2024 Reedin SuperNatural Wing vs. the HyperNatural Aluula Wing
Jeff and Ryan have had sessions on both the Reedin SuperNatural and its Aluula brother, the HyperNatural, and they're ready to share how the two compare. Does the Aluula make enough of a difference that it's worth the extra cost?
Jeff had a chance to get on the two back-to-back, while Ryan got out on them separately but in a wide variety of conditions for both. They agree that both are fantastic, well-designed wings. In fact, Ryan's had the SuperNatural in his car most of the summer and feels it's one of his top wing picks for 2024.
The SuperNatural Wing
The SuperNatural is easy to handle, yet has all the grunt and power that you need. It takes almost no wind to hold the wing up when you're pistol-gripping it or using the surf handle. Since most wings aren't as well-balanced, that characteristic stood out right away to both guys. The summer winds in Michigan tend to be light most of the time, so that made a big difference whenever they were outrunning the wind. It also made it easy to pass the wing from hand to hand.
The SuperNatural is so well-balanced that it feels like a smaller wing while you're flying it. The 5.2m they were riding felt like a 4.5m, yet delivered the power of a 5.5m. It's got an incredible range. Jeff was able to get up on foil in just 13-14 knots and Ryan had it out in 12 to 26 knots, and it handled well across the entire range. It's easy on the hands, and when you do your jibes and tacks it floats like a feather over your head. With its shape, there wasn't a lot of drag and it was easy to build apparent wind.
It's got plenty of power to get up on foil and has a direct feel, but even when the wind picks up, you don't have to tame it. When you reach the upper end of the wind range, it just keeps going. Other wings that are good in light wind tend to become hard to manage once the wind picks up, limiting the time you can stay out and enjoy it, but the SuperNatural is well-behaved and continues to go upwind well.
The HyperNatural Wing
The biggest difference on the HyperNatural, of course, is the yellow Aluula frame. It's stiffer and lighter, and it allows the leading edge to have a narrower diameter, resulting in less drag. It does come with a steeper price tag, though, so the big question is: is it worth it?
Interestingly, Ryan had a hard time distinguishing much difference between the wings. It wasn't that the HyperNatural wasn't a great wing, but that the SuperNatural already had so many great characteristics. That said, the reduced weight of the HyperNatural did make it easier in the swell in light wind conditions, and the stiffer frame made it just a bit more responsive. In overpowered conditions, the reduced drag was noticeable. However, there was one downside to the HyperNatural: it had a tendency to tip a bit more from top to bottom in gusts than what the SuperNatural did.
Jeff also had a hard time seeing much difference between the two until he had a chance to ride them back-to-back on the same day. Then he noticed the expanded wind range. It was easier to get on foil at the low end, and at the top end he was able to get more upwind drive on the HyperNatural. However, he did have to switch back to confirm what he was feeling, which speaks to what a good wing the SuperNatural really is.
Jeff also noticed that the HyperNatural was just a bit more twitchy when flagged out to ride a wave. He thought it could be the extra rigidity of the frame contributing to that. However, that stiffness is what you want if you like to jump and do tricks on the wing, so it could be a fair trade-off depending on your riding style.
Summary
So, is the HyperNatural worth the upgrade? Both wings are so good that it really does depend on the conditions and what you want to do. These wings are true all-rounders and perform very well in both flat water and waves. They're for anyone from a new to a veteran rider. The SuperNatural is stable in overpowered conditions, where the stiff frame of the HyperNatural is going to provide more feedback and feel more twitchy, but it will also provide more upwind drive. Overall, the Aluula is a step up for the HyperNatural, but you may not notice it unless you're riding in very light or overpowered conditions or like to jump and do tricks. Both are great choices and have been shop favorites this summer.
Cabrinha Kite and Wing Replacement Valve Installation | Super Easy Fix!
Jimmy and Aaron from MACkite are here with a guide on how to replace a valve on a Cabrinha Wing or kite. It's not a difficult process so long as you know the steps and how to do them correctly.
What You'll Need
1. A cutting board or a piece of stiff corrugated cardboard about 6x8 in.
2. Some painter's masking tape or duct tape, or clamps with soft jaws
3. A sharp X-acto or utility knife
4. Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol and a clean, soft cloth
5. The replacement valve
What To Do
1. Unroll your kite or wing so you can see the valve. Nearby will be an access zipper under a Velcro tab. Open that up.
2. The valve is held in place with Velcro on the inside of the leading edge. Get your hand inside the hole and slide it up to where the valve is. The Velcro is a ring around the valve, much like you can see on the outside, so work the Velcro loose until you can push the valve down inside the leading edge.
3. Wrap your fingers around the cylinder of the valve to keep the Velcro from reattaching and pull it and the bladder out through the access hole until you have enough to insert your cutting board or cardboard into the loop that you're forming. Don't worry too much about tearing the bladder. It's quite strong and resilient and you're not likely to harm it.
4. Spread the bladder out on your board until it's nice and flat. Clamp or tape it into place so it doesn't move on you while you're working.
5. Pull up on the rim of the valve and observe where it's stuck to the bladder. Use your sharp blade to cut the bladder right where it meets the valve. Be sure you're lifting up on the valve enough that you cut through only that layer of bladder. Although the bladder material is thin, it's quite tough, so use a brand new blade if you can so you get a nice, clean cut. Take your time with this step.
6. Open up your new valve and set it aside so it's ready to go. Clean the bladder with the rubbing alcohol and a soft cloth so you'll get a secure seal when you apply the new valve. Let it dry, then clean it again to make sure there isn't any residue or dust.
7. Peel the backing off the sticky rim of the new valve. Handle it by the valve, taking care not to touch the sticky part.
8. Stretch the bladder so it's as flat as possible where you'll be applying the new valve. Center the valve over the hole in the bladder and carefully set it in place.
9. Press the sticky part down, smoothing it as you go. You can do this by sliding your finger or thumb from the valve to the outside of the sticky ring, repeating this motion over and over as you work your way around.
10. The new valve is now on. Remove the clamps or tape and the board, then replace the valve and bladder into the leading edge. The Velcro on the valve will attach to the Velcro around its hole in the leading edge. Close the access hole, replace the valve covers, and you're ready to head to the beach!
Big Air Kiteboard Review: Carved Imperator 7 / Lieuwe Falcon / Duotone Jaime SLS
Big air kiteboards deserve a big review, and no one is more up to the task than guest vlogger Jason Montreal. Although he's from New Zealand where it's notoriously difficult to get one's hands on a wide variety of gear, Jason has managed to beg, borrow, or steal a session on three viewer-requested boards: the Carved Imperator v7, Lieuwe Falcon, and Duotone Jaime SLS.
Carved Imperator 7
Jason has been wanting to try the Imperator for years, but it's a spendy board, especially to get in New Zealand. He finally got his chance when a friend came from overseas with his and let him borrow it. Carved has been refining this board for over 20 years, slowly tweaking and refining it, and their passion for the design shows.
Jason paired the Imperator with the Ozone Vortex on a 25-30 knot day. Right away, he could tell that the board was noticeably lighter than most and very quick through the water. It was probably the fastest board he tested, which also makes it more challenging to control while you are first getting used to its shape. You really have to keep your focus on your balance and edging. If the wind is up, it can get away from you if you're not paying close attention.
The Imperator's ability to accelerate is fabulous for getting your speed up in limited spaces. Even though it felt like a far more challenging ride than boards like the North Atmos, Jason found it enjoyable and was getting quite comfortable on it by the end of his 45-minute session.
It has the most unique base of any of the boards; it's sleek and minimal except for the single spine down the center. You might even wonder how you're supposed to get any grip, but a board's design is about so much more than just the bottom. The overall shape, its outline, curve, and edges all contribute to its performance, so you don't necessarily need large, obvious channels to get grip or top-level performance.
Jason's friends who are used to boards with pronounced rails and deeper channels on the base seemed to find it less forgiving on landings and in chop, but Jason felt dialed in to it rather quickly compared to some of the other boards he tested, and felt that this design offered more potential. Really, it all comes down to your personal riding style.
Jason wasn't able to test its upwind ability in lighter winds, but given how quick and lightweight it is, it's probably a good option. If the straps fit you well, it's also a great option for board-offs. In spite of its light weight, everything about the board screams quality, from the build to its durability to its performance. If it weren't so expensive, he'd add one to his own quiver.
Lieuwe Falcon
Being that this board is from a company that only makes boards, is the board of choice for the SpaceX crew, and has been the official board of the Big Air Kite League, Jason was hoping for something special. He paired it with an 8m Flysurfer Era that he was also borrowing. He was on the 137cm Falcon, and although it was set up with fairly wide spacing on the stance for his tall friend, resulting in a bit of a sumo stance for Jason, he still felt comfortable on it right away.
Like the Imperator, the Falcon is also a very lightweight board that's super slick and quick through the water. It has a slight channel through the middle of the base, but then a fairly clean heel shape with less aggressive channels around it. This combination felt just right to Jason, and it was smooth and fast through the water for him. He felt in control, particularly when he was riding at speed.
Even with the wider stance throwing off his balance a bit, he never caught his edges. He didn't feel like he had quite as much control as he did on his Atmos, but overall the Falcon was probably the second easiest to control.
The Falcon was fitted with 45mm fins, and the bindings fit comfortably, largely due to their easy adjustability. Jason's friend has narrow feet, but the velcro bindings were easy to adjust for Jason's wider feet right on the beach. Overall, the board does live up to the hype and is another Jason would add to his personal quiver.
Duotone Jaime SLS
Probably Jason's most requested board for review was the Duotone Jaime SLS, so he was really looking forward to getting on one. This one was the 139 x 42cm, but it rode a bit larger than his Atmos 138, probably due to its significant outline curve and width. That didn't translate well on his first session out with it in stronger winds, and he struggled to hold a strong, powered edge and would also catch weird edges while turning or landing. This resulted in Jason feeling confused and frustrated with the board, like he didn't quite get what was going on.
Luckily, his next sessions were tamer and he was able to adjust to the board's size and shape. In lighter to middle-range winds, the Jaime shines. It does like to be ridden with a bit more tail-heavy stance, but this was easy for Jason to adjust to. It would make a great light wind board where you still want to be able to drive upwind.
Determined to figure the board out, Jason rode it in several sessions, and after logging six or seven hours on it, was able to feel confident in sessions over 30 knots and while jumping in the 15-20 meter range. The Jaime is quite fast through the water as well, though just a bit less than the Imperator and Falcon. It's quite stiff, similar in feel to the Atmos. He needed to be more mindful of how he controlled the rear heelside edge, which made the Jaime more stable at speed. Still, it wasn't his preferred stance and it still felt a little awkward. He thinks he may have had more fun on a 136, which would have been more comparable to his trusty Atmos 138.
Between the graphics and the design of the base of the board, there's a lot going on. He's not especially keen on the graphics, but the overall design and shape do look very cool and like nothing else he's ridden. The bright color of the board and rails do make it extremely easy to find in the surf, though.
The bindings were the most comfortable overall of the boards he tested. There's a more pronounced area under the toes, which can be good or bad, depending on what you want to do. It does really lock your feet in for a secure feel, but it's perhaps a bit too secure for easily getting your feet out and back in during board-offs. Between that and the plush, fuzzy insides of the straps, he was landing with just his toes in quite a bit. Wanting to progress into kiteloop board-offs, that could be a real issue for him.
While they're great straps overall, they were the only ones without velcro and were a bit of a pain to adjust, and Jason couldn't adjust them while riding like he could with velcro straps. He also didn't like the rail system that's used to adjust the stance. When he tried to change the placement between sessions, there was sand stuck underneath, which made it a real challenge to slide. Still, he considered these to be nitpicks.
The Jaime has a lot of features and is certainly high performance, but because he struggled with it for so long, it would not be one of his top few choices. He can see why so many people love it, though, and even all of his friends but one ranked it in their top one or two boards. If you're thinking about picking one up, try to demo one to see if it's right for you.
Summary
After riding all three boards, Jason has realized what a massive difference they can make to your session. There are just so many intricacies to boards, and having the right one can make you feel comfortable in a variety of conditions and is key to getting the frothiest time on the water. Your conditions, skill level, riding style, and just plain personal preference are going to make a difference in which is the right board for you, so do try to borrow or demo a few boards before making a decision so you get one you'll love.
None of the boards he tested made him feel like he needed to swap out his North Atmos. He never got quite as dialed in with any of them, though he did have quite a limited time on them. That said, the Falcon was his favorite of the three, followed closely by the Imperator.
Tucker's got a couple new front wings for the Slingshot Phantasm foil lineup. The PTM 799 and PTM 999 are an extension of the fantastic PTM 899. That wing has been so popular that Slingshot decided to expand on it with a smaller and larger version. Tucker's been a fan of the 899 himself for winging and surf foiling, so these were exciting additions for him.
Slingshot PTM 999
The PTM is 1125 cm2, so just over 1100 cm in total surface area. The aspect ratio is almost 9, at 8.9. It's a nice, balanced foil at that size, not overly spanny and not too small, so you'll get a balanced performance out of it. In small waves, it's fantastic and a little faster than you'd expect.
Where the 999 really shines is in the low end. It's perfect for people who aren't ready for a smaller foil like the 799 or 899. It's got a low stall speed and easy low speed pumping, so it's forgiving and easy to ride.
Tucker's been loving it for Michigan's light wind summer conditions. It's a good candidate for your one-foil quiver. He's been using it as a daily driver for wake, surf foil, downwind, and kite foiling. As long as you're not going really fast or getting into huge waves, it's a blast and offers great performance, especially for a foil that's so versatile.
Slingshot PTM 799
On the other side is the PTM 799. If you are looking for uncompromising high speed, this is your ticket. This wing is fast, fast, fast! Now, you will sacrifice in the low end, so you'll need some good power to get moving, but once you are, the thin, tapered wing is going fly through the water. Although Tucker needed a good 20 knots to wing with it, it was a really fun choice for wing foiling.
The span is 799mm with a 725cm2 surface area, so its aspect ratio of 8.8 is also almost 9. Even though you'll need good power with such a small surface area, it's still a pretty accessible wing and doesn't require race speeds to stay on foil. It glides well and is a great size for bigger waves, tow foiling and of course kite foiling, too.
Flight Characteristics
This shape breaches really well thanks to the upturned wingtips and taper in the tip. These allow it to breach cleanly, and you won't have a lot of ventilation until you get to the meatier part of the foil. This means you can have the whole wingtip out of the water without much consequence. When you're keeled over and ripping a turn, you're not going to end up on your face if a bit of the foil pops out of the water. This makes these foils fun and easy to ride.
These are now two of Tucker's favorite foils in the Slingshot Phantasm lineup, so if that's your foil system, be sure to give these a look. They pair well with the Turbo-Tail, but the V-Tail and the 400mm stabilizer will also work. Those two will just add a little bit of drag, but they'll also add stability, so if you're a newer rider on the 999, that can help lower the stall speed. If you're looking for the ultimate in performance, though, go with the Turbo-Tail.
It's great to see Slingshot expanding on their successes, and Tucker's looking forward to seeing what exciting releases come out in the future.
Guest vlogger Jason Montreal is back with another big air kite review. He's going to cover two kites in this edition: the Slingshot Code v2 and the Code NXT. Even though they're both Codes and are quite similar in shape and flight characteristics, the Aluula in the NXT does add something extra, and many people are probably wondering if it's worth it for them to spring for the upgrade.
Jason's been excited to try these kites, and especially the NXT since it was developed and ridden by World Champion Jeremy Burlando, who Jason has had the opportunity to see in person at the last two King of the Air competitions. While Jason is the first to admit he can't compete with Jeremy's insane riding ability, he has put in a lot of time on these kites, and especially the NXT, and he's found quite a lot to say about them.
Bar Pressure
Overall, both the Code v2 and the Code NXT are very similar kites and both hold a bit of magic in their respective lift vs bar pressure. Both have rather light bar pressure and feel nicely balanced in respect to the weight of each kite. Compared to other kites you may be familiar with, the Code V2's bar pressure is in the ballpark of the Orbit Pro and Nitro v2, yet a bit heavier. The NXT's bar pressure is a little closer to the Harlem Force and Evo D/LAB. These are certainly some of the lighter bar pressures out there.
This light feel is a bit deceptive when it comes to the power in the kites. They don't feel particularly powerful while you're riding around, or even when you send them, yet they catch every bit of wind as you fly and especially while you descend, giving you extra hangtime. This is most pronounced on the NXT, as you'd expect from the Aluula version.
Riding Disciplines
It's probably no surprise that, given their shape and having three struts instead of five, these kites do feel a bit more like freeride kites that are big air focused, but would likely be more versatile in other disciplines than some of the other purely big air focused options on the market. This should translate nicely to the other sizes, and particularly the larger sizes where you are not looking to loop as much, especially with the NXT because it has a very respectable low end. Jason really enjoyed this feel since he likes to freeride as well, but it was a turnoff to one of his friends who's dialed in to his Orbit kites and only likes to ride when it's windy enough for a 10m or smaller.
Wind Range
When Jason first headed out on the 9m NXT, it started off as a moderately light session at 22 knots gusting to around 28. His friends were on 10m Orbits, so he thought he might struggle a bit, but he didn't have any issues jumping to the same height and throwing the same level of loops, some over 10 meters, and even doing rotation loops in that sweet spot of 7 to 10m.
He felt so comfortable in this wind range that it reminded him of the ease-of-use of the Vortex with the low-end power of the Evo D/LAB. It normally takes Jason a fair amount of time to get dialed in on a new kite shape, but he was landing frontroll kiteloops after only three or four jumps. The light bar pressure and pleasantly deceptive power and speed of the kite really boosted his confidence, so that first session was a lot of fun.
One potential negative he experienced as the wind climbed and became gustier with more holes was that he had to be more wary of where he was putting the kite as he ascended in his jumps. At times, it felt like the kite had a little habit of wanting to move a bit further forward overhead, and he'd lose some feeling in the bar if it was just parked over his head. Now, this tendency to push forward is arguably part of the reason for the kite's amazing lift, and he was able to negate this tendency to push forward by keeping the kite a bit more active either by parking it past 12 to either side of the ascent or by moving it back and forth with sent jumps. Of course, you could argue that parking it like that is bad technique, but it's something a progressing rider might run into while hoping to get higher jumps. Jason's friends who were at his level and were used to the Orbit also found they would lose track of this kite a bit when it was overhead, so it does seem to be something you'll want to watch out for when it's gusty.
This was just a minor setback, though, and it didn't stop Jason from wanting to try the 9m or even the 8m in over 35 knots. He's noticed both on kites he's tested and in interviews with team riders that on competition-level kites like this, there are often one or two sizes that riders feel are the best. These days it's usually the 8m. While the Code NXT doesn't quite seem to be on a par with the Evo D/LAB in terms of boosting potential, it does seem to be better than the Orbit. He thinks it would be very interesting to get his hands on the 8m for the Woo Worlds competition.
Review
The Code v2 also has a great amount of lift due to its shape, but of course it doesn't have quite the same potential as the NXT since it doesn't move as fast and you can't fire it up to 12 as quickly. It's probably in the same area as the Flysurfer Era, Orbit Ultra, or Ozone Vortex, with the NXT getting up into that top tier with the XR and Evo D/LAB.
When you are coming down, Heli Loops are just wonderful and seem to lift you back up a little bit on both the smaller, tighter loops and the larger, sweeping ones from the outer edges of the window. It was such a nice feeling that it left Jason just a bit giddy as he would come in to land and then lift back up in that last meter off the water. Both kites did this, though of course the NXT did it a bit more.
The NXT, being an Aluula kite, certainly loops well and might be one of the best on the market for big, impressive-looking single loops in strong wind, but due to the shape and the emphasis on creating lift, it isn't quite up there with the top loopers like the Orbit or Nitro. It has more of a wider, almost flatter and rounded loop than a very tight, on-the-spot loop. There's always a tradeoff somewhere, and just as the top loopers exchange a little height for that amazing looping and catching ability, the top jumpers lose a little looping ability.
That said, it is still a super fast kite, so it does get around if you crank the bar. If you do slow it down or try to get it lower by sheeting out, you can get a little delay on its climb back up to 12. Use caution with this, though, and try to keep the kite active right through the loop and moving out to the side to keep line tension, thus getting the kite back up for a faster catch.
Compared to the Evo, this kite's flight path around the loop is not quite as fast, but in the conditions Jason was in, it didn't seem to have quite as much yank, either. This gave him the confidence to try the tricks he's more hesitant to throw on the Evo D/LAB. It begs the question of whether the Code was designed not just for boosting and hangtime, but also to assist some of the strong points of Jeremy's riding style, particularly big handle passes. He can probably get a little more slack for his passes, but this element is also not so intrusive that it's going to be noticeable to the regular rider who is never going to be unhooking this kite in over 25 knots, let alone while 15m up in the air.
This might also be why you will rarely see Jeremy do double loops in competitions. He can double loop among the best in the world, but he might not attempt them in competitions because the advantages of the Code NXT lie elsewhere and don't translate into ease of double loops.
On the Code v2, the looping was still very respectable, but it doesn't have the Aluula quickness to forgive some of the challenges with looping. If you're progressing with loops, you might want to size down. It's not a bad looper by any means, but it's not at the level of other loop-dominant kites. Now, the lift on the catch does make up some ground there, as well as its boosting and hangtime. The ability to swap disciplines is another point in its favor.
Summary
All in all, Jason really liked both kites for progressing riders. They may not be as easy for boosting as kites like the Rebel SLS, or as easy for looping as the classic Orbit or Nitro, but they offer a very high level of overall performance in a fairly easy-to-use package that just might take a little more getting used to if you're coming from other kites. The NXT in particular could be a contender for his favorite kite of the year.
The Code v2 is a great option, but as a loop-minded kiter, Jason wouldn't quite put it in the top spot for dacron big air kites, though that could change as he gets more time on it in bigger wind.
From Winners to Beginners! | 2024 Slingshot Code NXT V1 Aluula Kite
Dustin is here to share his thoughts about the new 2024 Slingshot Code NXT, along with... Jeff? As you may know, Jeff used to kite a lot, but now is primarily a wingfoiler. So what's so special about this kite that it was able to pull him away from his wing for a session?
What is the Code NXT?
The Code NXT is Slingshot's new school big air Aluula kite. What's so new about it? Big air is dominated by five-strut kites, but the use of Aluula allows the Code to move to just three struts. It's lightweight and stiff, and it's already a champion kite: shout-out to Jeremy Burlando!
Dustin's First Impressions
Dustin fell in love with the Code NXT right out of the box. Despite the gusty, subpar conditions, it was intuitive and easy to control. He was on the 12m in 16-22 knots, which is a wide, challenging range, but it handled the low and high end very well.
He felt it had a lot of possibilities, not just as a big air kite, but as a freeride kite in general. It had medium bar pressure, which he loves since you always know right where the kite is. It downlooped very quickly, and he's excited to get out on it again once the summer doldrums are over in Michigan and he can ride in high end conditions.
Jeff's First Impressions
Even though Jeff hadn't been on a kite in a while, he felt quite comfortable on the Code NXT, which is a good barometer for a kite's intuitiveness. Even though it's designed and marketed as a big air kite, he thought that other customers shouldn't be steered away from it.
He was impressed by how stable it was in the sky with a nice, even pull despite the gusty conditions. He did a few downloops (he only crashed once!) and those had an even pull all the way through the loop.
The arcing shape of the Code NXT did remind him of his early days in kiting with C kites. With the Aluula leading edge and struts, the frame was very stiff and held its shape despite the punchiness of the wind. It felt really smooth, and that's a good thing since those are conditions you're going to encounter in big air.
As long as he was in kiting mode, he rode a 12m in another brand, and the Code stood apart in how incredible the low-end was. Jeff was even able to send the kite and it felt really good. A lot of people get into kiting to be able to jump high, and the Code delivered in spite of the conditions.
Jeff agreed with Dustin's assessment of the medium bar pressure, but he felt they could have been on a little longer bar that day. However, the self-untwisting feature really shone and Jeff appreciated not having to think about that, even when he kept looping the kite in the same direction. The diameter was also just right and felt good in his hands.
He thought it was interesting how loud the kite was as it looped, yet it didn't chatter or flutter, and it couldn't be felt in the bar.
Features and Characteristics
It didn't have much backstall in the lulls even though it sits a bit further forward in the window. It looked like it was parked there. It wasn't super far forward like other kites that can drive really far forward, but with Aluula you do want it to be at least a little out in front.
One big difference for the Code NXT is the high pressure valve. An attachment is included for it. The reason for the change is partly so that nothing gets caught on the valve, and also because it's the fastest inflation and deflation system. If you pair this with the Ride Engine Airbox, you'll be on the water in no time at all.
The Code NXT is available in a nice range of sizes without going overboard: 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14m. While it's a great kite for anyone, it's definitely designed with the pros in mind. Still, Jeff didn't feel at all intimidated by it despite not having been on a kite in a while. You just want to be sure to commit when you start to loop. It does have a nice, steady pull all the way through, but it doesn't pivot very quickly. This is what allows people to go big, though.
Summary
In spite of being only a three-strut kite, it held its shape very well thanks to the Aluula. It handles the high-end well; this was a 12m in winds gusting up to 23 or 24 knots. Normally you'd want to be on a 9m in those conditions, but for big air you need a kite that feels at home when it's powered up, and the Code NXT does. It had good lift and float, which is critical in a big air kite. If you want a kite that will let you go big, but also work as a do-it-all kite, the Slingshot Code NXT nails it.
Why the Airush Team Control Bar is Perfect for All Skill Levels
Kristen Cooper is back to share her thoughts on the Airush Team control bar. She's taken a lot of time to really get a feel for it and she found a lot to like about it. Is it the right bar for you as well?
Overview
The Airush Team control bar is a bar for any level rider. It's a great bar to start on, but you won't outgrow it, either. It's designed to withstand even the hardest riding, yet is customizable and doesn't sacrifice performance.
Features
Kristen's first impression of the bar and one of her favorite features was the bar itself. The soft grip and narrow diameter made it very comfortable to hold. It was actually a bit narrower than the bars she was used to, and that made it sit better in the hands and allowed her to feel like she was getting a firmer grip. The bar is lightweight and has an embossed, sanded EVA finish. The bar comes in three sizes: a 45cm small, 50cm medium, and 60cm large.
The standard IQR Quick Release allows for a fast, one-handed release that is also easy to click back into place. The cleat and center fitting are both stainless steel, and the lines are BraidTech Dyneema, which is stronger and thinner and uses a 12 braid weave for tangle resistance. The main depower line is PU covered.
The stainless steel center fitting and the way the bar is designed makes it really easy to unswivel the bar. The high quality ceramic bearing allows for very smooth twisting and untwisting. One thing Kristen really appreciated here was that the center fitting has a little wider diameter, which also makes it easier to swivel. She was pleasantly surprised when, after her backrolls and frontrolls, the line automatically whipped around to unswivel even though it's not an auto-unswivel bar. She didn't have to crank on the lines at all. Anytime you're looping or doing any sort of rotations, you'll find that the bar won't get jammed on you. This is a great compromise between function and the price you'd pay for a true auto-unswivel bar, so if you're budget-conscious, this might be the bar for you.
Customization Options
The line lengths on the Team bar are adjustable. The 9m lower length can be added on to with 6 + 4 + 2 plus another 2m of lines, which gives you options for any configuration you'd want up to 23m. If you want a specific length for kiteloops or foiling, you can customize them at the bar. You simply adjust the outer lines by popping them out and attaching them to a different knot.
You can also turn this bar into a fifth line bar. Kristen was able to convert her bar for use with her Razor. Most C kites use 5 lines, so this is a great feature if you fly a C kite like the Razor.
The Team bar comes with a standard size chicken loop, but you can swap this out for other loops if you'd like.
Do you remember the red stopper ball that older bars would have? It was a nice option to make the throw shorter for those with shorter arms, and the Team bar has an updated version of this. You can temporarily customize the bar for people who need the shorter throw, like women or kids. Normally you'd have to buy a separate bar for them to be able to ride safely and comfortably, but with this feature you can share one bar.
Now, it's not a legitimate old-school stopper ball and it will move if you push hard enough on it, but it does work and it's a nice convenience to have.
Leash
The Team bar does include a freestyle leash. It's a longer leash, so if you prefer a shorter one, you'll need to pick one up, but if you're into freestyle or unhooking, this is a great leash. If you don't use it for riding, it's always nice to have an extra leash on hand for self-launching and landing.
Instead of a metal hook, it comes with a pigtail to leash in. This really shines in unhooking. It's more secure, won't bend or stretch, and doesn't become something to hit your hands on during a handlepass.
Summary
The Airush Team bar is comfortable, performance-oriented, and customizable. It's a great choice for beginners, progression, and even very experienced riders.
Perfectly Positioned | F-One’s Concurrently Designed 2024 Wing Line
A Diverse Approach to Wing Design
In 2024, F-One took a groundbreaking approach to its wing range, addressing the varied needs of wing foilers. Recognizing that the best riders have been in the sport for several years, F-One aimed to cater to both elite riders and newcomers. This led to the creation of three major wing orientations: the high-performance Strike, the beginner-friendly Origin, and the versatile Swing for wave riding and free riding.
Unique to this year, all three models were developed simultaneously, allowing for precise positioning within their specific programs.
The High-Performance Strike
The Strike model is tailored for high-performance wing foiling. This wing is designed to meet the demands of elite riders who have honed their skills over the years. The Strike provides intense sensations and impressive planing starts, making it ideal for those seeking to push the boundaries of speed and performance.
With its optimized flexibility, the Strike ensures easy pumping and continuous forward pull. This characteristic is crucial as it allows the rider to focus on the sport rather than the equipment. The Strike’s ability to handle being overpowered makes it a favorite among freestyle riders who need that extra push to achieve high jumps and dynamic maneuvers.
The Intuitive Origin
For those just starting out in wing foiling, the Origin offers an intuitive and easy-to-use experience. F-One designed this wing with lighter materials and Dacron, resulting in a model that is both lightweight and flexible. This makes the Origin perfect for beginners or those who prefer a relaxed, freeride experience.
The Origin’s standout feature is its effortless planing start, which requires minimal technique or effort from the rider. Once in the air, the wing maintains a constant speed without sudden accelerations, providing a smooth and predictable ride. This makes it ideal for families and lighter riders, offering a wing that is manageable and enjoyable for all.
The Versatile Swing
Positioned between the Strike and the Origin, the Swing caters to those who enjoy wave riding and freeriding. This model is designed for versatility, allowing riders to navigate waves and rough waters with ease. The Swing’s reduced wingspan makes it more compact, minimizing the risk of wingtips touching the water.
The Swing excels in maintaining constant speed without the intense acceleration of the Strike, making it suitable for choppy conditions and wave riding. Its ability to handle high-end conditions without overpowering the rider ensures a balanced and controlled experience, ideal for those who want to enjoy the freedom of wing foiling without pushing the extremes of performance.
The Revolutionary CWC
F-One’s CWC (Compact Wing Concept) has been a huge success, particularly in light-wind conditions. For 2024, F-One sought to enhance this model by incorporating new materials to reduce weight and improve the overall experience. The integration of Aluula, a high-performance material, in the three struts significantly lightens the wing, making it feel like a much smaller wing in use.
The CWC’s design allows for easier planing starts and better glide, crucial for light wind performance. The lighter weight also enhances maneuverability, making transitions like jibing smoother and more efficient. This innovation ensures that even in the lightest winds, the CWC provides an enjoyable and high-performing ride.
Materials and Technology | HITEX and Aluula
A key aspect of F-One’s 2024 range is the use of advanced materials to optimize each wing’s performance. HITEX, a specific Dacron developed in collaboration with a fabric manufacturer, is used on the leading edge and struts. Available in two grammages (158g and 178g), HITEX allows for tailored stiffness and durability across different models.
For the CWC, F-One chose Aluula for its exceptional lightness and strength. Although significantly more expensive than Dacron, Aluula’s strategic placement in the struts maximizes performance and weight savings without unnecessary cost increases. This careful material selection ensures each wing delivers the best possible performance for its intended use.
Planing Start and Pumping Efficiency
An important focus for F-One in 2024 was improving the planing start across all models. A wing that starts planing easily allows for smaller boards and foils, enhancing the overall riding experience. By analyzing the factors that contribute to effective planing starts, F-One improved the initial speed of all models, ensuring a smoother and more efficient takeoff.
Flexibility during pumping was another critical area of improvement. The Origin, with its higher flex, facilitates easy pumping, allowing riders to gain speed with minimal effort. Conversely, the Strike offers more feedback, catering to those who prefer a stiffer, more responsive wing. This balance ensures each model meets the specific needs of its intended rider.
User Experience and Real-World Applications
F-One’s comprehensive development process included extensive testing of each wing against the others. This rigorous approach ensured that each model was precisely positioned within the range, avoiding overlaps and optimizing performance. The Origin, with its lightweight and intuitive design, is perfect for beginners and families, while the Strike delivers high performance for advanced riders. The Swing, with its versatility, bridges the gap, providing a balanced experience for wave riding and freeride enthusiasts.
Handle Options and Customizable Comfort
Understanding the varied preferences of riders, F-One offers multiple handle options for their wings. The wings are delivered with soft handles, but riders can choose from hybrid or hard handles, or even the Carbon Boom for the Strike. This flexibility allows riders to customize their equipment for the perfect balance of comfort and control.
A Range for Every Rider
F-One’s 2024 wing range represents a significant leap forward in wing foiling technology and design.
By developing all models simultaneously, F-One has ensured that each wing is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of its target audience. Whether it’s the high-performance Strike, the intuitive Origin, the versatile Swing, or the revolutionary CWC, F-One has created a range that caters to every type of wing foiler.
With advanced materials like HITEX and Aluula, improved planing starts, and customizable handles, F-One’s 2024 wings offer unparalleled performance and enjoyment. Each model delivers a unique riding experience, ensuring that every session on the water is both thrilling and satisfying.
Tue, 06 Aug 2024 12:36:38 +0000
Kiteboarding Tricks | Adding Style to your One-Footers
David is back with the sequel to his How to Do One-Footed Airs video. Here, you can learn some variations on your one-footers. Remember that you can add these into tricks like Frontrolls or other rotations!
Standard One-Footer
With the standard one-footer, which we covered in the previous video, you're pointing your leg straight down. You're not going too wide, though you can tweak the board itself a bit to make it look a little nicer.
For example, you can extend both legs, and then the board's going to be up at a bit of a diagonal. This looks nice and clean because it looks very controlled compared to some of your first ones where you're sort of crunched up with your legs extended out just as quick as you can. These standard ones are still nice because there isn't too much difference from your initial ones, but they'll show you've got a bit more control now.
Extended One-Footer
The next variation is an extended one-footer. This is one of David's favorites and one that he does a lot because you can really make it your own with how you style it and how you twist your body in the air.
When you do this one, think about getting that board off and then trying to point and poke your back leg as far back behind you as you can while extending your arm out in front of you. Make as much of a "V" shape as you can between your back leg coming up and your arm going out so you get a lot of extension and a lot of room.
Once you get comfortable, you can rotate a little and look underneath the board as it's coming across you, which can be fun when you're with friends and you're kind of joking around. It allows you to go a little bigger with these one-footers, twist your body in different ways, and showcase your own style. This one really lends itself to discovering the different movements that are comfortable to you and can help make the trick your own.
One-Footer in Front
Up until now, you've always taken your foot out and extended it behind you. This time you'll pull that foot out and then extend it in front of your board. The first time you do it, it's probably going to feel a little bit odd because you're doing one motion with your leg and then reversing it to lift your leg up and over the board and poke it out forward. A lot of people like to mix these motions together. You can first go back and extend a little bit, and then go out and go forward. That can be a fun addition, especially if you've got enough hangtime. It gives you a bit of extra style to do something different.
The One-Footer in Front can be a fun one for twisting your body in the opposite direction because you're going to bring your arm back to get your leg in front, so naturally it's going to twist your body a bit in the opposite way of the Extended One-Footer. This is another great addition because you're able to start making these your own and doing what you want to do with them.
No-Handed One-Footer
The No-Handed One-Footer is easier to do if you sneak your back foot out a little bit before you do your jump. This will make it much easier to pull that foot out without grabbing the board. In the rest of the One-Footers, even if your foot's in there really snugly, you're able to pull the board off your foot when you've got your hand on it, but if your hands aren't there, you'll need to be able to slide that foot out easily. You'll also need to be able to put it back in quite easily since you're not going to have that hand to push it back in.
As with the regular One-Footer, focus on keeping your eyes on that footstrap the whole time. While you're first learning it, it's probably going to feel weird as the board swings from one foot. If you snowboard, you'll be used to this feeling from sitting on the chairlift with the weight of an entire board dangling from one leg. As soon as you pull your foot out, the board's going to want to swing away from you, so the best thing you can do is to engage your hip flexors and try to keep your leg up to stop the board from swinging too far. You can also curl your toes into that footpad to help stop the board itself from swinging around your foot.
Jump, then look down and watch for the footpad as you slide that foot out. If you want to help keep yourself compact or just have a little bit of fun with it, grab your back ankle as you're up in the air. This looks cool and fun, but it also keeps your body compact, which helps keep you from having too many things swinging around.
When you're ready to try to put your foot back in, you're going to have to do a lot with your front leg compared to all the other One-Footers which use your arm to bring the board in. So flex hard with that front leg to swing the board up, then catch it on the way up. It won't sit and stay there like when you're holding it with your hand to get your foot in, so you're going to have to catch it during this movement. The harder you can flex your foot into the footpad and hold it tight, twisting your ankle to pull that board up, the more time you're going to have to get back in, but it is still going to be a quick movement to catch back in. Most likely, your foot's not going to go all the way in like you're used to with the other One-Footers where you can pull with your hand and make sure your foot gets where you want it to be on the footpad. Because of this, you might be landing with your foot only partially in, so try to make sure to land very flat and downwind.
Give these variations a try, and we'll see you on the water!
David is in Brazil for the rest of the 2024 season, but that doesn't mean the trick tips are going to stop coming! Up today is an intro to One-Footed Airs. This is a great trick you can perform fairly early on, and it's worth learning because you can not only add on things like rotations or grabs to it, but you can also add it into other tricks to make them a bit more stylish.
Prerequisites
You will need to be comfortable doing some other things before you're ready to start practicing your One-Footed Airs. The foundation trick is the
Tail Grab, so make sure you're used to grabbing the tail of the board with your back hand.
You'll also need to be comfortable flying the kite with just your front hand and not have any issues with oversteering the kite or shooting it down. You'll want to be able to focus on getting your foot out and back in while letting muscle memory fly the kite.
Finally, practice doing some tail grabs while looking back or down at where you're grabbing rather than spotting your landing or watching your kite. Once you start taking your foot out, you'll need to be able to look at the footstrap to get your foot back in.
Steps to a Successful One-Footed Air
1. When jumping for your one-footer, get your hand down to your board on your way up. If you wait until you're at the apex of your jump, you'll run out of time. So get down, grab that tail, and spot where your back footstrap is early in your jump.
2. As you slide your foot out, keep your eyes on the footpad. This will be the easiest way to get into this trick as you're learning it.
3. Once you pass the apex of your jump, but before you're halfway back down, get your foot back in the strap. Don't try to push it until the last moment because it's going to take you longer than you think, especially at first. Your first few one-footers should be very brief just to get the motion down.
4. Rather than holding the board still and trying to get your leg back up to it, move the back of your board to where your foot is as you bend your knee and meet the board with your foot. A common mistake is to move the board a bit further out once your foot is out, and then holding the board there while trying to get your foot all the way back to a spot that isn't even where your foot was originally. When you took your foot out, you had your arm extended down further and you probably even pointed your front leg a bit to help the angle of the board come up. Try to repeat that same motion as you replace your foot in the strap.
5. Keep your eye on the footstrap the whole way through, but stay aware of your kite and surroundings. Your peripheral vision should give you an idea of how far off the water you still are, and you should be able to feel where your kite is and whether you're over-steering it. Once your foot is back in the strap, you can spot your landing and (hopefully) ride away.
Tips
As you get more comfortable with this trick, you'll be able to get the board off even sooner and wait longer until you put it back on. Eventually you'll be able to put it back on right before you hit the water. It's just a matter of building that muscle memory.
You can help build your muscle memory by practicing taking the board off and putting it back on at home. Just lay on your back on your bed or couch with your board on your feet, then repeat taking one foot out and putting it back in. That simple motion will build muscle memory and will make things even easier on the water.
More to Come!
These steps will get you doing your first One-Footed Airs, but there are different variations on it and tricks you can add to it. Learn the basics now so you're ready when we add more trick tips!
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