2011 Slingshot Rally Demo - 3rd & Sherman, 8/18-8/22

[Greg]

Bamboo - the reason it's popular is that:
1. Lightweight
2. Good flex properties
3. Looks cool

Get sum, Z

Sorry Z- but I think your wrong-
1. EXTREMELY STRONG, STIFF and durable unidirectional fibers. these natural properties are one of the most cost effective materials to obtain the strength to weight ratio needed to make a long lasting kitesurf board.. Bamboo is actually VERY HEAVY comparied to something like Carbon or Kevlar...
The use of natural materials is driven mainly by the costs of getting the product to market.

[OliverG]

We'll be at Sherman Island again tomorrow, so if you want to try the Rally, come on out.

[BAK_iphone]

Planning on being up there by 12:30 or 1 today...

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[More Waves Please]

Airush did introduce a wood laminate in the Converse directional in 2007. They used Paulownia wood, a fast growing Asian wood with density somewhere between balsa and poplar. I think F-One was the first to use bamboo in a directional kiteboard.

Wood laminates are used to temper the stiffness and dead feel of pure composite construction. You end up with the benefits of the composite (strength and durability) but you get the feel of a more traditional polyester board. It probably does add a little weight to the overall board, but I doubt most people would notice the difference on the water. I personally prefer a slightly heavier board that rides down in the water over a superlight one that skitters and chatters on the surface.

[kitenaked]

Would have kited in the crazy wind on Monday with Scheys 2011 9m fuel, however a bad launch rendered the kite unflyable.

Sorry Schey!

[J-GAR]

Tried the 10m and 12m Rally today at Sherman. The wind was blowing 13-14mph average around 4pm during max flood and I decided to try the 10m with a 136x40 twintip to test the lowend. Amazingly I had plenty of power to stay upwind and do some kiteloops and front/back rolls. Kite turns fast and has very smooth turning and very smooth and linear power/depower. Kite is very stable and unhooks well also. The 12m turns very quick for a 12m, didn't feel sluggish at all, and felt almost as quick as a typical 9m kite. As usual the Slingshot bar is built very well and has excellent safety. Nice to see no pulleys in the short simple bridle on the kite and it actually works very well without the pulleys.

Thanks Shy/Ollie for the demo. This kite will be a great contender for the upcoming new kite releases. Definitely give one a try.

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[OliverG]

Tried the 10m and 12m Rally today at Sherman. The wind was blowing 13-14mph average around 4pm during max flood and I decided to try the 10m with a 136x40 twintip to test the lowend. Amazingly I had plenty of power to stay upwind and do some kiteloops and front/back rolls. Kite turns fast and has very smooth turning and very smooth and linear power/depower. Kite is very stable and unhooks well also. The 12m turns very quick for a 12m, didn't feel sluggish at all, and felt almost as quick as a typical 9m kite. As usual the Slingshot bar is built very well and has excellent safety. Nice to see no pulleys in the short simple bridle on the kite and it actually works very well without the pulleys.

Thanks Shy/Ollie for the demo. This kite will be a great contender for the upcoming new kite releases. Definitely give one a try.

John,

Thanks for the feedback and making it out to give them a ride. To date I had only flew them in windier conditions so I was pleased with the light-wind low-end for sure. Hopefully next time you can try them in some stronger or big winds and get a sense of the huge boosting, hang-time and landings of these kites, which is pretty amazing considering that it does many other things so well also.

[OliverG]

Well, between work and good afternoon winds, somehow I've been remiss in getting these kites to their next temporary location, but have been out on the water at various spots in the afternoons and some local riders have been getting some rides on these with killer feedback.

So, we'll be at Sherman all day, Saturday, 7/17, tomorrow and will have the 2011 Slingshot Rally available for demo in sizes 6,8,10 and 12. We had them there a couple days earlier in the week, but many folks can't make it out during the week, so if you want to try them, the wind looks great for tomorrow, so look for me at the Slingshot flags at the Upper Launch.

Cheers,
Ollie

[CdoG]

Thanks ollie
Riding the Rally was a blast i rally enjoyed the kite
i found it very stable and ez to fly
i was bummed that i had to give it back
and go back to my old kites

also i was kind of happy i flew the 10m( you know i love my 12m)
it has lots of good low end i liked the hang time in the boost
and found lots of board speed with this kite and it went up wind with ease

i think slingshot nailed this one

if any of you all, want to fly a cool assed kite
go
out to the delta
and look up OllIe G

thanks again
charlie


p.s. and Thanks
now i don't want to go back to my old kites

[OliverG]

Glad you liked it, Jason flew it for about an hour and a half and liked it too, pretty cool that the 8m worked good for me there. Come out the delta today and try the 8m or 6m...