jaime

Alex Hapgood Years kiting: 18 Experience: Editor, owner and publisher of kite magazines, 8 years. Favorite set up (foils only): Naish Boxer + Sroka K-Foil

Phil Soames Years kiting: 6 Experience: Instructing 3 years, head instructor 2 years. Favorite set up: Slingshot RPM + Lieuwe Shotgun

Simon Gabathuler Years kiting: 3 Experience: Instructing 2 years. Favorite set up: Duotone Evo + CrazyFly Raptor

Yann Dabadie Years kiting: 6 Experience: Instructing 1 year. Favorite set up: Duotone Vegas and F-ONE Trax Carbon

Miguel Hipรณlito Years kiting: 8 Experience: Instructing 4 years. Favorite set up: CORE GTS5 + Duotone Jaime

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

W H AT WA S T H E B E S T ? ! Everyone likes a winner… So at the end of the magazine you can find the kites and boards that we think performed best across each category. Please note though, a lot of the tests were very close, and choosing a ‘winner’ doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best kite for you. If you’re looking in the freeride category for example, then you might want a kite that is slightly more aggressive because you want to do some freestyle, or you could be looking for something that has a solid wind range as your local spot is super gusty. So please check the individual scores for all of the kit and read the write ups to work out what is going to meet your exact needs.

W H AT ’ S W I T H T H E € ? ! You will notice that we have decided to do all of the pricing in euros. As you know we usually have pricing in US dollars and GBP as well, but as space was limited and there is already a lot of data, we have decided to keep things simple. Apologies to our US and UK readers but you should be able to easily find pricing online! All kite prices are for a 12m (unless stated) and are ‘kite only’.

W H AT A B O U T B A R S , PA D S + STRAPS?! We have tested all of the bars for all of the kites we had on test and take a detailed look at all elements of them. The same with pads + straps, and after many hours of riding we have been able to really tell which are the most comfortable and offer best support, as well as which offer the best adjustability (the feet size of testers ranged from euro 41–46). These tests will be published in the next issue of the main magazine…

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T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

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T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

KITES W H AT W E T E S T E D

A N G L E O F A T T A C K FORCE TEST

For this we attached a Newton meter between the harness and chicken loop… Two readings are taken: 1) The initial reading is taken with the kite in a depowered position (bar out). The pilot sits braced against the floor with the kite at 45 degrees and, when it is stable, a wind meter reading and the reading off the crane meter is to be taken. Repeated at least three times, ensuring no anomalies in recordings. 2) The test is repeated as above but with the bar sheeted in all the way. Both results are recorded and the difference between the two values is recorded. We found this to be a very solid indicator of the power a kite had on tap. So the higher the value, the more power the kite had.

BAR PRESSURE Subjective assessment of turning speed as perceived by individual riders. NB: 10 is not necessarily a ‘good’ score. •

•

10 Bar pressure is light and almost unnoticeable and after a session riders’ arms do not feel tired. Can comfortably ride with kite fully powered all of the time. 7-9 Bar pressure is still light with only a small amount of fatigue after a session or when riding the kite fully powered. 4-6 Bar pressure is heavier and after a session the rider experiences some fatigue in arms. Rider feels they can only ride with the kite fully powered for a limited amount of time.

LOOP RADIUS TURNING SPEED Subjective assessment of turning speed as perceived by individual riders. •

10 Flies constantly up and down with no lag or stalling in turn.

•

7-9 Kite flies very quickly and has a quick turn which is fairly tight with little lag or stalling.

•

4-6 Kite flies steadily up and down with a small amount of lag or stalling.

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Loop radius was assessed in three ways. A static loop in light wind, a downloop turn, and a sent kite loop. The kite was assessed to see if, when it was turned hard, if it pivot turned (a tight turn) or if it took a large arc and flew low through the window. The kites were then assigned a value of 1-10, 10 being a tight turn and 1 a wider arc.

BAR FEEDBACK Bar feedback was judged on two criteria, firstly on the ability to fly the kite “blind”, so be able to sine the kite without looking at it. Any lag in initiation of turn that may have resulted from pulleys was also taken into account. Bar feedback that was instantaneous and could be flown blind was assigned a score of 10. The more that you have to look at the kite and the slower the response to input the lower the score.

S TA B I L I T Y AT ZENITH The kite was flown at 12 o’clock. When stable it was then fully depowered and then powered again in quick succession. •

10 Kite is stable at all points with no falling back.

•

7-9 Kite has little movement during test with only a small amount of falling back.

•

4-6 Kite falls back a small amount during test but after a short time it restores itself to the zenith.

•

1-3 Kite is barely at zenith, it falls back significantly into the window before catching itself or falls out of sky.

O V E R S H E E T T O S TA L L T E S T

The kite was flown at 45 degrees. When stable it was then fully depowered and then powered again in quick succession. •

10 Kite stays stable at 45 degrees and does not fall back at all.

•

7-9 Kite is relatively still with only a small amount of dropping back but quickly recovers itself.

•

4-6 Kite stays around 45 degrees and at times it drops back into the window but still recovers.

•

1-3 Kite barely stays in position, it drops back significantly into window resulting in power spikes on recovery or back stalling.

UPWIND ABILITY Subjective assessment of upwind angles as perceived by individual riders. 10 is the ‘best’ upwind angle on a kite. NB: 10 is not necessarily a ‘good’ score, for some kites you would want them to sit closer to the middle of the window so to have a lower score.

DOWNWIND DRIFT The tester rides as hard upwind as possible before quickly heading directly downwind towards the kite.

P OP / SLACK TEST The tester unhooked, loaded and popped for a basic Railey. On landing, they rode towards the kite and assessed how easy it was to hook back in / land blind / surface pass out of the maneuver. •

10 Kite will slack out on landing and not pull on arm. Pass out would be easy.

•

7-9 Kite slacks out a degree on landing, allowing easy hooking back in or relatively easy pass with little pull.

•

4-6 Kite has a small amount of pull on landing and effort is required to hook back in.

•

10 Kite remains steerable and never looks like it will fall out of the sky.

•

7-9 Kite sits stable and does not look like it will fall out of the sky but loses a degree of steerage.

•

4-6 Kite sits relatively stable but loses steering and starts to fall slightly.

KITELOOP POWER TEST

•

1-3 Kite rapidly loses steering and starts to fall out of the sky.

The tester performs a downloop turn or a sent kiteloop. Subjective assessment of the amount of pull from the kite.

•

1-3 Kite still pulling hard on landing and hooking back in is difficult.

•

10 Very strong pull resulting in being pulled or almost pulled off edge on a downloop turn, or a huge pull in loop.

•

7-9 In downloop turn there is a large pull resulting in a downloop turn with a lot of speed, in a kiteloop there is a fairly large pull in loop.

•

4-6 In downloop turn there is a fair amount of speed maintained in the turn, in a kiteloop there is a noticeable but controllable amount of pull.

•

1-3 In downloop turn the kite pivots and little speed generated, in a kiteloop there is little power generated. T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

D O W N L O O P C ATC H FROM SENT JUMP TEST Subjective assessment of the amount of catch and lift the kite provides if you’re coming in quickly from a sent jump and need to downloop before landing. A high score indicated that the kite is easy to control and loops, providing good lift to ensure a smooth landing.

F O RWA R D B OA R D SPEED Subjective assessment of the amount of speed generated by the kite when traveling at full power both when aiming as upwind as possible, and when traveling slightly off the wind. A score of 10 indicates a fast kite.

O V E R A L L S TA B I L I T Y Subjective assessment by each team member of their confidence in the overall stability of the kite (including criteria looked at in other elements of the test). A score of 10 equals a very stable, confidence building kite.

LOW END ABILITY Subjective assessment of how a kite responded at the lower end of its expected wind range. Over the course of the test we had a range of wind strengths and we also had most kites on test in a range of sizes so we were able to effectively test the low end of kites. If a kite was able to deliver the power to get a rider up and riding with minimum sining of the kite then a higher score was awarded.

BAR FEEDBACK WHEN DEPOWERED Assessment of the degree of control testers had when the kite was depowered completely, essentially assessing the usable range of the kite. When the kite was at the upper end of range, the depower was pulled on completely and the tester assesses amount of control they have over the kite. If the kite still steers well and tester is able to continue to use it effectively then the score is higher.

TO P E N D A B I L I T Y Subjective assessment of how a kite responded at the upper end of its expected wind range. Over the course of the test we had a range of wind strengths and we also had most kites in a range of sizes so we were able to effectively test the top end of kites. If a kite became difficult to manage or if (on a foil for example) it was difficult to control and began to pull downwind at the upper end of its recommended useable range, then a low score was awarded. If the kite was still functional and you could continue riding with minimal impact on your performance then a high score was awarded.

LINEAR POWER DEVELOPMENT ON SHEET Subjective assessment of how the power is delivered through bar input. A high score indicates that power is delivered smoothly and consistently when pulling in the bar. A lower score suggests that there are clear spikes in the power delivery or that the kite has a tendency to make unpredictable movements at certain points in its sheeting range.

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USABLE RANGE Subjective test based on flying the kite in a range of conditions. A high useable range score indicates that a kite has a good low and/or high end and consequently can be used across a wide range of wind strengths. A high useable range score suggests that a two or three kite quiver would be sufficient for most conditions, a lower score suggests a three or four kite quiver.

LIFT ON SHEETING Assessment of the amount of lift the kite generates without the rider working hard to generate pop and lift. Assessed through the tester performing at least 10 ‘beginner jumps’ where the kite is sent slowly and the bar pulled in when the kite reaches its apex. A high score shows a kite that generates a lot of lift through sheeting in the bar, a low score shows a kite that needs more ‘edge and pop’ technique to generate lift.

HANGTIME Subjective assessment of the amount of hangtime a kite delivers. Assessed when a kite is well powered and following a jump. A kite with a higher score will deliver longer hangtime (even if it does not get as much height as other kites) and a ‘floatier’ jump.

EASE OF RELAUNCH Assessed through the tester crashing the kite in the middle of the wind window and attempting to relaunch. A high score indicates that the kite travels to edge of window with minimal bar input, rotates on LE and just needs the bar pulling to relaunch. A lower score indicates that the line needs to be pulled from the floater and/or that that kite requires a lot of rider input to relaunch.

I M P O R TA N T N OT E : We decided to test all kites against all of these criteria (where possible. We did not try a downloop from a sent jump with any 17m kites!). Clearly some kites will get low scores in some categories as this is not what they are designed for. Please consider this when checking data. When assessing the ‘Gold Awards’ and ‘Winners’ for each category, we looked very specifically at the criteria that you would expect from a kite in that category.

CAT E G O RY WINNER

GOLD AWA R D

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

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T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€1599

C A B R I N H A M OTO The Moto is a new model line for Cabrinha in 2019 and is pitched as a versatile, all-round-fun three strut freeride kite. Sitting somewhere between the Drifter and Switchblade, where does the Moto fit? Well, it’s less grunty and generally has a lighter and more nimble feeling on the bar than the Switchblade and will be more suited to lighter riders or those who want a more playful kite. You can throw it around all over the place without severe consequences, and it provides exceptionally predictable and rounded power delivery. Even when the wind is very inconsistent it seems to sit there perfectly and drive forward, smoothing out the gusts immaculately. It has the same consistent, silky smooth bar feeling you come to expect from a Cabrinha kite, which is something of a brand trademark and manages to traverse the whole product range. This divided our test team a little, with some loving the silky handling and some looking for a bit more feedback at the bar. Unhooked, the Moto is again a smooth and progressive experience with relatively gentle, consistent power delivery to load up with and little back stall tendency. Its boosting capability was much better than expected, as the relatively high turning speed translates the power upwards really effectively and there is a decent sheeting to lift performance on the bar, leading into lovely, neat and tidy, controlled transitions. Looping doesn’t forward pull a great deal, but you can get the kite quite low and level, which looks impressive for the pilot as it climbs fast and consistently. It’s a fast, responsive, enjoyable kite to ride, and has decent crossover potential into multiple disciplines, and with two struts less than the Switchblade its significantly lighter weight gives it quite an advantage for early starts foiling and drifty wave use for those less ‘twintip focused’ riders. The XO version runs up to a 12m and provides a more feminine graphic design for the ladies, but otherwise is the same kite. There’s nothing spiky or surprising about the Moto, apart from just how incredibly smooth and fun to fly it is. The Moto truly has a huge range of application, and is a very refined debut for the model. T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

10 3.04 0.304 No 6 4 3 14.64 7.5-8 Yes 2 total Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Volae 2DR double ripstop Double 2DR in center and 2DR with Dacron on wingtips 2mm sheathed Dyneema 3 step zigzag / single overlay Standard High Tenacity Dacron 8 7 Cabrinha Sprint valve

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sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

7 8 7 6 8 8 7 9 8 9 7 7 6 9 8 9 8 8 9 8 9 7 7 8 9 9 8 8 7 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping deflation and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 9 5 6 5 6 7 9 5 6 5 6

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

UNITS SOLD

Upwind ability Downwind drift/leeward ability Pop / slack test KiteloopDynamic power testHandling Attributes (subjective 0-10) Downloop catch from sent jump test PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift/leeward ability Low end ability Pop / slack test Bar feedback when depowered Kiteloop power test Top end ability Downloop catch from sent jump Linear power development on test sheet Forward board speed Usable range Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low S U end B J E Cability TIVE TEAM FEEDBACK: Hangtime Bar feedback when depowered Ease of relaunch Top end ability Dynamic Attributes Linear powerHandling development on

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

20 180 356 176

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1499

C R A Z Y F LY S C U L P The Sculp has been one of the longest standing models in the CrazyFly range for the Slovakian brand. CrazyFly now produces all of their kites in Europe, with a fantastic production facility on their doorstep and a proud transparency policy which is a great touch, reinforcing the brand’s family values and dependable nature. The kites include a three year warranty, which is almost unheard of in the industry, but if you’ve got that factory facility right there it makes perfect sense. The Sculp sits squarely in the middle of their range as the ultimate all-rounder for freeride, foil and wave use. It’s a swept leading edge modern delta design with flattish span and including scalloped trailing edge between the struts, which makes it quite unique to look at from underneath. It’s relatively high aspect, and has a generous amount of Dacron in the wingtips, which gives it a very steady ground pull and oodles of stability at the zenith. The Sculp is definitely on the steadier side when reacting to bar inputs. It reacts immediately but moves itself around the wind window in quite a methodical fashion, there are no surprises from its feedback, and seems to remain smooth at all points in the window and has a very gentle progressive nature about it. You ascend slowly, and come down gently. This makes it great for lofty hooked in jumps and rotations, giving you plenty of time to come back down gently and spot your landing, and small bar inputs aren’t going to throw you out of line. The test team were blown away by the accuracy and overall quality of the finish. The way the leading edge seam folds itself around the center of the kite and the detailed panel cutting really is impressive and must take a lot of calculation, and will undoubtedly have the benefit of improving airflow. The keywords for the Sculp would be reliable and predictable, which – whether they know it or not – is exactly what the average freerider wants. It’s not going to dump you for making a small mistake, it’s going to truck you around over more or less any sea state with no fuss at all, which is exactly what you want from your freeride kite, whatever your level.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

9 3.02 0.335555556 No 8 3 3 14 7 Yes 2 in total TE Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes No

Construction

9 7 6 6 7 6 6 8 8 6 6 9 7 6 7 7 6 6 6 8 6 7 7 6 6

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

R3 Triplex Dacron, R3 Triplex and Mark cloth 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step overlaid Standard Teijin Dacron All bar one 9 Boston

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

9 8 6 8 8 7 9 8 6 8 8 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

7 6 6 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points

UNITS SOLD

20 144 328 184

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1529

R R D PA S S I O N The Passion is RRD’s all rounder work horse in the freeride sector, providing a stable platform for everyone post lessons through to intermediates and beyond. An open C shape with slightly swept tips, it’s a lot less aggressive than it looks and has proven a truly mellow experience with a high level of usability in all situations. The wind range has been extended this year, and the addition of pulleys to perk up the steering, along with some rear line bungees to take any slack out of the steering lines, result in a very intuitive kite to fly. First off, the Passion is very powerful for its size, and on the low end of things we easily used the 10.5m in less wind than anticipated. It gets you going early, and carries on and is immaculately well behaved throughout its wind range. The test team nearly all commented on what a generally relaxing user experience the Passion projects, with low fatigue on the rider. You could kite all week long on the Passion. Everything about the kite is smooth, the unexpectedly high lift, the hang time and looping, and the power and feedback that it provides at those moments are absolutely silken. Its wave crossover potential is also there, with no spiky moments of power and a level of controllability that’s pretty much unsurpassed in this market sector. Down the line it parks there immaculately and also has enough turning speed to throw around a little more if it’s onshore and technical. The Passion is a perfect example of an easy to use kite with positive performance attributes in all areas. It can handle pretty much anything you throw at it with a high level of dexterity and grace, and, unless you are heavily focused on one discipline, it’s a top class do-it-all option.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

7 8 6 6 8 7 7 9 8 9 6 7 6 8 8 9 7 9 9 9 9 9 7 8 8 9 9 9 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

T E C H N I C A L D ATA : Physical Attributes Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points

10.5 3.2 0.304761905 2 10 2 3 14.01 Yes No Yes Front knots / Steering loops 7 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 Double D2 2mm sheethed and 3mm Dyneema 3 step overlay Double stitch out, single inner Polyant Dacron All 8 RRD Sprint style

TheKiteMag.com

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

7 7 9 5 6 7 7 7 9 5 6 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

20 236 501 265

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1599

N A I S H P I VOT The Pivot is billed as a full time freeride and part time Big Air monster. A three strut kite, with high depower at the bar, fast turning and fast forward speed on the menu. It’s billed as the most universal kite in the Naish range, and Kevin Langeree chose it to go on to win the Red Bull King of the Air… For freeriding the Pivot provides all the qualities you could ever want for hooked-in freestyle, which suits a huge proportion of the market. If you were looking for a kite as an example of the fabled ‘sheet and go’ characteristics, this is it. It’s a very simple kite to fly and rotate under with confidence. The high inflate pressure – almost twice that of other mainstream brands – has a tangible effect on turning performance and stability in the air, particularly when at the upper end of its wind range in a Big Air scenario. It’s straightforward to get some formidable height with the Pivot and immediately you relish the high amount of power regulation available just on the bar stroke, meaning more control and a more reassuring feel on descent. The Pivot will suit the average dude down at the beach who tailors their riding to the conditions. If it’s flat you take a twintip and boost, and if there are waves, out comes the surfboard. The Pivot comes in a little heavier than other kites in equivalent sizes, and this is noticeable in its extreme low end, where the Dash (which you can work really effectively) or of course the mono strut Boxer has it trumped. Although this is only really noticeable in the larger sizes. The Pivot is an indicator of how far freeride kites have come, and their actual (not just claimed) crossover potential between polar opposite disciplines. It somehow manages to pull off both Big Air and high end wave performance, proving both disciplines can be blended into one product successfully, and what’s more, providing an extremely entertaining ride. There’s little compromise in either direction with the Pivot, and with the non-conformist construction and materials it feels all the more futuristic for it.

8 8 8 9 9 6 9 5 9 9 9 8 9 8 9 9 9 9 8 9 9 9 9 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Quad-Tex Teijin Double Quad-Tex and Polyant Dacron in corner of wingtips 2mm sheethed Dyneema and 3mm Dyneema 3 step zigzag and straight stitch Double stitch on main and single on middle Polyant Dacron 14 8 Boston

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 oclock test Travel friendly Stability at/ Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping deflation and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 9 8 7 6 8 7 9 8 7 6 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

9 3.35 0.372222222 2 sliders 8 6 3 14.64 10.5 Yes No Yes Front knots / Steering loops 6 Yes No

Construction

Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

8 9 6 5

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material

UNITS SOLD

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

20 160 398 238

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1529

S L I N G S H O T R A L LY The Rally wrote the book on ‘versatility’ and was a do-it-all kite before do-itall kites were even a thing. Since its inception, kites such as the surf focused SST have joined the Slingshot line up and have allowed the Rally to focus on being a solid freeride machine. The Rally – as with all the Slingshot kites – is very robustly built without being too ‘tank like’ and looked and felt like it would outlive many of the other kites we had on test. We had a lot of freeride focused kites in action, so were intrigued to see how the Rally would measure up. In the air, the Rally is extremely stable and you have to work hard to make it fly too far forward or to stall (we tried!). The classic delta shape naturally flies forward and sits on the edge of the window enabling you to truck upwind. The kite then absorbs any gusts or bumps in the wind without issue. We had one particularly squally day and the Rally was the kite of choice for tackling unpredictable conditions. For getting airborne, the Rally is very much a sheet-and-fly affair, you don’t need to get much tension in the lines to really be able to get a nice lofty jump and excellent hangtime. If you do want to edge hard and unhook then the Rally is competent here too and clearly has some RPM DNA tucked away somewhere. Drift is also excellent with the Rally floating nicely and quickly recovering from slack lines – so it would continue to be a good kite in the waves, but also an excellent option for foiling. Looking at the Slingshot line up, with the RPM on one side of the Rally and the SST on the other, we did wonder if this was still a kite that would have a great deal of appeal, but flying it reminds you that the Rally offers a very fun ride and is the kind of kite that leaves you with a smile on your face at the end of your session.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

9 6 5 5 8 9 9 6 6 8 5 6 5 7 8 9 9 9 6 9 8 7 6 10 7 9 9 9 7 10

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

9 3.12 0.346666667 No 6 3 3 15.28

Yes 2 Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming

Single, mainly D2 at TE D2 Mark cloth 2mm sheethed Dyneema with IRS bungee Some 3 step with straight stitch

LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Standard Polyant Dacron All 8 Sprint type

TheKiteMag.com

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

9 7 6 7 9 9 9 7 6 7 9 9

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

20 175 459 284

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1049 (11m)

TEN PINNA The fertile soils of Holland seem to be burgeoning with new kite brands at the moment, and the Pinna is a straight up three strut delta shape from Dutch start up, Ten Kiteboarding. Although this is a fresh brand to the market, it’s backed by one of the most established kite shops and largest repair centers in the Netherlands, if not Europe, and, casting your eye over some of the finer build details, they’ve definitely infused some of that experience into their products and maintained a healthy power to weight ratio. Like the majority of more traditional delta shape kites, the Pinna has some grunt on tap, and you can feel this through the bar. One of our more experienced testers made the comment that it was as close to handling a windsurf sail as he had ever felt kitesurfing, sheet for more, and you could feel it through your arms as well as your harness. As the wind increases, so does the bar pressure, but it manages to retain a respectful level of feedback giving you good awareness of kite position. Sheet in and set your edge in some flat water, and it’s got forward speed you have to witness to believe! Jumping is very simple to initiate and hang time is long and steady with gentle touchdowns and not a great deal of downwind travel. You can really feather the bar to control your landings and make them super soft. Turning speed generally is on the medium side, and whilst fairly direct, it definitely turns in big comfortable arcs rather than pivot turning. Looping it with the bar sheeted in produced some pretty incredible results, but the catch was there with all that sheeting ability to bail you out before it went wonky. Uncomplicated, very grunty, and good fun all round, the Ten Pinna is a great kite which gives the user as much of a work out as they choose, and the raw speed coupled with the very linear power development on the bar is extremely exhilarating.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

8 6 6 7 8 9 8 7 6 8 6 6 7 8 8 10 9 8 7 9 8 8 6 7 8 10 8 9 8 7

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

9 2.87 0.318888889 2 sliders 8 1 on Y bridle 3 15.28

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes 1 on each side Yes Front knots / Steering loops 8 Yes No D2 Challenger Dacron 3mm Dyneema and 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step overlay Standard Challenger Dacron 8 in total 6 Sprint

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

8 9 6 7 6 7 8 9 6 7 6 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Excellent

LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Good

Usable range

20 174 439 265

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1599

D U OTO N E E VO Proudly billed as the ultimate all-rounder in the Duotone range, the Evo is a three strut delta shape providing entertaining, punchy power delivery and remains highly accessible. The Evo is a very balanced multipurpose kite with super simple sheet and go characteristics and high depower on a short bar stroke. Push away and it really turns off power like a light switch. Re-launching is very easy with a very swept LE, so it rolls over with a minimum of fuss. Unlike some swept delta designs, the kite manages to fly straight with little inside bar pressure required to hold it steady. The Evo benefits from high stability and accessible hang time, and is very easy to loop with pivotal turning characteristics, this results in precise, floaty transitions. If you trim it back a bit, it unhooks well, but there’s not a great deal of slack on offer as you would expect from this style of kite. Due to all that sheeting ability, we found the Evo did have a tendency towards front stalling at zenith if you lost control of where you place it. Since dropping two struts in 2018 the Evo has clearly had further small refinements for 2019, and if you are coming off an older model expect a far more sprightly experience. The lighter build (the 8m weighs in at a miniscule 2.78 kilos) also has other advantages, as it flies earlier for foiling, and also the low end has improved quite dramatically. Another side effect is that the bar pressure and feedback are much lighter than previously, which many of the test team found particularly noticeable. The Evo has definite wave crossover potential even for more talented riders, maybe not as drifty as the Neo, but pretty close in the smaller sizes. Fun is the name of the game with kiting, and the Evo is a kite you can throw into almost any situation and come out smiling. You could hand it to a complete beginner through to someone doing some pretty technical tricks, or towing into some solid waves, and the Evo will take it all in its stride.

8 2.78 0.3475 No 12 6 3 16.42

Yes 4 Yes Front knots / Steering loops 8 Patch on kite 3

Construction

Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

3x2 TrinityTx Mark cloth and Dacron Teufelberger 1.8mm plus approx 2.5mm Dacron on pulley 3 step overlay Standard Polyant Dacron All 7 Airport valve II

TheKiteMag.com

9 7 7 8 9 9 5 6 6 7 9 9 7 8 8 9 9 9 6 9 7 9 8 9 9 9

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

6 8 8 8 5 8 6 8 8 8 5 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

7 9 5 6

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material

UNITS SOLD

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

20 180 470 290

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1299

NOBILE T5 The T5 has been a stable model for Nobile for around a decade now and the Polish manufacturer aims it straight as a freeride kite with specific wave crossover properties. Straight away the T5 feels like a solid bit of kit with substantial Dacron framing and a heavily scalloped trailing edge, making it stand out quite markedly from the crowd from a construction perspective. This translates into a very sturdy feeling in the sky, and a super tight canopy and rock solid air frame. We couldn’t seem to get it to flutter in any situation, coupled with gust handling and stability that are also way up the charts. With all that extra Dacron it’s more in line with a five strut kite from a weight and stiffness perspective, and subsequently the T5 definitely performs in the upper end of the wind range where it really comes to life. It provides some lofty jumps with a pleasant, reliable return to the ocean with a slightly higher bar pressure than average. Turning speed is moderate, but the innate stability certainly has some wave potential, particularly for more down the line, park and ride side shore conditions when more underpowered. When it’s windy, the smaller sizes will be great for a faster, more kite-driven wave riding style. Surprisingly, we found the T5 pretty capable unhooked. You can trim it down a little with the knots above the cleat, and it seems to work very well. Due to its fairly conservative turning speed you can make some pretty big bar inputs and the flawless stability parks it there to pop against to your heart’s content. For entry level unhooked work it might be a kite that’s overlooked, particularly with how resilient the build is. A good analogy for the T5 would be calling it the Toyota Hilux of the sea, very practical and built for invincibility, it seems to handle more or less any grisly situation, be it with bad wind conditions or water state and tows you through unflustered. There are a few compromises in out and out performance areas, but it’s a reliable kite that will get you there, and probably outlast most others.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

9 3.6 0.4 2 sliders 8 2 3 13.69

8 7 7 7 9

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes 1 each side Yes Front loops / Steering knots 9 Yes No D2 with Polyant Dacron stringers running down Dacron Polyant Dacron and Mark cloth 2mm sheeted Dyneema and 3mm braided polyester 3 step zigzag Standard Polyant Dacron All 9 Boston

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

9 8 9 7 7 8 9 8 9 7 7 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

7 7 9 8 6 5 7 7 7 7 8 7 7 9 7 6 7 7 9 7

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Construction

TE material Bridle material

Downloop catch from sent jump test

Physical Attributes

Canopy material

7 8 5 7

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

20 249 428 179

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1559

O C E A N RO D EO P RO D I GY Canadian brand Ocean Rodeo are renowned for producing some solid gear for harsh conditions. The Prodigy is now in its sixth version, and is billed as a universal kite that should appeal to everyone and perform well across disciplines for the avid dabbler. Pop it into the air, and you realize the kite is a lot lighter than some previous gear from Ocean Rodeo which was heftily built to cope with rocky launches on Canadian lakes. They’re using Dimension Polyant Dacron, which has shaved a fair few grams off and stiffens the whole rig. Turning speed has a nice, even, predictable flow to it with decent bar feedback. The long bar throw lets you get some easy access to boosting which is a shallow and gentile affair. More of a hoisting than a rocket launcher. It’s not really a kite designed for looping, but the smaller sizes oblige with a fair portion of power as it whips round. From the underneath you immediately realize that it’s got a very deep canopy and is on the more chunky side of mid aspect, and as you would expect the linear grunt produced on sheet is immediate and impressive. Stability at zenith is rock solid and relaunch is extremely simple, making it a pretty epic school kite, however you need to be careful with the sheet as with all that range on the bar there’s a slight back stall tendency, although correct trim solves this quickly. The wind range on the Prodigy is ultra-wide, particularly how early it gets going, but in the upper ranges it can become quite a handful, and the casual bar feeling diminishes a little. It’s not a kite with a never ending top end, and makes you aware when it’s time to change down. The Prodigy is a great kite for unpredictable conditions and can handle most situations that are thrown at it, particularly noticeable when the wind is very gusty, as it has a fantastic shock absorber effect. In its wind range, the Prodigy is definitely on the friendly end of the freeride spectrum and very suitable for beginners. It’s a solid platform to build your skills on with a reassuring uniform feel across the size range.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

12 3.62 0.301666667 2 8 2 3 16.55

Yes Soft TE Yes Front knots / Steering loops 10 Yes No

Construction Teijin Dimension Polyant KPE 2mm sheathed 3 step overlap Single and 3 step Dimension Polyant KPE All seams 7 Boston

TheKiteMag.com

6 7 8 6 9 5 8 9 8 5 9 6 6 8 6 9 6 8 9 8 9 6 6 6 9

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

10 9 6 6 6 8 10 9 6 6 6 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

7 6 5 9

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

15 160 380 220

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1599

CORE NEXUS The latest model in the CORE range, the Nexus bridges the gap between the CORE Section and the GTS, mixing the DNA and taking the positive characteristics of the two to create a true all rounder ready for most applications. In the air, the Nexus gives you lighter power steering feel in the bar that instills confidence, and the power it gives back to you is very progressive, which is particularly notable when jumping. It lifts you surprisingly high, but not incredibly aggressively and with generous float. That fly-by-wire feeling lets you not worry so much about your bar inputs and potential bad consequences and really boosts confidence. The smooth predictable pull and pivotal turn make it a kite which never performs unexpectedly. Looping the kite produces relatively gentle pull, with the kite spinning round immaculately. The CIT settings on the leading edge have subtle effects on the flying characteristic, letting it fly further forward in the wind window for waves, or deeper for freestyle. In wave mode it’s a little heftier on the bar than the Section and required more steering inputs generally, but downwind drift is fairly good with the kite’s overall low weight. Also important for waves is that the relaunch is also pretty rapid as the kite retains its shape well when bogged down. A great endorsement for the Nexus was that it was a real ‘go to’ kite for our test team when we were testing boards. You didn’t want to have to think about the kite and instead concentrate entirely on the board, which is testament to its super-smooth handling and predictability. Through many hours of testing, the only negative that the test team could come up with is that the kite feels a little generic, but there’s no arguing that the Nexus provides great all around usability and a friendly feeling. Unless you want a boat load of slack for technical handle pass tricks, it’s a truly versatile piece of equipment which successfully spans various genres of riding. It is a kite that will appeal to anyone – from guys who have just done their first lessons onwards. The Nexus is a kite that can last you years into your riding career, particularly if you mix disciplines. It’s impressively clinical. T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

7 8 8 8 9 7 7 9 6 9 7 7 8 7 8 6 7 6 9 7 9 7 7 6 6 7

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes 2 Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Double ripstop 3 CoreTex Triple ripstop 2 layers CoreTex ripstop plus Insignia Braided ~3mm polyester and ~2mm sheethed Dyneema Overlay with 3 step zig zag Standard ExoTec Ultrarigid Dacron All 8 CORE speed valve

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

8 8 7 9 7 7 8 8 7 9 7 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

8 9 7 6

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

12 4.22 0.351666667 4 pulleys - 2 sliders 8 3 3 16.23

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material

UNITS SOLD

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

15 177 380 203

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1499 (11m)

F LY S U R F E R B O O S T 3 The BOOST3 was one of the highest aspect kites we tested, feeling a little like we’re rolling back the years. But the BOOST3 is a great example of the last 20 years of kite evolution, so the higher aspect is countered by some intelligent bridling and a robust construction to give the BOOST3 a contemporary feel. The BOOST3 is IKA registered so can be used in any racing event, and is also very much targeted at the ‘boosty freeride’ market. Flysurfer have their own unique pump system with the BOOST3 which gets the air in quickly but takes a little bit of working out the first time you use it. For the test we were supplied with the Infinity Airstyle CC bar which is relatively low diameter with minimal EVA and is very responsive and feels very ‘racy’ in your hands. The lines are also very skinny so – before you even get the kite in the air – you feel like you’re ready to put the pedal down. The BOOST3 is quite light on the bar but provides very clear feedback and responds quickly to bar input. For cruising around the BOOST3 is actually a very mellow kite to fly. We are quite surprised considering how it looks in the air, depower is pretty much complete and turning is pivotal with smooth power delivery throughout the turn. You would be happy giving the BOOST3 to a relative beginner and they would find it an educational and rewarding kite to fly. When you do turn the power on though, the BOOST3 turns into a different kite altogether. As you begin to generate more apparent wind it flies to the front of the window and you get some very impressive upwind angles. The BOOST3 feels like it just wants to go faster and is very stable flown at speed, absorbing gusts and with no flutter or negative feedback at the bar. It’s a real greyhound. For boosting, the BOOST3 gives a very quick and direct lift – it sends you up and can do this surprisingly quickly if you pull the bar in assertively. You do not need excellent jumping technique to get height, but if you do have good technique then you really rocket upwards. The BOOST3 then provides a super-floaty ride and you can continue to move the kite to maintain the height/length of this before a soft touchdown. Overall the BOOST3 does what it is targeted to very well, but is also a very friendly and accessible kite regardless of your level. T E C H N I C A L D ATA : Physical Attributes Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points

3.36 0.37 No 8 6 5 13.7 9.5 Yes No Yes Loops 8 No No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 Techno Force

Dacron + double layer D2 Liros Dyneema DC200,DC300,DC500 Main lines D-Pro 3mm Straight sewing folded and 3 step sewing Standard but with extra layer Dacron between sewing for reinforcement Dacron All Free Flow Valve (SUP Push Push System)

TheKiteMag.com

UNITS SOLD

Upwind ability Downwind drift / leeward ability Pop / slack test KiteloopDynamic power testHandling Attributes (subjective 0-10) Downloop catch from sent jump test PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift / leeward ability Low end ability Pop / slack test Bar feedback when depowered Kiteloop power test Top end ability Downloop catch from sent jump Linear power development on test sheet Forward board speed Usable range Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low S U end B J E Cability TIVE TEAM FEEDBACK: Hangtime Bar feedback when depowered Ease of relaunch Top end ability Dynamic Attributes Linear powerHandling development on sheet Usable range Upwind ability Lift on sheeting Downwind drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch

9 7 7 9 8 9 9 8 7 8 7 7 9 8 8 8 9 7 8 9 8 9 7 8 8 8 7 9 9 8

Kiteloop power test Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift /Low leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability Linear power development on sheet Poor Usable range

Good

Excellent

Static Handling LiftAttributes on sheeting

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

8 8 7 8 7 7 8 8 7 8 7 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size Repair kit quality

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

16 216 455 239

Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€1479

F-ONE BANDIT Now in the twelfth year, the Bandit 2019 is a bit of a genre spanning anomaly of a kite, so prolific that when it comes to assessing it later on you’ll find it in both of the freeride categories. Over the various sizes, the Bandit quiver is very much tailored to its predicted purpose in those wind speeds. We have noted previously that the smaller sizes have handling so direct and perky you can steer them one handed, letting you open your body and shoulders if you are waveriding, which enables you to get really good natural surf positioning. The level of power dump available on sheet is up there with the best wave kites in class with minimal pull as the kite crosses the window in an onshore scenario. For the test team, the Bandit’s stand out feature is how well it handles at all stages of depower. It has a relatively long depower system, but wherever you decide to cleat it off, the handling remains really consistent and is never sketchy. The trailing edge of the smaller models also has quite a pronounced bat tail on the middle strut, we guess lowering the aspect ratio in the center of the kite which seems to stabilize it further at lower wind speeds and improve the drift. In particular the mid sizes lend themselves well to freeride twintip action, and the 9m and 10m in particular are really excellent boosters, clocking up some formidable WOO scores with very little effort involved. Unhooked, of course a kite with this much sheeting range needs trimming fairly precisely which takes a little experimentation, but once that sweet spot is found it works very well, and produces a fair amount of slack for more of an all-rounder. The purist may at this stage wish to slow the kite down a touch and there are options to do this. The larger sizes have been optimized for light wind with a slightly higher aspect ratio, and they feel like they have more leverage in the tips to aid turning speed and they still feel like they match well with the rest of the range. You can see the dual pulley system helping the kite find a comfortable spot at all

angles of attack. They feel very well trimmed, which is important when the wind Dynamic is being less than Handling cooperative.Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

10 3.15 0.315 2 8 2 3 15.28

Yes No No Knots on front and steering 7 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 Teijin Teijin Dacron / 2 x ripstop Braided polyester / 2mm sheathed Dyneema 2 step overlap 2 x straight stitch Teijin Dacron 15 8 SUP

TheKiteMag.com

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

7 8 8 9 9 8 7 8 8 9 9 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

UNITS SOLD

A lot of the marketing hype this year was on lessening the lateral pull on the 10to bury an Upwind Bandit,ability essentially making it fly you upwind more easily without having Downwind drift/leeward ability constantly. They’ve definitely pulled this 8 off and it edge and push the kite forward Pop / slack test 8 creeps upwind in a sneaky and effortless fashion, it seems to find the edge of the 7 KiteloopDynamic power test Attributes (subjective 0-10) window itself andHandling sits there very reliably. It genuinely does reduce your fatigue, Downloop catch from sent jump 9 particularly in your legs and core. test PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Forward board speed 9 10attributes. Upwind ability A lot ofstability the enjoyment in the Bandit is in its almost telepathic handling Overall 9 Downwind drift/leeward ability 8 It’send exceptionally 9 power as Low ability easy to initiate your turns with, and provides as much Pop / slack test 8 you want, exactly you want, with powerful yet predictable response. It’s 9 Bar feedback whenwhen depowered 7 Kiteloop power test Top end ability 10 infinitely trimmable at the bar, and has a really consistent bar feel throughout the Downloop catch from sent jump Linear power development onof its long development history. 9 size range which is indicative 9 test sheet Forward board speed 9 9 Usable range Overall stability 9 9 Lift on sheeting 9 Low S U end B J E Cability TIVE TEAM FEEDBACK: Hangtime 10 9 Bar feedback when depowered Ease of relaunch 9 Top end ability 10 Dynamic Handling Attributes Linear power development on 9 sheet Upwind ability 9 Usable range 9 LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime 10 Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch 9 Kiteloop power test

20 182 479 297

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€1699

C A B R I N H A SW I TC H B L A D E Cabrinha’s five strutter has been around for a staggering fifteen years now, with the classic Switchblade characteristics of easy jumping and great upwind drive proving pretty timeless. So any major changes for 2019? And how does it stack up against the competition? If you’ve not been on a Switchblade for a while, you can put the protein shakes away as it is now far more moderate on the bar than previous models. General freeride prowess is the name of the game, and five struts make the Switchblade ultra-stable and very suitable for heavyweights who like to ride powered. The kite flies quite far to the edge of the wind window, making for excellent upwind, but it also manages to find stability even underpowered. This has pretty much always been one of its key characteristics throughout the product’s lifespan and adds to its everyday hero status. One of the Switchblade’s other party tricks is just how simple it is to get a nice lofty jump with. You need very little speed or timing, just pull the bar and up you go. It really doesn’t get a great deal simpler. At the top of the jump, looping the Switchblade makes for a slow, but high helicopter loop with a gentle pull curve and excellent catch plus what seems like a minimum of downwind travel. The high down loops make for an excellent catch to come down softly from multiple rotations and old school moves, avoiding knee damage, in fact pretty much the whole test team commented on the Switchblade’s smooth steering and power delivery. Unhooked, our lighter riders found the kite perhaps a touch too grunty without a lot of trimming, the heavier among us loved its truck-like pull. Unhooked after a jump and the Switchblade does then keep on pulling and doesn’t have top-of-class slack. Sometimes it’s great to see stability in the market, particularly with such a popular product, and it’s a smart move from Cabrinha not to dramatically change what is now such a finely tuned and genuinely fun, easy to use kite with such an established lineage. If you are on the lighter side, and/or want something a little more playful, but still with that silky smooth Cabrinha bar feeling, then you can now also go for the Moto. T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

8 3.3 0.4125 2 8 4 5 13.68

7.5-8

Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 7 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Volae 2DR double ripstop Double 2DR in center and 2DR with Dacron on wingtips 2mm sheathed Dyneema 3 step zigzag / single overlay Standard High Tenacity Dacron 10 7 Cabrinha Sprint valve

TheKiteMag.com

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

10 6 7 8 8 9 10 8 6 9 7 7 8 9 8 7 9 9 8 9 9 10 7 8 9 7 9 9 10 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 9 5 6 5 6 7 9 5 6 5 6

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

UNITS SOLD

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

20 240 470 230

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1549

CABRINHA FX 2019 heralds an end to the Chaos at Casa Cabrinha, and the FX now sits proudly planted as king of the hill for performance freestyle, big air and unhooked action. Wind range was much wider than we expected from this style of kite, considering how focused it is as a freestyle weapon, you are only missing a knot or two of range over the Moto which is barely noticeable to a more talented rider that can adapt their technique. Bar pressure was definitely on the more hefty side with big bold inputs required to get the most out of it, but most definitely not the same as the full C shapes we tested. In an overpowered big air scenario, the FX provides a truly enormous amount of ground pull, but once you’ve got down to the water (or been pulled there by a friend, King of the Air style) straight boosting will get the above average punter preposterously high without the requirement of ninja level board and kite timing technique. Looping the kite produces a massive quantity of power, and whilst fairly agile once you’ve put in the big initiation, it turns very much from the tips, not the middle, so expect some wide arcs, massive forward travel and – most importantly – dependable catch. As you would expect, unhooked the FX really shines with that kite-on-rails shock absorber feel which transcends the whole Cabrinha range. There are no pulleys on the bridle, meaning you can make some pretty big bar inputs and the FX sits there as good as gold remaining unflappable. It retains the cross range smooth and reassuring bar feedback synonymous with all the Cabrinha models and the power delivery somehow manages to be smooth and punchy at the same time. There’s an air of accessibility about the FX and ease of use which is sometimes lacking in this market sector, but with almost no compromise in outright performance. It’s a kite that suits an ambitious rider looking to up their game without getting continuously drilled and is much less of a beast than it looks. It’s a progressive, dedicated twintip rider’s delight. T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

6 8 7 9 6 6 9 8 8 9 6 6 8 8 9 7 6 9 8 6 9 6 8 7 9 6

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

7.5-8

Yes 4 in total on TE Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes 3 Volae 2DR double ripstop Double 2DR in center and 2DR with Dacron on wingtips 2mm sheathed Dyneema 3 step zigzag / single overlay Standard High Tenacity Dacron 8 7 Cabrinha Sprint valve

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Rigging simplicityBar pressure Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral kit stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability /atdeflation Zenith - front Pumping andstall valve system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 9 5 6 5 6 7 9 5 6 5 6

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

7 6 9 8

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

10 3.25 0.325 No 6 4 3 15.27

Construction Canopy material TE material

UNITS SOLD

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

15 223 436 213

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1389

LIQUID FORCE NV Liquid Force have really focused their product range for 2019, placing the NV sitting just under the HiFi-X in terms of freestyle ability. The NV is now less of a crossover kite and, with the WOW taking the reins for foiling and wave riding, no compromises have been made. It’s now more of a C shape, the tips have been squared off from the previously swept design, and the NV has shifted fully into the realm of dedicated twintip riding. For anyone that’s not flown the NV (or Envy as it was) for a few years, the light kite revolution and its associated performance benefits have not passed by the Liquid Force design team, and it’s had some serious weight shaved off it, making it far more dynamic than the models of yesteryear. Lighter bladders, and less Dacron traded for high quality Teijin cloth help ease up the results on the scales. The diet means the kite is far more responsive on the bar, the test team unanimously remarked how easy it was to initiate the turn and the generally light bar feeling made maneuvering it around easy and responsive. Power delivery is smooth, but what we could only describe as a touch of speed wobble was noted by the test team at higher forward speeds, feeding back through the wingtips. Boosting is easy and rewarding, especially when you are lit, and you can achieve medium heights and decent float with a predictable feel when you are airborne. When the canopy is under load unhooked it’s pretty magical, with great park and pop attributes and decent intuitive bar feedback. The kite steers well and is responsive, but we found that the PU that runs through the bar caused some friction and made turning and sheeting the bar in at the same time a bit sticky. This was fine for freestyle and freeriding and you can adjust your input style to counter this, but it’s something that could easily be designed out. Overall for the test team, we agreed that if you are riding the NV powered – especially if you are unhooking – then it is a super fun and effective kite to fly.

9 3.3 0.366666667 No 10 3 3 14.64 Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 6 Yes No

Construction

LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

d3 Mark cloth and Dacron with squares 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step overlay Standard with webbing wrap Polyant Dacron on LE, Polyant Dacon and square Dacron on strut 9 7 Maxflow

TheKiteMag.com

8 7 8 6 6 8 7 6 6 7 8 8 7 7 6 8 8 7 6 8 7 8 7 8 7 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

6 8 7 6 6 7 6 8 7 6 6 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

8 6 7 6

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material

UNITS SOLD

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

20 237 484 247

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1599

CORE GTS5 The GTS5 is a short bridled future C shape three strut kite, flying on four lines, and promising all the qualities of a full C shape with some extra depower and a formidable signature kite loop. As with all the CORE range, there’s a light wind version in a 15m, which attempts to achieve a similar freestyle based feeling with materials optimized for light wind. The GTS has some new front hang point adjustments that CORE have coined the CIT modes (CORE Intelligent Trim) which changes the kite characteristics subtly, enabling more turning and depower for waves, and sitting deeper with more grunt and slower turning for freestyle. Dedicated wave use for this kite would be perhaps stretching things a bit, and there are two other kites in the CORE range that would suit this purpose far more effectively, but those CIT points do make a difference for freestyle, allowing the kite to sit far more forward in the window, and letting it dump power effectively for its very nearly full C shape. In the air, you immediately feel the square wingtips initiating the turns fairly positively, although nearly all of the test team commented on the slight delay in the kite actually turning due to the two pulleys and slider arrangement on the bridle, which makes things less direct than other kites of this type with a fixed bridle. What these pulleys and sliders do though, is give the kite its ability to find its happy trim point at any angle of attack, so even when it’s in the top of the wind range, the air frame and canopy rarely look stressed which means everything remains very comfortable and controllable at all depower states, so it’s a worthwhile trade-off for extending the range and the kite’s boost and loop focus. Unhooked performance is exactly as you would expect from this style of kite, it’s extremely capable but does have a little more power fade than something more full bodied. Where the GTS really shines is, of course, when it’s in the upper limits of its range for white knuckled boosting and looping. The smaller sizes allow you to hold down a ridiculous amount of power and easily access some formidable height without too much technique required. The full wingtips can then thrust the GTS round really well for super flat and level controlled kite loops with a medium to high pull factor. The all-important climb and catch element is very reassuring, and you can sheet out and utilize that extra angle of attack

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

7 7 8 5 6 8 6 8 7 8 7 7 6 8 7 6 7 6 8 7 7 6 7 7 8

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

9 3.15 0.35 4 pulleys - 2 sliders 6 6 3 14

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes 2 in total Yes Front loops / Steering knots 7 No 3

Construction CoreTex Triple ripstop 2 layers CoreTex ripstop plus Insignia Braided ~3mm polyester and ~2mm sheethed Overlay with 3 step zig zag Standard ExoTec Ultrarigid Dacron All 8 CORE speed valve

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

8 8 7 9 7 7 8 8 7 9 7 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

7 5 8 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

20 201 388 187

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1549

NAISH DASH 2019/20 The Park was a mainstay in the Naish range for many years and the Dash steps in as its more ‘performance freeride’ replacement, now in its second incarnation. It has three struts and is lightweight, with a host of ‘thinking out of the box’ innovations aimed at the rider who likes a sportive, easy to maneuver freestyle and all around fun weapon. The avid kite nerd will immediately spot that there’s some interesting build on the Naish gear which has a very direct effect on characteristics. Shark teeth darts on the trailing edge mean less thick material can be employed, making things lighter. This design is unique to the Naish range and does an excellent job of reducing (and almost eliminating) canopy flutter, and many of the testers remarked on just how smooth the kite was, even when depowered. A static pulley-less bridle pushes the kite forward in the window well, and complimenting square wing tips provide a both intuitive and direct bar feel. The leading edge closing seam has been bulked up with high tensile strength thread to allow for the highest recommended inflation pressures we had on the test - 11.5psi - which keeps the airframe extremely rigid and allows for a lower leading edge diameter. The Teijin Quad-Tex in the canopy is also unique to Naish and stiffens things up even further. Naish certainly seem to have gathered and then weaved together some of the most cutting edge materials on the market. So tech aside, what’s it actually like? As you would expect from a Naish kite, it’s fast off the mark, engaging and super fun. It boosts exactly as a future C shape should do and seems to remain very well behaved wherever you decide to throw it. Kite loops are level but on the shallower side, and for unhooked we felt it needed slowing down a little on the steering hang points to get the most from it. As performance freeride kites go, it hits all the targets, particularly for the more experienced rider who can really get the most out of it.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

9 7 8 8 7 9 9 8 7 8 8 7 8 9 7 8 9 8 8 9 8 9 7 7 9 8 8 9 9 7

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

9 2.87 0.318888889 No 6 6 3 13.05

11.5

Yes No Yes Front knots / Steering loops 6 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Teijin Quad-Tex Double Quad-Tex and just Polyant Dacron in corner of wingtips 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step zigzag and straight stitch Standard - double stitch on main and single on center Polyant Dacron 12 8 Boston

TheKiteMag.com

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 9 7 7 6 8 7 9 7 7 6 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

20 238 407 169

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1569

S L I N GS H OT R P M The RPM requires very little introduction and has been a stable product in the Slingshot range for almost a decade with multiple world championships under its belt. It led the way popularizing the open C shape with a mini bridle concept, which almost all brands have now. The RPM also remains a bit of an anomaly from a usage perspective. It’s easy enough for an average punter to use day to day, but also has no trouble performing at a seriously high level, as demonstrated by Sam Light and Carlos Mario among others. Apart from some minor incremental changes with build and bridling along the way, there’s certainly been no sea change for the RPM throughout its life span and the latest incarnation heralds the biggest changes for a long while. The 2019 RPM has had a revisit to address some of the performance attributes where it was previously a little down the score sheet, mainly the ‘boost and loop’ scenario. Our test team felt that this had been a very successful enterprise for the Hood River design team, with much higher jumps in the same windspeed achieved compared to previous versions. When you loop the new RPM, everything is far more positive, which gives you a lovely flat, smooth controllable kiteloop with a medium pull. So how have they pulled off this witchcraft? The new Flyline bridle, which is a much simpler affair than the previous IRS setup, but still includes a small bungee to take up and slack and perk up response, and it also adds a pulley per side to distribute load onto the hang points more effectively. The kite arc is less spanned out and more C shape, so, combined with the new bridle, the result is a kite that initiates its turn better to get you off the water and has far more lift and punch. The 2019 model is far more than the usual graphical refresh and yet Slingshot have been cunning not to have strayed too far from the original formula. It’s really improved the two areas where the kite previously lacked slightly to make an even more rounded and enjoyable user experience for everyday users and world champions alike.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

9 8 9 7 7 9 8 8 9 9 8 9 9 9 8 7 9 8 6 9 8 9 8 9 6

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

9 3.05 0.338888889 1 6 6 3 14.64

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes 2

Construction Single mainly D2 at TE D2 Mark cloth 2mm sheethed Dyneema with IRS bungee Some 3 step and some 3 step with straight stitch Standard Polyant Dacron All 8 Sprint type

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

9 7 6 7 9 9 9 7 6 7 9 9

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

8 7 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

20 204 406 202

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1599

D U OTO N E D I C E Duotone has made anyone who has even passively glanced at kitesurfing media recently acutely aware of their rebrand. The same product line, under the same model name continues with the Dice, pitched squarely as an all-rounder with a dash of wave capability. There’s an abundance of high quality material used throughout, and the build is on the heavier side. In the air, it’s a very stable and predictable beast with exceptionally smooth and solid power delivery. The air frame is wonderfully rigid and doesn’t seem to deform regardless of what you throw at it. The turning speed is on the steadier side, and is super forgiving of any unplanned bar inputs when you are learning freestyle. Feedback from the bar is quite assertive, and unhooked it pulls like a truck, pushing forward nicely and producing good slack. This is clearly how it has been designed to excel and to sit in the Duotone product range, and most regular riders will get as much out of it as they would with the Vegas. Looping the Dice produces more grunt than you would imagine in quite a wide arc, with just enough catch to land sweet and keep the adrenaline surging. Sent boosting is very simple to initiate with a long depower stroke available at the bar. It has a very predictable and smooth lift without much technique required, and as a bonus the descent is also equally gentle, so it’s more than capable of some floaty hooked freestyle. The low wind range is certainly improved on last year, but it doesn’t compete well with some of its main rivals in the freeride sector which can feel livelier when things get light. Worth noting is how simple the relaunch is, there’s a lot of delta built into the leading edge so hardly any suction in the water. Roll it over with a backline and off it goes. If you want even more stability, you can run a nose line, which tucks neatly into a pocket in the bump stop when not in use. Duotone continue to produce a quality product with the Dice, if a little techy for some people’s tastes others will relish it. Very predictable and unflappable in the air, certainly aimed more at unhooked freestyle than other all-rounders, so if you have a good level of riding, young knees and rad ambitions, it’s a winner.

Physical Attributes 12 3.88 0.323333333 2 sliders 10 with noseline straight option 6 3 16.54

Yes 6 Yes Front knots / Steering loops 8 Patch on kite No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

3x2 TrinityTx Mark cloth and Dacron Teufelberger 1.8mm plus approx 2.5mm Dyneema on pulley 3 step overlay Standard Marubeni Dacron All 7 Airport valve II

TheKiteMag.com

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

7 8 9 9 7 8 7 9 8 7 9 6 9 8 7 9 8 7 9 9 7 9 6 8 8 9 7 9 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

6 8 8 8 5 8 6 8 8 8 5 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

UNITS SOLD

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

T E C H N I C A L D ATA : Size tested Kite weight (kg) Kg per m2 # Pulleys # LE hangpoints # Steering hangpoints # Struts LE diameter at widest point (cm) Recommended pressure (PSI) Line deflectors Battens Self-rescue handles Line attachments Ease of maintenance (0-10) Valve protection Tuning points

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

15 208 405 197

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1260

P E T E R LY N N H O O K Peter Lynn have been around in the kite industry for many moons, and have been developing their LEI side for quite a few years now. Head office is in Holland and naturally there’s a demand on their home turf for a big booster to dominate all those North Sea beaches, which is where the Hook comes in; splicing together Big Air and performance freeride. What we’re presented with is a relatively flat high aspect five strut kite with an uncomplicated mid-length bridle and two pulleys. Its claims of Big Air prowess are certainly not unfounded, with the entire test team commenting on the fact that is was extremely easy to access super high and floaty boosts. The five struts and tight construction make for great stability at the top of the wind range and a major highlight is just how far that top end range extends, it really seems to go beyond what’s normal and the Hook remains very solid and stable. Also worth noting was the high board speed achievable with the Hook. You can absolutely hammer it at warp speed up to a kicker, and transfer all that speed into vertical lift with no fuss and enjoy a soft decent. The sheeting gives you positive vertical acceleration and rips you off the water as well as a good high aspect kite should. Turning is very pivotal, so it’s super easy to redirect the power upwards, however where the test team felt the kite lacks slightly is on the bar feedback, which was a little remote for some tastes and relies more on timing than feeling. After spending a few hours on the kite you adjusted and learnt its ways, but it’s not as crisp as others in the same sector. The Hook is quite a unique beast with not much else out there matching its seemingly never ending top end, making it a very practical choice for dense cold air when it’s nuking. You can feel its North Sea-developed lineage. It’s got incredible stability and boost potential and is a reliable partner for Big Air antics.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

7 6 7 9 8 8 7 7 6 8 7 6 9 9 8 9 8 8 7 9 8 9 6 8 9 9 8 9 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

10 3.47 0.347 2 sliders 8 3 5 15.28

Yes No Yes Front knots / Steering loops 8 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Single ripstop Double ripstop 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3mm Dyneema 3 step zigzag Single stitch with wrap Polyant Dacron All 8 Sprint

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Excellent

LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

8 8 7 6 7 8 8 8 7 6 7 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Good

Usable range

20 208 393 185

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1559

OCEAN RODEO RAZOR In these more homogenized times in kite design, it’s nice to see some bold statements. The seventh incarnation of the Razor is certainly one of them, with four struts and a very pronounced stepped wingtip. It promises dynamic handling and an engaging user experience in the performance freeride sector. So how does this Canadian renegade including these multiple innovations compare to the rest of the pack from a performance perspective? There are very few four strut kites on the market currently, and the target is to provide more punch and upwind drive from the flatter section in the middle of the kite, giving more of an on/off power feeling, and it does this very effectively with a super punchy pull when you sheet in which you need to be aware of and adjust to. As there’s no middle strut to give the usual drag and stability, the Razor does have a slight tendency to front stall when depowered, and you need to be on the ball with your bar inputs. Underpowered, the flat mid-section makes for some fun foiling as it flies so far around the window, letting you achieve some other worldly upwind angles for an inflatable. The power delivery is punchy and can catch you off guard initially, but once you learn when it’s coming it can be harnessed as a massive asset to pull you out of moves with quite some whip. This in turn makes the kite fairly sheet sensitive, and it definitely needs a little trimming down to unhook with. The Razor sits itself deep in the window for unhooked work and provides a pretty steady power source without a great deal of slack. On the bar, the turning radius is very small, and you can see the canopy twist very effectively in the middle during use. Bar pressure is quite light and free feeling, with those stepped tips aiding leverage for you. Where the Razor excels is boosting, where it gives you an extremely spiky pull when you sheet and take off, it’s a full on rip-you-off-the-water number when in its power band. Once you do learn to handle it, the Razor has a very rewarding overall user experience. It’s a performance machine with impressive upwind drive and the rapid lift that definitely keeps you interested and on your toes.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

10 4.1 0.41 2 8 2 3 16.23

Yes Soft TE No Front knots / Steering loops 10 Yes No

Construction Teijin Dimension Polyant KPE 2mm sheathed 3 step overlap Single and 3 step Dimension Polyant KPE All seams 7 Boston

TheKiteMag.com

9 10 6 6 7 6 6 9 8 7 8 9 6 6 8 7 7 6 7 8 8 6 8 7 7

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

10 9 6 6 6 8 10 9 6 6 6 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

10 6 6 9

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

20 185 359 174

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1299

BLADE TRIGGER Another longstanding model in our test, the Blade Trigger has been around for over a decade and is now a well-honed benchmark with all around freeride potential. A three strut crossover kite of consequence. The Trigger is all about the crisp bar feeling, it almost emulates some of the high depower C shape kites on five lines we used to see before everything went to four lines with a mini bridle. It’s a light, agile and very sprightly kite to use. You’ve got a couple of front line leading edge adjustment options to switch between an all-round mode, and then the classic make-it-fly-a-little-furtherforward trick for waves. Worth noting was that the wave and hydrofoil crossover potential was surprisingly positive with the fast handling, and lightness and lack of grunt in the low end made it super capable and difficult to front stall. In the top of the wind range, its boost potential is high, providing spiky rather than floaty lift, and you need to be on the ball with the down loops to come down from a high one gently, but the bar feeling is very refined and tuned in so this is easily achievable. The relatively shallow profile whips across the window with a minimum of fuss, and it is very impressive how smooth the canopy feels when it’s under pressure, there’s not a hint of flapping at any point. Unhooked, the kite is immaculately well behaved and not offensively powerful. For the first time unhooker it’s brilliant in power delivery, but you’ve got to keep a watchful eye on your bar input as the kite is so reactive. Looping the kite can achieve low angles, but not a huge amount of pull, so great for the glory photos. The test team agreed that the Trigger was not a kite with much low end performance. It’s one of those kites that truly has a power band where very little will happen until you reach a certain wind speed, but then everything lights up like a Christmas tree. If you’re aware of this, and you tailor your quiver to suit, and you are in the magic power zone, it’s an extremely rewarding, refined and fun kite to fly. In essence, you need to really fly the Trigger to get the most out of it, it’s not a park and pull deal. More experienced kiters that have been along for the ride with kite development in the long term will absolutely relish it.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

7 8 8 7 6 6 6 6 8 6 7 7 7 8 7 6 6 6 7 8 7 7 7 6 7

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

12 3.45 0.2875 2 8 1 3 14.95

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes 0 Yes Front loops / Steering knots 10 Yes Yes

Construction Teijin D2 Teijin Dacron wingtip / 2 x ripstop / leech line 3mm Spectra / 2mm sheathed Dyneema 3 step overlap Single and 3 step Teijin Dacron 9 6 Max Flow valve

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

6 8 5 6 5 6 6 8 5 6 5 6

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

8 7 6 6

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

15 116 290 174

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1399

NAISH BOXER 2019/20 The mainstay Hawaiian brand joined the light weight kite revolution early with the completely strutless Trip back in 2013. Their latest mono strut, the Boxer, is aimed at easy travel and versatile freeride, with a good design emphasis to cater for the recent hydrofoil explosion. The build on the Naish kites this year is unique in the market, with super high inflate pressures doubling most brands out there, making for an extremely rigid airframe, and lower leading edge diameters improving efficiency. This is particularly important with a mono strut which relies heavily on the leading edge shape to keep the canopy in check. The Quad-Tex canopy from Teijin is among the lowest stretch, stiffest canopy material on the market, and is at this stage exclusive to Naish. The Boxer was one of the smoothest mono struts we’ve tested, it has very little flap, even at the top end of the wind range. This translates into a silky, refined and powerful kite. It has two sets of battens in the front of the leading edge, which are definitely earning their keep. The luff strut design is also definitely worth mentioning. Rather than sewn straight to the canopy like the vast majority of kites, the strut essentially floats on a piece of ripstop, which creates the profile shape. It acts as a shock absorber, allowing the canopy to expand and contract and fall back (or luff) more naturally. This design has been around for a while, pioneered by some niche brands a decade or so back, but using it on a mono strut primarily aimed at foiling is a very logical application, particularly for improving the downwind drift. The result is a light, immaculately behaved kite with fast turning and inherent stability, which has great crossover not only for foiling but also light wind wave and general freeride use. Naish are making some really great kites at the moment, with some genuine innovation going on. It’s great to see such an established brand not afraid to take risks from a tech point of view, particularly when the real life outcomes are so apparent. The Boxer is a great example of this. T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

10 2.68 0.268 2 sliders 8 3 1 14

10.5

Yes No Yes 23 Front knots / Steering loops Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

TheKiteMag.com

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

9 8 5 5 7 9 9 9 8 10 5 8 5 8 7 9 9 9 9 8 10 9 8 9 8 9 9 8 9 9

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 9 7 7 6 8 7 9 7 7 6 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

UNITS SOLD

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

15 170 452 282

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1299

LIQUID FORCE SOLO Liquid Force were arguably the first brand to truly nail the ‘one strut’ approach to kite building with the first version of the Solo. Since then there have been numerous followers, so does the Solo still cut it? Compared to the other one strut kites on test, the Solo was very much at the ‘lightweight’ end of the scale, with a skinnier leading edge than most other kites in this category, and with minimal use of Darcron and other weight saving techniques employed to ensure that the Solo gives you a distinct ‘weight’ advantage on those lighter days. The profile has been modified from the Solo V2 with the aim of making the Solo fly further forward in the window and increasing stability. The Solo V3 is a very stable kite in the air and will stay above you on the beach without overflying or any unpredictable movements even in marginal conditions. Power delivery is very smooth – one of the smoothest in this category – with a very rewarding ‘power on’ feel that would build the confidence of a beginner and is also very reassuring when foiling with the Solo V3. Sheeting in and out provides plenty of feedback without being too heavy or overbearing, although with the thicker PU tube, we did find the bar a little sticky when trying to turn the kite and sheet out during one particularly powered up foil session. The Solo V3 absorbs gusts very comfortably and makes life nice and easy. The upwind performance was one of the best in this category and we were able to really lock in when riding the Solo and generate some great speed and fire upwind on the foils. Turning on the Solo is also surprisingly sprightly and it downloops competently so is very much a ‘complete’ kite for all round freeriding and for foiling. As with other mono struts, the Solo V3 has a definite top end and does not like to go beyond this, but used within its comfort zone it is an excellent kite that does exactly what it is designed to, and you have to keep checking that it doesn’t have an extra couple of struts hidden away somewhere.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

8 6 7 8 9 5 5 6 6 6 6 8 6 7 7 9 6 5 6 6 6 6 7 6 6

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

12 3.58 0.298333333 No 8 3 1 14.64

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 7 Yes No

Construction D3 and some single Mark cloth and ripstop 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step overlay Standard with webbing wrap Polyant Dacron on LE, different Dacron on strut 7 7 Maxflow

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

6 8 8 6 6 7 6 8 8 6 6 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

6 8 5 6

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

15 190 410 220

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1370

F-ONE BREEZE The Breeze has been around for a couple of years now as F-ONE’s foil-specific mono strut kite. It’s definitely taking some design inspiration from the Bandit, which is no bad thing, and losing those two struts shaves around eight hundred grams off its three strut big brother in an equivalent size. The result of this is that the 13m will get itself off the ground in six to eight knots, and we found that the quoted low end is definitely not exaggerated. This is exceptionally early for an LEI. As most hydrofoil users have now worked out, if the kite flies reliably then the chances are it’s going to pull you along and you’ll get a session. In the extreme low end, which is where you will most likely use it, the Breeze has a sense of balance and poise at zenith that gives you real confidence. Once up and riding, the clear upwind ability is very apparent, particularly on a hydrofoil. Much like the Bandit, the Breeze seems to find the edge of the window and make itself very comfortable there, with no hint of overflying, and producing some epic upwind angles. The Breeze has an SUP-style valve which lets you achieve high inflation pressure which is important for a mono strut to keep its shape. Then the large central strut makes for a reliable reverse launch and the swept leading edge means there’s minimum of suction on the water. The elongated strut also supports a bat tail in the canopy, which aids stability. As with most of the mono struts we tested, the Breeze does eventually get a little flappy in the top of its wind range, particularly in the bigger sizes, but it’s a good indicator of when to change down. Unlike some mono struts with more leeward tendency, if you do get caught overpowered you can edge it out fairly easily. When in the comfortable range, it’s a smooth flowing experience from bar input to kite movement, and it’s very quick on the bar for its size. Ideal for someone that wants much of the benefits of a foil kite, but doesn’t fancy the faffing around with bridles or riding style adjustment. Hydrofoils aside, the Breeze definitely gives a marked advantage over a three strut kite for general freeriding in lower wind speeds. Capable and stable in light winds, and a great lightwind addition to any quiver.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

9 2.3 0.255555556 4 8 1 on a Y bridle 1 14.64

Yes No Yes Knots on front and steering 7 Yes on canopy No

Construction

Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 Dacron Polyant and D2 3mm braided polyester and 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step overlay Double on out and single inner Dacron polyant and D2 13 8 SUP

TheKiteMag.com

8 9 9 9 10 6 8 5 6 8 9 8 8 9 7 10 7 8 10 6 9 8 7 7 10

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 8 9 9 9 8 7 8 9 9 9 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material

9 9 6 5

Downloop catch from sent jump test

UNITS SOLD

15 120 322 202

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1429

R R D E M OT I O N RRD were one of the original brands to get into the ‘lose the struts’ game. The Emotion began with no struts before progressing to the single strut that we see today. The first thing to note is the incredibly low weight of the kite and the pack down size. It is supplied in what seems to be a ridiculously undersized rucksack but slots into this just fine at the end of your session. Even compared to the other mono struts on test, the Emotion was light, and you could comfortably travel with three Emotions and a surfboard and still have plenty of space left in your bag. The use of heavier reinforcements is primarily reduced through the use of RRD’s unique 45 degree ‘radial reinforcements’ which spreads the load on the canopy and reduces the need for Dacron. The Emotion is very stable in the air and – even in minimal wind – will sit above you with no twitchiness which is particularly reassuring on marginal days when you have a foil under your arm. Once you are riding, the Emotion delivers smooth and predictable power and is easy and reactive to trim. Low end is excellent and it does not take much to get going at all – we were easily cruising on the 12m when the larger multi-strut kites were struggling. At the other end of the scale, the Emotion has an upper limit and lets you know when it is time to change down a size, otherwise it can be a handful, but within its suggested wind range it behaves perfectly. For foiling the Emotion delivered plenty of power to get going but was quick to ease off once you are up and riding. Upwind performance was excellent, and turning speed surprisingly snappy for the 12m we had on test.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

Upwind ability Downwind drift / leeward ability Pop / slack test KiteloopDynamic power testHandling Attributes (subjective 0-10) Downloop catch from sent jump test PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability Downwind drift / leeward ability Low end ability Pop / slack test Bar feedback when depowered Kiteloop power test Top end ability Downloop catch from sent jump Linear power development on test sheet Forward board speed Usable range Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low S U end B J E Cability TIVE TEAM FEEDBACK: Hangtime Bar feedback when depowered Ease of relaunch Top end ability Dynamic Attributes Linear powerHandling development on sheet Usable range Upwind ability Lift on sheeting Downwind drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch

7 5 5 7 5 7 7 7 5 9 5 7 7 5 5 7 7 6 7 8 9 8 7 6 5 7 6 8 8 6

12 3.73 0.310833333 2 8 2 1 17.31 Yes No Yes Front knots / Steering loops 9 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 Double D2 and a leech line 2mm sheethed and 3mm Dyneema 3 step overlay Double stitch out, single inner Polyant Dacron All 8 RRD Sprint Style

Excellent

Static Handling LiftAttributes on sheeting

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

7 7 8 5 6 7 7 7 8 5 6 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Good

10 169 346 177

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1619

RRD OBSESSION The Obsession has been moved up to pole ‘performance’ position in the RRD range with the premise of making all the positive performance gains of a high-end five line kite on a four line platform with a simplistic mini bridle for the dedicated freestyle and wakestyle rider. As with all things RRD, the kite is exquisitely crafted and highly stylized. In the air straight away you feel you are riding a kite of consequence, with a generous amount of ground pull. Turning feeling and speed is very much geared for unhooked riding, and the kite pivots in wide powerful arcs with high bar pressure to avoid any steering mistakes. Pop and slack is off the scale, with the kite remaining exactly where you left it. When performing technical moves there are absolutely no queries about your kite position, with high bar feedback at all points, and there is no backstall, even when the kite is a little underpowered. It sits there, it pulls relentlessly, and it doesn’t flinch, even on full bar trim. Wind range on this style of kite is always a little limited compared to a freeride kite with more arc, but this is a compromise you make for all that unhooked stability, and whilst the Obsession does an admirable job in its low end, for someone serious about competition riding, a four kite quiver would be recommended. The three trim points on the front line attachments make for subtle changes in the kite’s performance from a depower point of view. The test team found it better on the higher depower setting in more challenging gusty conditions, but when the wind was smoother, the lower hang point made it a pop and slack machine. Overall the new Obsession is quite a beast for the aspiring competition rider and packs a serious wakestyle punch.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

8 6 9 9 7 9 8 6 6 6 9 5 9 9 7 7 9 6 6 6 6 7 5 6 9 7 6 6 7 6

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

10.5 3.73 0.355238095 No 10 4 5 14.64 Yes 2 each side Yes Front knots / Steering loops 8 Yes 3 each side

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 Double D2 2mm sheethed 3 step overlay Double stitch out single inner Polyant Dacron All 8 RRD Sprint Style

TheKiteMag.com

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 7 9 5 6 7 7 7 9 5 6 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

20 301 438 137

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1679

D U OTO N E V EGA S The Vegas has been in the Boards and More line up since 2004. There are very few other kites out there with a fifteen year lineage which has shapeshifted genres like Madonna throughout that period. Over the last five years, a certain Mr A Hadlow has been involved in its development and breathed his years of experience into the Vegas. Now it’s stabilized into a kite that’s extremely refined and focused, aimed directly at the wakestyle and more hardcore freestyle rider. The Vegas can be run on the standard Duotone five line bar or on the six line Hadlow set up which has been a feature on most of his pro models historically. We coupled it up with the Click Bar for the majority of the time, providing an exceptionally clean and fuss free user experience. In the air the Vegas has all the trappings of a proper C shape. It thrives on board speed and aggressive, involved bar inputs. The useable power band is noticeably wider than its stable mates, and even when ridiculously overpowered it seems to pull off the miracle of being able to unhook at any point and sit there as good as gold. Unhooked performance is up there with the best in category, it seems to consistently provide you with exactly the right amount of pop and slacks off with the perfect delay to pass the bar. It makes technical tricks simple and predictable. Boosting and looping requires good board and kite technique to get the most out of it, and rewards with powerful, deep kite loops and predictable climb and catch, particularly in the smaller sizes. The bar feedback in particular shines through to aid your awareness of where you are in relation to your kite in the air, this is a significant advantage for the big committed high risk maneuvers. The front line trim points make a significant difference to the feeling of the kite, and improves its versatility no end with a little more angle of attack change on offer. There are relatively few five line kites left on the market but the performance the Vegas achieves certainly justifies this, and if you are particularly averse to the extra nose line, you can of course buy the Dice which overlaps nicely on four lines. The Vegas is without a doubt for the rider that knows exactly what they want from a kite, but overall the test team found it much friendlier and more usable than expected, which is a testament to what a brilliant product it is. A high level rider will undoubtedly get a lot more out of the kite, but it also has the ability to make someone more aspiring feel like an absolute hero. What more could you want?

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

12 4.03 0.335833333 2 sliders 12 6 3 14

Yes 2 on each side Yes Front knots / Steering loops 8 Patch on kite No

Construction

Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

3x2 TrinityTx Mark cloth and Dacron Teufelberger 1.8mm plus approx 2.5mm Dyneema on pulley 3 step overlay Standard Polyant Dacron All 7 Airport valve II

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

7 10 8 9 9 6 10 9 10 9 7 6 10 6 9 7 6 9 9 6 9 6 6 7 9 6

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material

8 9 10 10

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

20 287 457 170

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

6 6 8 8 5 8 6 6 8 8 5 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1550

F-ONE WTF!? The WTF!? is F-ONE’s flagship competition freestyle kite, a pure, uncompromised, unbridled C shape kite with a fifth line, five struts and a rad attitude. For such an aggressive kite, with big power potential, the team were impressed with the smooth power delivery the WTF!? produces during general riding, and in its wind range where it builds speed very quickly to go into popped unhooked tricks. Of course, this style of kite isn’t sheet and go, you’ve got to work the kite a little to build some board speed before it fires into life. Speed is essential. Once trucking, the upwind ability is notably excellent, perfect for getting back to the competition area. Build wise, the kite is pretty beefy, and the large SUP style inflate valve allows for a nice high inflate pressure to be easily achieved. Stability unhooked is excellent with a minimum of trimming required, and very little flaring. It provides mind blowing pop and slack, and long downwind travel. It’s absolutely unflappable, particularly if you come out of a trick with a lot of downwind board speed. Looping produces a big wide arc with an enormous amount of pull. The overall riding experience is very engaging, and if you’ve come off a more mainstream freeride kite onto the WTF!?, you need to be on your game kite control wise, but once you have adjusted there’s so much more performance potential for freestyle. The kite turns on its tips in a big radius, there’s no power steering here, and you need some guns to get it to move, but the bar feedback is as perfect as it gets for this style of kite. This makes the WTF!? confidence inspiring. Although there’s a lot of power on tap, it lets you build trust with the kite quite quickly. For the seasoned rider, who has owned five line kites in years gone by, the kite is a fantastic nostalgia trip, reminding you how simple more mainstream kites have become to use and just how much performance a pure C shape has. For such an extreme design on the modern market place, it’s well behaved to handle. It’s not too grunty, and the stability really shines through. The front hang point settings work a charm, allowing a little more sheet change. It’s a very refined and honed product with a very specific audience in mind. If you’re very focused on freestyle, this kite is an excellent choice, and for competition style riding there are few rivals.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

9 2.91 0.323333333 No Y bridle for 5th and 3 hangpoints on front trim 3 5 14

Yes No Yes Knots on front and steering 8 No 3

Construction D2 D2 and Polyant Dacron Y bridle 500kg Dyneema D2 Single seam with double stitch Polyant Dacron 13 8 SUP

TheKiteMag.com

6 7 7 8 6

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 6 8 9 9 8 7 6 8 9 9 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

8 10 8 9 7 6 9 8 10 9 8 6 10 7 9 7 6 8 8 6 9

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

8 7 9 10

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

20 266 476 210

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1299

NOBILE 50/FIFTY The 50/Fifty is Nobile’s flagship five strut bridled C shape kite in the wakestyle and freestyle segment. For a full on, competition ready performance kite, the 50/ Fifty packs a decent amount of low end for its size with a relatively flat profile in its mid-section. It’s a very efficient design with thin struts and leading edge. We found the airframe a little bouncy and that it preferred a slightly higher inflation pressure than average to firm things up a little. Most importantly for the kite’s intended usage, once the trim is set, the pop and slack is very controllable and regular. The rear of the kite doesn’t flare unhooked in the slightest and remains very square with punchy power delivery. Turning speed is pretty rapid for a freestyle kite, so you need to be a little aware about kite position when pulling technical moves. Wakestyle purists could improve this with the heavier rear steering attachments to slow proceedings down. Bar pressure is certainly on the lighter end of this market sector. Forward speed is quite steady, but the kite seems to build apparent wind quite easily without much working of the kite, meaning you don’t have to commit so hard for a popped take off and can generally move around at a sensible pace. The boost and loop test provided adequate results with a fair amount of power developed if you consciously slow down the turning. Overall power delivery is pretty smooth and it pulls you seamlessly out of a kite loop. The 50/Fifty sits firmly on the friendlier end of the wakestyle sector with plenty of comfort and usability available, and makes a few compromises on out and out performance along the way. It’s a fun and rewarding kite to fly and is not too punishing considering its performance potential. It’s a brilliant freestyle trainer, which would suit lighter, less powerful riders, and is nowhere near as aggressive as its quite pronounced C shape may suggest.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

8 9 6 5 9 8 8 8 9 9 6 9 5 9 9 9 8 9 8 9 9 9 9 8 9 9 9 9 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

10 3.31 0.331 No 10 6 5 12.73 Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 9 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 ripstop Polyant Dacron and Mark Cloth 1.8mm and 2mm Dyneema 3 step zigzag Standard Polyant Dacron All 8 Boston

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Excellent

LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

9 8 9 7 7 8 9 8 9 7 7 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Good

Usable range

20 220 410 190

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1469

LIQUID FORCE P1 A new introduction for 2019, the P1 is aimed at kiters who want to boost big, have maximum control and to have accessible power on tap. It’s very much a delta C shape and with five struts is built on a stiff and stable platform. Even with the five struts, build is lightweight with a minimum of Dacron in the wingtips keeping the weight down and helping to contribute towards a nimble and responsive kite in the air. The P1 flies quite early and is stable enough in light air to be a confidence inducing kite for foiling. The P1 has ‘sheet and go’ attributes making it a very easy kite to fly. Some less experienced members of the test team really enjoyed the accessible power. It was also a great kite on gustier days and really sucked up bumps in the breeze. Turning is relatively pivotal and the kite also drifts nicely enabling you to really hack around and then be able to tune back into the kite when you are ready. Towards the top end of its wind range, we found that bar pressure increased and you would want to change down to a smaller kite. When in its sweet spot though, you can get some impressively lofty jumps, if you sheet in as you’re going up then you can get an extra bump and a few more seconds of hang time. The descent and landing are smooth and controllable. The P1 really stood out on times during the test when the wind was marginal. We found that the 9m could almost hold its own against some of the 12 meter kites and once you have it up to speed you can lock in and the kite generates plenty of power and upwind performance. Relaunch was also excellent and the P1 would be a confidence building kite in the hands of a beginner/ intermediate kiter looking for smooth power and with the right attributes for your first jumps and rotations. Also, for foiling, the light build, smooth power delivery, and depower make the P1 a great option. Overall an enjoyable and versatile freeride machine.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

9 6 6 8 8 8 9 7 6 9 6 6 8 8 8 9 8 7 7 9 9 8 6 8 8 9 7 9 8 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

9 3.37 0.374444444 No 10 2 on Y bridle no adjustment 5 14.64 Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 7 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D3 ripstop Dacron and Mark cloth strip 555kg flying line 3 step zigzag Wrap and standard closing system Polyant Dacron 9 7 Maxflow

TheKiteMag.com

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

6 8 7 6 6 7 6 8 7 6 6 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

20 180 367 187

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1599

C R A Z Y F LY H Y P E R The Hyper is a new addition to the CrazyFly line up. It has arrived just in time, as CrazyFly rider Posito Martinez has been using it to shred his way onto various podiums and to put in a very impressive performance at the KOTA. Build wise and the fact that CrazyFly are able to use their own production facility shows. There are some nice touches that you simply do not get in the main factories where 99% of kites are produced. The LE seam, for example, is beautifully tailored so that it sits underneath the canopy to improve aerodynamics in the center of the kite and allow a little more room on the valves. The kite then utilizes a Dacron load frame on the upper half of the canopy leaving the load bearing underside aerodynamically clean. The build is certainly not the lightest on test but it is an impressive piece of workmanship and for a kite such as the Hyper which likes to be ridden stacked, the slightly heavier build is no bad thing. The rigid air frame means that the Hyper feels very solid in the air which is reassuring when you consider that it has a very high aspect ratio for a modern kite. The five struts keep the canopy super tight, with no flapping at any angle of attack. If you are more familiar with flying an ‘all round’ kite then you will need to re-learn your jumping technique as the Hyper needs to be treated right to get the most out of it. The kite takes some skill to generate your initial speed with then once you are going it makes very impressive upwind angles. Once up to speed you can send the Hyper and the results are pretty breath-taking. You get some serious height even in moderate conditions, with a lift that seems to go on and on and then a gentle descent. Once you are dialed in to the technique, the lift is accessible to most riders and even when you are in the air you can still adjust the kite and it responds well. It was easily one of the boostiest kites we had on test, but with a modern feel and impressive control. It is great to see that brands like CrazyFly are not going down the ‘safe’ route and putting out generic three strut kites. This is a well thought out and relatively unique kite capable of pretty stratospheric performance.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

9 5 6 8 7 9 9 8 5 7 6 6 8 10 7 7 9 9 8 10 7 10 6 8 10 7 9 10 10 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

12 4.25 0.354166667 No 10 3 5 16

Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

R3 Triplex Dacron, R3 Triplex and Mark cloth 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step overlaid Standard Teijin Dacron All bar one 9 Boston

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Excellent

LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at Zenith - front Pumping / deflation andstall valve system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

9 8 6 8 8 7 9 8 6 8 8 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Good

Usable range

15 206 455 249

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1679

D U OTO N E R E B E L The Rebel is a longstanding model from Duotone which has gradually side shuffled its way into the high performance and Big Air category. A flattish wide span five strut kite with a low diameter leading edge help it punch upwind, boost with ease and deliver incredibly precise power delivery. What strikes you immediately is of course the boosting and hang time prowess which has been a feature of the model for some time now. It’s got a sheet and go quality with plenty of lift and returns you to the water very gently. Simple bar sheeting gives you an enormous amount of control over both how high and fast you go up, but also noticeable is how accurately it feathers your descent. For serious boosting of course the Rebel thrives on being powered, and has a truly enormous wind range. In its lower end the Rebel has much of the properties of a more sedate all-rounder than a straight boosting kite, albeit with excellent upwind properties. It’s worth noting that with all that sheet potential, the bar feeling is a little more hefty than on some more freeride based kites (such as the Evo). Five struts mean the airframe is very stiff and robust and larger inputs are required. Heavyweights in particular will appreciate how reassuring this is whilst in the air. Of all the boosting kites we’ve tested, it’s probably the most socially acceptable in other genres of riding as well, but it’s quite focused on vertical lift. You can unhook with it but this is not what it is designed for, and it’s fast enough in the smaller sizes to work your way around a wave face, but top-end freeriding and boosting is what it really wants to do. The Rebel is a powerful and precise tool, you could compare the Rebel to one of those new electric cars on the market. You can potter around with it and do the school run and it does a sterling job, but press the ‘sports’ button and it can take you very, very high with very little effort. A classic case of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

9 6 6 9 8 10 9 7 6 8 6 6 9 9 8 9 10 7 7 9 8 9 6 8 9 9 7 9 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

8 3.1 0.3875 2 sliders 12 On Y bridle but no adjustment with bungee 5 13.36

Yes No Yes Front knots / Steering loops 8 Patch on kite No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

3x2 TrinityTx Mark cloth and Dacron Teufelberger 1.8mm plus approx 2.5mm Dyneema on pulley 3 step overlay Standard Polyant Dacron All 7 Airport valve II

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

TheKiteMag.com

20 205 430 225

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

6 8 8 8 5 8 6 8 8 8 5 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1599

CORE XR5 The CORE XR5 is very much aimed at the performance freeride market, with big boosting and forward speed on the menu. A high aspect delta, with five struts keeping the air frame super solid, it has a wide arc with a large flat section in the middle of the canopy, which is super tight with little flutter. The first thing you notice is that to access all that performance you need some board speed, the faster you ride the more you get out of the kite. Apparent wind is king. Turn the taps on and the XR gets extremely lively, keep things a little slower and it’s delightfully predictable. Bar pressure is firmly on the higher end of the spectrum and turning speed is slower than other models we had on test in similar sizes. Straight vertical boosting is easy to initiate, the kite is easy to edge against and the results are high and floaty. When going big, high downwind speed can be gathered whilst you are in the air, so a downloop to slow things a little can be useful, particularly if your intended landing is on the choppy side. In almost all situations the XR provided smooth, refined power delivery and well nuanced handling throughout the depower and sheeting range. The pulleys on the front bridles help the kite find a happy place to sit in the wind at most angles of attack. Unhooked, the kite works but doesn’t provide a lot of slack. Upwind cruising is very efficient and the kite achieved some great angles on the GPS as you would expect. The CORE XR5 is very easy to handle considering its performance potential for speed and boosting, there’s no high aspect twitchy behavior going on and the kite retains some of the sheet-and-go characteristics of a more mid aspect model. This makes it ideal as a freeride kite, as long as you want to stay firmly locked into the chicken loop.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

7 6 5 8 6 8 7 8 6 9 5 9 8 7 6 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 8 7 8 8 9 9 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch

12 4.22 0.351666667 4 pulleys - 2 sliders 8 3 5 15.6

Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 8 Double ripstop 3 CoreTex Triple ripstop 2 layers CoreTex ripstop plus Insignia Braided ~3mm polyester and ~2mm sheethed Dyneema Overlay with 3 step zig zag Standard ExoTec Ultrarigid Dacron All 8 CORE speed valve

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at Zenith - front Pumping / deflation andstall valve system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

8 8 7 9 7 7 8 8 7 9 7 7

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Excellent

LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material

Good

Usable range

15 116 330 214

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1649 (13m)

CABRINHA CONTRA The Contra is designed as a kite to get you going when the wind drops down, whatever and wherever you are riding. So its aim is to fly like a ‘normal’ kite on lighter days, and there are 13, 15, 17 and 19m options. This year the Contra has the Pure Profile Panels for improved strength and load distribution and it also has Cabrinha’s new High Tenacity Dacron to increase strength and arc stability. This is obviously crucial in big three strut kites such as this, where the aim is to keep the weight as low as possible without compromising the performance (and consequently the profile) of the kite. The Contra flies on the standard Cabrinha 1X bars and there are adjustments on the kite to tweak to your riding style or to conditions on the day, enabling you to really dial into the 2019 Contra. No matter what level you ride at, whether you’re a complete newbie or pro rider, you will instantly feel confident when the Contra goes up. In light winds the Contra is incredibly stable in the sky and very easy to fly. Due to the reduction in weight, the Contra 2019 feels very light on the bar for such a large kite, and you get some very positive feedback from the bar. Overall the kite feels lively and very direct for its size. The interesting thing is that the Contra isn’t a low aspect ratio kite, which many light wind kites from other brands are… The bonus with this is that your upwind performance is very good, something that other brands’ light wind options on the test really struggled with (so you tend to get too much power and poor upwind ability once the wind has increased and the kite reaches its top end). There is none of this with the Contra, which can handle gusts and increases in wind strength fine… Turning up the tempo on the water, you will be hard pushed to outdo the Contra’s performance. Its steady pull provides a solid basis for a range of moves: hooked or unhooked, you can still go for your moves even on light days. Then where most large light wind kites pull like a train, the Contra has great unhooked “freestyle” characteristics, so pop and slack are present on this light wind machine. The Contra isn’t a boosting kite or a race kite, but if it’s pure light wind freeriding or you’re a heavier rider looking to get out in marginal conditions, then it is a great kite.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

sheet Upwind ability Usable range LiftDownwind on sheeting drift / leeward ability Hangtime Pop / slack test Ease of relaunch Kiteloop power test

13 3.58 0.275384615 No 6 4 No 17.31

7.5-8

Yes No Yes Front loops / Steering knots 7 Yes No

Construction Volae 2DR double ripstop Double 2DR in center & 2DR with Dacron on wingtips 2mm sheathed Dyneema 3 step zigzag / single overlay Standard High Tenacity Dacron 12 7 Cabrinha Sprint valve

TheKiteMag.com

7 8 9 5 9 5 6 8 6 5 8 7 8 9 6 9 9 6 7 6 8 8 6 9 7

Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

7 9 5 6 5 6 7 9 5 6 5 6

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

Physical Attributes

Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

8 5 5 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test

T E C H N I C A L D ATA :

UNITS SOLD

15 330 570 240

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

€1559

OCEAN RODEO FLITE The Flite is Ocean Rodeo’s light wind specific offering, it’s a three strut, mid aspect kite with a relatively spanned arc and comes in sizes from 8m through to 17m. The designers promise to let you do everything you would usually do in strong wind when there’s a definite wind deficit. Unusually for the Canadian brand who are renowned for building very tough and consequently pretty heavy kites, the Flite has a purposely minimal amount of reinforcement and Dacron, equating to an overall low weight for its size and hoists itself in the air early with a good degree of overhead stability. This is a big bonus for hydrofoilers where going out stacked is off the agenda, and an inflatable kite’s low end is very important. The Flite has the lightest bar pressure in the Ocean Rodeo range, this is particularly noticeable, and pleasant, in the larger sizes where your arms would normally get quite a working, however it still retains enough feedback to keep you aware of where the kite is. For hydrofoil use, there’s plenty of depower available on sheet and this translates to the twintip to some nice floaty jumps, with noticeable acceleration off the water, as you redirect with the enhanced turning speed. On balance, it is a very well rounded kite, particularly with the bar feeling. The 12m seems to do everything well, and is a gem for low wind foil work and confidence-inspiring freeriding on a twintip once things pick up a bit. The 17m in particular is a light wind twintipper’s dream, with loads of grunt. It maintains some decent upwind drive, benefitting from a well behaved and fairly extended top end as well, which is always a good measure for how well a light wind kite is designed. The Flite is a great exercise in how much more pleasurable a light weight kite is to fly, and is testament to good incremental refinements in design.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

8 6 5 7 6 7 8 6 6 9 5 7 7 6 6 9 7 7 6 9 9 7 7 8 6 9 7 9 7 8

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

17 4.1 0.241176471 2 8 2 3 16.23

Yes Soft TE No Front knots / Steering loops 10 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

Teijin Dimension Polyant KPE 2mm sheathed 3 step overlap Single and 3 step Dimension Polyant KPE All seams 7 Boston

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Excellent

LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at Zenith - front stall Pumping / deflation and valve system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

10 9 6 6 6 8 10 9 6 6 6 8

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

Good

Usable range

15 124 375 251

Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Good

Excellent

€1619 (13m)

S L I N GS H OT T U R B I N E The Turbine is now firmly placed as Slingshot’s light wind tool of choice, the smaller sized versions are now gone from the range, with the smallest starting at 13m, building up to a colossal 19m. It’s a flat-arced high aspect beast of a delta kite, and, unusually for a light wind kite, is sporting not three but five struts. Don’t read too far into this though as the two wingtip struts are absolutely miniscule. First impressions are everything, and there’s no way to describe the Turbine without overusing the word ‘grunt’. From underneath it’s got a whole heap of canopy on display, in fact enough to obscure the sun. The low end probably isn’t quite as good as a mono strut, but once it’s up the Turbine really does pull. Bar pressure is weighty, and turning speed is relatively slow, particularly for the 17m and 19m. It’s a very specific park and ride bit of kit. Once trucking along in its wind range, the Turbine is literally like being pulled by a wake cable, you can pop against it until the cows come home and it’s not budging anywhere. You can see why Sam Light uses it quite a bit for hitting features when the wind isn’t on at the Triple S. As it creeps into the top end, you need to work hard with your board to budge this monster out to get yourself upwind. Jumping involved some big bar inputs, and the hangtime is almost paraglider level. You’re not going very high, but you’re going to be in the air for a considerable period. The bigger Turbines definitely benefit from the wide 23” bar and longer 27m lines in the larger sizes, so get some extensions on for better upwind performance. When it comes to pure low end grunt there’s very little that touches it in a straight line. It’s nice to see such a strong design concept on the market, and it’s very good at what it does, which is pull you along with smooth and dependable power.

Dynamic Handling Attributes (subjective 0-10) PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

8 9 4 7 6 8 8 7 9 10 4 6 7 5 6 9 8 6 7 8 10 9 6 7 5 9 6 8 9 7

Downloop catch from sent jump test Forward board speed Upwind ability Overall stability

Downwind drift Low / leeward ability end ability Popdepowered / slack test Bar feedback when Kiteloop power test Top end ability

Downloop catch from sent jump test Linear power development on sheet ForwardUsable board range speed Overall stability Lift on sheeting Low end ability Hangtime

13 4.2 0.323076923 No 12 3 5 18.14

Yes 2 Yes Front loops / Steering knots 9 Yes No

Construction Canopy material TE material Bridle material Canopy seaming LE closing seam Strut / LE Material LE segment bump stops Overall build score (0-10) Inflate valve type

D2 towards trailing edge and single in main canopy Mark cloth and D2 with leech line 2mm sheethed Dyneema 3 step zig zag with single and 3 step Standard Polyant Dacron All 8 Sprint

AOA Force Test (12m) Wind speed (knots) Static ground pull value (N) Full sheet value max (N) Difference

TheKiteMag.com

10 227 502 275

Bar feedback Ease whenofdepowered relaunch Top end ability

Linear power development on sheet Poor

Good

Excellent

Usable range LiftAttributes on sheeting Static Handling

Practicality Hangtime (subjective 0-10)

PARTICIPANT

Ease of relaunch

UNITS SOLD

Pumping / deflation and valve Turning speed system Bar pressure Rigging simplicity Loop radius Self land Practicality (subjective 0-10) Bag size Bar feedback Repair kit quality PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Lateral stability - 12 o’clock test Travel friendly Stability at/ deflation Zenith - front stallvalve Pumping and system Oversheet to stall test (10 hard to stall) Rigging simplicity Pumping / deflation and valve system Self land Rigging simplicity Bag size Repair kit quality Self land Travel friendly Practicality Bag size

9 7 6 7 9 9 9 7 6 7 9 9

Repair kit quality Pumping / deﬂation and valve system Travel friendly Rigging simplicity Self land Bag size Repair kit quality Travel friendly Poor

Good

Excellent

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

C AT E G O R Y W I N N E R S : K I T E S

C AT E G O R Y: ALL-ROUNDERS W I N N E R : C A B R I N H A M OTO A new and impressive arrival in this sector. Universally appreciated by the test team who agreed that the Moto is an exceptional kite whether you are just looking for predictable and mellow freeriding or for a confidence building kite to help you improve your freestyle skills.

GOLD: CORE NEXUS The Nexus offered excellent versatility and is a very welltuned kite which always behaved immaculately, whatever the conditions and whatever moves you were trying.

G O L D : D U OTO N E E VO The Evo seems to have had a new lease of life since trimming down to three struts. This was one of the most enjoyable kites on the test and always one of the first to go when we needed something dependable when testing boards.

C AT E G O R Y: PERFORMANCE FREERIDE WINNER: F-ONE BANDIT The Bandit is a highly tuned, genre spanning kite with its own personality, and the test team all agreed that it particularly excelled in this category. A credit to its lengthy product development and evolution.

G O L D : S L I N GS H OT R P M Accessible performance for all competent riders, the RPM proved yet again that it was not just a kite for winning championships. We were particularly impressed with improvements to this year’s edition.

GOLD: NAISH DASH A relative newcomer compared to the competition in this category, we were very impressed with the handling and responsiveness of the Dash. You need to be a competent rider to get the most out of it, but if you are then the potential is massive.

G O L D : D U OTO N E D I C E A kite which has helped to define this category and has developed over the last few years, the Dice has ‘performance freeride’ as its DNA. For unhooked riding the consensus was this was the best in this category.

C AT E G O R Y: BOOSTERS W I N N E R : C R A Z Y F LY H Y P E R Highly specific with a rock solid air frame but surprisingly accessible and easy to use, and with astounding build quality. The Hyper offered excellent boosting capabilities and the test team were very impressed with its boosting credentials.

GOLD: CORE XR5 The king of WOO and for good reason. A truly impressive boosting machine that has been refined over the last few years and continues to be the boosting benchmark.

C AT E G O R Y: MONOS WINNER: NAISH BOXER Unflappable, very well behaved, nice and fast and with a wide wind range. The build quality was excellent with some unique design features and it was the only mono with a really respectable top end.

GOLD: F-ONE BREEZE Smooth and predictable performance, particularly in the smaller sizes, the Breeze was always a popular kite for foiling.

C AT E G O R Y: LIGHTWIND WINNER: CABRINHA CONTRA Great low end with a big sweet spot if things get windier, the Contra also has exceptionally responsive bar feedback for a lightwind kite.

C AT E G O R Y: WA K E S T Y L E WINNER: F-ONE WTF!? Highly engaging out-and-out unhooked performance, but no slouch for powered boosting and looping. Very much a next generation C-kite.

G O L D : D U OTO N E V EGA S Insane performance but also accessible for intermediate riders looking to press the turbo button on their freestyle riding.

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

TheKiteMag.com

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

BOARD TEST CRITERIA CARVING ABILITY How well the board carves through heel to toe and toe to heel transitions. Judgements are made on the smoothness of rail to rail transfer, tightness of the turning radius and the grip achieved in the carve, awarding a strong performance with a high score.

S P R AY A judgement of how much spray is being deflected towards the rider from the tips of the board. A board which causes lots of spray, particularly towards the face, will score low.

D I R E C T I O N A L S TA B I L I T Y The boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to track inline with the riders intended direction of travel when disturbed by factors such as oncoming chop or a trick landing. For a high score the board should have little disruption/pivot off course and should quickly re-track. A board which is overly loose and pivotal would receive a low score.

RAIL GRIP The efficiency and effectiveness of the boards grip on the surface of the water. A strong rail grip enables lateral drive for upwind performance and the ability to drive against the kite to load and pop. The more effective the rail grip, the higher the score. A board that slips its rail easily will receive a low score.

PLANING SPEED/LIGHT WIND ABILITY A judgement of the planing efficiency of the board based upon light wind capability and ability to accelerate with power. A board that planes early and accelerates well will receive a high score. A board which is heavily dependent on technique and power to maximize performance will score low.

UPWIND ABILITY The ease of upwind travel in powered and low powered conditions. A board that drives upwind easily will receive a high score. A board which is heavily dependent on advanced technique and power to maximize performance will receive a low score.

POP A judgement of the boardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity to build and store energy throughout the load phase of a trick before expelling the energy in the pop. A board which is progressive in its load and explosive in its pop will score high. Inefficiencies in the load and pop will receive a lower score.

S M O OT H N E S S O F L A N D I N GS How well the board reduces the impact and shock of a heavy landing. If a board displaces water well and facilitates a controlled landing it will score high. A board which gives a heavy landing with less control will receive a lower score.

CUTTING THROUGH CHOP The control and comfort perceived by the rider when riding through increasing amounts of chop. A board which smooths the feel of the ride over choppy water will score higher than a board which gives a bumpy or jarring feel to the ride. TheKiteMag.com

I M P O R TA N T N OT E : We tested all boards against all of these criteria. Clearly some boards will get low scores in some categories as this is not what they are designed for (a board targeted at beginners will not be designed to have good pop for example). Please consider this when checking data. When assessing the ‘Gold Awards’ and ‘Winners’ for each category, we looked very specifically at the criteria that you would expect from a board in that category.

CAT E G O RY WINNER

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

GOLD AWA R D

TheKiteMag.com

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€399

NAISH HERO Subjective Criteria The Hero is Naish’s entry all-round freeride board, providing PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD a smooth ride for anyone progressing onwards from their first Carving ability rides. With a soft flex, the Hero absorbs chop, making it smooth and forgiving for beginner riders. Spray Directional Stability

A wide outline and flat rocker gets the Hero planing early and

Rail grip upwind riding effortless. The Hero has a flat base with makes

Planing speed/light wind zero concave, and it relies on a very tapered rail cutting into ability

increasing the likelihood of skipping out if you don’t stomp the landing and get the fins engaged. The wide outline curves into 7 narrower tips for a rounded tip shape. Carving turns are easy5to initiate with this outline and the soft flex and exit speed are easy to maintain due to the low rocker. Overall the Hero 8 offers all that you need to cruise around with a smile on your face 6 and is a great price point option.

the water to provide the grip needed for upwind performance Upwind ability and pop. Coming in from a jump, the Hero’s flex results in soft Pop landings that are nice and easy on the knees. Although with its flat base, directional Smoothness of landingsstability and grip are somewhat reduced

7 5 5 6

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

3.27kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Beveled continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€410

F-ONE TRAX HRD ESL Subjective Criteria The Trax ESL is the more budget focused board within the PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD range of Trax boards by F-ONE and is targeted at freeride and Carving ability freestyle riders. It has been designed by taking the key features to maintain the Trax feel, but trimming some of the luxuries Spray of the more premium models for a simpler, more cost effective Directional Stability construction. In doing this, F-ONE have created a board which Rail grip is more affordable without sacrificing too much performance. Planing speed/light wind The ESL is constructed with a simpler deck shape than the Trax ability Lite Tech or Trax Carbon and difference is noticeable when Upwind ability loading hard into the board, as the ESL gives a softer flex. Then Pop the ESL uses a double concave and tip channeling to provide grip and stability instead of the stepped concave design used on Smoothness of landings the Lite Tech board. The ESL doesn’t use the same recession Cutting through chop

at the tips of the board, so the tip flex and grip are reduced comparatively. Performance isn’t greatly diminished in this area 7 thanks to the use of lifted tip channels which keep the though, ESL 9grippy through the pop and landings. The ESL’s medium three6stage rocker with a flat section through the middle gives the board some great upwind performance and a good pop. The 8 rails are double tapered, inspired by the HRD design, increasing in thickness underfoot with chamfering to support landings 6 while reducing rail thickness at the midsection and the tips for 7 better grip. Overall we felt that although lacking the premium 6 the ESL Trax will still provide heaps of performance features, and 6 a fun ride in all conditions and will leave you some spare change to spend on your next trip away!

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.1kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Flat with mid and tip taper (HRD Inspired)

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€479

NOBILE NBL The NBL is the entry board in Nobile’s twintip range, targeted at beginner to intermediate freeride kiters. Using a low continuous Subjective Criteria rocker line and elliptical concave through its base construction, PARTICIPANT SOLD the NBL is early to plane in light winds and a UNITS very easy board Carving to driveability upwind. This is an incredibly easy to ride board which could be handed to a beginner rider as the ideal tool to see Spray Directional Stability them progress from their first rides through to jumping. Its wide Rail grip makes riding in lower wind speeds more achievable and outline Planing speed/light windfor a beginner. the ride more stable

some of the chop, while the elliptical concave and slim rail make it easy to control through rougher water. Progressing into jumps, the NBL gives a gentle pop and a smooth landing with plenty of stability and grip through the heelside rail. The wide 6 makes landing first jumps easy but initiating carves will outline 6 difficult for the beginner rider. Overall, the NBL is a be more very 7stable and supportive ride for a beginner kiter and will 7 accelerate their progression. 8

ability Upwind ability

Through choppy water, the NBL is a smooth and forgiving Pop board. Its medium flex pattern allows the board to absorb

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

3.0kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€599

NOBILE T5 Subjective Criteria The T5 is one of the originals in Nobile’s twintip range. Its PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD longevity is a sure sign of its reliability and year on year this Carving ability board has proven popular within the freeride line up. Using a low continuous rocker line and three wavy channels through its base Spray construction, the T5 is early to plane with rapid acceleration and Directional Stability lots of edge grip for full control at speed. This is an incredibly Rail grip easy-to-ride board which could be handed to a beginner rider as Planing speed/light wind the ideal tool to see them progress from their first rides through ability to high speed carves and jumps aplenty. This board certainly Upwind ability gives confidence to the rider. Its wide outline makes riding in Pop lower wind speeds more achievable, yet the board does not feel overly large Smoothness of underfoot. landings This is in part due to the asymmetric

rail shape which provides the much needed surface area under the heelside for easy upwind riding while tapering the toeside 8 easy maneuverability going into toeside carves. The T5 rail for handles 8 chop well as the thin rails slice well through uneven water. 8 Its mid to stiff flex pattern allows the board to maintain speed well over chop, though as you increase the pace you do 8 get the occasional judder. The board grips well, making it easy to load 7 with a nice pop going into jumps and, for a low rocker board, the T5 gives a smooth landing with plenty of stability 8 and grip leaving no worries for skipping out on the heelside rail.

7 7 6

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.8kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Triple asymmetric

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€565

S L I N GS H OT M I S F I T Subjective Criteria The Slingshot Misfit is an all-rounder; a board for the rider UNITS SOLD progressing their freeride and wanting to try a bit of everything. Carving ability It’s a long stander in Slingshot’s board range and, as always, has a dedicated following. The Misfit is a mid-weight, low rocker Spray and stiff flex board. It takes the hard work out of riding as its Directional Stability straight edge, single concave base and parabolic tip channeRail grip ling accelerate the flow of water to get you planing early with Planing speed/light wind speed, grip and lots of upwind drive. Take it through a range ability of conditions and it continues to boost the confidence of the Upwind ability rider. The low rocker and stiff flex are forgiving of inconsistent Pop power development, keeping the rider moving through the lulls, and there is just enough rocker at the tips that the Misfit Smoothness of landings PARTICIPANT

comfortably breaks its way through choppy water. The Misfit’s stiff flex and biting rail contact is good for driving the edge in sent 6 jumps and the pop is solid but not with as much oomph as other7 boards in the range. The use of Koroyd in the tips and through 8 the length of the board has made it more responsive, and a mild rocker means the Misfit is better for all-around 7 cruising, slashing carves and kicking up some very satisfying spray8than it is for sticking heavy landings. It is relatively loose underfoot during harder landings, though the tip rocker helps 8 reduce the chances of tripping over their edge.

7 7 7

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.8kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Low

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Beveled continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, Koroyd

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€499

D U OTO N E G O N Z A L E S Subjective Criteria The Duotone Gonzales is designed for entry-level riders looking PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD to progress quickly. The low rocker, wide outline with curved tips, Carving ability soft flex and single concave make the Gonzales an ideal board for riders taking their first steps, then with plenty of capacity Spray for progression to keep you entertained as you push towards Directional stability your first tricks. The Gonzales planes early and easy, with the Rail grip generous width giving the Gonzales plenty of surface area to Planing speed/light wind stand up and ride off, and the single concave providing a decent ability forward speed that will carry a beginner through insufficient Upwind ability power development from the kite or lulls in the wind. In addition

to a good low end ability, the tip flex gives the board a dynamic rocker which makes the board more controllable as the wind picks6up, the result being a board with wide usable range and less risk 7 of being overpowered. The soft flex and the rounded shape 7 of the Gonzales has been designed to be as nurturing as possible with no broad tips to catch you out after any mistakes; 7 then the forgiving flex is comforting in the chop as it absorbs the shock 8 giving you a judder-free ride.

Pop

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight Inserts

Carving ability

Rocker

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels Concave

Rail grip

Rail shape

Planing speed/light wind ability

Tip flex

Upwind ability

Construction

Pop

Mounting system

Smoothness of landings

Boots compatible

Cutting through chop

Slider proof base

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Ease of setting up

Angled Low N N Single Continuous 3 Glass Inserts M6 N N 7

€429

LIQUID FORCE DRIVE Subjective Criteria The Drive is Liquid Force’s all-round freeride board which is UNITS SOLD aimed at beginners and intermediates offering early planing, Carving smoothability carving, grip, and excellent upwind ability. The Drive is a logical first kiteboard, shaped to suit the beginner rider and Spray aid their progression through a range of skills. The relatively flat Directional Stability rocker with parallel rails through the center and rounded tips give Rail grip the board an efficient and comfortable ride with early planing, Planing speed/light wind good upwind ability and nice carving ability when slashing ability waves or putting in big heelside transitions. The Drive has a Upwind ability single concave leading into a single hull channel between the PARTICIPANT

fins. These features smooth out the ride of the board, especially when kitesurfing in choppy conditions. It also gives the board 7 a smooth, grippy carve with really nice water flow out of the tail of 7 the board. You can really feel the water passing the fins and gripping all the way through a carve. For riders learning 8 their first jumps, the Drive has a strong rail grip as you edge 7 against the kite and, while it doesn’t provide the biggest pop, it is plenty 8 for the average rider and landings are stable without much risk of the board skipping out underfoot.

Pop

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.74

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Low

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Mid to tip tapered

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€579

G O O D B O A R D S C R O S S B AY Subjective Criteria The Goodboards Crossbay is a freeride board designed to take PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD a beginner rider through to intermediate level as they progress Carving ability their skills. It features a low to medium rocker with a wide outline that tapers at the tips to ensure you have a generous surface area Spray underfoot for early planing, strong upwind reach and plenty of Directional stability drive while reducing spray as you ride around. The soft flex of Rail grip the Crossbay is very forgiving to the beginner rider; it absorbs Planing speed/light wind chop for a comfortable ride and forms a dynamic rocker at the ability tips which enables the rider to stay in control through gusts as Upwind ability the flex reduces dramatic spikes in power. This is a ride that can Pop provide confidence to a developing kiter, safeguarding them a little from mishaps while they develop their skills. The Crossbay Smoothness of landings is no babysitter though, there’s a bit of work gone into this board

that allows it to meet the needs of an intermediate freerider and a beginner will not soon outgrow it. It’s a fun board to carve7 around, with a good turn radius and an easy rail-to-rail transfer 7 due to the tapered tips and soft flex. Someone wanting to learn 7 to jump would have a fairly easy time as the board has a strong rail grip and an easy flex and response to work with while 7 adapting to sending the kite. Once fairly proficient at jumping, the board 7 holds speed well and the carbon Kevlar stringer gives a respectable pop. The Crossbay relies very much on its soft flex 7 to reduce the impact of landings, and the single concave does 6 a reasonable job of keeping landings stable, but if you come in too 7 hot you can expect to skip out.

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

2.5

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€399

B R U N OT T I O N Y X Subjective Criteria The Brunotti Onyx is an entry freeride board for riders PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD progressing from their first rides to first jumps and tricks. Its Carving abilityand simple construction uses a wide outline, low minimalistic rocker wood core which has been CNC shaped with a single Spray concave. The effect is impressive as the Onyx accelerates Directional Stability and planes on minimal power input making it very easy for a Rail grip developing their kite control and anyone riding in gusty rider Planing speed/light wind conditions. Additionally, the wide outline and chamfered rails ability provide a strong rail contact which bites the water for easy edge Upwind ability control and upwind drive. The outline of the Onyx is wider

than many boards in the freeride market and, while it benefits in speed and upwind ability, it is more difficult for a beginner 6 their carving transitions. For those who persist, they to initiate will be 8 rewarded with a great rail grip and easy speed coming out of the transition. The Onyx has a medium flex which feels 8.00 very natural underfoot as you’re working directly with the flex 9 wood core and little else. This makes a very forgiving of the ride 9through the chop and a gentle but very predictable pop that is easy to progress with.

Pop

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

2.8kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Low

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Chamfered with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

AXIS LIBERTY The Liberty is Axis’ contribution for the beginner to intermediate rider market, offering a comfortable and forgiving ride to enable Subjective Criteria the progression of its rider. The board features a flat-medium rocker line which enables early planing and easy upwind riding PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD for the beginner riders using less power from the kite. On the Carving ability water this was apparent as it coped well and maintained its Spray forward speed through lulls in the wind. Directional Stability The Liberty’s construction uses fiberglass with a Paulownia wood Rail gripwhich tapers towards the tips. This maintains strength at core Planing speed/light windfor a medium flex while allowing more tip the core of the board ability flex for ample contact and grip over rough water and through Upwind ability carving turns. Combined with the rounded tips, this creates Pop a smooth ride over choppy water which produces little spray making it quite a comfortable ride for anyone riding in a variSmoothness of landings ety ofthrough conditions. Cutting chop Carving turns are easy to initiate due to the

€569 curved outline and speed throughout the transition is easily maintained due to the low rocker line. For the rider progressing into jumps and rotations, this board will certainly do the job. Power and speed is easy to develop and the rail grip is plenty to aid you in developing tension against the kite. The pop is 8 sufficient but not explosive and, while this is not an issue for 8 throwing a few jumps and spins, if you are looking for a rider more7performance there are other boards in the AXIS range that 6 deliver this. Landings are reasonably soft and forgiving would as the flex absorbs much of the landing. The edge re-engages 6 easily for plenty of grip and directional control and as always 6 develops speed easily without needing lots of power the board from6the kite. Overall, the board is well suited to its class and is forgiving and will encourage progression for the beginner to 7 intermediate rider. 7

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight Inserts

Carving ability

Rocker

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Rail grip

Concave Rail shape

Planing speed/light wind ability

Tip flex

Upwind ability

Construction

Pop

Mounting system

Smoothness of landings

Boots compatible

Cutting through chop

Slider proof base

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Ease of setting up

Straight Low/Medium N N Single Mid to tip tapered 3 Glass Inserts M6 N N 9

€599 (With pads and straps)

CORE DELUXE Subjective Criteria The Deluxe is a fantastic looking board with plenty of wood on view and is clearly built to a high aesthetic and materials PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD specification. It provides a smooth ride that would suit most Carving ability riders. It is an accessible board for beginner to intermediate riders wanting to progress their freeride skills and to nail their Spray first freestyle moves. It would also suit freeride riders looking Directional Stability forgrip a comfortable board that will tick all of the freeride boxes Rail and promises to wind last many years if you take care of it. The Planing speed/light Deluxe rides comfortably in a broad power range, its medium ability flex Paulownia wood core and fiberglass laminate swallows up Upwind ability chop, resulting in an effortless ride across a variety of conditions. Pop Whether you’re cruising around or throwing your first jumps

and rotations, the Deluxe offers reassurance to a progressing rider with a mild single concave which aids board speed, edging and overall control for riding in stronger winds and while edging for a9jump. You can expect plenty of grip in the landings and medium 8 pop making it a good option for freeride, although if you are 7 looking for more pop and performance there are good alternatives in the CORE line up. Throughout carving turns, 8 the Deluxe benefited from its classic freeride, curved outline, 7 and its low/mid rocker and concave aids acceleration shape out of 8 the carve making for a super fun board to ride and to slash around on. 7

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

2.4kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Mid to tip tapered

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€599

F LY S U R F E R R A D I C A L 6 Flysurfer’s RADICAL6 has no pretensions of freestyle competition glory, nor does it aim to be a price point beginner’s board. Subjective Criteria The RADICAL6 is a freeride board, pure and simple. In terms PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD of outline, the RADICAL6 is asymmetric, with a shorter and Carving ability more rounded toeside edge and with an angular cut out on the heelside. The RADICAL6 is very quick to plane and to get up Spray Directional to speed Stability – the double concave gives a solid amount of grip and Rail grip the board locks in and tracks confidently. For transitions the Planing speed/light wind RADICAL6 loves to carve. The shorter rounded toeside edge ability enables you to really swing the board around, then, coming back Upwind ability to your heels, there is a nice amount of bite and the board really

takes off again. This speed transfers well into boosting and for sent jumps there is a nice release. It is not a board with tonnes of pop, but it’s not designed for kite-low maneuvers. Landings from a sent jump are smooth although it is most comfortable 7 at a downwind angle. The cut out on the heel edge landing really9 does reduce the amount of spray from the tip, and the 8 RADICAL6 slices through chop without any complaints. Overall 8 aim in life is to cruise around in maximum comfort and if your then be able to turn on the speed and/or take to the sky, then 8 the RADICAL6 has all of the attributes you need. 8

Pop

6 7

Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.64kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€629

KO L D P O L A R KOLD have made it their priority to make a more eco-friendly Subjective Criteria board that can meet the performance needs of freeride and freestyle riders. The primary differences in construction between PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD the Polar and other freeride/freestyle-oriented boards on the Carving marketability come from the introduction of flax fiber and bio-resins for the board construction. On first handling, the KOLD Polar Spray felt light weight and this transferred into a comfortable swingDirectional Stability weight through tricks that made it easy to initiate and control Rail grip speed of rotations. The board’s outline is that of a freeride/ Planing speed/light wind freestyle crossover board; the slight curve in the outline makes a ability board that is easy to carve without sacrificing too much tip area Upwind ability needed for the pop. The Polar has a medium/high continuous Pop rocker combined with a double concave, anti-negative flex top stringer; and channeling at the edges and tips. The overall effect Smoothness of landings is a board which loads progressively and lands softly, without

unwanted flattening, while maintaining respectable upwind ability and grip. So, how does a flax fiber construction weigh up against glass fiber or carbon fiber? Against glass fiber we don’t think you’d notice the difference. Flax fiber is less dense than 8.00fiber, while it has similar strength properties, so you get a glass slightly 7 lighter board with a similar flex and pop. Compared to carbon 8 fiber, the flex response is of course a little less, meaning less pop, though it is less brittle and better at dampening so 8.00 you don’t get as much ‘slap’ through the chop. Perhaps it is the master of compromise, sitting half way between glass and 7.00 carbon. Either way, this is a super fun board capable of han8 dling a range of conditions and suitable for a broad range of 7 especially those who want to have a clear environmental riders conscience after their session! 8

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

2.75kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Flax Fiber and Flax Stringer

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€649

NOBILE 2HD Subjective Criteria Nobile have produced the 2HD for freeride and freestyle riders PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD wanting a board capable of high speed with absolute control Carving ability and a strong pop for boosting with. 2HD, meaning double hydrodynamic, describes the board’s use of a V-like rocker Spray which is exaggerated mid stance then flattens underfoot and Directional Stability outwards towards the tips. This, combined with an elliptical Rail grip concave through the midsection, enables the board to produce Planing speed/light wind generous amounts of acceleration and upwind ability whilst also ability benefitting from increased rocker between the feet for some big Upwind ability pop, and to take some of the impact out of landings should

you come in a little hot. At the tips, the 2HD uses a W-shaped outline. This recession of material at the tips of the board keeps 7 active throughout the pop by allowing the tips to flex. the fins You can’t help but notice the grip this adds as you load up into a 6.00 sent 8.00jump. While it isn’t as smooth as the T5 through chop, it is certainly manageable and far from uncomfortable due to having 8 more flex at the tips. This board is definitely speed focused; get it onto 7 flat water and you can have a lot of fun with it.

8.00

Pop

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

3kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€799

C R A Z Y F LY R A P T O R LT D Subjective Criteria The Raptor LTD is CrazyFly’s ultra-light, full carbon board PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD for freeride and freestyle riders. When we say light, we mean Carving ability incredibly light. The Raptor LTD uses a thinner CompFlex 4T5 carbon which requires less epoxy, resulting in less overall Spray weight than previous models. The wide outline and low/mid Directional Stability rocker make the Raptor LTD very quick and the elliptical double Rail grip concave and double V tips give plenty of grip when driving Planing speed/light wind This is a very lively board, especially upwind and popping. ability when riding powered and it holds the speed well. The Raptor Upwind ability LTD feels small underfoot due to its light weight and has a very Pop low swing weight when you’re airborne. In addition to the high

amount of power and speed you can hold down through the rail, you can really get a good boost from this board. If you’re 8.00to having more rocker in your boards, the low rocker used feels8less progressive in the pop and a bit snappier as it springs you up into the air. The double concave does a great job of 8 smoothing out the landings, though you do get some slap on 9.00 landings unaided by the kite. When you are not airborne with the Raptor LTD and turn your focus to its ride on the water, 8 you find that it is a playful ride through the carves as the transfer 9 from rail-to-rail is smooth and the rail bites hard into the water 8.00 up some very satisfying tail spray. kicking

Smoothness of landings

8.00 7

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.3

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€649

C R A Z Y F LY R A P T O R Subjective Criteria CrazyFly have updated the freeride/freestyle-targeted Raptor PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD with a big redesign for 2019. First impressions are that the Carving ability board is more locked-in and directionally stable, and this can undoubtedly be credited to the addition of some channeling Spray along the edges of the board which bite into the water for better Directional Stability upwind performance, overall grip, and cushioned landings. The Rail grip Raptor has been coated with a Nano Glide Skin, the latest tech Planing speed/light wind from CrazyFly which acts as micro channeling on the board’s ability base to improve the glide of the board and acceleration across Upwind ability the water. Combined with a very subtle central V dropping into Pop the edge control channels, this transfers to a very well-balanced blend of speed and control which enables you to really fine tune Smoothness of landings the Raptor and get as much out of it as you put in. This central Cutting through chop

V then becomes more prominent towards the tips for better load response and the Raptor can really be loaded up. The Raptor has a7Triaxial Eglass layup which keeps the board stiffer from heel 7to toe for improved torsional control while also allowing the board 9 to flex through its length. Carbon stringers have been added to control the flex response through the length and give 9 a strong pop when loaded. Despite this additional construction, CrazyFly 8 have managed to keep the weight down for an agile ride with low swing weight through tricks. Stepping down the 8.00 rails has also reduced weight and also served to improve upwind 8.00 performance, as the rail bites into the water for lateral drive. Overall 8 the Raptor is a very refined and well-engineered board that would suit all riders from ‘intermediate’ upwards.

7.00

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.5

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Stepped with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€499

N A I S H M OT I O N Subjective Criteria The Naish Motion is a performance freeride twintip targeted PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD at intermediate riders looking for a truly versatile board that Carving will letability them ride in all conditions. The Motion is a medium flex board with a great ability to dampen the effects of choppy Spray water, making it a very comfortable and cruisy ride. Naish use Directional Stability a distinctive cross-shaped flex torsional control to keep rigidity Rail grip throughout its length and width for plenty of pop and smooth Planing speed/light wind takes the same shaping as the Drive landings. The Motion ability without the use of 3k carbon, resulting in a slightly mellower Upwind abilityits premium brother. The continuous rocker with flex than Pop triple exponential concave drives water over the fins and the

tapered rail towards the tips offers great grip, plenty of acceleration, and a reactive flex. The Motion’s rail has a beveled edge 9 gives you a great locked-in feel regardless of the water which conditions, and the short rail channeling between stance gives 7.25 additional grip when edging. The additional bite makes for easy 8 loading and a good pop when performing hooked-in freeride and 9 freestyle moves. The Motion was playful and fun through snappy 8 turns and carves, exiting with good acceleration and overall a great board for a progressing intermediate freestyle rider9or competent cruiser.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.82

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Triple

Rail shape

Stepped continous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€849

NAISH DRIVE Subjective Criteria The Naish Drive is a high performance freeride twintip targeted PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD at intermediate to advanced riders, entering Naish’s line up Carving ability above the Naish Motion. It is stiffer than the Motion due to its use of 3k carbon laminate which has created a highly responSpray sive flex and reduced the weight of the board. The Drive is a Directional Stability lively and responsive board with great ability to gain speed. Rail grip The continuous rocker with triple concave drives water over Planing speed/light wind the fins and the tapered rail towards the tips offers great grip, ability acceleration, and responsive flex. Its beveled edges and short Upwind ability rail channeling between the stance then give additional grip Pop when edging. The Drive cuts through chop extremely well and its freerideyofoutline and tapered tips keep spray to a minimum. Smoothness landings

The Drive was playful and fun through snappy turns and carves, exiting with good acceleration. The distinctive cross-shaped flex 8 control shaping keeps the board rigid throughout its torsional length 7 and width for great pop as well as reducing negative flex and 9 distortion for smooth landings. The Drive’s rail has a beveled edge which gives you a great locked-in feel regardless 9 of the water conditions. Its short channeling between the feet gives8some additional bite, making it easy to load against for excellent pop when performing hooked-in moves, but it is also 9 capable of pushing beyond its labeled purpose, and happily 9 up for unhooked tricks. loading

8 8

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.57

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Triple

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon, glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

NOBILE NHP CARBON + CARBON SPLIT €999

The Nobile NHP Carbon is available as either standard construction or splitboard, and is targeted at the advanced freeride and freestyle market. The NHP uses a hybrid concave; a pairing of a standard elliptical concave in the center of the board, along with a tip-to-tip double concave which makes this board very quick to plane across the water and its hydrodynamic rocker line produces an excellent upwind ability.

team were very impressed with the quality of these boards, in particular the way that Nobile have managed to retain almost all aspects of how the NHP performs when creating the splitboard version. For the NHP Carbon Split, the pop feels almost staggered as the rigidity of the joint offsets the flex further underfoot rather than having a more continuous flow through its flex pattern. Nonetheless, the Split Carbon NHP still produced an excellent pop, more than capable The NHP is a truly rapid board across the water of taking a rider through a bunch of hooked and and is very agile through carving turns. The unhooked freestyle maneuvers. The addition of asymmetric rail allows you to fire around heel channeling around the fins on the NHP Carbon to toe carves whilst always maintaining excellent Split adds extra grip when loading to support grip and speed. As such an easy board to drive the pop. Landings, whilst still very comfortable upwind, it felt necessary to adopt a more neu- on each board, felt a little harder with the splittral stance when riding with less weight on the boards, most likely through a combination of back foot to prevent stalling the board upwind the stiffer joint and the drag around the joint. Subjective Criteria or sliding. This is certainly not a bad thing as it Finally, the splitboard suffered a comparative PARTICIPANT contributed to the efficiency of upwind ridingUNITS lossSOLD of speed. Whilst still being far from slow, on the ability toeside rail and speed out of the carves there was some noticeable drag induced by the 9 Carving which was a very enjoyable aspect of riding this connection joint as water is driven into the joint, 9 Spray board. The NHP Carbon feels incredibly light spraying upwards through the split in the rail. 8 Directional Stability on the water and in the air through rotations; For the rider wanting to do everything, the NHP 8 Rail grip into hooked or unhooked maneuvers, Carbon is certainly capable loading of taking you there. Planing speed/light wind the board’s flex and pop feels fantastic; it is easy For the travel conscious, not wanting to travel 9 ability to load and gives plenty of height in the pop. with oversized baggage, the NHP Carbon Split Upwind ability The standard construction and splitboard con- board offers a great9deal of convenience with struction were tested back-to-back and the test only limited compromise in performance. 9 Pop

€1399

Smoothness of landings

7.4

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA - NHP CARBON:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA - NHP CARBON:

Subjective Criteria

Weight

2.7

Inserts

Angled

8 6 7 7

Rocker

High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon fiber

Upwind ability Smoothness of landings

7 8

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Cutting through chop

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

PARTICIPANT

Carving ability Spray

UNITS SOLD

Carving ability Spray

Directional stability

Directional Stability

Rail grip

Planing Rail grip speed/light wind ability Upwind Planing speed/light wind ability ability Pop

Pop

Smoothness of landings

2.5

7.5 7

6.20

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA - NHP CARBON SPLIT:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA - NHP CARBON SPLIT:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.9

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€1049

NOBILE NHP SPLIT The Nobile NHP Split is targeted at the advanced freeride and Subjective freestyle market. The NHP Split uses aCriteria hybrid concave; a pairing of a standard elliptical concave in the center of the board along PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD with a tip-to-tip double concave which makes this board very Carving ability quick to plane across the water, and its hydrodynamic rocker line gives this board excellent upwind ability. The NHP Split is Spray very agileStability through carving turns thanks to its asymmetric rail Directional which allows you to whip around heel to toe carves whilst always Rail grip maintaining excellent Planing speed/light wind grip and speed. This is an incredibly easy board to drive upwind; so much so that you need to adopt a ability more ability neutral stance when riding with less weight on the back Upwind foot to prevent stalling the board upwind or sliding. The NHP Pop Split feels of a little heavier on the water and in the air through Smoothness landings rotations than the NHP Carbon Split, although this is far from Cutting through chop a heavy board. Nobile have created their Split boards with a

solid W connection, now into its fourth generation, and they have achieved this without adding much weight to the board or disturbing the overall feel and performance of the ride. When loading into hooked or unhooked maneuvers, the board’s flex and 7 pop feels responsive as the board was easy to load and gave 7 amount of height in the pop. Nobile have managed a good to retain almost all aspects of how the NHP performs when 7 creating 6 the splitboard version. Most noticeable differences were found in the flex pattern, which was slightly offset instead 7 of building smoothly through the length of the board, and the slight7drag induced by the connection joint for the two halves of the 7 board. But for the average rider looking for a board that performs well in all conditions and packs down to the size of 7 your kite bag it’s an unbeatable option.

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.2

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

TEN THE MARK Subjective The Mark from TEN has one prime Criteria objective: Big Air. At first glance, you see a board with a very squared outline and low PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD rocker and you can’t help but assume you’ve been handed a Carving ability beginner’s board… ‘my first kiteboard’ so to speak. Suddenly Spray your eyes spot the carbon lay up, channeling along the edges and a fifth fin! The message is clear: ‘go jumping!’. This is a Directional Stability board focused on high grip and control when powered and a Rail grip rebound of energy as you launch yourself skywards. As soon Planing speed/light wind as you begin riding you appreciate that this is a seriously grippy ability board. The combination of edge channeling and a fifth fin mid Upwind ability stance has you completely locked-in. Increase your speed and Pop the locked-in feel persists. Forget any worries about dropping wind speedofas The Mark also handles the low end brilliantly, Smoothness landings keeping you on your upwind tack. Through the chop, The Cutting through chop Mark kicks up some spray, something to be expected from a

€579

wide outline and low rockered board. The feel of the ride is quite comfortable as the little rocker towards the tips copes well with rough water. Carves were a bit cumbersome to initiate 5 but once around the carve, the toeside channeling made the 8.4 cruise upwind with ease. Loading into jumps is incredibly board fun. 9 With so much grip you really feel like you can hold down maximum power from your kite and the flex response is quite 10 snappy as it quickly launches you into the air. As you load the board, 7 you really need to drive the back foot hard at the last moment to get the most out of it, if you don’t there’s a lot of 9 build up and not much release. On landing you feel a lot of 6 as the channeling and fifth fin bite the water. Overall, stability The6Mark is a bit of a specialist and its mission is to go high. In this 6 it really does succeed.

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.01kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Chamfered with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€565

S L I N GS H OT V I S I O N Subjective Criteria The Slingshot Vision is a performance twintip aimed at interPARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD mediate to advanced freeride and freestyle riders. If you want Carving ability to be able to do a bit of everything and do it well, the Vision is a lively and responsive board that will ride as hard as you and Spray save you on the landings. In recent years, the Vision has been Directional Stability on a bit of a materials diet. A lot of the glass and resin has Rail grip replaced by a strong dura-light base and carbon bedrock gone, Planing speed/light mounting systemwind which keeps strength high and weight down. ability This is immediately noticeable as the swing weight of the board Upwind ability through rotations is much more controllable than Visions of years Pop past. The initial feeling you get from the Vision is that the board is very dynamic, matching your needs through everything you do Smoothness of landings on the water. The Vision uses a vertically laminated stiff wood Cutting through chop

core and a medium rocker line which gives a very responsive feel. Combined with some very pronounced parabolic channels, 8 as NACA channels, and you get a superb amount of known speed, 9 grip and pop to play with. The flex is continuous and the pop explosive; you can’t help but feel confident as you 9 load this board up. Landings on the Vision are quite simply 9 phenomenal, few boards have matched the sensation you get as you ride 8 out of a trick. The NACA channels do an excellent job of cushioning the landing and ensuring you ride out with speed 8 and stability.The Vision is not only outstanding for its pop, it’s also 9 very playful on the water, with the continuous sweep from mid-rail 9 to tip along with the generous rocker line making it a fun board to slash and carve around with.

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.2

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Beveled with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€629

D U OTO N E S E L EC T Subjective Criteria The Duotone Select is an all-round performance twintip targetPARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD ed at the freeride market. This is an immensely fun board for Carving ability anyone who wants to slash and carve up water and boost high with a board that provides a very intuitive feel underfoot. The Spray Select is early to plane and is a very comfortable board to ride. Directional stability The broad outline with slightly tapered tip charges upwind with Rail grip ease. The forgiving flex soaks up every bit of chop and funky Planing speed/light wind landings, and makes powered riding effortless so you can make ability full use of the speed and power when the wind picks up and chop Upwind ability gets bouncy. The Select really likes to be ridden with power and Pop speed, it holds on to the power well and boosts brilliantly with a very clean off the water. As you land, the board relies Smoothness of release landings

on its soft flex to absorb some impact and it does this well. If you’re coming in especially hot, stick the landing downwind or you 8 may skip out a little. The flex tips of the Select really are the foundation to its all-round performance. Typically a board 7 with8only a slight taper at the tips wouldn’t carve so well, but the Select does this superbly. The tips flex and respond well to 8 rail transfers giving you optimum grip throughout the carve. The8Select is a lightweight, responsive and agile board that can turn less than ideal conditions into a playground of opportunity 7 and for the test team provided a perfect balance of comfort and 8 performance.

9 8

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.6

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped Continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€1049

D U OTO N E J A I M E T E X T R E M E Subjective Criteria The Duotone Jaime Textreme is an all-around performance PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD freeride/freestyle crossover board designed for riders who like Carving to mix ability up their riding with hooked and unhooked freestyle as well as big air loops and board offs. The Textreme version of Spray the Jaime uses a 45º biaxial carbon laminate to improve the Directional stability Jaime’s pop, giving it a very smooth release off the water. The Rail grip core of the Jaime ensures a smooth ride underfoot with wooden Planing speed/light windand good feedback with little disturbance medium to stiff flex, ability to the ride from choppy water. There’s plenty of energy unUpwind ability derfoot, but it’s all very controllable. A beginner could use and Pop control this board, but really it’s destined to do so much more. The Jaimeofplanes well and cuts up wind with ease; the wide Smoothness landings

outline which tapers at the tips has a lot of rail contact for great grip, planing and lateral resistance. The Jaime does well when 7 with speed, it takes the energy into the pop with a very ridden dynamic 7 release that will see you with plenty of time in the air to trick it out. The Jaime has always been a stable board, but 8 for 2019 it is even better. The introduction of a double diffusor, 9 acts to stiffen the flex pattern, provides grip and displaces which water9which now gives you a fantastically smooth ride. If you do land a bit sketchily then the Jaime now takes you by the hand, 9 you of your sins and guides you where you ought to be forgives 9 can ride out like you stuck it. It’s really very encouraging. so you

9 9

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.4

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped Continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€659

GOODBOARDS AMNESIA Subjective Criteria Goodboards have created the Amnesia as a crossover board to PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD meet the needs of the freeride and freestyle market. The board Carving ability uses a wide outline and low-medium rocker combined with a single concave, rail and tip channeling. This forms a board Spray that is early to plane and easy to carve upwind, the Amnesia Directional stability gives you speed on tap and you’ll cruise through the lulls. The Rail grip low-medium rocker, rail channels and single concave give you a Planing speed/light wind grippy rail bite, perfect for edging hard into sent jumps, and the ability flex is responsive enough to spring you into some lofty jumps. Upwind ability In the air, the Amnesia feels light enough for comfortable board Pop offs. Landings with the Amnesia are stable with little chance of

skipping out. When riding unhooked and landing without the support of the kite, the landings were firm. At the tips there is 6 rocker to prevent any tripping whether you’re landing sufficient or sliding 7 the board into switch. Overall, the Amnesia sits perfectly8in the freeride category. If you’re looking to push things harder, then Goodboards also have the Capo as their hardcore 8 freestyle option so this would be a better choice. But if you’re looking 8 for performance freeride fun then the Amnesia provides all that you’re likely to need.

8 7

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.72

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

None

Rail shape

Stepped Continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€679

CABRINHA ACE WOOD Subjective Criteria The Ace Wood is Cabrinha’s performance freeride/freestyle PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD crossover twintip, designed for riders who like making big, Carving ability powerful carves and loading up for big air. Featuring a medium rocker, single concave, rail and tip channels and a moderate to Spray stiff flex, this grippy and responsive board works in a range of Directional Stability conditions. The Ace Wood is sturdily built and designed to be Rail grip hard. This is a board which grips like it’s on rails and you ridden Planing won’tspeed/light lack for edgewind control. The thin rails slice through chop and ability the wood core absorbs impact well. The slightly wider freeride/ Upwind ability freestyle hybrid outline of the Ace Wood gives excellent upwind Pop drive as well as plenty of surface area to start planing with.

The broader tips do give the board more resistance through a rail-to-rail transfer than a more typical freeride shape would, 7 for the rider who likes to energetically hack and slash however, through 8 carving transitions, this is an incredibly rewarding ride that generates a gripping rail bite and photo-worthy spray as 8 you charge out of transitions with speed. All of this grip and 8 makes for a great boosting board and the Ace Wood’s control pop 7 is snappy in its response to being loaded up, you can really hold down a great deal of power and on release it really will 8.00 spit you into the air.

Smoothness of landings

7.00

8 7

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.78

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€689

L I E U W E S H OTG U N Subjective Criteria The Shotgun’s vertically laminated Paulownia wood core has PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD been 3D shaped with deep channels in the tips, a single concave Carving ability and a stepped rail leading into flex tips. This combination of features forms a board that has plenty of drive and a great blend Spray of grip, flex and pop. This impressively light weight board has Directional Stability a medium rocker and a lively and responsive flex; what you feel Rail grip is a perfectly tuned board that feels like an extension of your Planing speed/light wind legs. The stepped rail and concave allow the Shotgun to grip the ability water like it’s on tracks yet as soon as you choose to disengage Upwind ability the rail you can playfully slide it around. The Shotgun’s narrow Pop tip outline rides comfortably through the chop and you can still keep your speed up as you cruise on through. This is very useful Smoothness of landings

when you’re spotting the occasional ramp amongst rough water that you want to hit hard and fast. Loading up for take off, the 9 has plenty of grip so you can work a strong edge against Shotgun the kite 9 for maximum height. The load is progressive and the release 8 smooth but powerful as it launches you up. Landings are then smooth, with little negative flex, meaning you get a 9 slap free landing and can ride out with control and speed. The Shotgun 7 is a lively all-rounder and great fun to carve around on and kick up some spray. Push it further into freestyle and it 8 continues to reward you with plenty of height in the pop and 9 landing for unhooked maneuvers. a smooth

9 8

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.6

Inserts

Angled grid

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Quad

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

L I E U W E S H OTG U N C A R B O N A R A

€899

Subjective Criteria Lieuwe’s Big Air, freeride all-rounder, the Shotgun, has been PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD re-dressed ready for Red Bull’s King Of The Air competitor, Carving ability This proven WOO champion board now comes Gijs Wassenaar. wearing carbon and has a bit more attitude. The already light Spray Shotgun is even lighter in carbon form and is barely noticeable Directional Stability underfoot, making it even easier to perform one-footers, board Rail grip offs and inverts. At its core, the Shotgun CARBONara remains Planing speed/light wind unchanged. The vertically laminated Paulownia wood core, 3D ability shaped with deep channels in the tips, a single concave and flex Upwind ability a ride that is fluid and grippy with plenty of speed. tips, creates Pop Where you see the changes in performance is in flex and pop

which are now greater than ever. The CARBONara is very lively, with a slightly stiffer ride which makes the chop more 9 noticeable. This is a small compromise which you’ll soon forget the moment you set your eyes on the sky, load up your rail and 8 take off with a bang. Don’t be fooled into thinking Big Air is the 8 only option on the CARBONara though, plenty of fun can be had 9 by sticking a pair of boots on this board and knocking out some7freestyle on this incredibly well balanced board with its smooth and explosive pop and remarkably comfortable landings.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.44

Inserts

Angled Grid

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Quad

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

F-ONE TRAX HRD LITE TECH

€540

Subjective Criteria The Trax HRD has been F-ONE’s staple board for many years PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD and is well established in the freeride/all-rounder market. The Carving ability Trax’s HRD (Helical Rail Design) differs from any other boards on the market. The rail thickness varies throughout the board, Spray starting with a thin and sharp rail thickness at the midline of Directional Stability the board, increasing in thickness and inverting under foot and Rail grip once again reducing in thickness towards the tips in a helical Planing speed/light wind pattern, which enhances the grip and flex. The overall result ability is striking as the board adapts wonderfully to chop for a very Upwind ability dynamic ride with excellent grip and directional stability. Most Pop impressive is the way the helical rail outwardly deflects water on landings, Smoothness of smoothing landings them out brilliantly without relying on

a high rocker line or soft flex to achieve this. This is a stiffer board than many others in its class and the rail thickness has 8.00 up the weight of the board, although this isn’t overly brought noticeable when riding. The Trax HRD is early planing and 8.00 drives 9 upwind with ease. The use of a single stepped concave gets the board accelerating well and helps in keeping the board 9.00 directionally stable without using the channeling and multiple concaves 9 that we see with many boards on the market. The Trax HRD achieves a comfortable ride in all conditions and 10 will offer 95% of freestyle or freeride riders everything that they 8.00 would want from their twintip.

9 9

Cutting through chop

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip

Weight

3.2

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Helical Rail Design - Inverted Chamfer underfoot with taper flat midline and tips

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€710

F-ONE TRAX HRD CARBON The Trax HRD is oneSubjective of the bestselling and longest serving Criteria twintips in the market with small refinements ensuring that it PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD has a very dedicated following who are looking for that ‘Trax Carving ability feel’. This Carbon series uses a full carbon laminate which results in a much lighter weight and makes a noteworthy difference Spray on the water where you can load with improved response. The Directional Stability HRD (Helical Rail Design) rail shape differs from any other Rail grip on the market, with the rail thickness varying throughout boards Planing speed/light wind the board, starting with a thin and sharp rail thickness at the ability midline of the board, increasing in thickness and inverting under Upwind ability foot and once again reducing in thickness towards the tips in a helical pattern. The overall result is striking as the board is Pop very adaptive, giving a very dynamic ride with excellent grip Smoothness of landings and directional stability. Most impressive is the way the helical

rail outwardly deflects water on landings, smoothing them out brilliantly without relying on a high rocker line or soft flex to achieve this. The Trax HRD Carbon is early planing and 9 upwind with ease. The use of a single stepped concave drives gets 10the board accelerating well and aids in keeping the board directionally stable. Its lighter and stiffer construction gives 9 the already quick board even more speed. Without resorting 10 to channeling and multiple concave like many boards on the market, the Trax HRD achieves a ride that can be both loose 9 and skatey when desired, then locked-in and grippy as soon as you10 want to edge hard upwind, through carves and when loading for pop. 9 Load into the Trax Carbon hard, and it will give back the energy you put into it with a generous pop… 9

Cutting through chop

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip

Weight

2.9

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Helical Rail Design - Inverted Chamfer underfoot with taper flat midline and tips

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€999

AXIS LIMITED Subjective Criteria

The AXIS Limited is a great option targeted at intermediate and PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD is advanced riders. Offering a fun and playful ride, the Limited an exciting and lively companion on the water rewarding the Carving ability energy you put into it and seemingly calling out for more. The Spray Paulownia wood core with 45º/45º biaxial carbon laminate keeps Directional Stability the board lightweight and maintains the stiff longitudinal flex Rail grip through the center of the board whilst allowing for a pattern Planing speed/light wind responsive torsional and tip flex for better rail contact on uneven ability water and an easy, smooth transition from rail to rail through Upwind ability a carving turn. The Limited has a smooth power development for great load and pop. The board takes the energy you load Pop into it and gives it back with a great release that will spring you

into the air. With such a responsive board you may not expect a smooth landing but the Limited does a good job providing a fairly 7 cushioned landing thanks to the double concave and generous rocker that displaces water well so long as you land 6 the board downwind. This board excels in flat water and has great7upwind ability. It develops speed very well due to a double 8 which accelerates the flow of water underneath the concave board and this reduces the drag produced by its ample rocker. 8 If you’re looking for a playful and lively load and pop board 8 that bridges the freeride and freestyle market, the Limited ticks all those 8 boxes.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.6

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€899

CORE FUSION Subjective Criteria The CORE Fusion is now into its 3rd generation serving the PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD freeride and freestyle market. For this generation the Fusion Carving abilitya few construction modifications to enhance its has received capacity as an all-rounder; most notable are the inclusion of a Spray V-shaped centerline hull which forms a double concave for softer Directional Stability landings and improved planing speed. Alongside a deeper rocker Rail grip line this enables the Fusion to cruise over chop effortlessly. The Planing speed/light wind Fusion’s vee rocker shape provides a prominent rocker underfoot ability to increase pop, while the tail flattens out for improved grip and Upwind ability of the board. The Fusion’s flex pattern is dictated acceleration Pop by the use of a Paulownia wood core and 30º biaxial carbon which provides more flex through the board’s length and less Smoothness of landings

rail-to-rail. Combined with its diamond cut surface contour pattern, this controls torsional flex in the board for effective edge8control and pop. Its variable rail thickness dropping from 9mm7 at the mid-section to 3mm at the tips makes the board easy to load with plenty of pop. The rail channeling is perfect 7 for all hooked-in moves, but with unhooked a little more rail grip 7 such as on the Choice or Bolt would be a better option. The Fusion 7.00 is a fun and easy board to ride and excels at all things hooked-in, giving a fun and playful ride that is both smooth and 7 lively. It lives for sharp turns and carves and for sending 7 and pressing the boost button. the kite

7 8

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.66

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Mid to tip tapered

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

€1299

C A R V E D I M P E R ATO R 6 Subjective Criteria

The Imperator is now into its 6th generation and features a prominent keel-like spine through the centerlineUNITS to sliceSOLD through PARTICIPANT the chop and drive the flow of water down its ample double Carving ability concave. This creates an incredibly smooth ride, with speed Spray on tap and a good dose of grip as you load the edge. AddiDirectional Stability tionally, with the elliptical tip shape, the flow of water over the fins is enhanced and tip flex is more responsive for improved Rail grip grip and comfortwind over all water conditions. Combined with a Planing speed/light ability more classic freeride outline, the flex tips help the Imperator Upwind ability maintain optimum contact as you transition from rail-to-rail through powerful carving turns. The Imperator’s Paulownia Pop wood coreofislandings wrapped with a tight weave 30° biaxial carbon Smoothness

fiber that optimizes board torsion and longitudinal flex. This sleek board weighed in at a mere 2.3kg for the 139x42.5 model. On the 8 water the weight reduction is very noticeable and the board feels nimble underfoot. The Imperator had a great flex 8 response, loading well and storing the energy you put into it to 8 a springy pop off the water. In the hands of the test produce team, 8 the 139 model was well suited to heavier riders, while lighter riders struggled to get the same performance out of 8 the board, so we would encourage riders to test the board in 8 sizes if possible to ensure they get the maximum out different of this 7 top end carbon machine. 7 7

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.31

Inserts

Angles

Rocker

Medium

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Beveled with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€699

NAISH MONARCH Subjective Criteria The Monarch is Naish’s pro performance freestyle twintip; an PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD incredibly lively and responsive board with great ability to gain Carving speed. ability On first ride you feel the stiff flex from the basalt fiber construction and torsion control shaping. The Monarch also Spray feels lighter underfoot than other boards in the range. This is Directional Stability a very easy board to develop speed with and you can happily Rail grip around knowing you have full control and stability as charge Planing speed/light wind Carbon V and UD Basalt reinforcements you do. The Radiated ability overlaying the Flex Torsion Control 2.0 shaped wood core conUpwind ability vert this speed and grip into incredible pop when loading into Pop boosty jumps or freestyle tricks. The Monarch uses a plethora

of base shaping to give you an incredibly locked-in feel, whether on flat or choppy water, with excellent grip and acceleration. 8 concave is used for excellent drive along with deep A quad channeling mid stance and a lot of steep tip shaping for superb 8.00 grip and flex control at the tips. Combined with a continuous 8 high rocker, the result is an insane release off the water and 8.00 touch downs. Naish definitely haven’t skimped on the smooth materials 8 or construction on the Monarch and it shows. This is a wonderfully playful and lively board capable of meeting 8 the demands of any rider wanting to ride without compromise.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

3.07kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Quad

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon, Basalt

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€599

N A I S H STO M P Subjective Criteria The Naish Stomp is a board for competent freestylers and PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD wakestylers. A sintered base makes it durable enough to handle Carving ability sliders and a wakestyle rocker with flat mid-section allows the board to be pressed flat for control on sliders. To keep the Spray mid-section grippy on the water, the Stomp has beveled edges Directional Stability and deep channels along with a double concave extending Rail grip underfoot towards the tips. This gives you a great deal of grip Planing speed/light wind when loading to pop and ensures you can dial in your landings ability without any worry of skidding out, meaning no compromising Upwind ability on directional stability, speed or control on water. At the tips, Pop the Stomp uses ‘trapezoidal skid plates’ which act as a slider

plate as you flatten off the board when park riding and provide extra grip to increase the edging ability and locked-in feel on 6 This board is not the fastest in the Naish line up, and the water. certainly 8 not a cruiser, but the continuous mid/high rocker line eats 8 chop and the stiff flex, reinforced by Naish’s Flex Torsion Control shaping and high tensile laminates, returns a punchy 8 pop. Which is what it is designed for. It takes some effort to really 8 load the Stomp, but when done correctly, you get back what you put in and can expect some eye-watering pop for you 8 to do with as you please.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.28kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€729

NOBILE 50/FIFTY Subjective Criteria The 50/Fifty is a longstanding board in Nobile’s line up and UNITS SOLD sports a grind proof base, targeting itself at the freestyle and Carving ability wakestyle market, capable of being ridden in either boots or straps. Using a multi-channel base and elliptical progressive Spray concave, the 50/Fifty board is extremely quick and early to Directional stability plane for a freestyle-oriented board. The hydrodynamic rocker Rail grip line produces excellent upwind ability, much less common in its Planing speed/light wind class. The 50/Fifty’s ability to gain highly controllable speed with ability a very secure rail bite turns the board into a boosting machine Upwind ability as the wind picks up. This was an incredibly easy board to load Pop up, generating great pop and giving us a sense of security on PARTICIPANT

quick landings as it easily broke the surface tension and provided ample grip and directional stability to ride out with. Riding 9 the chop was smooth and quick as the thin rails sliced through through 9 with ease, especially considering it is a carbon board. Some 8 hardness is still to be expected when riding the 50/Fifty at speed across heavy chop but, overall, it felt very comfortable 8 and there was certainly no need to reduce speed to cope. Going into 9 unhooked maneuvers, the 50/Fifty produced lots of pop. The 140 size was easy to handle across a range of rider weights, 8 with all testers finding the board easy to load with a strong and 9 rewarding release off the water.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

High

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Triple

Rail shape

Stepped Continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€565

S L I N GS H OT A SY LU M Subjective Criteria The Asylum is Slingshot’s performance twintip aimed at a good dose of grip, huge pop and shock-free landings. PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD freestyle and wakestyle riders. If you’re an intermediate to It’s a little slower to gain speed in lighter winds than some 8.00 Carving ability advanced rider who likes to boost big and ride hard in all freestyle boards and needs a good amount of power to conditions, then this could be the board for you. Coated really get going. The aggressive edging and smooth load 8 Spray with a dura-glide P-tex base and fitted with carbon bedrock and pop make it an ideal board for progressing in freestyle 8 Directional Stability inserts, the Asylum is robustly built, designed to be ridden and wakestyle. The Asylum isn’t a board to be sectioned 8 Rail grip with boots or straps, and is very capable of taking a beating under one style of riding either, the copious grip can be Planing speed/light wind in the park. The Asylum’s rocker, flex profile and durable unlocked,7resulting in a playful, skatey feel. Overall it was ability base layup make it a great choice for riders who want a one of the most fun and forgiving boards that we had on 8.00 Upwind ability solid all-around freestyle board that can handle rough test and a favorite amongst team members looking for a 9.00 board that wasn’t too serious. Pop water and chop. Deep, parallel rail and tip channels give performance Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.9kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Beveled with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€999

D U OTO N E T E A M S E R I E S Subjective Criteria The Team Series is Duotone’s competition freestyle board. It PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD is the stiffest board in Duotone’s freestyle line up, constructed Carving ability with biaxial carbon laminate, a 3D CNC’d top shape to control torsional flex and a bridged double concave which runs into Spray channels along the rails of the board. By using a medium rocker, Directional stability the Team Series is able to plane early and ride with speed. The Rail grip rail and double concave allow the Team Series to grip stepped Planing speed/light the water like it’swind on tracks and the wide outline ensures that a ability lot of the rail is in contact with the water which gives plenty of Upwind ability grip so you can work a strong edge against the kite for maximum Pop height in your pops. The Team Series’ stiff flex holds a lot of

energy as you load it, giving you an explosive pop in return and on landings, which prevents negative flex in the board meaning 7 dives or sloppy landings. All of this stiffness may sound no nose like it’s 8 going to produce a bouncy ride, but it doesn’t. The flex of the Team Series softens towards the tips making landings 9 more forgiving and the ride less bumpy when you’re not riding 9 in perfectly flat water. This is a high performance board for a dedicated freestyle rider who wants massive pop and secure 9 landings, and if that’s your game then the Team Series will 9 deliver the goods and help you take your riding to the next level.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

2.6kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Stepped double

Rail shape

Stepped with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€599

LIQUID FORCE LEGACY Subjective Criteria The Liquid Force Legacy is a board that transcends categoriPARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD zation, though for the sake of trying, it sits very comfortably in Carving ability the freestyle category with a great ability to tap into freeride and wakestyle performance. It is a board that can do pretty much Spray everything for riders looking to boost, carve, throw some freestyle Directional Stability and occasionally stick in some low pop tricks for good measure. Rail grip The efficient three stage rocker keeps the ride consistent, easy, Planing speed/light wind and smooth in feel, and the swallow V shape reduces volume ability at the tips slightly allowing you to really dig it in through the Upwind ability carves. This board can take as much power as you throw at it. Pop We had the 141 on test and it didn’t feel like a large board. It planes wellofwith good speed but doesn’t insist on driving at max, Smoothness landings which gives you a strong sense of control, especially when the

wind picks up or the chop gets heavy. In this sense you can feel some of the wakestyle influence to the design as the board reins 9 power of the kite. The outline and medium three stage in the rocker 8 of the Legacy eats up the chop and the flex pattern, achieved 8 using a Vector Net Carbon Weave base lamination, gives you a very progressive load and release which springs you 8 up with good height for wakestyle maneuvers. The progression of rail 8 channels into a bridged double concave grip the water well for excellent control and stability in takeoffs and landings 9 and, despite all of those contours, there’s enough looseness in feel 8 a fun playfulness without making it too skatey. Overall, to add you get 8 a sensation of unlimited possibilities with the Legacy…

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.15kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Medium

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€549

LIQUID FORCE RADNIUM Subjective Criteria The Radnium is new for 2019, replacing the Element as Liquid UNITS SOLD Force’s high performance competition freestyle board. The Carving ability Radnium has a very direct feel and gives plenty of feedback while riding it. The stiff flex of the board is responsive and you Spray feel every element of your weight transfer through the board as Directional Stability you load it up. The board is shaped with a medium rocker and Rail grip thin CNC wood construction, reinforced with vector carbon Planing speed/light wind weave laminate for strength. This reduces negative flex on ability landings and helps produce an explosive pop. A shallow single Upwind ability concave is used to accelerate water flow for a board that is fast. Pop Quad channeling in the tips does a great job of stabilizing landings, despite the lack of other more significant contouring, Smoothness of landings while also allowing a good bite into the water as you load the PARTICIPANT

board. This ensures you can generate a lot of pop from the tips. Rail-to-rail transfer on the Radnium is smooth and the rail bite 7 is strong when hacking into the water and carving hard. The8flatter mid-section of the board with single concave allows the Radnium to excel in its planing ability, overall speed and 7 upwind drive. There are few performance freestyle boards that 8 will cut upwind as well as the Radnium, although with this flat mid-section for upwind performance there is a compromise on 8 the softness of landings which can be a little unforgiving if you 8 land heavily. For the rider who wants freestyle performance with 9 reassurance that you’re not at a loss the moment the the added wind7drops, the Radnium is in a class of its own.

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.03kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€649

B R U N OT T I YO U R I P R O Subjective Criteria The Youri Pro is Brunotti’s performance freestyle board. In PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD recent years, the Youri Pro has been given more rocker for Carving ability greater pop and a profusion of shaping features to maximize its freestyle performance and riding comfort. These features Spray are instantly recognizable in the prominent 3D top and base Directional Stability shaping of the Youri Pro and their effects can be felt in the drive, Rail grip grip, generous pop and super smooth landings of the board. Planing speed/light wind This is a board designed to efficiently use the energy you put ability into it, and the control of torsional stiffness and flex through Upwind ability the use of a hyperbolic chassis and torque equalizer keeps the Pop ride smooth as you transfer from rail to rail while ensuring no energy is lost when loading to pop. A double concave is used Smoothness of landings

to accelerate water flow down the length of the board and channeling along the rails keeps the board grippy for better 7 at speed and when loading to pop. Brunotti’s Active control Backbone 8 acts like a stringer through the board to spread forces and 9 add stiffness and strength. The combination of an Active Backbone top shape and displacement hull bottom shape add 9 a lot of stiffness to the centerline of the board which prevents the negative flex that occurs on landings and breaks the surface 9 tension of the water with the displacement hull. The result is 9 some very comfortable landings with zero slap, and plenty of 9 and speed on exit. stability

9 9

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.03kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Chamfered with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€849

B R U N OT T I F U S I O N Subjective Criteria

The Fusion is Brunotti’s carbon freestyle board for intermediate and advanced riders doing unhooked freestyle as well asSOLD Big Air PARTICIPANT UNITS maneuvers. The board is built to be lightweight and strong; its Carving ability Carbon Compression Core construction with torque equalizer Spray not only makes the board very light, it also makes the board Directional Stability torsionally very stiff. This means you can load up hard and expect Rail grip a great return in the pop. The rail-to-rail Planing speed/lighttransfer wind is smooth thanks to the Fusion’s Hyability perbolic Outline. You can expect some quite quick, agile and smooth rail-to-rail carves which are both speedy and secure Upwind ability with great rail bite. Pop The 2019 Fusion uses a double concave, one along each rail Smoothness landings with a flat of center section. The use of rail concave along with a

chamfered rail provides loads of grip and great upwind performance. Additionally, the Torque Control rail edge has sufficient stiffness 8 for an impressive pop. Overall, the Brunotti Fusion is playful and lively on the water, making it easy to perform 9 tricks due to a reactive and explosive pop. On landings, the 8 feels stable and you can ride out with good control and Fusion speed. 9 Comparatively, the Fusion does a great job of reducing impact and taking any slap out of landings, but does not feel 8 as cushioned as the Youri Pro on super-powered landings as it does8not displace water in the same way. For the rider wanting to do everything, the Fusion offers an impressive level of ac9 cessible performance.

8 9

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

2.66kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Medium/High

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Double (rails)

Rail shape

Chamfered with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€499

B R U N OT T I D I M E N S I O N Subjective Criteria The Dimension is the freeride/freestyle crossover board in PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD Brunotti’s range. Aimed at the progressing freestyle rider who Carving ability still wants to mix up their riding style and have performance in all conditions. Spray There is no shortage of features on this board, the CNC-shaped Directional Stability wood core adopts the same Active Backbone and Torque Control Rail grip of the higher premium boards in the Brunotti range and, as a Planing speed/light wind result, you get a lively and playful board with a generous pop ability and some pretty smooth landings. The Dimension offers a very Upwind ability forgiving ride. The medium rocker gives it a playful feel that Pop you can slide around as you like but then lock in the instant you want to with Smoothness of impressive landings rail bite. The double concave gives you plenty of speed and its chamfered rail really grips the water, Cutting through chop

enabling you to drive the board upwind with ease. Combined with a moderate and responsive flex and channeling in the tips, 7 gives an outstanding pop. Landings are smooth, with the board the channels and flex tips cushioning impacts and providing 8 plenty 8.00 of stability. Cruising and carving is a pleasure on the Dimension as the 8.00 board adapts well to varying water conditions. It cuts through the chop easily and you can really slash your way aggressively 7.00 around a carve as the rail bites beautifully. The Dimension 8.00 covers a broad user range and could potentially see an advanced 8.00 through their kitesurfing life. It is a genuinely confibeginner dence 8 inspiring board which will have you pushing your riding to the next level and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.05kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Chamfered with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€540

F-ONE WTF!? Subjective Criteria The WTF!? is F-ONE’s performance freestyle board, but we UNITS SOLD also found that it had a non-aggressive, playful quality to it that Carving allows ability it to crossover easily into freeride. The WTF!? features a double concave, rail channels, tip channels and a relatively Spray wide outline, all of which combine to help the board grip the Directional stability water and develop impressive speed as well as giving it an overall Rail grip smooth ride. A three stage rocker line with a flatter section in Planing speed/light wind the center of the board allows the WTF!? to plane early, and ability increased rocker on the tips makes landings impeccably smooth. Upwind ability Impressively, the transition between rocker stages is unnoticeable Pop and you get a very positive and progressive pop off the water as a result.ofThis was not one of the lighter boards we had on Smoothness landings test, and smaller riders found it a bit cumbersome (we had the PARTICIPANT

140 on test so you could of course drop down a size or two if required), but for heavier riders riding stacked you could tell it was 7 in the zone. The WTF!? is a delight on the water with its razor7sharp yet smooth ride slicing up chop, with F-ONE taking the HRD rail from the Trax and juicing it up for even more 9 performance. Underfoot, the rails are even more prominent and 9 thicker for maximum lift, stability, and a superb propensity to displace 8 water for cloud-like landings, while still maintaining the biting rail grip needed for pop and upwind. This is a brilliantly 8 engineered board with lots of energy for an explosive pop, and 9 a progressive rail bite and load which feels incredibly intuitive and10 accessible to all competent riders.

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

3.4

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium/High

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Inverted bevel underfoot with taper at mid

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€899

CORE CHOICE 3 Subjective Criteria The Choice is CORE’s ‘all-in-one-freestyler’ taking riders comPARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD fortably from hooked to unhooked freestyle with the option of Carving ability riding straps or boots. The Choice gives an incredibly strong Spray locked-in feel, like you’re riding on tracks. Its multiple deep channels,Stability double concave and V hull provide an incredible level Directional ofgrip grip and you could ride the Choice without fins and still have Rail plentyspeed/light of trackingwind power. The diamond CNC surface contour Planing at the tips direct load over the fins for great edge control leading ability into the pop and to provide grip in even the most powered Upwind ability landings. Despite having a larger rocker than the Fusion, the Pop Choice was efficient upwind and for early planing. The more Smoothness of landings

squared outline and extensive shaping features create ample forward drive. Some spray is to be expected from the wider tips 7 and when riding at speed across chop, the locked-in feel feeds7back as a bumpy ride across the chop. The rail thickness of the Choice varies from 9.5mm, due to greater reinforcement 8.00 underfoot, down to 3mm at the tips, making it easy to load the 9 board and getting a generous pop in return. Coming down you 8 can expect smooth landings. The reinforcement underfoot prevents8the board from flattening its rocker on landings, allowing the double concave and V hull to break the surface tension to 9 soften heavy landings.

7 7

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

2.82kg

Inserts

Angled grid

Rocker

Medium/High

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Mid to tip tapered

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€899

C R A Z Y F LY S L I C E R Subjective Criteria

The Slicer is CrazyFly’s high end lightwind board. First impressions are that there are no expenses spared. TheUNITS Slicer SOLD contains PARTICIPANT many of the classic characteristics expected with a square shape Carving ability and flat rocker for early planing. What makes it really stand out Spray from the crowd is its look. This is unmistakably a full carbon Directional stability rarely seen in the lightwind category. The board, something result Rail grip of this is significant extra stiffness compared to other boards it is lined up against. This reduces the flex and by doing Planing speed/light wind ability so it helps to maintain the flat rocker squeezing out impressive performance Upwind ability in even the lightest winds. CrazyFly have also really thought outside of the box with the fin setup. Rather than Pop having your conventional four fin setup, with two fins on the heel

side and two on the toeside, the CrazyFly Slicer has opted for two on the heel side and the other two in the center of the tips meaning 5 more fins engaged at all times. This combined with the ultra-sharp rails gives unbelievable upwind performance. 8 The board really earns its name here and slices upwind. All of this10 extra grip results in an ultra-locked in feeling and drive, however 10 releasing the edge does require extra effort. With all of its extra tech the Slicer is not the cheapest in the category 9 out of all of the ‘doors’, this is the board most likely however, to 10 make you the beach guinea pig checking if you can get out first before anyone else risks it themselves…

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

€649

NAISH ORBIT Subjective Criteria The Naish Orbit is the largest board in the Naish line up availPARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD able in two sizes, either 152 x 45 or 162 x 45. The design has Carving ability many classical elements needed for an early planing machine. It is a large board, with a flat rocker and a squared design. These Spray allow the board to get up and planing in the most marginal Directional stability of conditions. Rail grip Looking at the topsheet of the board there are a couple of feaPlaning speed/light wind tures that stand out, firstly at the tips there are cutaways giving ability Naish’s inset corners. This adds to the board’s durability making Upwind ability you less likely to damage your corners but also aids release and Pop reduces spray. The second is the raised star shaped design on the top deck, this is the Flex Torsion Control (FTC) 2.0 and helps Smoothness of landings

with the stiffness and torsional control. The stiffness is almost maintained in the construction with its supreme pop wood core, high6tensile graduated laminates and 100mm full length double UD 7 carbon. These again add to the stiffness and early planing ability 9 of the board. The Orbit really drives upwind thanks to its sharp long rails. It has a double concave on the bottom that 9 adds to grip and stability but we also found that it meant the Orbit 9 was more comfortable releasing and jumping compared to many of the other ‘doors’ on test. So overall a great lightwind 9 board which gives a smooth ride, planes early and really drives 6 but was also capable of more committed airtime than upwind a lot5of the other doors on test.

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

3.87

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Double asymmetric

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

N O B I L E F LY I N G C A R P E T S P L I T Nobile have produced a unique board in their entry to the Subjective Criteria lightwind market. It is aimed at those who want to maximize their time out on the water by eking out thoseUNITS extra knots PARTICIPANT SOLDon the low end but would also be very well suited to schools and Carving ability beginners looking for a solid platform for their first few runs. Spray The difference with the Flying Carpet compared to the other lightwindStability boards on test is its split design which is perfect for Directional traveling and for storage (and on a board this big also for fitting Rail grip it in the back of wind your car!). The Nobile split connection is an Planing speed/light easy, quick, no-tool design that follows the same raison d’être ability as their fins and strap fastenings. They really do make life very Upwind ability easy. On the water and the board does fly along in next to no Pop wind. This is thanks to its flat rocker and dimensions (it was Smoothness the largestofonlandings test) resulting in a mammoth surface area. This addedthrough to contact Cutting chopto the water, gives extra up-thrust, and means

€1289

it planes early. Underneath the board you find Nobile’s Wavy Channels system. These have a duel effect on the board, not only stiffening the board but also providing a smooth and stable ride. When the Flying Carpet is riding, it storms upwind with Nobile’s 7 sharp ABS rails. The board has an unusual asymmetric outline with8the heel edge being slightly longer and more aggressive than9the toeside. The main noticeable advantage was how, for a large 9 board, the Nobile Flying Carpet was very user friendly when riding on the toeside. Nobile have really nailed a great 10 down with a board that planes early and flies upwind. design It is obviously not a jumping machine and so does not produce 9 the smoothest landing but is perfect for riders who do not want 5 to miss out on any time on the water and of course for riders 5 to save a few bucks on airline travel. looking

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.54

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€649

D U OTO N E S P I K E Subjective Criteria The Duotone Spike is a freeride board for light winds and heavier PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD riders. For riders wanting to maximize their time on the water Carving ability and not be limited to mowing the lawn, the Spike can add some much needed low end ability and fun to your sessions. The board Spray is shaped with a low rocker and straight outline which narrows Directional stability slightly at the tips; this is the most efficient shape for light wind Rail grip riding as the large surface area will see you planing early and Planing speed/light wind the long rail contact aids you in riding upwind. By narrowing ability the tips slightly, the Spike can still be carved onto toeside, if Upwind ability you choose, and this reduces the spray coming off the board. Pop The Spike has quite a stiff flex pattern and uses a 3D CNC

top shape to control torsional flex through the board for a manageable rail-to-rail transfer as well as controlling the flex 5 board as you pop. Additionally, the single concave adds of the speed 7 and directional stability as well as an increased rail grip to help 7 you bite the rail into the water as you load to pop. A reduction of thickness in the tips allows them to flex and find 8 optimum bite in the water for some softness and grip on landings. As the 9 wind picks up, the flex tips add control as they respond to load and power, affecting the dynamic rocker of the board 9 to give you full control.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low/Medium

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€449

LIQUID FORCE OVERDRIVE Subjective Criteria The Overdrive is the freeride-focused Drive’s bigger brother. It PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD has taken many of the aspects of the Drive with some tweaks Carving ability aimed at a board either for heavier riders or as a lightwind board. It utilizes the same 100% woodcore with biaxial and triaxial Spray glass on the top and bottom sheet. The durability is added to Directional Stability with the fluid rail that can handle a few knocks. The inserts are Rail grip which means that either side could be used as the heelside in-line Planing speed/light wind if needed. How the Overdrive differs is that it is longer, wider, ability has a slightly flatter rocker and a flat base sheet. The benefit Upwind ability of all of those are in aiding the light wind performance. All Pop of these increase the surface area of the board and make it a

super-efficient board by reducing drag. The lack of any shape in the bottom sheet leads to a slightly bumpier ride compared 6 Drive, but the softer flex of the board helps soak up high to the frequency chop. The Overdrive gets going very early and is an 7 excellent light wind option. Perhaps it doesn’t have the same 7 low end as some of the other boards in the category, but it still 7 upwind and the slightly rounded shape makes it feel drives playful 9 for its size. The Overdrive has more all-round scope than other light wind options and would also make a great 9 all-round board for the heavier rider.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

3.16kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Low

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

None

Rail shape

Mid to tip tapered

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

GOODBOARDS AMMERDOOR Subjective Criteria Goodboards are wearing the ‘door’ badge with pride through PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD their naming of their light wind offering: Ammerdoor. So this Carving ability is a lightwind door named after Goodboards’ home spot of Ammer. It is available in two different sizes, either 145x45 or Spray 155x47. As part of its “door” like attributes, it has a flat rocker Directional Stability and its large size means it excels at early planing. It also drives Rail grip upwind with its sharp ABS rail that really cuts through the Planing speed/light wind water, and a single concave that adds grip and stability. The ability Ammerdoor is a board made to last… It has a tough sintered Upwind ability base and inside it has quadraxial straight fiberglass and carbon Pop stringers which add stiffness and response to the board. One

of the aspects that made the Ammerdoor stand out on the test was that it was one of the more playful light wind options. You 5 to release the edge very easily and throw it around. are able This8is partly due to the fact that there is more curve in the tip and 7 tail. These features also help to minimize the spray often associated with large square boards. The Ammerdoor shows 7 excellent acceleration, really going up the gears, although at top speeds you do need to be ready to rein it in before it runs 9 away. Overall this is a board that will help to maximize those 8 light wind conditions, it planes early and drives upwind giving 5 a smooth, stable ride and a nice injection of ‘fun’.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.35kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Low

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Single

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass, carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

€599

€549

B R U N O T T I E A R LY B I R D Subjective Criteria

The Early Bird is Brunotti’s lightwind machine, pitched as a PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD freeride board that produces a smooth ride. These serious low wind capabilities Carving ability have been achieved by creating a lightweight board with a square outline. The weight has been reduced with Spray their high tech W-core, a precision engineered CNC’d wood Directional Stability core and the board weighs in at only 3.41kg, which was lighter Rail gripsome of the conventional twintips! This, combined with a than Planing speed/light medium flex andwind Brunotti’s Active Backbone, has resulted in a ability board that is also surprisingly responsive for its size. The large Upwind ability surface area combined with the flat rocker increases the contact Pop with the water, making planing quick and easy. Underneath the

board there are some interesting developments. The Early Bird has a single concave in the middle and flat sections on the tips producing an impressively smooth ride and resulting in some 6 early5planing performance. The board flies upwind with its sharp rails and parabolic outline, and gets up and going with 8 very little effort. The square shape allows this but does result 9 spray from the tips. The concave profile on the bottom in some then produces a smooth ride and also gives a skatier and more 10 playful feeling than other light wind boards that we tested. 9 a great light wind option with all of the qualities you Overall need5to get trucking on a sub 10 knot day.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.41

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Low

Rail Channels

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Beveled with mid to tip taper

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots Compatible

Slider Proof Base

Ease of setting up

C O R E F U S I O N LW Subjective Criteria

The Fusion LW is the largest board in CORE’s line up targeted at freeride and freestyle riding in light wind conditions. Rather PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD than losing a session or tacking endlessly and doing nothing Carving ability more, the Fusion LW adds a little spice to your low wind sesSpray sions. Despite its size, it is light enough underfoot that you can Directional generateStability a decent pop and maintain agility to perform tricks. Using Rail grip a slight concave sidecut on the rails, the Fusion LW sits lowerspeed/light in the water to maximize its rail contact with the water. Planing wind ability This guarantees great upwind performance and early planing from ability its squared tip outline. Due to its wide and squared outUpwind line, you can expect some spray off this board and some effort Pop is required riding through the chop. This only really becomes Smoothness landings an issue asofyou reach the top end of the board’s usable range. Manythrough of CORE’s Cutting chop premium board features have crossed over

€899

into the Fusion LW to ensure high performance and light weight. The CNC-cut Paulownia wood core uses the same diamond top shape to influence the torsional control of the board and 5 the 30º biaxial carbon laminate gives the board a responsive 5 longitudinal flex while limiting the rail to rail torsional flex. The 9 LW rocker flattens towards the tips which, when combined with the double concave and channeling, accelerates water down the 8 board’s length and over the fins for additional grip and control. 10is beneficial both for early planing in light winds and for This staying 9.25 in control as the wind increases. The Fusion LW is a surprisingly easy board to generate pop 5 with and the V-shape keel and double concave combo do a great5job of softening landings and reducing board slap which is so5common in larger boards.

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

Carving ability Spray Directional stability Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

2.5

7.5

Weight

3.47kg

Inserts

Angled

Rocker

Medium

Rail channels

Tip channels

Concave

Double

Rail shape

Mid to tip tapered

Tip flex

Construction

Carbon

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

€599

F LY S U R F E R F LY D O O R 6 Subjective Criteria The FLYDOOR6 is Flysurfer’s offering to get you out and PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD riding when the wind’s on the 50/50 side of ‘doable’. Compared Carving ability to other ‘doors’ on test, the FLYDOOR6 had more going on in terms of the outline and the bottom contours. For starters, Spray the outline is asymmetric, with cut outs on the heelside edge Directional Stability which served to significantly reduce the amount of spray that Rail grip can be pretty problematic on these larger boards, and with the Planing speed/light wind and more rounded making turning the toeside being shorter ability FLYDOOR6 onto toeside smooth and progressive. The board Upwind ability then has its four 50mm fins placed with two in the middle of Pop the board and two on the heelside, and it also has a double

concave through the base. This combination of features mean that the FLYDOOR6 provided incredible upwind performance. 7 onto the plane relatively quickly (it was not the lightest It comes door7on test), then once you are riding it really locks in and the fin placement and concave give it a nice ‘on rails’ feel. You 8 would certainly have no concerns about ending up downwind 10 even on super light days. You can also use this speed to get airborne 10 and the FLYDOOR6, although not really ‘popping’, does take off very smoothly and has enough rocker to make 9 landings relatively soft.

Smoothness of landings

Cutting through chop

SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA:

OBJECTIVE CRITERIA: Weight

3.8kg

Inserts

Straight

Rocker

Low

Spray

Rail channels

Directional stability

Tip channels

Concave

Rail shape

Stepped continuous

Tip flex

Construction

Glass

Mounting system

Inserts M6

Boots compatible

Slider proof base

Ease of setting up

Carving ability

Rail grip Planing speed/light wind ability Upwind ability Pop Smoothness of landings Cutting through chop 0

TheKiteMag.com

2.5

7.5

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

101

C AT E G O R Y W I N N E R S : B O A R D S

C AT E G O R Y: FREERIDE W I N N E R : F LY S U R F E R R A D I C A L 6 We loved the high performance and versatility of the RADICAL6. This wonderfully adaptive and playful board excelled through carving transitions with great speed and agility and gave a generous pop and smooth landings to round off the performance.

GOLD: F-ONE TRAX HRD ESL We were impressed at the strong performance and impressive price tag. The HRD inspired rail shape of the Trax ESL gave a confidence-inspiring ride with ample rail grip and forgiving landings.

GOLD: NOBILE 2HD A real standout for speed and boosting. The acceleration and rail grip from the hydrodynamic rocker and double rocker of the 2HD was superb. With such control at speed it’s an accessible and fun board for boosting.

Winner: Flysurfer Radical6

G O L D : S L I N GS H OT M I S F I T A standout for grippy carves and excellent drive. The Misfit’s early planing and acceleration on tap will see you through any lulls and the biting rail contact was satisfying for hack around and carving.

C AT E G O R Y: PERFORMANCE FREERIDE WINNER: NOBILE NHP CARBON A standout for its speed and agility with excellent pop. The NHP Carbon felt nimble underfoot, even in the largest size. The asymmetric toeside rail and double concave makes heel to toe carves exhilarating as you can whip around the tiniest turning radius and charge out with speed. Along with excellent pop, this proved itself to be an excellent all-round performance board.

WINNER: F-ONE TRAX CARBON Incredibly dynamic all-round performance. The Helical Rail Design supports the Trax’s superb grip and provides the ultimate balance between effective edging for pop, and super cushioned catch-free landings through water displacement. A test team favorite.

G O L D : L I E U W E S H OTG U N C A R BONARA The undisputed king of gunfire boosting. The CARBONara’s lively flex response shoots you into the air with an outstanding pop. In the air it feels weightless, and on the water the lively and playful ride is just exceptionally good fun.

Winner: Nobile NHP Carbon

GOLD: NAISH DRIVE Insane chop handling and responsive load and pop. The Drive’s acceleration and chop handling were extremely smooth and rider friendly, and the carbon laminate added to the board’s flex response for an easy load and strong pop.

G O L D : S L I N GS H OT V I S I O N Most liked for: solid construction and feather soft landings. The extremely playful feel of the Vision is entirely rewarding when slashing carves, however, where it really excelled was in freestyle as the easy to initiate pops were consistently rewarded with amazingly smooth landings.

G O L D : D U OTO N E J A I M E T E X T R E M E Despite its top performance credentials, this is also an incredibly user-friendly ride. Pretty much anyone can get something out of the Jaime, then in the control of a competent rider, the Jaime pushes you to do more and more, and then supports you with super stable landings.

GOLD: AXIS LIMITED A fun, energetic and speedy ride. The Limited is a rapid board with phenomenal acceleration and an incredibly lively feel. All of that energy transfers well into an impressive pop and well stabilized landings thanks to those deep concaves.

G O L D : C R A Z Y F LY R A P T O R

Winner: F-ONE TRAX Carbon

A highly evolved top performer. This year’s addition of more aggressive channeling has immensely improved the rail grip for added control at speed and into the pop.

C AT E G O R Y: FREESTYLE WINNER: F-ONE WTF!? A board that made performance freestyle comfortable in all conditions. The extremely playful WTF!? had excellent control at speed, made sashimi out of chop, dished up excellent pop and washed the experience down with immensely smooth landings.

G O L D : B R U N OT T I YO U R I P R O Incredibly forgiving and stable landings. The combined effect of the rocker and displacement hull of the Youri Pro strips the impact out of heavy landings, keeping your knees happy and keeping you on the water for longer.

G O L D : D U OTO N E T E A M S E R I E S A favorite across the test team for the locked-in feel and explosive pop. The Team Series held speed well with a brilliantly locked-in feel. The immense grip transfers into the pop as it loads up brilliantly and transfers this in to top-of-class pop.

G O L D : S L I N GS H OT A SY LU M A standout for the bombproof construction and playful ride. The Asylum is built to take a beating and is wonderfully easy to lock and unlock on a whim for brilliant playability between loading for crazy pop or nose sliding your way through butter flat water.

GOLD: NOBILE 50/FIFTY Exceptional all-round freestyle performance. The 50/Fifty is a do-it-all board with little compromise in any aspect of the ride. Carves exceeded the expectations of a freestyle board giving you an exceptionally dynamic ride in a variety of conditions topped off with a generous pop and smooth landings for an outstanding all-round performance. T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Winner: F-ONE WTF!?

103

C AT E G O R Y W I N N E R S : B O A R D S

C AT E G O R Y: LIGHTWIND W I N N E R : C O R E F U S I O N LW Solid, light wind fun and comfortable landings. The Fusion LW rewrote our expectations of a door board by providing a respectable pop and a low impact landing along with an effective parabolic rail for excellent edge control.

G O L D : D U OTO N E S P I K E Excellent usable range. The Spike proved itself as a strong lightwind board and as a general board for heavier riders. The top end performance of the Spike was impressive, remaining controllable even if the wind picks up.

GOLD: NAISH ORBIT Fantastic tracking and upwind drive. The use of an asymmetric double concave gave the Orbit excellent grip along the heelside rail along with very early planing for easy upwind riding.

G O L D : N O B I L E F LY I N G C A R P E T CARBON SPLIT Performance coupled with ease of travel. The travel-friendly splitboard design is great for the average rider wanting to guarantee their time on the water during a kiting holiday, and the Flying Carpet Split proved that you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to give up on performance either.

Winner: CORE Fusion LW

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

105

TheKiteMag.com

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

107

FOIL TEST CRITERIA USABLE SPEED RANGE We used GPS to measure our speeds riding each board. This reflects the speeds at which the board was comfortable to rider, so not necessarily the absolute top or bottom speed a foil is capable of.

TO P S P E E D Does the foil want to go fast and does it feel comfortable traveling at higher speeds? Not all foils are designed for speed, but if they are then they should get a high score here.

P I TC H S TA B I L I T Y

How comfortable is the foil on its ‘forward and backwards’ axis? The higher the score is the more stable it is when it lifts and the easier it is to keep perfectly on track when you are riding.

YA W S T A B I L I T Y How comfortable is the foil on its ‘side to side’ axis? The higher the score here, the more stable the foil is when riding at an angle or when moving through transitions.

CARVING

This score shows a foil that is comfortable moving into turns at slower speeds. So for switching from heel to toeside riding or for riding rolling swell.

O V E R A L L S TA B I L I T Y An overall judgement of how balanced and stable you feel riding the foil. A low score does not necessarily mean a bad foil, but a high score will be a better option if you are just starting out.

L O W S P E E D TA C K S TA B I L I T Y For foiling tacks, can you slow down to make the tack easier, or do you need to go into the tack at speed? A high score shows a foil that is more forgiving and lets you tack at slower speeds.

UPWIND How good are the upwind angles on the foil? Clearly all foils will out-perform your twintip, but this score shows if the foil was capable of very acute upwind angles.

TRACKING

An assessment of how easy and comfortable it was to set in a straight line and to hold that angle and increase speed. A high score shows a foil that you could comfortably lock in and put the pedal down.

NOISE/WHISTLE

Was there any whistling or humming in the foil set up or was it completely silent? A score of 10 indicates that there was no noise at all from the foil.

E A S E O F A S S E M B LY

How easy was it to assemble the foil and attach it to the board? A high score shows that minimal tools were required and assembly was quick, easy and relatively obvious without referring closely to instructions. TheKiteMag.com

Subjective Criteria PARTICIPANT

UNITS

Top Speed Pitch Stability Yaw Stability Carving Overall Stability Low speed tack stability Upwind Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

L E V I TA Z B I O N I C + R A Z E

Top speed Pitch stability

€4698

Yaw stability Carving

The Bionic is the full-on race foil set up from Austrian when Han Solo initiates Hyperdrive in the Millennium foil specialists Levitaz. It’s a no compromises racing Falcon. Cornering for the uninitiated requires a lot machine. We tested it with a 110cm pre-preg mast of speed and commitment, but after a few botched which had exceptional torsional stiffness. The Bionic attempts some of the more ninja members of the test has all the same fittings as the standard modular (and team were nailing some tacks and jibes. Subjective Criteria rather brilliant) Levitaz setup, but runs a shortened PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD fuselage and a more efficient rear wing, which looks The Bionic is way above what your average punter exactly like Batman’s boomerang. As always with some- is ever going to10require from a foil, and you’ve got to Top speed thing this high-end and mission specific, it takes a bit have quite a bit6of talent to get the most out of it. It’s Pitch stability of experimentation to get set up to your weight, and not trying to be7entry level or even freerace, it’s firmly Yaw stability Carving body position. Once you get it tuned and sorted, it lifts race specific and8 unashamedly so and simply makes a Overall stability without too much fuss, and at lower speeds requires wonderful job of5 going very, very fast. Low 4 quite speed a bit oftack pitchstability control input from the user. Once Upwind 10 other than the UK’s most legendary it’s up to speed, everything stabilizes and goes smoothly Shaped by none Tracking into fast forward and the ocean whizzes past, much like foil racer, Olly10Bridge, the Raze board is a work of

Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

10 9

art - super light and well finished Overall stability while remaining Low speed tacklike stability remarkably tough. Much Olly, it’s also pretty big, with 30L of volume hiddenUpwind in there somewhere to get Tracking you up to take-off speed quickly. It’s got deeply beveled Noise/whistle rails to achieve some very low angles, particularly with Ease of assembly that 110cm mast. There’s no EVA pad in sight, and 0 2.5 of 5 the deck is covered with a textured finish for loads foot grip. There are also twin Futures track boxes and a myriad of foot strap inserts to get that all-important trim correct. Much like the Bionic foil we tested it with, this is an all out racing weapon, for the rider Subjective Criteria-1 who knows exactly what they are getting themselves PARTICIPANT UNITS into and wants absolutely no compromise.

Usable speed range

29 27 25

Top speed

Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind

21 19 17 15 13 11

Tracking Noise/whistle

9 7

Ease of assembly 0

2.5

7.5

Subjective Criteria-1 PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Usable speed range

109

Ease of assembly Top speed

LIQUID FORCE IMPULSE + GALAXY

Pitch stability

€2098

Yaw stability Carving

The Impulse is a foil that does a great job of summing We had the Impulse mounted on the Galaxy board. up how far foil tech has come in the last couple of This was a favourite amongst the test team and really years. It is a ‘crossover’ foil that can be ridden for seemed to strike the right balance between the small kiting but is also happy to be on the bottom of a surf racier boards and the chunky ‘learner friendly’ planks. Subjective or a SUP foil board. Consequently we’reCriteria very much in It is very light (and you do need to be careful with it – ‘big wing’ territory, but the whole set up doesn’t come it’s not going to like having a run in with the tarmac PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD in too heavy, sitting at just under 4.5kg. Assembly was in the car park) but has a nice amount of float (fine for Top Speed 5 on the ‘easy’ end of the scale for all of the foils on test your first few strapless water starts) as well as enough Pitch Stability 6 and you can tell that Liquid Force have been in the foil width and chunky Yaw Stability 6 enough rails to forgive you sketchy game for longer than most and their foils have been turns or unplanned Carving 9 touch downs. through Stability enough iterations for them to really settle on Overall 8 a system thattack works. Riding the Impulse Low speed stability 8 and it pops up perfectly happily at around six knots Upwind 6 (maybe even a little earlier). It then

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

5 6 8

Overall stability

provides a soft andspeed friendly – it doesn’t want to be Low tack ride stability ridden with the pedal downUpwind but rather to cruise and carve and to do some mellow cruising around. At this Tracking it excels. In a little rolling swell you can take the kite Noise/whistle power out of the equation and put in a few pumps for Ease of assembly some satisfying eave powered action and 0 the Impulse 2.5 is 5 happy to be thrown around aggressively at lower speeds, showcasing its credentials as a ‘crossover’ foil that would also cut it in the surf. The top speed was one of the lowest on test, but that’s not what the Impulse wants Subjective Criteria-1 to do so as long as you know what you’re getting into PARTICIPANT UNITS S then the Impulse and Galaxy package was hard to fault.

Usable speed range

29 PARTICIPANT

Subjective Criteria

UNITS S

Top Speed 23 Pitch Stability 21 Yaw Stability 19 Carving 17 Overall Stability 15 Low speed tack stability 13 Upwind 11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 7

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 0

2.5

7.5

Usable speed range

Top speed Pitch stability

LIQU I D F Criteria-1 ORCE THRUSTER + GALAXY Subjective PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

The Thruster sits at the ‘fastest’ end of the Liquid Force

performance of the Thruster. Some of the racier foils 0 which – although suiting riders who had smaller boards Hood River, with their foil guru Matt Wheeler. With the had their tacks and jibes dialed in – could put the fear Impulse ticking the ‘cruising’ and the Rocket Foil ticking into less experienced testers. On the Galaxy it seemed 29 Subjective Criteria the ‘freeride fun’ boxes, it is down to the Thruster to to be pretty much impossible to catch an edge and it 27 turn on the juice and bring the ‘performance freeride’ saved riders on more than one occasion. We did not PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD 25 characteristics. Construction is an aluminum mast and have a separate8board category for this test, but if we Top speed 23 we had the glass wings set (there is also a carbon set had then the Galaxy Pitch stability 7 would have been on the podium, 21 option). Then wings are interchangeable across the and probably on Yaw stability 7 the top spot. 19 range meaning that you can switch around wing sets Carving 7 17 for maximum flexibility and have all bases covered. The Thruster foil Overall stability 7 popped up at around nine knots and 15 Low tackwe stability Boardspeed wise and had the Galaxy paired with the then provided a8confidence building foiling experience 13 Upwind 7 pressure and it was happy to lock in Thruster. We felt that this was a great companion to the – a little back foot

Usable speed range foil range. It has been developed in the home of LF,

11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly T I V E C R 7I T E R I A : 5

7 7 8

Usable speed range

Yaw stability Carving

€1648

Overall stability

and accelerate. The fastest Low speed tack speed stabilitywe recorded during the test was 20 knots but weUpwind think you could probably Tracking squeeze a little more out of it. It did provide a few slightly twitchy moments at Noise/whistle high speeds but overall stability Easejibes of assembly was good. Tacks and required good technique, but the Thruster performed well if 0you got your 2.5side 5 right... Less experienced foilers were happy to take the Thruster and could get it going where they struggled on the other faster set ups. This would be a great option for a beginner or intermediate foilerSubjective looking to take Criteria-1 things up a level, or for a foiler who doesn’t want to PARTICIPANT UNITS S be beating any records but wants to be able to turn Usable speed range things up a notch compared to the ‘cruisier’ set ups.

29 27 25

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving

23 21 19 17

Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind

15 13 11

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

9 7 0

2.5

TheKiteMag.com

Subjective Criteria-1

7.5

Usable speed range

Ease of assembly

Top speed Pitch stability

€2548

S L I N G S H O T G H O S T W H I S P E R 2 . 0 + H Y P E R M I L Yaw E Rstability Carving

7.5

SOLD

The Ghost Whisper range from Slingshot is the high point the 101 lifts is very good, and there’s no sudden end carbon top shelf section of the range, with the 101 pitch instability before the big lift. It raises and drops sat right in the middle as a very purposeful freeride foil. you nicely and doesn’t require any major technique The mast and foil are some of the lightest we tested. changes from something more entry level. The gull Criteria The quite lengthy 101cmSubjective mast has a little flex and is wing seems to naturally roll vertically when the foil is razor unweighted as you jibe, which is very helpful, as you 10 sharp and as the name suggests is absolutely silent PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD through the water. The gentle gull wing shape in the need to go into it with some speed and commitment Top speed 9 front wing design is at the forefront of development at on this wing size. Pitch stability 9 the moment, Yaw stabilityand is really a pleasure to ride. Lift isn’t as The Hypermiler8 board has a generous amount of volimmediate as it is with its popular bigger brother, Ghost ume at 25L and9the carbon construction is stiff and on Carving Whisperstability 91. The 101 set up hops up at around eight the lightweight end, Overall 8 so coupled with the Ghost Whisper knots speed of flat tack forward speed, but of course the top end this is a seriously7premium feeling combination. There’s Low stability is 0 far more extended, our test team unable to top it out no EVA pad here, Upwind 9 just a lightweight sand textured finish speed wise with a mid-size LEI kite. Stability from the like you might find Tracking 9 on a windsurfer or these days a high

Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

SOLD

Overall stability

end foil board. board is built for high mileage LowThe speed tack stability and speed but includes a generous Upwind amount of width to switch your feet easily. ItTracking feels slippery through the air, and creates very little resistance compared to the Noise/whistle more chunky entry level The track box allows Ease offerings. of assembly for a bit of trimming fore and aft which is essential 0 2.5 5 to tailor to your bodyweight at this end of the market and performance sector. This setup suits someone that wants to go fast and cover some distance and have some fun making some Subjective Criteria-1 fast turns, but maybe not a full racer. It’s very well PARTICIPANT UNITS behaved considering the top end, and lives up to its name, beingUsable absolutely, beautifully speed range silent.

10 9

29 27 PARTICIPANT

5 Top speed 6 Pitch stability 6 Yaw stability 9 Carving 8 Overall stability 8Low speed tack stability 6 Upwind 5 Tracking 6 Noise/whistle 8 Ease of assembly 0

2.5

7.5

Subjective Criteria

UNITS

Top Speed 21 Pitch Stability 19 Yaw Stability 17 Carving Overall Stability 15 13 Low speed tack stability 11 Upwind 9 Tracking 7 Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 5

Usable speed range

Top speed

L E V Subjective I T A Z Criteria-1 C R U I Z E R + M ATC H PARTICIPANT

7.5

SOLD

7 8

Usable speed range

Yaw stability

€1898

Carving

UNITS SOLD

The Cruizer wing slides seamlessly onto the front of the particularly in wave conditions as you can really drive 0 Usable speed range well-engineered modular Levitaz system, matching with the nose down without massive front foot pressure to the standard freeride stabilizer. It’s the big easy freeride avoid breaching and assume a wind stance. We heard wing from the well established foil brand, and can be quite a bit of whistle from the Cruizer that we didn’t 29 coupled with either their super stiff hybrid carbon or get with the other Levitaz wings, so it may need a little 27 Subjective Criteria full 10 carbon mast systems. The wing lifts at around five tuning to achieve silence. 25 PARTICIPANT UNITS to six knots forward speed with a mid-sized rider in SOLD We can’t stress how well thought out this system is, 23 control, and continues happily until over 20 knots. It’s a definitely one of Top speed 8 the neatest, most flexible modular 21 Pitch stability smooth experience, with just the right combination of systems available 6 and finished to perfection. It’s built 19 Yaw stability 8 support and maneuverability at lower speeds to make to last, and subsequently a little heavier than other 17 Carving 10If you want something a little more those scything, carving turns and tacks. One thing you carbon systems. 15 Overall stability 8 for higher winds, you can put on the should note is that the pitch stability takes a little time sporty or suitable 13 Low speed tack stability 7 front wings by simply removing two 0 to get dialed into, being more sensitive than some, and Element or Aspect 11 Upwind it’s the same across the whole Levitaz range. Once you Torx screws and7 it pops on in seconds. Everything is 9 Tracking 8 anti-seize paste to stop your screws get used to it, this can give you quite an advantage, provided, Loctite 7 Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly T I V E C R 5I T E R I A :

Pitch stability

Overall stability binding, tools, well fitted cover sets… the works. Low speed tack We coupled the Cruizer withstability the Match board, which is Upwind an exceptionally comfortable freeride platform. Brand new foilers found it reallyTracking easy to get on with and Noise/whistlewith a short mast, handle in the water, particularly of assembly the rounded edgedEase board has enough volume and 0 early porpois2.5 5 nose rocker to get you through those ing stages in an unthreatening and safe way. It’s got plenty of soft EVA pad towards the nose, giving you room to fumble through your first tacks with ease. It’s Subjective Criteria-1 particularly good as a strapless freeride board for the more experienced rider. It’s a setup the average rider is PARTICIPANT UNITS not going to outgrow for years and a solid investment.

Usable speed range

29 27 25

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving

23 21 19 17

Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind

15 13 11

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

9 7 0

2.5

7.5

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Usable speed range

111

Ease of assembly

Z E E KO A L LOY B L A ST E R + S C R A M B L E R

Top speed

€1598

Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving

Zeeko were the undisputed kings of the ‘price point’ foil a vertical fin set above the rear wing to improve yaw when the foil gold rush began a few years back. They stability. What was quite striking on the Alloy Blaster succeeded in producing easy-to-ride foils which were was the shorter fuselage – Zeeko have gone for a ‘bigger fun and helped to introduce a whole new generation wing / shorter fuselage’ approach to their set ups which to the brave new world of foiling. Jump forward a few differed from the other foils we had on test. Subjective Criteria years and the market is a lot more competitive, with The Scrambler board is a new addition to the range PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD aluminum masts and non-carbon wingsets now making and – again – was different to the other boards we up the bulk of the market. So how do Zeeko’s latest had on test. It has Top speed 6 an ‘eggy’ shape with a wider nose offerings compare? and with the tail Pitch stability 6 pulling in to a more pin-like shape. The Alloy Blaster’s aluminum mast is available in four The board has a7 full EVA pad and the construction is Yaw stability Carving 8 sizes which is a nice touch and provides versatility for robust but not heavy. Overall 6 and the placement of the foil means beginnersstability as well as for riders who may be limited by Riding the set up Low speed at tack stability tidal ranges their local spot. The wings are G10 and that you need to6have your back foot right at the back Upwind overall the materials and construction are impressive of the board. If7you don’t do this then you will strugTracking for a board at this price point. The Blaster also has gle to get going.6 We found that the Blaster came up

Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

7 7

comfortably at around sevenstability knots with a smooth and Overall speed tack stabilityand gives plenty of even lift thatLow is very manageable Upwind time to engage your front foot for riders just starting Tracking out. When you do flatten the foil out, you need to be quite aggressive to getNoise/whistle the nose down, but once you Ease ofrides assembly are tuned into this the foil smoothly and, with the 5 shorter fuselage, is livelier than other0foils on test.2.5The Scrambler provides a nice platform – starts are easy with the float and the narrower tail is a nice feature and minimizes ‘stickiness’ when you’re getting upright, and the wide nose is about as forgiving as you can get Criteria-1 for Subjective starting out. Overall a fun foil to ride and at this price PARTICIPANT UNITS S point you can’t really go too far wrong.

Usable speed range

PARTICIPANT

Subjective Criteria

UNITS S

25 Top Speed Pitch Stability 23 Yaw Stability 21 Carving 19 Overall Stability 17 Low speed tack stability 15 Upwind 13 Tracking 11 Noise/whistle 9 Ease of assembly

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

2.5

7.5

5 Top speed

Usable speed range

Pitch stability

Z E E KO B U L L E T + S C R A M B L E R Subjective Criteria-1

Zeeko have been working with aluminum mastsUNITS for of the materials, Zeeko use a different aluminum to PARTICIPANT SOLD

many years now and have a head start on the multitude that found on most other alloy foils and also employ a 0 of more recent arrivals in the foil market. They have no different technique utilizing pre-preg materials to build pretensions about making top end foils and are instead the wings. The wings seem bullet proof and are very Subjective Criteria keen to offer the very29best that aluminum and fiberglass stiff, and overall the Zeeko package compares very well can provide. Their aim with the Bullet is to provideUNITS the SOLD to other more price-point-focused foils. PARTICIPANT 27 fastest aluminum foil25on the market. So top speeds for We had the Scrambler board, this proved to work Top speed 8 40%-60% less investment than you would expect for a well with the more Pitch stability 23 7 beginner-focused Alloy Blaster we similar performance21 foil in carbon… As with the Alloy had on test, for7the Bullet its short length and rigid Yaw stability Blaster which we also Carving 8 you plenty of confidence to dig in 19 had on test, the Bullet utilizes construction gave a verticalstability fin to improve Overall 17 yaw stability, with the option and to turn the 7power on. Low speed tack stability 6 up at around nine knots and then of using a 40mm or 15 25mm fin here depending on The Bullet came Upwind 8 front foot pressure to get locked how much stability vs. 13 carveability you want. In terms requires immediate

Usable speed range

Tracking 11 Noise/whistle 9 Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

6 7 7

7 5

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving

Yaw stability Carving

€1698

Overall stability

in – you needLow to be quite speed tackaggressive stability here. The vertical fin down helps yaw stability, although the shorter Upwind Tracking fuselage does mean that you need to stay attentive to Noise/whistle keep on track. The speed is impressive and the Bullet Ease of assembly does feel stiff and efficient – definitely comparable to some of the carbon foils we have ridden. For turning, 0 2.5 5 the shorter fuselage does really enable the foil to ‘snap’ around and in the new world of going for tricks and spins with your foil you can see that it would be happy to do this. The Bullet is a good foil by any standards, Subjective Criteria-1 and for less than €800 it provides exceptional value. PARTICIPANT

UNITS S

Usable speed range 29 27 25

Usable speed range

23 21 19 17

Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind

15 13 11

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

9 7 0

2.5

TheKiteMag.com

Subjective Criteria-1

7.5

Usable speed range

6 8

Ease of assembly Top speed

F-ONE ESCAPE 510 + 51 TS

Pitch stability

€2175

Yaw stability Carving

7.5

SOLD

For premium foiling, F-ONE’s ESCAPE 510 sits at foil. The Foilboard has a bamboo sandwich laminate the top of their range for competent riders who want and beveled edges enabling you to really lock in and to ride their foil at speed… The wings are with pre- ride the foil at an acute angle as well as providing a preg carbon built around a metal core ensuring a solid little more to bounce off if you do catch some chop Subjective Criteria connection to the fuselage. For the stabilizer we had or touch down during a tack or jibe. the C300 with its very distinctively curved winglets. PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD 10 Assembly is very simple and idiot-proof with one bolt The ESCAPE 510 requires a good amount of speed Top speed 10 securing the whole set up – unsurprisingly F-ONE have to lift out of the water. If you are coming from a foil Pitch stability 8 a patent on that… with a larger volume then you need to rethink your Yaw stability 8 technique as if you Carving 7 try to lift too soon you are going to For this test we rode the ESCAPE on the 51 TS board be spending a lot8of time bouncing up and down. Once Overall stability but we have tack previously ridden it with the racier Foil- you have enough Low speed stability 7 speed and the foil lifts though, you board which is better suited to this type of performance require a solid amount of front foot pressure, and it is Upwind 9

0 Tracking Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

10 9 10

Overall stability

then a remarkably stable foilstability and you probably won’t Low speed tack realize exactly how quick you are going until you check Upwind your GPS at the end of theTracking session. Noise/whistle

The ESCAPE 510 Ease tracks of superbly assembly and does not show any ‘twitchiness’ at speed. If you thought were 0 that you2.5 5 just ‘into cruising’ then a few runs on the ESCAPE 510 might see you thinking again. It is a lot of fun. Upwind potential is excellent and we made some of the best angles on the test riding this set up. Downwind and Subjective Criteria-1 you need excellent technique to keep things balanced UNITS and to keep PARTICIPANT enough speed in the foil to keep it stable, but this is toUsable be expected a smaller wing. speedwith range

29 PARTICIPANT

Subjective Criteria

UNITS

Top Speed 23 Pitch Stability 21 Yaw Stability 19 Carving 17 Overall Stability 15 Low speed tack stability 13 Upwind 11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 7

5 Top speed 6 Pitch stability 6 Yaw stability 9 Carving 8 Overall stability 8Low speed tack stability 6 Upwind 5 Tracking 6 Noise/whistle 8 Ease of assembly 0

2.5

7.5

Usable speed range

Top speed Pitch stability

F - O Subjective N E I C Criteria-1 6 850 + 51 TS PARTICIPANT

7.5

SOLD

Carving

€1400

Overall stability

UNITS SOLD

F-ONE jumped on board early with the foil game and Assembly of the IC6 is straightforward using F-ONE’s Usable speed range now have several years of R&D under their belts as patented system0 where one long bolt connects the well as a good understanding of the best techniques wings, fuselage and mast together, and you’re good and technologies to employ to get the most out of their to go. It was the quickest foil to set up on the test and 29 Subjective Criteria equipment. Until last year their foils had generally been satisfying to screw together. 27 PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD focused on the mid to upper price point. That changed 10 25 with speed the very competitively priced IC6, which is an The 51 TS board Top 7 is another relative new addition to 23 injection molded wing (with some carbon for good the range and strikes a nice balance between some of Pitch stability 8 21 measure) enabling F-ONE to bring the price down the super low volume boards we had on test and the Yaw stability 8 19 Carving 8 significantly. It is also a sturdy construction that will boxier boards. Construction is very sturdy and weight 17 Overall stability withstand more knocks than a more brittle carbon is respectable at94kg. 15 Low 7 set up.speed tack stability 13 0 Upwind 11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly T I V E C R 7I T E R I A :

Yaw stability

9 9 7 10

Usable speed range

On the waterLow andspeed the tack IC6 stability comes up at a low speed Upwind that a little front and is then well balanced ensuring Tracking foot pressure gets you easily into the sweet spot and Noise/whistle you are away. It tracked very nicely across the wind of assembly and you could reallyEase commit and turn the power on to 0 and jibes. 2.5The 5 generate some satisfying speed for tacks stability is excellent, really giving you the confidence to get those foiling tacks and jibes dialed in. Downwind it was also very stable and really gives you the confidence to downloop the kite and get some Subjective impressive speed Criteria-1 up. Overall the IC6 was probably the easiest foil to PARTICIPANT UNITS ride across a range of speeds and wind angles that Usable speed range we had on the test. 29 27 25

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving

23 21 19 17

Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind

15 13 11

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

9 7 0

2.5

7.5

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Subjective Criteria-1

Usable speed range

113

Ease of assembly Top speed

ALPINEFOIL ORIGIN + VR3

Pitch stability

€1699

Yaw stability Carving

The Origin is an all new foil from French foil producers, it was to ride it strapless. The board is also equipped AlpineFoil, aimed at the all-round foil market. It is a with FCS fin slots if you want to take the foil off and follow on from the popular Access V3 which we have ride it in the waves. enjoyed riding and testing previously. The set up fits Subjective Criteria together very smoothly and snuggly. All screws are pre- There are various adaptations you can make to the set greased and it was one of the most satisfying assemblies up to make it more ‘beginner’ friendly, including using PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD we had on the test. The Origin has an aluminum mast a shorter mast, but also through using their wedge Top speed 9 and fuselage with LIFT STD carbon wings and the system to adjust the angle of the wings and thus the Pitch stability 8 wholestability construction feels very top end. performance of8 the foil. We rode it on the standard Yaw setting and would Carving 6 have to say that it would not be suited The VR3stability board is relatively high volume with plenty of to a completely 9 novice rider, although once you are up Overall float. speed A concave and EVA grip provide plenty of and riding and can Low tackdeck stability 7 competently get up to speed it would grip and most of the test team commented on how nice be a great introduction to the world of ‘faster foils’. Upwind 9

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

8 9 9

Overall stability

The Origin needs some tack speed to lift and for riders used Low speed stability to bigger wings you need toUpwind tune in to this technique. But once you are up and riding it offered exceptionTracking al stability at speed. Experienced Noise/whistle foilers on the test team were very impressed with the smooth ride and Ease of assembly the perfectly tuned turning capabilities as the 0 as well 2.5 5 quietness and the glide of the set up. Upwind angles were also some of the best on the test. Considering that this was the lower priced version (there is also a full carbon edition) the Origin felt that it had some Subjective Criteria-1 real pedigree and matched up very well to foils that PARTICIPANT UNITS S retail at double the price.

Usable speed range

29 PARTICIPANT

Subjective Criteria

UNITS S

Top Speed 23 Pitch Stability 21 Yaw Stability 19 Carving 17 Overall Stability 15 Low speed tack stability 13 Upwind 11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 7

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 0

2.5

7.5

Usable speed range

Top speed Pitch stability stability S R OSubjective K A F RCriteria-1 E E R I D E A L U M I N I U M + K I T E F O I L B O AYawRCarving D PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

Sroka have been investing and researching heavily into

generally used the Kitefoil board. This is a large board (which can also 0 be used for surf foiling). Its size made solid range of foils for all skills and budget. This is the it a little cumbersome at points, but for learning it least expensive in their line up and, at €699, was the would really inspire confidence as it rebounds nicely 29 Subjective Criteria cheapest set up on the test. The front wing is one of from the surface if you are in the ‘dolphin’ phase, and 27 the larger we looked at, coming in at 650cm². TheUNITS foil SOLD also provides a solid platform while you are getting a PARTICIPANT 25 also employs wing to improve yaw stability. feel for when the Top speed a vertical 7 foil is going to lift. 23 Overall the construction is good and assembly was Pitch stability 6 21 relatively straightforward. The Freeride Aluminium needs a good injection of Yaw stability 7 19 speed to get going Carving 7 and then lifts up and provides a 17 We had two Sroka boards as part of this test and ei- relatively smooth Overall stability 7 ride. The ‘sweet spot’ is there but 15 Low speedworks tack stability 6 foils on test, so you will have most ther board fine with either foil. For this foil we not as wide as other

Usable the worldspeed of foilrange tech for a few years. They now have a

13 Upwind 11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly T I V E C R 7I T E R I A : 5

8 7 6 8

Usable speed range

€1350

Overall stability

fun if you keep the foil tack within this range. For turning, Low speed stability the lower speeds required means that you can attempt Upwind Tracking your first foiling turns without needing to be traveling at Noise/whistle Mach 10. Upwind performance is good (probably the assembly best of the sub €800Ease foils)ofand you can get the foil at an acute angle and it performs well. Downwind and 0 2.5the vertical fin adds some stability here so you can get back from where you came from without too much trouble.

Subjective Criteria-1 PARTICIPANT

UNITS S

Usable speed range 29 27 25

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving

23 21 19 17

Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind

15 13 11

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

9 7 0

2.5

TheKiteMag.com

Subjective Criteria-1

7.5

Usable speed range

8 Top speed

S R O K A K- F O I L C A R B O N + P O C K E T

Pitch stability

€1550

Yaw stability Carving Overall stability

7.5

SOLD

The K-Foil Carbon is a premium offering from Sroka ably the best constructed ‘mid-price’ set up in the test. although at a competitive price point. It is the third version of this foil and has undergone some significant The Pocket board offers a good compromise between changes from the previous incarnation,Criteria with the focus high and low volume boards, with enough float to get Subjective being on reducing drag and increasing efficiency. The you up and going easily if you’re riding strapless, but PARTICIPANT curved winglets on the front wing reflect where foilUNITS de- SOLD then light and rigid under your feet providing a solid 10 Top speedto be heading in terms of improving carving and comfortable 8 platform for cruising around. This sign seems Pitch stabilityand for the latest version the stabilizer was the only board 8 like this that we had on the test and stability, Yaw stability 8 it was well conceived. has been redesigned to improve lateral stability. The and we agreed that Carving 8 K-Foil has a carbon mast and carbon wings with an Overall stability 9 up easily at around nine knots, but aluminum fuselage. Overall the build quality of this The K-Foil comes Low speed tack stability 7 you can bring it up sooner. Immedifoil is excellent and the test team felt that it was prob- with a little pump

Upwind 0 Tracking Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA: Top speed 5 Pitch stability 6 Yaw stability 6 Carving 9 Overall stability 8 8Low speed tack stability Upwind 6 Tracking 5 Noise/whistle 6 Ease of assembly 8

8 8 8 8

stability ately it is clearLow thatspeed this istack a nicely balanced foil. At low Upwind speeds it is very stable and then when you turn some Tracking power on it has very smooth and reactive handling. Noise/whistle For intermediate testers it was a firm favorite as it was Ease of assembly so predictable and a real confidence booster. For more 2.5 advanced riders it provided plenty 0of performance, some great upwind angles and a forgiving ride that really let you push yourself without worrying that you might come unstuck.

Subjective Criteria-1

PARTICIPANT

2.5

7.5

UNITS

Usable speed range 29 27

PARTICIPANT

Subjective Criteria

UNITS

Top Speed 21 Pitch Stability 19 Yaw Stability 17 Carving Overall Stability 15 13 Low speed tack stability 11 Upwind 9 Tracking 7 Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 5

Usable speed range

Top speed

N A I SSubjective H T HCriteria-1 RUST + NAISH HOVER PARTICIPANT

SOLD

UNITS SOLD

very safe as a learner platform. 0 seriously improved their construction, nearly halving The Naish Hover 127cm is a great little pocket board, the weight of the Thrust wing, to the point where it aesthetically it’s also quite a stand out with a retro has a lot of positive29buoyancy. The Thrust L crosses surf glittery gloss finish, seldom seen in this product 27 inSubjective over as a surf/SUP foil the range butCriteria also performs sector. The EVA pad is plentiful, spanning almost the 10 admirably well with25 a kite, giving near instant liftUNITS and SOLD whole board. The Abracadabra fitting system is also a PARTICIPANT 23 potential and stability. It’s a practical addition, essentially a slide plate which allows great low speed carving Top speed 5 21 very soft lift curve, which you can put up and down at you to remove the foil from the board with one small Pitch stability 9 19 with no fuss and is extremely Phillips head bolt in the front. Let’s face it, trying to ridiculously low speeds Yaw stability 8 17 confidence inspiring particularly with the beginner in squeeze a built10foil into a smaller vehicle isn’t hugely Carving mind. The low end15of this foil is incredibly good, it practical, and 10 this makes life easier and minimizes the Overall stability 13 at a walking pace without any tools you need to hops up ontotack the stability wing Low speed 9 carry (and potentially lose in the foot 0 real forward speed.11Its massive profile also makes it well of your car). Upwind 6 9 Tracking 7 Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly T I V E C R5I T E R I A :

7 9 10

Usable speed range

Yaw stability

€2048

Carving

Naish have really increased their foil range this year and Usable speed range

7.5

Pitch stability

Overall stability

If you’re planning on doing a few different foil based Low speed tack stability sports, and want to minimize your outlay on equipUpwind ment, this would be a great combo, particularly with Tracking the other wing sizes available and cross compatibility. Noise/whistle Also, the muscle memory built up with the kite Ease of you’ve assembly will transfer over into surf foiling, as0 you will already 2.5 5 know the foils balance points and limits. You need to be aware that with this wing size on a kite, if you push the top end constantly it will give you a little front leg strain, but if you’re not planning Subjective Criteria-1 on breaking any speed records and want a seriously PARTICIPANT UNITS safe, high ease of use, cruisy and carvey experience you can’t goUsable wrong. speed range

29 27 25

Top speed

Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving Overall stability Low speed tack stability

21 19 17 15 13

Upwind

Tracking Noise/whistle

9 7

Ease of assembly 0

2.5

7.5

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

Usable speed range

115

Ease of assembly Top speed

AXIS FREERIDE ALUMINUM FOIL + RIDE MV

Pitch stability

€1548

Yaw stability Carving

Straight away, you can feel that the Axis freeride setup The wing has a relatively flat profile and takes a little has a very sturdy build. The wings are both CNC more board speed to take off than some. Pitch stabilcut from G10, and on building, the fuselage sits very ity once up to speed is fairly solid, as is the tracking. snugly into the mast. AXIS have also employed the Dropping the board back down to the surface gently Subjective magic of CNC on the fuselage and topCriteria plate, milling can be a little challenging at first. The front wing is both from a single piece of aluminum, which promotes quite narrow from tip to tip, so you can really crank PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD even more rigidity with the system. Everything here is the mast over to get upwind, but this has a trade off Top speed 9 very well engineered and thought out with longevity with roll stability. It’s quite an agile, sporty foil, which Pitch stability 8 and, most of all: it’s stiff. There’s no play anywhere. takes a little while Yaw stability 8 to dial into. Tacks and jibes need The top plate bolts straight through the board at four to be carried out6 with commitment and speed but are Carving points forstability another rock solid connection. There’s a great super creamy once Overall 8 you’ve got them. little tool andtack storage pack provided, including some Low speed stability 7 Teflon gel and decent stainless Torx keys and fittings. The Ride MV9145 is a generously sized board for Upwind Nothing is going to bind or strip here. beginners and early Tracking 8 to plane in a light wind situation.

Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly TIVE CRITERIA:

Overall stability

The beveled-in deck gives a connected and Lowconcave speed tack stability reassuring feel for the earlyUpwind user, and a generous level of rocker in the front to avoid any nosediving in those Tracking formative stages. The Noise/whistle other good news is that, unlike some low volume Ease boards, it’s really stiff so none of of assembly your weight inputs are lost in translation. 0 2.5

This Axis board and foil combination will suit a progressive beginner through to sportive intermediate, and there’s a smaller front wing available if you fancied Subjective Criteria-1 something a little more racy. It’s a solid platform built PARTICIPANT UNITS S to last, a touch on the heavier side perhaps but you’re not going toUsable damagespeed it easily or outgrow it quickly. range

9 8

29 PARTICIPANT

Subjective Criteria

UNITS S

Top Speed 23 Pitch Stability 21 Yaw Stability 19 Carving 17 Overall Stability 15 Low speed tack stability 13 Upwind 11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 7

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly 0

2.5

7.5

Usable speed range

Top speed Pitch stability

C A BSubjective R I N H Criteria-1 A HI:RISE SPEED + DOUBLE AGENT PARTICIPANT

UNITS SOLD

The Hi:Rise Speed slots together very nicely with all

minimize spray, and the bombproof construction will appeal to riders0who don’t want to worry too much slotting together with one hex key. The foil pedestal about bumps and scrapes. Some flex has been built mount then goes right through the deck for a very solid into the board for comfort when riding without the foil 29 Subjective Criteria connection. The Hi:Rise Speed is a hybrid system which takes a bit of getting used to as most foil boards 27 with an aluminum mast and fuselage with the wing don’t have such pronounced flex. PARTICIPANT UNITS SOLD 25 and speed stabilizer mid weight carbon composite, with a The Hi:Rise Speed Top 8 foil takes more speed to lift as you 23 high gloss finish. would expect from Pitch stability 7 a racier foil with a smaller front 21 The Double Yaw stabilityAgent is a foil-convertible low volume wing. It tracks well 7 in a straight line and is relatively 19 directional skim with the options of being used as a smooth and stable Carving 7 once it is up to speed. Tacking and 17 surf/wakesurf board as well. It has every conceivable jibing require some Overall stability 7 commitment as you have to main15 Low strap speed option tack built stability in along with blanking grommets to tain some speed6to keep on the wing. Overall the set up

Usable speedwell range parts seeming machined and with the whole thing

13 Upwind 11 Tracking 9 Noise/whistle Ease S U B Jof E Cassembly T I V E C R 7I T E R I A : 5

7 7 8 8

Usable speed range

Yaw stability Carving

€1837

Overall stability

seems to be trimmed encourage Low speedtotack stability a little more back foot pressure than most neutrally Upwindbalanced boards in Tracking this market sector. This makes the board attractive to a beginner looking toNoise/whistle move on to something a little of assembly sportier, but from Ease a speed perspective it makes the sweet spot a little narrower than on some 0 wings we 2.5had 5 on test. Overall the set-up is well thought out to suit a range of foilers and, with the Double Agent board, you then also have an alternative use if the wind picks up and foiling is no longer an option… Subjective Criteria-1 PARTICIPANT

UNITS S

Usable speed range 29 27 25

Top speed Pitch stability Yaw stability Carving

23 21 19 17

Overall stability Low speed tack stability Upwind

15 13 11

Tracking Noise/whistle Ease of assembly

9 7 0

2.5

TheKiteMag.com

Subjective Criteria-1

7.5

Usable speed range

7.5

SOLD

7.5

SOLD

5 6 6 9 8 8 6 5 6 8

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

117

C AT E G O R Y W I N N E R S : F O I L S

C AT E G O R Y : BEGINNER / ALLROUNDER WINNER: F-ONE IC6 Lets you build speed on the surface before it lifts and when it does it’s nice and gentle. Robust, great performance, and really locks in with a wide speed range.

GOLD: LIQUID FORCE IMPULSE A confidence building foil that will get you up and riding for your first few sessions and then well into intermediate territory… Then easy to switch wingsets with Liquid Force’s modular set up.

C AT E G O R Y : CRUISING AND CARVING W I N N E R : L E V I TA Z C R U I Z E R The Cruizer has a great mixture of reassuring low speed ability, without a massive compromise in the top end, and is playful enough to do long runs and carve about with. Also a great platform for learning your tacks and jibes.

GOLD: NAISH THRUST The lowest lift point on the test and the easiest and cruisiest foil we had on the test. Great fun with a kite but for a crossover foil for surfing as well it’s unbeatable right now.

C AT E G O R Y : PERFORMANCE FREERIDE W I N N E R : S R O K A K- F O I L A surprise package which the test team were very impressed with. Very wide usable range, excellent top speed, and a perfectly balanced set up. Fun and rewarding foiling.

GOLD: ALPINEFOIL ORIGIN On the faster end of the spectrum in this category, the Origin feels like a refined freeride machine. You can really get some performance without needing to scare yourself, and build quality was very impressive.

C AT E G O R Y : HIGH SPEED W I N N E R : S L I N GS H OT G H O ST W H I S P E R Silent and deadly, fast, smooth, light and flawless, with good all round stability taking into consideration its high top end potential…

T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T

119

TheKiteMag.com