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Featured 2008-07-14 00:00:00-04 - Lightwind Bliss: The SBC test team looks at lightwind gear Lightwind Bliss: The SBC test team looks at lightwind gear The days of cursing the wind gods and sitting on the beach praying for more wind are over. The lightwind gear scene has exploded, as both kites and board models enlist performance that ups the fun factor in the less-than-ideal wind conditions we all experience.     Most of the new bridled breed of kites produce more power per square metre and have better handling and steering performance in their high-powered bigger sizes. New dedicated lightwind twin-tip boards are designed to plane quickly and rocket upwind with less effort. They efficiently generate speed and power, which also feeds the pull of your kite. Kiting with a larger directional surfboard is excellent for light winds. With equipment evolution, you can easily increase your days on the water with the right kite-and-board combo. Depending on your current setup, you should consider a new kite for light winds, a dedicated lightwind board, a new surfboard, or a combination of both a board and kite. Kite Power Deconstructed Hybrid and Bow Lightwind-specific kites that generate the most power per square metre have flatter canopy shapes and are supported by today’s advanced bridle systems. These flatter-canopied kites, like those found in the Cabrinha Contra and in the Freakdog Eze , produce more power and pull than the traditional 18 and 20 m2 C kites of old. They combine this pull with quicker steering and excellent depower ability. Also worth checking out is the Flexifoil Ion 3.... Read More >>> 2008 Kite Reviews  AIRUSH Vapor 2 14m Airush promises the ultimate combination of C-kite-style steering with the enhanced range of today’s bridled designs. The Vapor has the most advanced performance in the well-rounded Airush line. Check our Winter issue for write-ups on...   2008 Kite Reviews  BEST Waroo 9m The Waroo is back for ’08 and fights for its bid to retain its status as the industry’s top-selling SLE hybrid for a third season. The Waroo is the workhorse of the Best lineup, with value and performance that appeals to almost every...   2008 Kite Reviews  Best Yarga 11m For any rider who prefers the classic performance of a traditional four-line C, the Best Yarga stands in the lineup to fulfill the needs of dedicated freestyle riders. Touted by Best as the ultimate for unhooked handling and solid power...   2008 Kite Reviews  CABRINHA Convert 12 m2 The Convert is the newest addition to Cabrinha’s extensive line of four-line bows. This model is designed to make learning to kiteboard as easy as possible, with superior water relaunch systems, excellent depower, great stability and easy...   2008 Kite Reviews  FLEXIFOIL Ion 3 14m The Ion 3 is the most advanced SLE hybrid of the Flexifoil lineup, which includes the four-line SLE Atom (tested in our Winter issue) and the Aaron Hadlow Pro, a dedicated freestyle C kite. The Ion 3 caters to intermediate to advanced riders who...   2008 Kite Reviews  Freak Dog EZE 11m and 13m The EZE, the third bow kite added to the Freak Dog lineup, is designed to conquer light winds like never before. The ultra-flat canopy shape offers massive efficiency to get you out and riding in under 10 mph. Designed by Eric Hertsens of EH...   2008 Kite Reviews  GK Trix 12 m2 The GK Trix is a four-line SLE, a full-profile wakestyle and waveriding kite. The A-KPO bridle system lets the rider tune the kite’s character to suit specific style or alter performance for different conditions. Its high-powered,...   2008 Kite Reviews  Monkey Griffin 14 m2 The Monkey Griffin is the kite from Down Under that promises to be a do-it-all freeride kite for the masses. It stacks up well against the other value-oriented hybrid SLEs on the market, with good all-around performance and solid safety...   2008 Kite Reviews  NAISH Torch 12 m2 The Torch is the C kite in the Naish lineup designed for intermediates looking for control and top-level riders who demand the ultimate power-freestyle kite. It remains the last traditional shape of the Naish lineup, which is now dominated by the...   2008 Kite Reviews  Nobile 555 12 m2 The Nobile 555 is a four-line SLE that targets freeriders looking to boost their confidence with maximum versatility, huge wind range and direct bar sheeting. It has performance suited to every level of rider and superior ease of use for a...   2008 Kite Reviews  NOBILE 666 NHP 12 m2 The Nobile High Performance model offers the ultimate blend of competition freestyle performance with high levels of depower. This kite targets intermediate to advanced riders who want precise control as well as the powered axial turning and...   2008 Kite Reviews  North Rhino 12 m The legendary Rhino continues to evolve with a new bridle system and canopy shape. The Rhino boasts the widest wind range, fastest flying speed and most precise angle of attack control in the formidable North range. Look to the Winter issue for...   2008 Kite Reviews  Airush DNA Size Tested: 9 m2 / Style: Four-line SLE hybrid / Dealers: 50 / Warranty: 1 year / Wind range: 18-28 knots / What’s new: Reduced bar pressure in larger sizes and a new trim system The DNA is positioned as the value-packed,...   2008 Kite Reviews  Airush Flow Airush Flow SLE 14 m2 / Style: Four-line SLE / Dealers: 50 / Warranty: 1 year / Price: $1,458 complete / Wind range: 12-24 knots / What’s new: Reduced bar pressure, narrower foil entry for improved upwind Airush has three...   2008 Kite Reviews  Best Nemesis HP   Size Tested: 10 m2 / Style: Four-line SLE / Warranty: 90 days / Price: $1,298 complete / Wind range: 13-33 knots The Nemesis HP, the top-of-the-line SLE in the Best lineup, replaces last season’s Waroo Pro....   2008 Kite Reviews  Cabrinha Contra 3 We first tested the flat bow-style Contra last year and since then it’s achieved a huge and loyal cult following in lightwind locations everywhere. Its reputation for the ultimate low-end power and easy relaunch is second to none for a...   2008 Kite Reviews  Cabrinha Crossbow 3 The Crossbow 3 represents the third generation of refinement in America's top-selling performance bow kite. When it was released in 2005, the Crossbow's huge wind range and improved safety revolutionized kiteboarding. The 2008 model...   2008 Kite Reviews  Cabrinha Revolver HD Size Tested: 7 m2 and 11 m2 Style: Four-line bow / Dealers: 120 / Warranty: 1 year / Wind range: 23-37 knots; 12-24 knots / What’s new: First dedicated wave kite in the line Pete Cabrinha, the company’s namesake and...   2008 Kite Reviews  Cabrinha Switchblade 3 Size Tested: 10 m2 and 14 m2 / Style: Four-line bow / Dealers: 120 / Warranty: 1 year /  Wind range: 12-23 knots; 10-16 knots / What’s new: Finer finishing, durability, nice styling, proper bar pressure The Switchblade 3...   2008 Kite Reviews  F-One Bandit Size Tested: 7.5 m2 and 11 m2 / Style: Four-line Delta-C / Dealers: 12 / Warranty: 1 year / Price: $1,190; $1,390 complete / Wind range: 20-30+ knots; 15-27 knots (165-pound rider) / What’s new: Delta-C shape and EVO front-line...   2008 Kite Reviews  Flexifoil Atom Size Tested: 9 m2 / Style: Four-line SLE hybrid / Dealers: 60 The original Atom, introduced last season, returns with well-received refinements that build upon this clean, simple, solid-performing and well-built kite. Positioned as the...   2008 Kite Reviews  Freak Dog Unleashed Size Tested: 9 m2 and 12 m2 / Style: Four-line bow / Dealers: New company, inquiries welcome / Warranty: 30 days / Price: $1,199 and $1,499 / Wind range: 14-30 knots (154- to 165-pound rider); 14-30 knots (176- to 198-pound...   2008 Kite Reviews  Freak Dog Vicious Size Tested: 12 m2 and 15 m2 / Style: Four-line bow  / Warranty: 30 days / Price: $1,499 and $1,799 / Wind range: 12-30 knots; 11-22 knots / What’s new: The ultra-flat Vicious is the grunty, lower-aspect, bow-style kite...   2008 Kite Reviews  Globe V-Sonic The Globe V-Sonic is the high-performance SLE freeride kite that promises unmatched range, speed and massive jumping ability. It has a flatter arc, with more depower than the lower-aspect wakestyle and wave kite called the Trix. All GK kites...   2008 Kite Reviews  Liquid Force HIFI Size Tested: 12 m2 15 m2 / Style: Five-line hybrid / Dealers: 59 / Warranty: 1 year / Price: $1,580 / Wind range: 12-28 knots; 10-26 knots / What’s new: The HiFi is a new-school, five-line hybrid that combines the wind...   2008 Kite Reviews  Liquid Force Havoc 12 The Liquid Force 2008 Havoc has seen some small refinements with the end result being serious improvements over last year’s model. The biggest and most noticeable are improved stability and turning. Designed by Quebec’s Julien...   2008 Kite Reviews  Liquid Force Session Size Tested:  15 m2 and 12 m2 / Style: Four-line SLE / Dealers: 59 / Warranty: 1 year / Price: $ / Wind range: 10-30 knots; 8-25 knots / What’s new: Model The Session blends value, ease of use, safety and performance...   2008 Kite Reviews  Naish Cult Size Tested: 12 m2 and 9 m2 / Style: Four-line SLE / Dealers: 60 / Warranty: 90 days / Price: $1,299; $1,399 complete / Wind range: 12-25 knots; 18-30 knots / What’s new: Sigma and Geo-Tech outline, 1:1 control bar The Naish...   2008 Kite Reviews  Naish Helix 12 Naish kiteboarding is one of the leading names in the sport, and it’s a big deal when they launch a new model. When Naish completely redesigned an entire range of kites, it was industry shaking. That’s why the first kite in the 2008...   2008 Kite Reviews  North Rebel 14 Stability, precise handling, and refinement. Those have been the hallmarks of the North Vegas and the main ingredients in developing the North Rebel. The Rebel has improved in almost every category; it’s more powerful, with as much low-end...   2008 Kite Reviews  North Vegas Size Tested: 12m2 / Style: Depowering five-line C / Dealers: 60 / Warranty: 1 year / Price: $1,599.95 / Wind range: 13-26 knots (180 pounds) / What’s new: Wingtip battens, crisper feel Back again and better than ever, Vegas...   2008 Kite Reviews  Ocean Rodeo Rise Size Tested: 8 m2, 10 m2, 12 m2 Style: Four-line SLE / Dealers: 120 / Warranty: 1 year / Price $1,249; $1,359; $1,439 / What’s new: Venturi panel lets wind through the canopy to stop stalling and back flying The Rise is...   2008 Kite Reviews  Slingshot REV 11 The Slingshot Rev is the most versatile new model of the year. Completely redesigned from the ground up, Slingshot’s R and D team learned some valuable lessons from the poorly received Link. The Rev is stable, has a bigger wind range and...   2008 Kite Reviews  On-water Kite Tests and Reviews This fall, the SBC Kiteboard test team was hard at work in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Our bodies were battered, bruised and abused on countless ocean and sound kiteboarding sessions. The kite test results are here to help you sort through the...   2008 Kite Reviews  2008 early release kites tested Complete depower, bigger wind ranges and easy relaunch. Since their introduction three years ago, modern depowering, bow and SLE designs have made kiteboarding safer. The first generations of these designs, despite the...

2008 Kite Reviews Lightwind Bliss: The SBC test team looks at lightwind gear Jul 14, 2008 The days of cursing the wind gods and sitting on the beach praying for more wind are over. The... CABRINHA Convert 12 m2 Jun 18, 2008 The Convert is the newest addition to Cabrinha’s extensive line of four-line bows. This... FLEXIFOIL Ion 3 14m Jun 18, 2008 The Ion 3 is the most advanced SLE hybrid of the Flexifoil lineup, which includes the four-line... Freak Dog EZE 11m and 13m Jun 18, 2008 The EZE, the third bow kite added to the Freak Dog lineup, is designed to conquer light winds... GK Trix 12 m2 Jun 18, 2008 The GK Trix is a four-line SLE, a full-profile wakestyle and waveriding kite. The A-KPO bridle... Monkey Griffin 14 m2 Jun 18, 2008 The Monkey Griffin is the kite from Down Under that promises to be a do-it-all freeride kite... NAISH Torch 12 m2 Jun 18, 2008 The Torch is the C kite in the Naish lineup designed for intermediates looking for control and... Nobile 555 12 m2 Jun 18, 2008 The Nobile 555 is a four-line SLE that targets freeriders looking to boost their confidence... NOBILE 666 NHP 12 m2 Jun 18, 2008 The Nobile High Performance model offers the ultimate blend of competition freestyle... BEST Waroo 9m Jun 18, 2008 The Waroo is back for ’08 and fights for its bid to retain its status as the... [1] [2] [3] [4] > »