2012 Wainman Rabbits 2.0 - All the Info

The super successful Wainman Rabbit Gang is now in its second iteration, the Rabbit Gang 2.0, all the kites are improved and the new Carrot Bar far surpasses the previous bar!

Wainman Bunny 5m


Wainman Gypsy 6.25m


Wainman Mr Green 7.5m


Wainman Smoke 9m

Wainman Punch 10.5m


Wainman Boss 12m


Wainman Big Mamma 14.5m

An impressive line-up! All the usual Wainman style and build quality is there and these are great all-round kites for any riders and there are enough changes from the original Rabbit Gang to warrant the upgrade!

Grab them now!
For More Info Call S2AS on
01303 268269 Kent
01202 738448 Poole
01273 746836 Hove

New Flexifoil ID 2012 Hadlow Kite

Little is know about this kite as of yet, but its a new member to the Hadlow range!

The kite will be released alongside a new 2012 model of Hadlows pro C kite model. This new Hadlow ID kite is a lot flatter, has a complex bridle and is only 4 line. We think this kite is Flexifoils answer to the highly popular Slingshot RPM and the Naish Park, its a C hybrid offering a lot of the benefits of C kites but the range and depower of a flatter bow shape kite.



Keep an ear out on this over the next few weeks!

Flexifoil Stormchaser Tested in a REAL STORM!

The Flexifoil Stormchaser is a new type of kite aimed for those days when even the windsurfing pole huggers dont even go out and you stay at home! Not any more, the Stormchaser is the answer to 40+ knots of wind!

The Flexifoil Stormchaser has only just released and a solid force 9 storm hit our shores and our very own Ollie Raby took the kite out for a spin.

First lets set the scene, a grey miserable day swept up by force 9 winds turning sand into a weapon and burrying gear in no time!


Ollie launched the Stormchaser with ease and jogged out into the turbulent water, and off he rode like any other day! The kite is incredably stable and munches-gusts like you wouldnt believe, a perfect solution to the gusts and lulls of high winds! Despite the kite being a 5.5m the kite doesnt get out of hand easily and is very predicable and turns at a sensible speed, the last thing you want is a super quick kite in strong winds! Dont get us wrong, the kite is still plenty fast enough to send for the biggest jumps and hang-times of your lives, but its all very controllable and fun!
Thats what makes the Stormchaser so perfect is that it turns the days which are usually a nightmare into a epic fun session!


To find out more about the kite feel free to call and speak to Ollie himself at the Poole store on 01202 738448, or check out the kite on S2AS by CLICKING HERE

Special thanks to Chris Skone-Roberts for braving the elements and brininging us these excellent photos!

For More Info Call S2AS on
01303 268269 Kent
01202 738448 Poole
01273 746836 Hove

The Best Footstrap Available! North NTT Review

With many people moving to full (wakeboard style) bindings these days the footstrap hasnt developed too much and has remained simple!

In steps North this year with the NTT (entity) 2012 footstrap, these are without a doubt the most adjustable straps out there, 6 ways to adjust the straps and pads to suit your foot, and thats very important! If your feet are comfortable and secure you feel a lot more confidence on the water just general riding or trying new tricks.

Check out the details below why the North NTT 2012 is the the best footstrap on the market!

Every foot is different. We at North Kiteboarding didn’t realize that yesterday. After we defined a new standard by developing the first ergonomically shaped footpads a while ago, our new Entity Combo now comes with a whole range of innovative features such as the NTT ContactPad or the NTT SplitStrap. The entire product once again sets new standards in the evolution of kite sports. The NTT is quick and easy to mount. It offers a variety of settings for a perfect fit on every foot and it even looks damned good!

The Track + NTT
The NTT has been designed and tested for use together with our new The Track System. “The Track” is the new mounting system of our twintips. In connection with The Track, the NTT unfolds its full potential of individual settings, many of which are completely new in kite sports. The NTT can also be mounted on any board with standard inserts from the product generation of 2011 onwards, however, the range of individual settings is then limited.

NTT ContactPad
The NTT ContactPad consists of the new, redesigned EVA footpad and the NTT ContactFrame. The ergonomically shaped footpad was developed in cooperation with the leading experts in ergonomics. The Hexagonal Density Control Structure is a new feature in 2012. This structure helps reduce pressure in sensitive areas of the foot and contributes to the pad’s low weight. The newly designed Anti-Slip surface ensures a good grip, even in very rough landings and radical moves. Furthermore, the pad is supplied with three NTT HeelCushions of varying hardness: “soft” for more comfort, “hard” for better control and “medium” for the golden mean. The NTT ContactFrame is the intelligent basis of the entire footpad that is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic. Its weight-optimized construction perfectly adapts to the shape of our boards. The advantage of this design and material is that the board’s flex characteristics are not influenced in any way. The NTT ContactFrame envelops the footpad and reliably transfers forces to the board. The NTT ContactPad has direct contact with the board, which enhances the board feeling. For even better fit, the NTT ContactPad is available in two sizes (S/M + L/XL)! The entire package combines individual fit, comfort, control and functional design on a completely new level!

NTT SplitStrap
Together with the NTT ContactPad, the NTT SplitStrap forms probably the most functional footpad system on the market. The NTT SplitStrap’s new construction can be more effectively adapted to the shape of the foot. The split function allows you to choose freely between maximum grip and optimum mobility: the further you open the split, the greater the contact surface that wraps around your foot. Bombproof grip and more control over your board are a direct result. If you need more range of motion, simply close the split. The procedure is dead easy and takes but a few seconds. The new width adjustment makes sure that the NTT SplitStrap wraps tightly around any shape of foot. Great fit with neoprene booties is no longer a problem either. The NTT SplitStrap’s design ensures that there is sufficient padded surface even for very large feet. Just like the NTT ContactPad, the NTT SplitStrap is also available in two different sizes. (S/M and L/XL)

Click here to check out the North NTT 2012 Footstrap

For More Info Call S2AS on
01303 268269 Kent
01202 738448 Poole
01273 746836 Hove

New Shinn Monk 2012 Review

Welcome to the new Monk...

It's been 12 months since the first monk was released, and what a 12 months it has been.. From magazine tests to demo feedback the monks biggest adversary was the economy. Time marches on and now we have a new model...

The Shinn Monk II 2012

For 2012 we set the R+D department loose with a clear message; "if it is not better then forget it". V1 was fast, but not as comfortable as before. V2 was more comfortable but not as fast. V3 had more grip but less pop, while V4 had more pop but less grip.. and so the story continued...

So after 10 months of designing, prototyping and testing we’re proud to present to you the almost all new version (and if it looks strikingly familiar then we’ll take that as a good thing.. for the only thing we could improve were the fittings and colour scheme!)

The 2012 Monk; our hooligan returns....

2012 Monk II Kiteworld Review

THE HYPE:
This is a freestyle board for the mere mortals among us. The Monk offers untamed sailing without the limitations normally associated with this style of riding. Hyperflex tips (created using Shinn's new FS mould) and a new constant curve work together to create the easiest to access (yet limitless) ride ever seen. A back door into the high-performance world of kiteboarding or simply reality personified? You decide.

TEST TEAM NOTES:
First thoughts from most of the test team was that the Monk was probably going to be quite an average board for intermediate riders. Really robust, it looked and felt big in the hands and had this huge gorilla's face on the bottom. The looks on the faces of every one of them when they came in from their first run told a different story, though. They just could not believe the performance they were getting from it. Starting with the pads and straps which are all new from Shinn, the pad itself is enourmous, luxurious and very thick, slightly thicker in the heel than the toe with an indent for grip.

The pad is also thick and very easy to adjust with two Velcro straps underneath the main top Velcro covering. Fitting an average man's foot very well, if you have small feet you can get grip but have to push your feet a bit further in. Super comfortable though and without any pinching on the side of your feet either and the top strap offers huge coverage for virtually all of the top of your foot. The 135 gets up and going incredibly smartly, rides fast and soaks up any choppy lumps and bumps without a second thought. If you look at the outline of the board, it's actually very wide in the middle, unlike a lot of modern, square freestyle boards. This massively benefits the Monk in its carving ability. Combined with the flex pattern in the middle of the board, that wide section and more narrow tips means that you can really gouge a turn without catching the tips and the flex holds right the way through the turn, only pushing back seemingly when you're ready for it to do so when you've completed your carve, rather than spitting you out of your turn too early.

There's grip right through the turn, which perhaps doesn't make for sliding from heel-to-toe as simple as on other boards, but in every other aspect it's hugely benficial. The Monk charges upwind like nothing we've seen. With such good, fluid and grippy carving abilities you also really wouldn't expect the Monk to pop so well, but it really does. The relationship between the rocker, flex and stiffness in the tips provide a beautiful mix of new school and freeride. Super fast but controlled to ride, when you load it up you get a fantastic punch off the water and then absorption on landing. Out of interest we got a few other riders on this and every one of them loved it, from our intermediate girlfriends just learning to jump and carve to seasoned freestylers visiting Cape Town. No one had a bad word to say.

SUMMARY:
Shinny says this year instead of making small incremental improvements he thought he'd experiment and start off at the extremes. He hasn't given us any more information, but whatever he's done it works. This is a dream board. Intermediates jumping on this won't quite understand just how good it is and how lucky they are to have one, but anyone who's owned a few twinnies will do. Boards often get better and better the flatter the water. This is just good at everything all the time.

KW LIKED:
The subtle blend of new school pop with freeride comfort and agility.

KW WOULD CHANGE:
The plastic spacers between the board and the head of the fin screw are quite weak.

SIZES: 135 x 44, 135 x 42, 132 x 41, 130 x 40, 128 x 39 and 126 x 38cm (We tested the 135 x 42cm)

www.shinnworld.com

S2AS have the board in stock now click here to check it out!

For More Info Call S2AS on
01303 268269 Kent
01202 738448 Poole
01273 746836 Hove

New S2AS Team Rider: Bex Harris

Local Spot: Poole, Dorset.

Favourite Kitesurfing Location: Coche, Venezuela.

Favourite trick: Big air.

Trick I aim to learn: S-Bends. The day that I nail these will be a very good day!

Best Kiting Moment: Night kiting under a full moon in Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

Most Epic Fail: Ah there have been a few! Not noticing a boat’s anchor line in time… me one side, kite the other…enough said!

How I got into kiting:

I have always lived by the coast so grew up addicted to the sea. When I first saw kitesurfers in Poole Harbour I knew it was a sport I wanted to be part of and so I quickly got involved.

I then went off to Uni in Loughborough which is pretty landlocked so put kiting on hold and joined the wakeboard community, hitting the cables around the country and having a great time! But I am definitely a beach girl at heart so moved back to the coast and made the transition to concentrate on my Kitesurfing. I love the freedom of wave riding whilst nothing can beat the adrenaline kick you get from old school big airs through to kiting freestyle and landing new tricks.

I kite with a brilliant bunch of people who push one another to develop so there is always great progression and fantastic banter when you bail!

I am always the first on the water and last off at the end of a great day, and have landed myself the name Kite Barbie due to my blonde hair!! But don’t be fooled, I am not afraid to take some hard bails in the process of learning something new, and you are guaranteed to see a massive grin on my face after each session.

Non windy days…

I am currently training to be an accountant, so am kept very busy in the week with work and studying. I drive my colleagues insane by constantly chatting about getting out onto the water or daydreaming and staring at the windy tree. I also love my running and swimming so am really a non stop ball of energy!

Next Steps:

I am very excited to be representing the female side of the sport for the S2AS Team and working alongside Angelo and the rest of the team. But what is also important to me is getting more girls confident in their kiting and growing the female kite community, so if you are keen to get involved then grab me on the beach, I’m happy to help.

See you down the beach!

First News and Picture of 2012 F-One Bandit 5 (V)

Now in its 5th iteration the Bandit has been a great kite and is changing every year!

Below is the first news about this kite by dealer Dom Yule:

"Wow – What a day!

Woke up at 7am UK time on Sunday morning, kissed my gorgeous girlfriend goodbye and now at 14.00 (UK time) on Monday afternoon, I write this after no sleep and a 6000+ mile journey which has just culminated in a 9meter session at head and a half high Manawa on the South Western tip of Mauritius.

I’m here with a group of other F-One distributors from around the world to be introduced to the full 2012 F-One range of kites, boards and SUPS. What a perfect start – we climbed out of the transfer bus, walked through the beautiful ‘Indian Resort’, onto it’s private beach to be greeted with S.E’erly trades blowing at 20-25knots and a worryingly large reeling wave wrapping down the reef off in the distance.

The kites and the surf boards were ready rigged and waiting so out we went… a great way of getting rid of that road dust. I plan to use this Blog to share info on the new products as and when I receive it over the next week or so. Let’s start with a sneak preview of the new Bandit 5;

The 2012 F-One Bandit 5

Each year most brands bring out new models of their kite ranges – each year I always wonder just how the last kite can be improved on, surely the wheel can’t keep being reinvented. The Bandit 3 was a fantastic kite, the Bandit 4 took the whole ‘one kite does it all’ concept to the next level but could Raph and his elite R&D team do it again?! Well, I guess I’m bound to say it, but the honest truth is that once again they’ve made that wheel just a little bit rounder!

First impressions on seeing the new Bandit 5 – the F-One quality is there along with the usual attention to detail. The first striking change for me was the reduction in the volume of the leading edge and struts – things are getting seriously streamlined here, I’ll go into more detail when I can get some better shots and more info from the guys that designed the kite. Visually the colour range is stunning – really classy options here. The bar is similar to the 2011 Airlite with a couple of tweaks; again more info here when I have it.

I was handed the new 2012 6’0″ Surf which, although still in the Bamboo construction, has had a complete overhaul. The 6’0″ along with the 5’10″ are now even more dedicated ‘kite’ surf boards. Quad fin, sculpted double concave and pronounced ‘V‘ on the bottom complimented with a recessed deck means these boards will drive hard and fast, turn on a sixpence and excel in any conditions you take them out in;

Top shot of the new 2012 Bamboo 6'0"

Here’s a shot of the bottom of the same 6’0″ Surf – fingers crossed this shaky and very remote internet connection allows me to upload all this!

Mmmmm - Quad Fin

Tomorrow is my first full day here – I’ve only scratched the surface of the line up here, I’ll dig deeper tomorrow and bring you more news of this great looking range."

Other released material: