Slingshot Rev 2009 Kite Review By S2AS

Slingshot Rev 2009 Kite Review By S2AS

The S2AS team have just got back from Lake Garda in Italy after having 3 amazing days testing the new Slingshot Rev 2009 kite.
The Slingshot Rev 2009 has some very important changes. Before I arrived at the test I was unsure as to what Slingshot could do to improve on the Slingshot 2008 Rev. I soon found out that they had made many changes.
New Features on the Slingshot Rev 09 are...

1,Surf Proof Seams – Surf Proof seams makes the kite stronger and more durable. When the kite is dropped in the surf or the shore dump it will withstand the punishment. Not that we had any problems with the 2008 Slingshot Rev!

2, The Graphics - Graphics are no big deal I know, but people like to know what the new kite will look like so some pictures have been put up here for you guys to see. There is a real nice touch on the wing tips of the kite and a Slingshot spikeball screen print. Personally I think it looks so cool but the overall Graphics i do not like and i feel that this is the place Slingshot Kiteboarding have let them selfs down but make your own mind up.

3, Bar Pressure Adjustment Tabs – You can adjust the rear line pigtails (3 options) so that you can ADD bar pressure. If you’re coming from a C shape kite you will know all about bar pressure and how important it is to be able to feel where the kite is in the sky without having to look at it all the time. The bar pressure adjustment tabs will also help beginners as they will be able to feel where the kite is when in the air. Unlike some brands where the bar is super light and you have to keep an eye on the kite at all times. There is more to this feature, however this will be mentioned later within the review.

4,The Control Bar – The Slingshot Rev 09 has a new bar, with a softer grip and the diameter of the hole has been increased. This will reduce chicken rope wear considerably. The softer grip will stop forearm fatigue caused by long sessions on the water. The new bar features will give you a better grip for when you are carrying out unhooked tricks. Nice new colours too!

That’s it for the new features, now for the review:

The bag and the kite both look the same as they did for 2008. Is this a good or a bad thing? I couldn’t decide as the Slingshot Rev 08 was so good and I felt it didn’t need any alterations. Well after flying the 2009 Rev I changed my mind straight away!!!
Oh forgot to say - Lake Garda has no beaches so we had to launch from a boat. That’s all cool though, I have done this loads of times before, however not with a new kite that I have never used - this could have been bad!! Also a 13m kite was being used in 11knots!
When I pumped up the kite for the first time I thought nice new graphics!! I then connected the lines, let the kite drift off down wind, waited for the line tension and pulled on the left line - up she went just like the 2008 Slingshot Rev - Still super easy to re-launch – sweet!! I jumped out of the boat and the wind felt light. I sent the kite and “wow” the pull is unreal – I was instantly on the plane! Two sines and I parked the kite at 45 degrees - just park and ride!! It felt so sweet, so smooth and precise and the bar felt light. My first impressions of the difference between the 2008 and 2009 Rev was that the low end was better. Last years Rev did not get me going as early! Other than that and the feel of the actual bar [softer grip] the kite felt the same.
I did a couple of runs with no jumping just to get a feel of the kite. After about 30 minutes the wind dropped off! This was not good but ‘not a problem’ as I still had another day left!! The locals told me that it would be 15-18 knots - perfect!
The next day I went out on the 13m again - it was about 15knots!! I planed with ease and did a couple of unhooked tricks - no drama’s at all, the kite felt smooth and powerful. I then decided to make some changes to the kite to test the features that have been introduced for 2009. I started with the bar pressure adjusters. I moved the pigtail on the back lines in one as I was told that this would give me more bar pressure. I then went back out immediately and it felt like I was flying a different kite. If I had not changed the settings myself I would have sworn that it was not the same kite.
It felt similar to a C-kite. Many people have problems going from c-kites to hybrid kites and back again. It can be done but it takes practice for you to feel comfortable with the kite and to get the light feel on the bar. So now I have the de-power of a Slingshot Rev 08 and the safety of a rev 08 but the feel of a C-kite.
I took the kite down again and moved the setting on the back lines to the furthest setting away from the wingtip. I was told that this would provide more bar pressure, and it did!! The bar pressure increased for a more c-shape kite feel, however it was not too dramatic. On the Slingshot Rev 2008 I felt that the kite unhooked well when it was de-powered slightly. When I was riding the Rev 2009 on the same setting, i unhooked and the kite just sat there in the window in fact I was so happy I rode the width of the lake unhooked. I did not get pulled off my edge or feel the gusts in my shoulders, it was just ultra smooth like the fuel. The wind then picked up to 18 knots and I was still riding comfortably.
I felt so comfortable that I went for an F16 and “wow” did the kite loop. Hell yeah - I came down hard but I went high, lots of time in the air, very big pull and lots of power though the loop. I was so happy that at 18knots I could get such height and power out of the kite. The settings that I had altered had changed the turning of the kite, it turned slower but with a wide arc, very wide for ANY hybrid kite.
It was then time to try the 11m as I know companies make a good kite then let themselves down on other sizes...

One word: SAME!!!!

The low end wind range was so good, like the 13m. As there wasn’t enough wind I was unable to test the full potential of the kite. At 20 knots on the 11m I still had not pulled in any de-power, so the full wind range of this kite is yet to be seen [by myself]!!
The only thing that I did on the 11m kite that I did not do on the 13m was test the CSS (CENTER SAFTEY SYSTEM). Slingshot did not and have not pushed or informed people of how good it really is! Let me – it is the best safety system on the market!! I can assure you that this system is simple, easy and effortless to reset ON THE WATER!
The industry leading safety system of 2008 continues to excel on the 2009 Slingshot Rev. You can pull the release system on the chicken loop, whilst in the water out of your depth, and the bar travels about 15 metres up the centre line. It may seem that your session is all over and that you are swimming back to the beach, but you will have the kite back in the air and riding within 20 seconds. This is done by pulling on the centre line until you reach the bar, enabling you to hook back in and re-seat the safety system at ease. Guiding the centre line allows the kite to sit in the correct re-launching position. I did this 7 times on the 11m and every time there was 100% no problems as we previously found with the 2008.
If you have a Slingshot Rev 2008 and you are looking for that bit more, or you are unhooking more, I would say that the upgrade to the Slingshot 2009 Rev is well worth it!!!! The surf proof seams are another beneficial factor of the kite as you can crash the kite hard and there’s no need to worry!!
If you don’t have a Rev, but you want a kite that is easy to re-launch from the water, is strong, feels like a C-shape kite or hybrid and would like the best safety system you can get - you know what I will say... “GET A SLINGSHOT REV 09!”
I have a 13m and 11m here in the UK so if you want to try the new Slingshot Rev 09 give me a call on 01202 738448 and I will be happy to give you the kite to demo for the day. If you simply want more information just give myself or your local Slingshot dealer a call.

An awesome kite!!!!!

I hope this is a good read for you all.More pics will be added to our website within the next 48hrs.
Angelo
S2AS Team
http://www.s2as.com/

Naish Cult 2008 Kite Review by S2AS

If you go down to the beach and look at the kites been flown the chances are the one that will catch your eye will be the new Naish Cult sigma series. All of the new Naish Sigma Kites look radically different with their angular design and tight canopy. It is with no doubt that Naish Kiteboarding have done their homework everything stated in their design brief about both Geo tech and Sigma outline makes engineering sense but the question is will it all work.

Having been kindly given a Naish Cult by James from Naish UK to demo, it is with eager anticipation that the Naish Cult kite was taken out and inspected. On pumping up the Naish Cult has Naish’s octopus inflation system, the build quality of the kite also looks very good with plenty of scuff guards and bumpers. You also notice that the kite features a lot of Naish’s “aramid reinforcements” these are used to help keep the kite in the designed shape and strengthen the corners.

The Naish bar and lines are nice and simple. The lines work off a direct 1:1 system with de-power below the bar. The safety system is also obvious and can be released and reloaded simply and quickly. The bar feels nice in the hands and is comfortable to use. The simplicity of the bar makes it clutter free and is super easy to use. The only downside was the lack of the stopper ball, this makes spinning the bar tricky and we found that shorter riders like myself struggled to reach the bar when fully de-powered. (This stopper ball does however come in the bag) You just have to put it on yourself no real hardship it’s just that when you buy this kite you will be super stoked and rushing to get out on the water and the last thing you will be thinking about is fitting the Naish stopper ball!

On the water the first thing you noticed is that the there is a light bar pressure, their is still positive feedback but if you are not use to it, it will take a bit of time to get dialled in. The effect of the geo-tech and sigma series features is apparent in the flight of the kite. Firstly it is super stable and has a lovely solid feel to the kite. Even when we attempted to make the kite over fly and fall out of the sky it would not and instead just sat there rock solid. In loops or aggressive turns there was minimal if any flutter. In the air the Naish Cult demonstrate a consistent power delivery through the up stroke, down stroke and turns. This gave the kite an ultra smooth feeling and coupled with the impressive low end grunt was astounding in light winds.

The Naish cult 2008 demonstrated an impressive arsenal for most disciplines. As an unhooked kite it is very grunty with a lot to pop against, un-hooked it still demonstrates a continual pull. The airs on the kite are impressive being both big and boosty. Probably the forte was in wave riding, the kites continual even pull through the turns as well as the power stroke, it is quick and responsive and the re-launch is quick and easy making it an ideal weapon.

The smooth power delivery, responsiveness and easy re-launch of the Naish Cult make it an ideal kite for beginner’s / intermediates and wave riders. It provides massive scope with its unhooking potential and would be immediately be down as a kite accessible to anyone. The advantages of Naish’s technology are best seen through the continual power delivery and smooth turns and you have to think that Naish are on to a winner with this kite. After testing the cult we were very surprised that these aren’t more common on the beaches. Maybe this is due to a wait and see approach due to the big changes from the norm of kite design. In our opinion these kites will only gain in popularity and following as once tried they will win many over.

Naish Kitesurfing kites

Naish Alliance Kite 2008

Naish Code Kite 2008

Naish Helix Kite 2008

Naish Torch Kite 2008

Naish Kiteboards

Naish Haze Kiteboard 2008

Naish Sol Kiteboard 2008

Naish Thorn Kiteboard 2008

Naish Board Bags

Naish Golf Bag Without Wheels

Naish Golf Bag With Wheels

James Ward

S2AS Team

Surface 2 Air Sports

Slingshot Enters the UK with Wakeboards & Bindings!

Slingshot Kiteboarding has been with us here in the UK for some 18 years now at the top of the Kiteboarding game with Slingshot Kites and Slingshot Kiteboards, Slingshot has been hard at work building and testing a new SLINGSHOT WAKEBOARD RANGE for 2020 With the following new

WakeBoards:

Slingshot Bishop Wakeboard

Slingshot Native Crossover Wakeboard

Slingshot Solo Crossover Wakeboard

Slingshot Volt Cable Wakeboard

Slingshot Coalition Wakeboard

Slingshot Water Gunn Wakeboard

Slingshot Windsor Wakeboard

Slingshot Terrain Wakeboard

Slingshot Valley Wakeboard

Slingshot Super Grom Wakeboard

And they have not stopped there Slingshot have also made a Range of Wakeboard Bindings all closed-toe check out the Slingshot Wakeboard Bindings Below:

Slingshot Wakeboard Bindings:

Slingshot Space Mob Bindings

Slingshot Rad Wakeboard Bindings

Slingshot KTV Wakeboard Bindings

Slingshot Jewel Wakeboard Bindings

This is completely New Technology from Slingshot and no other wakeboard company do anything like it! with the flex (FRT) in the Slingshot Wakeboards, it makes everything easier like Giving you a smoother ride over both flat water and chop, softer Landings and a huge amount of pop of the wake!

What are you waiting for get over to Surface2Air Sports and get your new Slingshot Wakeboard set up today!

Thanks for reading

S2AS Team

Slingshot Turbo 3 T3 Kite Review by S2AS Team

Slingshot Turbo 3 T3 Kite Review by S2AS Team

Slingshot Turbo 3 Review by the S2AS TeamAfter the success of the Slingshot Turbo 2 last year it was with great anticipation we awaited the arrival of the Slingshot Turbo 3’s Last year’s Turbo 2 was a leap forward in bow technology with slingshot creating a super stable, easy re-launch and user friendly kite. It was immediately recognised an ideal kite for those looking for a free ride kite or their first kite to learn on.

When we received these kites we where to intrigued to find out what and how Slingshot had attempted to improve their thoroughbred workhorse. On first inspection of the kite you can see it is still built with Slingshot’s legendary build quality. The kite itself looks fairly similar with maybe a tweak up in the aspect ratio. The bridle again came with the floating pulley connecting the front and back bridle. The bridle itself seems more compact and neater than last years. To be honest the major differences are the fact that with a small adjustment at the bar and on the bridle the T3 or Turbo3 can be transformed from a 2:1 free ride user friendly kite to a 1:1 more aggressive kite capable of impressive wake style characteristics.

Like the kite the bar has a couple of differences. The first as already mentioned is the ability to change it from a 2:1 system to a 1:1 system, which is a quick and easy job. The second is incorporation of the same highly successful safety system as used on the Slingshot Rev Kite. No longer does your leash have to be stretched out, forever wrapping your lines to reach the re-ride. Now the re-ride line is neatly extended to finish just above the chicken loop. Not only is this system notably neater and more user friendly but also highly efficient, as well as giving the rider a high probability of immediate re-launch even on release.

The improvement however is more noticeable in flight. Having had these kites since mid may we have been able to test them in a variety of conditions and styles (free ride, wake style and in the school).

Firstly in the 2:1 system the kite feels faster and more responsive than last year. This may be down to a slight increase in aspect ratio or to do with the tweaking of the bridle. The main way you can notice this is in the turns. The Slingshot T3 in comparison to the T2 seems to turn tighter, quicker and easier than last years making it feel extremely sprightly. This increase in turning speed makes the kite feel a lot more fun and makes it boost massive whilst still providing awesome float. The re-launch and de-power are still both excellent, pull the outside line and he kite re-launches in seconds, let go of the bar and you still have the huge de-power.

Secondly in the 1:1 system the kite does feel slower than in the 2:1. However it really shows off its versatility and potential when you start trying to unhook against it. With the low end power and stability of the T3 there always seems like there is plenty to pop against and it gives consistent steady pull.

Slingshot have succeeded in making an extremely versatile kite this year that is going to offer many more options than previously seen. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you are a complete beginner, free rider or wake style monkey, the T3 can offer everyone something. Whilst it will never be as pure a freestyle kite as the likes of the fuel or as fast as the rev, it is a massively impressive. This year slingshot is onto a winner with a kite that almost everyone will enjoy and be able to get something out of. As a first kite it has the advantage of offering huge progression and scope for anyone coming into the sport whilst still offering all those features that people look for in a bow kite.

Review by James ward

Surface 2 Air sports Team

What is Kitesurfing?

Kite surfing or kiteboarding as some call it is the fastest growing water sport in the world, with Large C-shaped kites flying along coastlines all over the world including the UK.

The most extreme of water sports, kite surfing fuses three other extreme sports: windsurfing, wakeboarding and power kite flying. It is tougher, faster and a lot more exhilarating than any other water activity I have ever done that’s for sure.

There is a lot of disputes about where & when kite surfing was invented, with some kite surfers claiming it was France and others saying it was Hawaii. I believe it was France however the Hawaiians took to the sport a lot faster with the perfect wind conditions they get but, no matter where kite surfing came from, there’s certainly no arguing that Kite surfing has taken off in a big way in the UK alone in last eight years.

The concept of kitesurfing is relatively simple: kite surfers use a small Twin tip board (very much like a Wakeboard) with straps and are powered along the water by a large power kite the size depending on the wind strength. The Kitesurf kite is attached via 25m-long Dyneema lines to a Control bar, which the rider uses to steer & depower or Power the kite. This type of Water sport allows you to cruise across the water at vast speed, jump as high as a 3 story house in what feels & looks like slow motion, as well as perform triple loops or spins, only once you’ve got good control of the Kite, speed and power! Kite surfing is a sport for extreme thrill-seekers who love water, waves, speed and a whole lot of power in their hands.

It truly is a sport that you can learn at a BKSA kitesurf school and within two weeks look good at. Unlike some other water sports like Windsurfing, Kite surfing has a very fast learning curve.

For more info on Kite surfing or kitesurfing lessons

Surface2Air sports
Thanks for reading
S2AS Team

Flexifoil Kites have a new Colour Range at S2AS

S2AS and Flexifoil would like you to be aware that we now have received small stocks of the latest colour scheme HULK, For all new Flexifoil Kites.

With the release of the New Hulk colour scheme, S2AS will be having a 10% discount on all Flexifoil land kites. (the discount code will be at the bottom of this blog)

Please find below the links to the Flexifoil Kites on the Surface2Air website.
S2AS would like to add that this is only the first delivery and numbers will be limited.
The Sting and Rage range are perfect for learning Kitesurfing


Flexifoil Buzz
Flexifoil Big Buzz
Flexifoil Sting 1.2 on Handles
Flexifoil Sting 1.2 L&B on Control Bar
Flexifoil Sting 1.7 on Handles
Flexifoil Sting 2.4 on Control Bar
Flexifoil Sting 3.3 on Handles
Flexifoil Sting 3.3 on Control Bar
Flexifoil Rage 1.8 on Handles
Flexifoil Rage 1.8 on Control Bar
Flexifoil Rage 2.5 on Handles
Flexifoil Rage 2.5 on Control Bar
Flexifoil Rage 3.5 on Handles
Flexifoil Rage 3.5 on Control Bar
Flexifoil Rage 4.7 on Handles
Flexifoil Rage 4.7 on Control Bar
Flexifoil Rage 6.0 on Handles
Flexifoil Rage 6.0 on Control Bar

S2AS Discount Code is "Blogflexi" this will give you 10% off the RRP on all Flexifoil 2008 power Kites

Thanks for Reading
S2AS Team