Naish Cult 10.5m & 12m Kite Test

Size Tested: 10.5 m2, 12 m2
Style: Four-line SLE
What’s new: Direct response steering, low-drag wingtips, re-engineered bridles

The Naish Cult took the kitesurfing world by storm last season and impressed testers worldwide with its all-terrain capability, ease of use and accessible top-end performance. This year’s Cult sees some intelligent design enhancements aimed to improve steering speed, increase low-end wind range and continue to advance its user-friendly nature. For Cult riders from last season looking to expand into unhooked tricks, the Helix has also evolved to enlist enhanced freestyle-friendly performance within the Sigma series.

Bar Setup and Safety Systems
The 2009 SLE control system is a 1:1 pulley-less four-line bar setup. There’s a new thermo-molded grip and new bar ends that offer simple bar-length adjustments. Leader lines have been shortened and are covered by larger bar floats. The Smart loop introduced last season includes below-the-bar sheeting adjustment, and the system is enhanced with a new front-line swivel and easily retrofitted mini fifth-line kit for added safety.

Key Kite Features
Some new key features include Direct Response, low-drag wingtips and Delta-cut trailing edge. The kite’s design is built around the Sigma-shaped leading edge and Geo-Tech flat panels for enhanced range, control and relaunch performance. Naish’s excellent durability features include Aramid internal reinforcements on leading-edge seams as well as molded bumpers and patches.

On-Water Performance
The ’09 Cult has a similar feel to last year’s ground-breaking design, but with less bar pressure and faster overall steering available at varying levels of depower. It truly is an all-terrain magician that eats up gusts and builds confidence to reach that next level. A great kite for intermediates with excellent stability overhead and no fear of back stalling or overflying the window.

The Cult sits more forward in the window than the new Helix model but continues to offer good steering control while sheeted out and depowered. Quick pivotal turns are available for easy no-pull transitions, great for waveriding. Testers noted slightly more power and pull in this year’s design while maintaining the upper wind range.

The more you ride the Cult, the quicker you become accustomed to its light, lively feel. The bar pressure and feedback feels even less than last season and takes a while to get used to. The Cult’s water relaunch capability also rivals the industry’s leading performers in this category. Capable of boosting decent air even with the shorter 22-metre stock lines.

Reality Check
It takes some time to get used to the less than hardy positional feedback. C-kite freestylers will appreciate the smoother unhooked pull of the Helix over the Cult.

Bottom Line
The Naish Cult’s performance generated a huge following last season, and with increased performance in turning speed and low-end power, it’s poised to dominate the all-terrain category again. It has performance that gives the quickly advancing beginner confidence and enough high-end drive to satisfy a wide range of users from all disciplines and skill levels.

F-ONE Bandit Dos 8m & 10m Kite Test

Size Tested: 8 m2, 10 m2
Style: Four-line Delta C
What’s new: Redesigned front V bridles, shorter chicken-loop line, new strut placement

The Bandit DOS is redesigned this season with some refinements to its ground-breaking Delta C shape that took the kite scene by storm last season. It has flying characteristics that span all disciplines and skill levels of kitesurfing by combining good depower capability, enhanced safety with plenty of advanced performance for big jumps, waveriding or freestyle.

Bar setup and safety systems
The simple four-line control bar has smooth EVA foam grip with smaller than average bar length and leader-line length adjusters on the bar ends. Above-the-bar trim straps are within easy reach because the PVC composite chicken line was shortened this year. The bar lines work in unison with the front V-line bridle connections on the kite. The left and right lines are different colours, and because of the long front bridal attachments on the kite, the back lines are 10 feet longer than the front set.

Key kite features
The Bandit is a kitesurfing kite in a class of its own with a unique shape and bridle system. Some key kite features include Delta C shape for improved aerodynamic flow, EVO bridle system to access more depower and safety, Dacron frame and canopy reinforcement for robust build character.

On-water performance
Although visually similar to last year’s Bandit, the DOS has some definitive improvements over last season. The steering is more direct, with less lag in turn initiation and no tendency to lock into certain angles of attack. It feels more like a C kite this year, with plenty of grunt and equal amounts of depower as last year’s model. Bar pressure is moderate, with good positional feedback.

The Bandit has excellent unhooked pop and kite loop performance that combines with high levels of depower capability. It pulls fast and smooth, and is capable of big jumps and huge glide. Fast pivotal turns are available, along with more power turns depending on how aggressively you pull on the steering line.

In the water relaunch department, the Bandit gets top marks. The C-shaped leading edge and Delta cut let the kite rotate easily into launch position. The safety system works amazingly well by pulling in both front-line V bridles; it instantly puts the kite onto its leading edge. This is an ideal performance feature for self-landing on the beach. The Delta shape of the Bandit DOS reduces canopy drag and opens up its access to great amounts of speed.

Reality check
When depowered quickly or when tension comes off the back lines, the eight-metre Bandit DOS becomes less stable. A one-pump system would be appreciated by most riders.

Bottom line
This is a kite capable of dominating multiple disciplines with its speed, good unhooked performance and excellent depower capability. The Bandit DOS has proven that the Delta shape and V bridle setup can simplify the kiteboarding experience; it successfully delivers one model with one setup that can do it all.

The New 2009 Kiteboard Range from Brunotti

I’m pleased to announce that S2AS (Surface2Air Sports) will again be selling Brunotti kite boards. The new 2009 range of boards are scheduled to arrive at the end of February.

The 2009 range sees the return of the popular Onyx, ProX, Bumblebee and Pro Princess boards and now they all have the now famous Brunotti full wood core with ABS rails and each has new killer graphics, so we're sure these boards will impress again!

New editions to the Brunotti kite board range - the Youri Pro a top end freestyle board and the Pro King a totally pimped out board for those individuals looking for something unique! Both boards feature Brunotti's new GSS (Gel Shock System) footpads (see below for further info.)

The full range includes;

09 ONYX Kite Board

The new Brunotti 09 Onyx is the beginner to intermediate’s choice of kite board for either progressing through the initial phases or for getting into more advanced techniques such as jumps, spins, and transitions. The moderate rocker line is an ideal compromise design between speed and manoeuvrability. Multiple foot strap inserts allows a newbie to ride in a variety of configurations. The Onyx comes complete with a grab handle for transport or “board-off” style jumps. The Onyx is an ideal beginner-intermediate board, but is also a great lightwind board for those 10-15 knot days. The slight single concave shape on the bottom provides extra “lift” for an early plane with extra grip.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• G10 Fins
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 136x36, 136x38, 136x40, 130x36, 130x38 & 130x40 cm

09 PROX Kite Board

Brunotti’s legendary Pro X series has once again been refined to allow for even more radical freestyle action. The new Brunotti 09 Pro X is the board that international pro-riders are using during competition for unmatched power and pop. Brunotti have added Carbon/Kevlar strips strategically placed in an “x” pattern, which provide even more control and “pop” when loading up. The all-wood core has been extensively tested for a precise, moderately stiff flex pattern that remains constant with time and usage. Flip-nose tail ends allow for a smaller wet surface area when on a plane, resulting in increased top-line speed, which is also great for pop.
Whether you’re just starting to get into freestyle tricks or are the latest kiteloop-handlepass master, the Brunotti 09 Pro X is the kite board for you.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• Carbon Kevlar Torsion Stringer
• G10 Fins
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 128x37, 128x38.5, 128x40, 134x37, 134x38.5 & 134x40

YOURI PRO Kite Board

Fast and aggressive, replicating pro rider Youri Zoon’s aggressive style, the new Brunotti Youri Zoon Pro Model represents the purest in freestyle kite boards. A carefully tuned, progressive flex pattern provides maximum pop off the water for trick riding. Slightly wider tips allow for extra planning surface when landing hot from jumps, which means more stability and control. The Youri Pro is designed for speed with popping, so more parallel lines, and a faster rocker line. The board incorporates Brunotti’s now famous Woodcore interior for maximum durability and strength.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fiberglass
• Carbon Kevlar Torsion Stringer
• G10 Fins
• Variable GSS Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 130x39 cm & 130x41 cm

PRO KING Kite Board

The new Brunotti 09 Pro King is specifically designed for overall freeride performance. A more rounded outline provides fast and grippy rail to rail transitions, with a flatter rocker line which is tuned for speed and upwind capability. Incorporating the latest in Brunotti WoodCore technology, the Pro King will outlast even the harshest of punishments. The Pro King also features the new GSS (Gel Shock System) footpads as featured on the Youri Pro.
The Brunotti Pro King is totally pimped out with diamonds on the foot straps, pads, and grab handle, giving it an unique aesthetic styling!
Pro King is available in two sizes, to cater for different rider weights, and wind conditions.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• Carbon Kevlar Torsion Stringer
• G10 Fins
• Variable GSS Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 128x38 cm & 133x40 cm

09 PRO PRINCESS Kite Board

Kiteboards are designed with a number of variables in mind: wind/water, riding conditions, preferred style of riding, stance, and rider weight. Women typically have a narrower stance, prefer a more forgiving flex in the overall contour of the board, even the graphical designs are of a different preference.

The new Brunotti 09 Pro Princess is a board which has been designed for women and their specific needs. Incorporating a moderate flex pattern in combination with a smooth rocker line, the board provides enhanced tracking, upwind, and top-line speed while at the same time being forgiving on the knees and legs. The narrower footstrap stance (inserts) is ideal for women, providing more comfort on the legs during straight line riding, and the pads have been designed to tailor for smaller feet (more comfort and control).

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fibreglass
• G10 Fins
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps

Sizes: 125x36, 125x38, 130x36 & 130x38 cm

09 BUMBLEBEE Kite Board

The Brunotti 09 Bumblebee is a unique kite wave-surfing board. The progressive rocker line in conjunction with the proportionately thin (16 mm) volume allows for unprecedented control in wave riding. The Brunotti Bumblebee has been designed for typical “real-world” wave conditions, but also for pure, down-the-line wave riding. A single concave hull ensures the board planes early and remains “loose” on the water. A thruster fin set up on the tail makes for even more grip with bottom turns and cutbacks on the wave face, and on the nose of the board two small, central fins allow for control during “fakie” or “switch” riding. These front fins are placed clear from the rail so as to stay clear of the water when charging through bottom turns. Symmetrical foot strap placement ensures comfort for riding both goofie or rightie. The Brunotti 09 Bumblebee provides unprecedented performance and comfort for riding waves with a kite, and tracks upwind like a rocket.

Features:
• ABS Sidewalls
• Inside Screen-printing
• Full woodcore
• Fiberglass
• Variable Foot Pads- & Straps
• G10 truster fins 7.5 cm
• G10 middle fin 9.5 cm

Size: 152x42.5 cm

GSS FOOTPADS

Introducing the ultimate in footpad comfort, grip, and fashion statement: the Brunotti Air Pads. A multi-layering of high and low density moulded EVA, extra heel and toe reinforcements, and an elevated mid-foot design ensures maximum comfort and protection to the feet. Incorporating a unique Kryptonite gel, this moulds into an anatomical shape of the rider’s foot, providing ideal fit (Efficient Density Control). The sum of the design and materials involved equate to up to 50% more shock and vibration absorption, compared to traditional foam pads.

Connecting the straps to the board is a plate, which is screwed on to the deck only once. A link webbed in via a unique retainer strap connects the straps to the board. No more hassles of screwing and unscrewing foot straps! Available in black & white.

Contact S2AS now to place a pre-order!

The 2009 Nobile Kite Range

This is the first release of the 2009 series kites from the Nobile kite range. The existing 2 kite range will be expanded into a 3 kite range with the inclusion of this N62. This is an all new, full production kite that has been worked on for the past 9 months. Its Mark Shinn latest creation; trying to push the handling and performance characteristics, which the 555 and 666 NHP kites are famed for, into the Delta concept of kite.

Deltas have proven very popular over the last twelve months, and although the kiteboarding has never seen such easy to use kites, it seems that the even easier to use Deltas are very popular... life can never be too easy... right....?

Trouble is, you are sacrificing something with the Delta kite... after all nothing comes for free, and the price to be paid with the delta is efficiency and handling. That big old luff curve may make the kite stupidly quick to re-launch and very fast turning, but it doesn't go upwind as well, neither does it have as much forward pace through hard turns or as positive a bar feel. Mark set out to push the advanced hybrid handling traits into the super easy and safe Delta; the result is the N62.

From what I hear it retains the Delta characteristics;
- plenty of power on tap at the back of the window,
- fast turning in the big sizes
- immediate re-launch
- lots of hang time
- stupidly stable (sink back) feel.

Improvement include;
- improved steering feel
- improved efficiency
- improved forward turning speed

Prices will be set when the kites are ready for shipping... keep you fingers crossed that the £ is worth more than rotten apples by that point!