Ruben Leaves Slingshot

by **WindMuch** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:10 pm

http://www.iksurfmag.com/kitesurfing-news/2013/02/extreme-kiteboarder-ruben-lenten-signs-with-best-kiteboarding-official/

iKitesurf.com real time wind reading memberships - make smarter decisions! Get $20 off all memberships and help support Bay Area Kiteboarding.

by **BayAreaKite** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:01 pm

It reads somewhat the same as Ben Wilson's press release a while back: http://www.sbckiteboard.com/news_article?news_id=1375

We never really know what happens, but it's usually spun as a rider is leaving a company, but sometimes for other reasons (money, budget, etc.) a rider is "laid off" which has happened to a few other SS riders. At one point, SS had a pretty big roster of riders, which may be unsustainable in the long run. All kite companies have investors and their goal is to make money rather than lose it. It could be about money, or just him wanting some change and moving on, but Best Kiteboarding? Interesting...

by **WindMuch** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:31 pm

So, kite wise, what kite does Best make that's close to the RPM? Seems the RPM has pretty much been designed and built for Ruben and his style over the past few years...

by **BayAreaKite** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:56 pm

I think you mean the Fuel...

But as far as Best gear, it would probably be this one: http://www.bestkiteboarding.com/GP-V2

And they will probably design some stuff with his input...

by **WindMuch** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:07 pm

BayAreaKite wrote:I think you mean the Fuel...

Oops. Yep. Youri = RPM. Ruben (used to) = Fuel.

by **Rob** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:02 pm

Youri (used to) = RPM

by **WindMuch** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:09 pm

Rob wrote:Youri (used to) = RPM

Show's ya how much I pay attention to who's riding for which company!

Apparently Youri has 'left the buliding' at Slingshot too? Who is he riding for now?

(I don't see him on the "Team" page on the Slingshot site, but interestingly, as of tonight, Ruben is still listed there)

Edit: Youri is also with Best now. Guess those guys have some marketing money up their sleeves to get the big boys on their team!

by **wjb** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:31 am

"Quality is essential to feel safe on the water and in the air. In order to push the limits of your body and sport you need to feel comfortable. This comfort comes from the performance of the kite and all other gear. In my opinion there are very few products that make riders feel comfortable enough to go as big as they would like."

Maybe it is just me but safety and quality is not what I think of first when I think of Best. Maybe he switched because of the Best girls :mrgreen:

by **sc-surfer** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:43 am

Definitely the girls!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

by **stewart** » Mon Feb 04, 2013 2:16 pm

Youri will be riding the GP and the TS. The TS is similar to the RPM.

I had a chance to ride the 2012 Best TS 10m last year at REAL and I really liked it. I just ordered a 2012 Best TS 12m on blowout so I'll be able to give a better review of it in the spring. But as far as the 10m went is rockets upwind compared to my RPM. It was also very stable and quick turning than the RPM. I didn't get a chance to boost it but it is suppose to do that very well. Construction was on par with the RPM overall. The bar is lighter and has some nice features.