TIPS FOR VIEWING - The Kiteboarder Magazine

analyze this
liquidforce
havoc
TESTED: 12m AVAILABLE SIZES: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16m
STYLE: Delta – Wingtip design
TESTED IN: Corpus Christi, Tx. W/15 – 17mph winds
FROM THE MANUFACTURER
The Havoc is the ultimate, refined performance SLE! The 4th generation
Havoc takes another leap ahead of the pack. The Havoc’s canopy
enhancements and removal of the center strut provide a light feel, faster
response, increased lift, and more raw low-end power.
THE KITEBOARDER REPORT
Out of the Box: For 2010 Liquid Force has removed the middle strut from
the 4th generation Havoc, creating a lighter kite. The graphics look similar
to last years, but the wingtips now sport a cool Gucci-like look. The kite still
incorporates Velcro tabs for the option of neatly storing the bridle after your
sessions. The new Havoc comes with the Liquid Forces Union Pump Inflation
System along with their Diamond Wingtips. The overall build of the kite is
solid with its MCP Canopy construction and beefy leading edge seams.
On the Water: Can a good thing get better? Yes! Now in its fourth
generation, Liquid Force has improved upon the Havoc series of kites. Right
off the beach the kite had great control with little bar pressure. The kite only
has four struts and does offer a little more low-end power when compared to
last year’s Havoc. For wakestyle, this kite offers great pop while the freestyle
jumping is also good and solid. You can tell this kite is designed for a rider
that really wants to throw down.
PROS:
• This fourth generation of the Havoc has improved
upon durability, stability, and overall performance
compared with the 2009 Havoc.
• The control system is solid and efficient with a
well balanced bar and a consistent depower in the
chicken loop.
CONS:
• The Havoc’s bridle is a little long and may wrap up
around a wingtip if the kite is underinflated.
• When releasing the quick release, unless you are
using the donkey stick, you may lose the chicken
loop, but it does come with a float.
THE VERDICT:
The fourth generation Liquid
Force Havoc is a solid kite for
any rider looking for a setup
that is easy to learn on and
progress with. Intermediate
to advanced riders will most
appreciate its capability of
performing at an advanced
level while beginners will like
the fact that they can learn and
grow on this kite.
Control System:
Bar: Standard, non-convertible
Grip/Feel: Smooth with a little
texture, comfortable to hold and easy
to grab.
Depower: Below the bar depower,
easy to use/smooth
Center swivel: No swivel
Safety/leash connection points:
New CPR below the bar quick release
works with either hand from front or back
of bar, with 90 to 100% depower options.
Tips
8 Keep the kite inflated with plenty of
pressure to ensure the kite’s water
relaunching efficiency.
8 In steady light winds try using the
different pigtail settings to find the kite’s
sweet spot.
Slingshotskud
TESTED: 55”AVAILABLE SIZES: 52” and 55” FINS: One 2.5” Removable Fin
TESTED IN: San Diego, 8 to 16m conditions and medium to huge surf
FROM THE MANUFACTURER
For those looking for fun options and variation in light wind kiteboarding, Slingshot
brings you the all new 2010 Scud skim style kiteboard as the latest addition to the
Lightwind Collection. The Scud skim style board is a great addition to any quiver
for an intermediate to advanced rider looking to maximize their time in marginal
conditions. Features such as the custom shape, removable fin, skim style front
and rear pads, and Slingshot’s proprietary FRT core construction make the Scud
an effortless decision for light wind riding.
THE KITEBOARDER REPORT
Out of the Box: The Slingshot Scud arrived at our test center in Corpus
Christi only to find no wind, so off to California it went. At first glance, the
Scud looks similar to a standard skim board, with the addition of a 2.5”
center fin on the tail. The Scud has very little rocker (almost all of the
rocker is in the nose), very hard rails, and a moderately wide pin tail. Our
test board did not come with traction pads, but future boards will ship with
skim-style pads. We simply waxed up the deck and headed to the beach.
On the Water: We were very surprised (and initially frustrated) when we
first rode this board, only to repeatedly fall down like we just learned to ride.
The Scud is a skim board, and it rides like one. Even with the center fin, the
Scud is loose. If you try to ride this board like you would ride a twin tip or
surfboard, be prepared to slide around all over the place. However, once you
begin to figure out how to properly ride the Scud, a whole world opens up. The
Scud feels much like a skateboard. After initially struggling on the Scud, we
were going for shove-its and strapless airs. The looseness of the board is very
forgiving for skate-style tricks and the moderately wide tail offers a lot of pop. Even
with the fin installed, the board can be ridden backwards as long as you put a lot of
your weight on your back foot. The Scud’s flat rocker and wide outline kept us going and
having fun when the wind began to die. We had fun on the Scud, but also fell down a lot.
nobilenhp
TESTED: 130X40 AVAILABLE SIZES: 125, 128, 131, 134 and 137cm
STYLE: Twin Tip TESTED IN: Corpus Christi, TX, 26-30mph winds
FROM THE MANUFACTURER
The new 2010 3D Construction shaping now makes it possible to accurately control
the flex both longitudinally (tip-to-tip) and laterally (side-to-side) through the board.
Stiffer with less flex along the longitudinal axis helps hold the edge for longer before
exploding from the water (necessary for huge air), while softer flex across its width
makes fast, dynamic, and comfortable landings possible. The stiffer and straighter
tips also aid to provide better speed, earlier planing, and an almost complete
reduction of spray.
THE KITEBOARDER REPORT
Out of the Box: Nobile’s new NHP definitely stands out right out of the box with
its 3D construction and graphics that flow around the rails. Down on the bottom of
the board, Nobile has added a three stage concave and 55mm G-10 epoxy fins for
traction. Pads and straps are easy to install and adjust. The foot straps do tighten up
to fit smaller feet. The board has a minimal rocker while the structure of the board
carries solid flex throughout it.
On the Water: Nobile’s NHP flex helps the board to softly ride through the chop and
also affects the performance of the board’s pop. As you’re landing from any jump,
the flex of the board really helps to soften the impact. The 55mm G-10 epoxy fins
definitely have some bite to them and can make switching your stance a little tough
at first. Riding upwind with this board takes no more effort than being powered and
just standing up on it — the concave and large fins help the NHP rides upwind like a
champ! The board incorporates harder rails which also help the board release from the
water easily and also carve efficiently.
PROS:
• This is a very fun and unique board to add to your quiver.
It offers a very different ride compared to surfboards and
twin tips.
• The light wind abilities will keep you having fun when other
riders are slogging.
CONS:
• The Scud takes some time to learn how to ride. You will fall
down a lot for your first few sessions on this board.
• This is not a replacement for a surfboard, but a totally
different ride. If you aren’t willing to spend time learning
how to ride this board, you will not enjoy it.
THE VERDICT:
The Scud isn’t going to be for everyone, but if you are willing
to spend a little time learning how to ride it, it’s an absolute
blast. Its light-wind abilities will keep you going when other
riders cannot.
Tips
PROS:
• The flex throughout the board really helps to soften those
hard landings.
• The fins offer great traction for optimal upwind
performance and when boosting for freestyle moves.
CONS:
• The NHP’s hard rails can allow the board to momentarily
skip out in overpowered conditions and choppy water.
• The pads and straps are one piece with no adjustment to
allow for different toe in/out settings.
THE VERDICT:
With the Nobile NHP’s ability to flex and ride upwind effectively
and fast while also being easy to pop off the water for freestyle,
this is a board designed for more of an intermediate to
advanced rider.
Tips
8 Keep your weight over the board. If you try to turn by
throwing your weight into the rail of the board, it will
slide out. Bend your knees and stay over the board.
8 When getting up, put a lot of weight on the tail to
keep the nose out of the water until you are up
and going.
8 Remember to release the fins when switching
stances to keep from going into a face plant.
8 In lighter winds you can stand up straight on the
board and use the fins and flex a little more than
your rail for cruising upwind.
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