Slingshot SX Kiteboard Review

At a Glance
The SX has been in the Slingshot line up for a few years, it has always been a popular freeride kiteboard. It is aimed at the wide market of kiters out there who want a board that can handle pretty much whatever the conditions deliver on any given day.

This year they have added a full wood core and a little more flex and control to the shape. The graphics are fairly low key and will appeal to just about everybody out there, no skulls or guitars for the youth of today here, just a clean and smart looking board that will stand the test of time. Slingshot construction still remains exclusive and they haven’t yet jumped on the snowboard style bandwagon.

The SX is still durable, featuring a Duraglide base and abs rails, but you’ll need to treat it with a little more care to keep it looking good. That said the finish is superb and it is great to see a board that looks a little different to the rest of the crowd.

On The Water
Under the feet on the water the Slingshot SX is like a magic carpet ride, the flex and rocker line combine to make it a really sweet board through the chop. The size enables it to get going really early and through the lulls it caries its speed when you need it to. There is quite a deep concave, around 5mm in the mid section. This helps give you lots of control when the board is at speed and also help it upwind. Carving from rail to rail on the previous SX boards was always a dream and the same can be said for the 08 model. The soft rails and narrow tips really help you to carve it up and down and the 4.5cm fins provide plenty of grip in the waves. If you want a twin tip that can be versatile and handle a variety of conditions then the SX fits the bill perfectly.

The pop on the SX isn’t as impressive as some of the full on freestyle boards out there but it is good. You can still jump it and throw it about through the new school trick repertoire if you so desire. Easy is a word that comes up when riding the SX, it is easy to get going, easy to get upwind and easy to jump and also very forgiving the kind of board that helps you look good. While the top end will leave the pro riders wanting something more the overall performance of the board will appeal to just about every other rider on the market. Especially if you want something that enjoys being out in the waves, and that can handle the choppy conditions we get so often here in the UK.

Fixtures and Fittings
The pads on the SX are really comfy, with excellent grip, but people with really big feet may find them a little small. The straps are easy to fit and very pleasant on the top of your feet with a good amount of adjustment.

Overall
Once again Slingshot have produced an awesome board in the SX, as freeride boards go the SX sets the definition of what a board should be, easy to ride, fun to ride and totally at home riding any conditions. If you like to ride fast, jump high and smash the odd wave from time to time then the SX should be in your eye line.

For more info or to purchase the Slingshot SX Kiteboard, visit www.s2as.com.

Liquid Force Hi Fi 9M Kite Review

At A Glance
The Hi Fi from Liquid Force is the new competition orientated kite surfing kite from them, aimed at the top end of the performance scale and using an uncompromising 5th line set up as opposed to a bridle.

It has two set up options, on one for more advanced riders, you can leave the fifth line above the bar and out of the way, on the other you can bring it down to the chicken loop so you can use it as a safety. Obviously if you aren’t totally confident in your riding we would recommend going for the safer option, but choice is always a good thing!

The bar itself is a very pimp affair from Liquid Force, their kit just seems to keep getting better and better! It is very short and feels solid in the hands the chicken loop and depower is also really simple, in fact that is a word that neatly describes the entire set up… Simple!

The kite itself is packed with features, one pump is a standard and the kite is also really well reinforced in all the right places. Some neat little attentions to detail are also present especially with the logos and graphics. A great looking kitesurf kite that should appeal to all tastes

In the Air
The Hi Fi feels solid enough in the window when you first launch it, and the small bar feels good in your hands. Venturing out on to the water for the first time you will notice how quick the kite is through the window. With a light bar pressure you can put some input into the bar and the kite will turn lightening fast with a smooth power delivery.

Upwind is good and the jumps not only excite as the kite rips you off the water but also give the rider some epic hangtime on the way down, the kite is really floaty in the air. But perhaps the most surprising thing considering the 5th line set up is the depower. The Hi Fi has a really short depower throw, which means with just small movements on the bar you can control a huge sheeting range with the kite. It is really quite startling to have so much control at your fingertips, especially with a 5th line set up. On one of the days we had it out it was mentally gusty and the wind was punching through at 40mph at times. Yet the kite felt as stable as could be expected and with just a short movement on the bar was totally under control.

For the wave riders out there you will love its fast turning speed, allowing you to crank the kite in the turns when you need to, but the added depower will also mean on the bigger days with the surfboard you can park the kite and just ride the waves down the line without having to use the kite.

If freestyle is more your thing then the Hi Fi is sure to excite too, as a stable wake style pulling machine it really excels and it also delivers some punchy hardcore loops as well. Unhooked the kite is very balanced and the big chicken loop make hooking in and out really easy.

Pros
Fast and quick through the turns, with a surprising amount of control and depower.
Cons
It is actually hard to find fault with the Hi Fi, the bar is sweet and the rigging and kite itself is excellent. The chicken loop doesn’t have the easiest of releases, but this is a kite for a rider who isn’t going to be bothered about that…

Overall
A great package from Liquid Force, once again proving that they are a force to be reckoned with this season. Their kites just keep getting better and better and the Hi Fi is perhaps even better than the very popular Havoc 2. If you want out and out performance from your kit then the Hi Fi is well worth a look.