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Slingshot RPM 2012
The first pictures of the coming Slingshot RPM 2012 are currently being spread over the net!
The Slingshot RPM is the original “Open C” kite which has revolutionized the kite world almost as mush as when the bow kites entered the market. The RPM evolved to become the kite that made Youri Zoon the world kitesurfer champion. It has become a riders favorite throughout the world among both beginners and advanced riders.
The RPM 2012 is built on the same platform as the 2011 version, that is Open-C canopy and Slingshot’s patented Split Strut technology. Features that pushes kite design into a whole new level. Slingshot claims that they have refined the “Full Suspension Bridle” and modified the wing tip attachment points to optimize kite performance and to deliver complete tuning customization. These extra features and the new kite size 7m allows complete versatility in all conditions and all riding styles.
Slingshot RPM 2012 gives you:
* OPEN-C DESIGN PLATFORM
* SPLIT STRUT INTEGRATED 3 STRUT DESIGN
* NEW SIZE (7M), QUIVER BUILDER!
* REFINED FULL SUSPENSION BRIDLE
* PROGRESSIVE POWER STEERING
* LOW PROFILE WING TIPS
* SLINGSHOT ONE -PUMP
* DIMENSION-POLYANT DACRON LEADING EDGE AND STRUT MATERIAL
* TRI TECH PROTECTION
* SLINGSHOT LEGENDARY CONSTRUCTION
* LIFETIME RIDER HOTLINE SUPPORT
As you can see the RPM 2012 also comes in a new canopy design. Gone are the arrows 🙂
2011 Slingshot RPM Review
At a glance
The bottom end of the RPM seems to have been improved and we 
managed to get up on the board and ride in winds as low as 14 knots. Just pilot the kite through the wind window which increases the bottom end significantly, and it gets you going. The RPM flies upwind easily when you power up and it gives you nice boosts and floats with great precision at all time. The rock solid construction also provides great stability and we were impressed of the way that the RPM handles various wind conditions. Strong gusts are smoothened out which gives you confidence to perform tricks even when the wind is a bit to rough. The line swivel is a small, but great innovation since you don’t have to worry about your front lines getting tangled up and you don’t have to mess with bar after a break on land. Small thing like this swivel, adjustable bar settings, strong lines, reliable construction etc make the kite an overall user friendly kite without and annoying things to bother about. The RPM is the kite’s Volvo or Ferrari depending on how you look at it. It turns fast, gives great boost and loops fast and powerful. It relaunches with ease and is a pleasure to fly. Also a great kite for unhooked tricks since it generates good amount of pull when popping. Its park and popping performances are among the best on the market and there is no surprise that Youri Zoonand other pro´s are nailing 900’s and other insane tricks, it all becames a lot easier with the RPM. Without hesitation on of the best kites on the market suitable both for advanced riders and beginners that need a kite they don’t have to exchange as they progress.Conclusion
The 2010 RPM was a great kite and it´s no big surprise that Slingshot has chosen to tune up an already winning concept with some improvements when it comes to wind range, stability and rigidity. The RPM is now a very refined kite and you really get value for this kite, which besides has a good second hand value as well. Slingshot has set the bar high for all competitors this year and it will be interesting to see if they can match this monster. In fact with RPM, Slingshot might squeeze the market for the also very popular Fuel which from now on may be the choice for the more extreme and aggresive form of kitesurfing. For more information on the 2011 RPM check out Slingshot’s Official Site or visit Kiteboarding Review
2011 Slingshot KEY HD
2011 Slingshot KEY HD
The 2011 Slingshot KEY HD kite is a kite for the one who value safety, convenience, stability and easy relaunch, no hassle. The Key HD features a great wind range (unmatched according to Slingshot), excellent upwind performance and full depower.
The Slingshot Key comes with the Keychain keybar.
Tech specs:
- Hybrid Delta Canopy Shape. Advantages with this is unmatched range, effortless relaunch in every condition, superb upwindability, unmatched in-flight stability, lofty vertical boost.
- 5 Strut Design. Solid feel through all areas of the wind window. Umatched stability. Maximizes canopy shape integrity.
- Onepump. Original Slingshot patented single point inflation system.
- CFI attachment point. Provides custom options for depower and bar pressure.
- Ballistic Aramid scuff guards on every segment seam. Prevents overall wear and tear.
- Mark cloth reinforced trailing edge. Increases durability.
- Compact bridle. In flight stability and eliminates the risk of tangle.
- Strut tight tail pipes. Prevents line tangle issues.
- Ergonomic nipple placement. Less overall drag.
- Slingshot legendary construction. Bomber quality.
- Lifetime Rider Hotline Membership. Unsurpassed customer service.
Ruben Lenten – videos and pictures
Ruben Lenten is one of the most famous and probably craziest kite riders in the whole world. Ruben Lenten is well known for his insane jumps and kite loops. Such extreme jump in strong wind conditions put lots of stress not only on the rider himself, but on the kite. Did you know that each line of Slingshots kite support 600kg!?
To honour Ruben Lenten we post some videos and pictures of him, enjoy!
And some pics here:
Pics of Len 10
Slingshot Comp Stick Control Bar
Slingshot released a new bar 2010 called the Comp Stick Control Bar.
This bar is used for year 2012 as well which tells us something about the quality of this bar.
Some features with this bar:
- Single point central type push away release. 1 front line flag system.
- Below the bar depower for cleanliness above the bar, aided by a pulley on the front lines that swivels to release front line twists.
Slingshot Fuel 2012
You may already have seen it at your local kite spot, the Slingshot Fuel 2012! Slingshot has once again released a beast on the market. the Slingshot Fuel 2012 is an improvement of an already more or less perfect kite. The new split strut design makes the Fuel 2012 extremely steady when you fly it through the wind window. The bar pressure is slightly lighter compared to the 2010 year model which drops even more when you pop making handlepasses easier than ever before. When it comes to big jumps you still have to get used to the typical c-kite characteristics, but once you get a grip over it you´ll notice that this kite is a monster when we´re talking about big airs. This is something that you especially get a feeling for if you´re making unhooked kiteloops, the pull upwards is extreme, not like you´re looping with bowkites that tend to pull you more downwind. The secret behind the improved upwards capabilities lies within the split strut system combined with the aerodynamical shape that creates more lift and reduced drag.
Turning speed is of course lightning fast and water relaunches a piece of cake. The safety system is also top notch. The previous version of the Slingshot could be a bit slacky in its shape during high pressure, loaded jumps etc. The new splitstrut however seems to have fixed this issue. Slingshot has really done a terrific job this year, keep up the good work!
Ruben Lenten in South Africa
Ruben Lenten is out with a new video recorded in South Africa! Ruben Lenten is famous not only for his sick mega loops, but also his creative and innovative kite style.
Ruben is a role model when it comes to kite surfing. He trains a few times per week at the gym to stay in shape and to prevent himself to get injured during his jumps, even pros crash now and then you know.
Ruben will compete next year to show the world where he wants to lead the kite surfing, which is not just a way of doing as techniqual advanced tricks as possible.
Anyway, enjoy his new video here =)
For more info about Slingshot and Ruben Lenten check out Slingshot Sport
Slingshot RPM 10m Review
I recently had a session with a Slingshot RPM 10m, 2009 version. A hybrid kite, i.e. a combination of a traditional c-kite and a bow kite.
First impression:
The kite is extremely robust and well constructed. The leader lines are reinforced to withstand really tough conditions! I´ve been riding kites from many different manufactures such as Cabrinha Crossbow, Royal, EH etc… but none can compare to Slingshot when it comes to construction. No wonder Ruben Lenten and Youri Zoon rides with Slingshot!
In the air:
The RPM is positioned a little back in wind window making it almost immune to gusts. You can let go of the bar and the kite is just parked there in the sky. The handling is fast, the kite immidiately response on your manouvers. You could have wished more from the RPM when it comes to jumping. The hang time is simply not very good and it feels like you fall down quite fast from the sky, but perhaps is it just me that isn’t good enough to control the kite in the sky… though I feel that I can jump a lot higher and more controlled with bow-kites.
The bar:
The bar has a metal aluminium core which makes it strong and indestructible. Slingshot are still obstinate when it comes to the the lines that goes through the bar, they look like some cheap rope bought in a store for sailing and they do get worn out quite “fast”. What you can do is to put some wax on the ropes, not only will it make them slide easier through the bar, but make it less vulnerable to wear. The depower strap is also quite shitty, you pull it down and attach it in some kind of cleat stolen from a sailboat and it works in the same way, it just tends to wear the rope. These ropes also have a tendency to scrape against you fingers when you ride with one hand placed on the middle of the bar. Conclusion is that bars where the center lines is wrapped in a plastic tube is much more comfortable!
Overall:
The RPM is great kite. The bar could be more comfortable, but I guess that is something Slingshot have worked with and I assume that bars from 2011 are nicer than this 2009 version. The RPM is a pro kite and my feeling is that you must be an advanced rider you fully enjoy this kite.
What happened when Ruben jumped over pier
Ruben barely managed to jump over the pier. A bad take off combined with gusty wind resulted in bad lift and I think it’s miracle that he actually made to jump over the pier withour crashing into the second ledge of the pier. Talk about an adrenalin kick! Well, I guess we all can be thankful that he survived so we can watch more of Lentens mega loop in the future 🙂
Ruben Lenten is back
Ruben Lenten, Slingshots pro rider is back after 8 months of rehabilitation. He was recently in Tarifa to make some shoots for Slingshot and Mystic with their 2012 products. In this session Lenten is going to jump over a pier that divides the mediterrean sea and the atlantic ocean, a pretty long jump in other words… Lenten is eager to get back into doing mega loops, but according to this video he´s a bit rusty from being out of the water for such long time.