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FLOW SLE - ALL NEW HYBRID BOW FOR 2007
***FREE DAKINE AIR WAGON KITE BAG***
with any Airush Kite
One thing you can always say about airush is that they never try and shoehorn the sport of kitesurfing into one product. It makes my life hell trying to guess what everyone will want, but at least they cover all the bases!! This year Airush are going with three bow kites, two hybrids and one pure bow. In an industry that is currently awash with different bow style designs and many manufacturers putting all their stock into one style or the other it is refreshing to see one company that offers 3 different types of Bows all fundementally different.. I guess that makes them pretty impartial in their views as to which style of bow is better, as I think they would agree it all depends on you and what style of riding / feel of kite you want.
This is definitely (personal opinion here!) going to be Airush's mainstream kite for the coming year. Despite the fact they do the super flat pure bow Halo as well as the entry/wave bow the DNA the Flow SLE will appeal to a much wider market for a number of reasons;
It feels and looks just like a C kite - to ride it is very direct and really does feel like a traditional kite, very different to the pure bow. It has no peculiarities at all to anyone coming from a C kite - it turns just like a C - relaunches just like a C (smooth progressive turning and gradual power build with increased airspeed), and with plenty of curvature unlike the flat bows it is very easy to ride with no risk of inversion.
The best bit about the Flow is that when you let go of the bar it depowers to the same level as a pure bow - it goes to nothing - virtually zero canopy pressure; ideal for safety in the beginners market and emergency situations.
Your maximum depower level can be set with a movable stopper ball, to limit the depower level if you are holding the kite above your head for example or you wish to ride on a stop - zero bar pressure. Or like the halo you can set it to give you access to the entire sheeting range with no interference.
Although the kite looks C like in the air the supported leading edge allows a wider span (hybrid arc - ie between a pure bow and a C), and this means a much larger windrage than a normal C. The 10 prototype I have goes as early as a 14C and depowers to virtually zero, retaining more feel than a pure bow at advanced levels of depower with no risk of inversion. 12m will be the cornerstone size - perhaps a 14 and a 10 for a 2 kite quiver.
As to the more intricate way the kite flies - it feels and behaves just like a C. Upwind is very good, made more effective by the fact you cave complete control over power. Jumping ability is also good it has very good float and boosting big air requires a technique halfway between bow and c; plenty of speed (lots of depower) with good pop. It has a very non agressive feel and is capable of some very impressive stuff but it's not hairy and aggressive straight off the can... It really is very plug and play - Power is more C kite like than bow, the Flow has a more direct punchy feel when thrown into the power zone - but you have the depower option if it goes pear shaped... I do think it will suit the majority of riders very well.
The bar system looks just like a traditional 4 line system, but there are a number of differences; the power adjustment strap is replaced with a new system, featuring an adjustment cleat on the trigger release. The bar has an enlarged alloy centre insert to aid tuning and reduce rope wear.
The depower line has a moveable stopper which together with the depower adjustment line allows you to trim the power of the kite to the conditions as you ride, this makes it immune to inversion, and gives you a less drastic response to small bar movements, a characteristic of pure bows you have to adapt to.
The safety leash attaches from the chicken loop to the harness as the primary safety as well as having the re-ride function on both ends of the bar just in case.
The kite line strength has been increased by 20% for this year, which should prove a lot more durable.
This is the first kite to come from a new production facility, the same production facility as the kites with the reputation for the highest build quality (I've been told not to name), so it will be interesting to see the final product when it finally lands. There should be a big increase in quality from last year, even though the halo was their best built so far.
Lastly - for all you Halo riders out there scratching your heads - here is the answer to the question that I, like you, had to ask... will I be using a quiver of Flows instead of the Halo? The answer for me is no... I will be waiting for the new Halo
The Halo is a very different feeling kite; it feels very different to a C kite, and offers a different style of performance - it requires a lot more learning and rider skill to get the most from. All of us that went pure bow last year will admit to a transitional period where we had to relearn and adapt. The Flow SLE feels very C like - and having tried them both having already relearned my riding to pure bow I find myself looking to the new Halo. For anyone coming from C to Bow the Flow SLE is the definate choice, it's the logical direct evolution on from the C - plug and play for the C kite rider with the advantages of bow windrange.
This is what Airush say regarding the Flow SLE
Product Overview
• Combines the incredible wind range and sheeting ability of a BOW kite with the direct steering and bar simplicity of a 4 line kite.
• Excellent for all level of riding from dedicated wave riding to dedicated freestyle.
• Perfect for hooked in and unhooked riding.
• Radically reduced bar pressure compared to 2006
• Completely re engineered new generation Hybrid/SLE.
• Radically increased wind range and safety
• Increased low wind performance
Control Bar overview; dedicated Flow control bar featuring:
• Functional pulley free control bar.
• Modular control bar design to allow for multi functional leash,
depower and line configuration.
• On the fly stopper ball, for easy bar adjustments
Compared to the DNA
• The flow has a faster turning speed.
• The flow has more of a flatter profile for improved upwind ability and
high wind performance
Compared to the Lift
• The Flow has increased wind range due to the Hybrid/SLE design.
Buy this kite if you want:
• A new generation all round performance kite
Target customer
• Advanced beginner to Pro riders.
• Suitable for wave, freeride and freestyle
Key Selling points
• New generation design
• Large windrange
• Easy handling
• Extremely predictable
• Simple to re launch
• Aluminium shaft pump on all sizes
• Auto deflators on ball valves
• Heavy-duty bag with extendable section
• Excellent for all standards of rider
**FREE AIR WAGON WITH THIS KITE WORTH £129**
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