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 WaterUnder 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.