I've been using wave kites (Neo and the Nexus) for foiling up unitl now, but seriously considering something a little more dedicated to the foil. Think I have my mind set on a one strut over a zero strut and am looking at the Core X Lite, or the Ozone Alpha.....the Slingshot UFO (if I went no zero strut). Probably most intrested in the Core as my other kites are Core's and I have the Sensor bar so keen to keep it simple and have one bar for all and I think the Core is the only one in the line-up with a high Y.
That said, would love to hear others experiences on these kites or different kites. I am mostly using my foil for surf and wind chop so ultimately, drift is the most important aspect I'm looking for in the kite.
I also wing, but something keeps bringing me back to the kite. All disciplines suit different conditions.
If you're looking at kites less than 8mts, forget the struts, just extra weight to carry that isn't needed and hinders drift. Strutless relaunch super quick when it's windy, only difficult in light wind when a strut helps push water off the canopy. The ultimate are the FS Peaks, but no relaunch possible unless your lucky, hence the FS Hybrid was designed.
I started foiling and literally never used my TT again. So eventually I started investigating the best kites to match. I'm an active kite flyer looking for a kite to throw around not to park and ride. I started buying and selling, begging and borrowing just to try all the classes.
I've owned UFO, Trip, and Cloud in no strut inflatables. Not really satisfied with any of them, they sit in the middle of the window a bit much for me and also don't gain power in the loops, too spinny.
Flew Peak 4s for a year or so and they're good but only good up to 6m and often lacking in sheer grunt and upwind performance for a 100kg guy. Also tried Souls, PLKB Novas, and other twin skin foil kites like the Koala. They are good for foiling but generally too slow in the air for me.
I've gone back to single struts as the best option. Balance of characteristics. I learned to foil on a Duotone Mono and more recently owned an old Alpha. I now fly and love the Airush Ultra Teams. Light, fast, handle great, good power, good upwind, drift ok on a wave, no bridles, won't sink, provide lift in tacks etc, and can even jump as well.
I'm sure the Core X lite would be a great option. If I was buying a new kite today it would either be Ultra Teams again or I'd look at the new Ozone Alpha v3 as it is 1.9kgs for the 9m (my perfect size for 90% of riding). That is so light it's getting into twin skin foil kite territory, and the old alphas flew well and got good reviews, so this could be an amazing kite.
Brilliant information there. Thanks folks.
KB, just wondering how the power of these one struts compares to the same sizes in a three/five stut kite.
I generally try to kite foil with the smallest possible kite size for the conditions so will regularly aim to use my 6m Nexus in 13/14kts plus. Will a 6m single strut still provide the same initial pull when looping or diving to get up on the foil. I get technique is imperative.
I did the small kite love thing for a long time as well so I get it. I prefer to be more powered up at the moment though.
I haven't flown 3/5 struts much lately so I could be talking out my .. don't think the bottom end power is a lot different.... the main difference is at the very top end where the single strut starts to lack structure. My current ones flutter when depowered in stronger wind which I'm fine with. Also when you're in jumping territory some of the single struts are not stiff enough to maintain their shape with the extra load.
The Allula framed kites are the GO for ease of use and down winders. Pricey for sure but the plus side.......effortless and so stable.
It depends very much on the type of foiling you want to do. If you're into jumping, or going upwind fast, a 3 strut kite is the best ... or, of course, a high aspect ram air foil kite. If you're into wave riding and down winding on swell, nothing beats the single skin Peaks. UFO/Clouds are also great for wave riding and unlike Peaks will reliably relaunch if you drop them. Perhaps for all around performance a one strut is a good choice. I think, most likely Allula framed kites will also do it all (haven't tried them) , but at a price.
Personally, I have been using Peaks for the last 4 years, and I love them. I recently also bought a quiver of UFOs - also very nice, but don't have quite the drift, instant depower and effortless, fingertip control of Peaks.
I second the alula kites for foiling. Duotone Neo dlab (9m) is the best kite I have ever used for foiling hands down. It is incredible stable, drifty and fast turning. Relative to most single struts I have seen it handels gusts way better and works very well with strapless boards. Did I mentioned relaunch? You have your kite flying with no water on your tube - alula does not soak water.
You are welcome to demo the Airush Ultra Team, we have sizes 5m, 8m, 9m, 12m and 17m available for demo in Perth. They are amazing kites for foiling.
Here is a clip from last season in Perth in about 5 knots
www.facebook.com/share/p/kJwhwLXR2fdBi42i/?mibextid=oFDknk
Spent the last few months foiling with Ultra team kites in Canada in super marginal conditions
www.facebook.com/share/r/pTS79GBEXvXQzubj/?mibextid=D5vuiz
Lately I've been using them on the snow for the first time. Everyone here in NZ is using foil kites on snow and I've been able to effortlessly keep up with those kites even in the lightest winds.
As mentioned above they work surprisingly well for jumping as well due to very riding high pressure leading edge. It doesn't deform under heavy load like most single strut kites normally would.
Christian - Kitebud
