2012
Slingshot Turbine 2014 Review
With the ever changing times we have today, there’s always something to discover beyond the horizon. We’re never content with what we have, we strive for something new, something better and something that will take us closer to the edge. It doesn’t matter if it’s a minor difference or a major one, it’s still a step towards achieving our goal and even surpassing it.
The 2014 Slingshot Turbine 17 meter light wind kite (a free ride light wind kite) has delivered on its promise of more days on water. With 10-12km/h wind, you won’t be standing on the beach anymore, you’d be on your board with your new Slingshot Turbine and it lets you stay on the water even if the wind is picking up. There are a number of improvements on the new design: it now has a direct bridle, mini strut and 5th strut on the wing tip, lighter weight construction. The progressive open delta C design updated with a new bridle 5 point cascading bridle attachment system which gives you a consistent smooth feel and specific control over the power. The new design gives a more powerful grunt without sacrificing riding speed, efficiency or upwind performance. The long lines allows for a long power stroke and you can bet with it’s quality build, it’s gonna last forever -or at least for a very long time. This kite is good for those who are into wakestyle, freestyle, or if you just want to go out there and enjoy the waves.
| FEATURES | |
| OPEN DELTA C-DESIGN PLATFORM | The kite’s a higher aspect ratio in combination with speed improves the lift rather than the angle of attack. The new shape allows the kite to fly forward in the wind window while freeing up the wing tips to prevent the kite from being oversheeted. |
| SPLITSTRUT INTEGRATED DESIGN | The kite has only 3 struts and is very light, yet it’s built in quality material for increased stability and canopy shaping control. This kite will not drop down from the sky in the first case and the lighter profile makes is easy to water relaunch. Another plus is that this kite doesn’t take much room once packed down |
| REFLEX WINGTIP | The free pivot wingtips work as natural regulators and open up by the wind to extend the apparent wind range. |
| CONNECT FORWARD ATTACHMENTS | The steering lines have a direct connection with the forward “sweet spot” geometry of the kite. Three different settings enables you to fine tune the bar settings for desired bar pressure and turning speed. |
| WINGTIP STRUTS | The struts have a conical shape to decrease drag and for a more efficient control. |
| LOWPROFILE WINGTIPS | This is a proven design for faster turning speed similiar to the one to Rally. It also reduces drag and hence make the kite even more high performing. |
| ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT POINT | Use the additional attachment points for optimal performance in super-light wind. |
| AUTO-TRIM TRAILING EDGE | This design feature automatically reduces the risk for oversheeting and virtually makes it impossible backstall the kite while still allowing the panels to open and flex. |
| CASCADING 5-POINT BRIDLE | The bridles are free from pulleys which not only reduce the total weight (only with a few grams, but still every gram counts for light wind kites) but also gives you a more consistent and smooth bar feeling throughout the power stroke when you sheeting the bar in. |
| TRI-TECH PROTECTION | Strategically placed reinforcements such as mark cloth and neoprene, individual scuff guards and ballistic kevlar protect the kites most vulnerable areas and optimize the kites durability and life length. |
| LEGENDARY SLINGSHOT CONSTRUCTION | Slingshot has always been known for their bullet proof kite constructions and the Turbine is not an exception. The newest high tec and strongest materials are used throughout the kite. Everything from the Leading Edge, canopy, bladders to the smallest trim details are made with the best excisting materials. Nothing has been left to chance |
| SLINGSHOT ONE PUMP | One pump systems are standard these days and the Turbine is of course also equipped with Slingshots patented single point inflation system to spare your time on beach and maximize the time in the water. |
| LIFETIME RIDER SUPPORT HOTLINE | If things still go wrong connect directly to Slingshots competent and helpful customer support. |
“The turbine has three attachment points to adjust for bar pressure and kite turning speed. Personally, I like to ride on the middle setting giving me a firm feel yet still quite fast turning for a 17meter kite.” – Tucker from MACkite
The 2015 Slingshot Turbine will be released in February 2015. If you don’t have a local Slingshot store in your area then a recommended online store for European kitesurfers is
0SlingShot Fuel 9m
Could the Fuel be the longest running kite in the history of the sport? I think, although I am bound to now be corrected that it is. It’s been around since 2001 and unless I am very much mistaken no other kite can lay claim to having a lineage that long. Especially when you consider the original C kite was a thoroughbred C Kite machine, and today even through the rise of bridled style kites the Fuel holds true to that. So reminiscing over with lets look at the kite. Probably the biggest change for 2012 is the reintroduction of the Split Strut Technology, which places the struts inside the canopy, making them a ‘part’ of the kite. There are 5 struts this year and all of them are integrated into the canopy. The trailing edge construction has also been beefed up to reduce wear. The kite can be tuned for wakestyle or freestyle depending on how you want the kite to behave. Construction is as ever bombproof, the build quality on these kites continues to surpass others and with the reintroduction of Split Strut the kite looks as solid as ever.
The Bar
Unlike just about every other C Style kite on the market the Fuel doesn’t use a 5th line set up. Instead it relies on a front line flag out release system. It works really well and unlike the systems of old the CLSS as they call it (Centre Line Safety System) doesn’t spiral out of control leaving you with a tangled mess. Once deployed it is surprisingly easy to reengage the system and relaunch the kite. There is a below the bar cleat trim system for the depower, and of course there is a stopper ball on the centre lines should you wish to lock yourself into the power for some old school moves. The chicken loop uses a push away release which works well and is a huge improvement over their old design from a few years ago. O’Shit Handles and 880lb breaking strain front lines complete the set up.
In the Air
With a lineage going back so far, there are a lot of devoted Fuel riders who’ve ridden nothing else for years. Since 2004 the kite started setting a benchmark in terms of quality and performance and the 2012 model doesn’t disappoint. The 4 line set up is about as old school as you can get and its simplicity is refreshing. With no 5th line dangling about you feel totally connected to the important parts of the kite and that is reflected in the kites handling. I don’t think you’ll find a more direct and responsive kite. In the freestyle mode the kite reacts to rider input at a lightening pace. The bar pressure is medium just enough to give you plenty of input without being overbearing. Unhook and the kite is very stable and really well behaved, leaving you to worry about loading up your edge, and not what the kite is doing. Its great to be able to just trust in your equipment like this and if you are into freestyle then the Fuel is certainly a kite you should consider. Boosting big airs is a breeze; the kite is aggressive when you send it back though the window and it rips you off the water with a definite tug. Lastly kite loops, you can’t ride a Fuel without chucking it round the window and scaring yourself silly. This kite owes me a few ribs from years ago and 2012 is no different, it really does generate a lot of pull when you send it round. But it is much faster than previous years, allowing you to get the kite back up above your head faster and ensure you don’t end up crashing with the kite still pulling. And that’s a feature we’ll end with, for all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Fuel and it’s pedigree of hardcore lineage, the 2012 isn’t a beast to fly, it’s actually very easy to tame and if you have reasonable flying skills you’ll get a lot out of it. Especially if you want to progress to the style of riding that the kite excels at.
For
Amazing construction, direct, powerful, fast and precise. 4 line simplicity backed up by a well engineered safety system. Excels unhooked and delivers a fun ride, especially when jumping and looping.
Against
It’s going to be a tough call between the Fuel and the RPM for us, the RPM is very similar in flying characteristics, but has a better wind range, so less kites in a quiver. The Fuel though does offer the ultimate in simplicity, 4 lines, no bridle and lots of fun ….
Overall
11 years in the making and the kite is really at the pinnacle of achievement in terms of development. Despite the market moving away from C kites Slingshot stayed true to the cause and the 2012 Fuel is a reflection of that. Split Strut, 4 lines, no bridles, no compromise ….
For more information go to your local dealer.
0Slingshot Turbine 2012 Review
This year Slingshot has come up with the new Turbine kite which is much lighter in kind. If you enjoy light wind surfing then this is one of the best kites that you can use to stay on the water and have fun. The minimum wind speedfor the Turbine is around 4 -5 knots which basically can get you up and riding when everyone else give up. The bladder material used on the turbine 2012 kite has been lighter by 25 % this time with reduced size on the struts and the smaller diameter used for the edges. The kite works fine in lighter winds due to the increased aspect ratio of the kite surface which is given a glider feel for the wind turbine shape of its. A new concept has also been introduced in the kite wings this time which is called Free-twist tip. On the technology part which Slingshot has worked on this kite so much to add a list of new features which helped to make this surfing kite a lighter and faster one. We would like to review each one by one.
On the wingtips and the edge panels the steering line is attached which has given the extra narrow wind rage for the kites and also the panel to twist when required. This actually helped the kite to acquire wider wind range and a quicker mechanism to turn around. The kite design is given a more delta-C shaped one to acquire higher speed and move it in the forward window directions. The struts situated on the bars have also been integrated to a 3 strut design called the integration of split strut, which has given a more rigid and stable structure to the bars for control. Since the material is light, it helps in the water re-launching of the kite n-number of times due to its flexibility. The wing tip struts are redesigned to give a conical tapering shape for efficient control of the kite. To increase the efficiency of the kite the trailing edges has been made flexible to both the opening and closing. The steering of the kite has also been given a boost with improved power steering plan. Here the power is delivered at the wingtip so that the steering of the kite is smooth and this in turn reduces the pressure of the bar to give top performance while surfing.
The kite uses the single point inflation procedure which is totally a patented product of the Slingshot Company itself. The makers also took care of the affected areas of the kite and they have put scuff guards on those places to make the kite quite durable. Included stuff like Neoprene, Mark Cloth and ballistic Kevlar on those places. Any users who have faced any issues or have queries can directly contact the personnel from Slingshot as the customer care people are very friendly and assist the users in the best possible ways. The design part of the kite has been totally upgraded so much to give a better look, lighter to use and higher is performance and efficiency. This has basically helped to make the Turbine 2012 kite to be lighter and faster and user friendly. I am sure this will be a surely loved by Kite surfers all round the world.
0Slingshot Rally Review
I’ve been riding with my Slingshot Rally’s since last autumn, and will here give a small review of the best kite I’ve tried to date in the waves.
2012 Slingshot Rally is the second version of the shape Slingshot calls an “Open Delta C”, which blends the features of C-Fuel and RPM with the delta kite’s wind range and depower performances, and the result is for sure worth a test!
There is really no significant changes from the first edition, the new version is rather a result of optimization. The bridles have been tweaked so that the kite now has more precise control and the balance of the kite makes unhooked and drifting properties top notch. Some extra reinforcements have been added to the wingtips where the 3 pigtails attach, so you can trim the kite, depending on how much bar pressure you desire. For those who remember the split struting from the past, this is now back, and gives the kite a great stability.
As I started writing, I find this kite especially suitable for wave riders, but Slingshot Rally will also be the perfect kite for free riders as well as the beginner. Common to both is that you want a kite that is so easy to handle as possible so that you can concentrate on anything but the kite.
The kite control is quick, which is a result from the short bridle that comes without any pulleys. There is such a good feeling with the kite, it is extremely easy to manage. Slingshot Rally also has a huge wind range with an unmatched depower. There are many kites can be drifting hooked, but Rally drifts also unhooked and if it stalls, so it makes it to the “good way”, so it is easy to catch again. Whether it is because the kite only has 3 struts, is very light, or if it is the balance of the kite that gives it its drifting properties I do not know, but the result is just perfect.
Last but not least, there’s no pull in the turns. There are perhaps some who do not think this is so cool, but it’s a different style which people prefer. I think it is very important in the waves, so you will not be torn away from the wave in the bottom of the turn, so you can always position yourself where the wave breaks, so you can utilize the wave all the time. Also in strapless aerials and airs it is an advantage not to get ripped off by the board, and for beginners, it also means that you are not punished by any fault input. And when it happens, the kite is easier than easy to water start again.
So just to recap:
The kite is quick
The kite has no pulleys
The kite has only 3 struts
The kite water starts easy
The kite has no pull in turns
The kite has a direct bar feeling
The kite is going really well upwind
The kite drifts perfectly – even unhooked
The kite has a very simple and short bridle set-up
The kite has Slingshots tested one-pump system
The picture above shows the very simple and short bridle set-up without pulleys
Above seen is slingshot’s one-pump system that many other brands choose to pay a license to use. Please also note the small closure feature on the inflate valve (far right in picture), which means you can hammer the kite into the ground or water without popping the plug out.
I really thought much about anything negative about the kite, and I had to find something, it must be that the fabric can flapper a little when the wind is very strong and gusty. But if that is what you have to pay to get a kite with 3 struts with somewhat less direct kite control, with a very short and simple bridle without pulleys, which drifts perfectly and is so easy to ride unhooked – then I can live with that =)
Slingshot bar is also right in the eye. Not so much bullshit and no frills. It just works perfectly with a quick release, easy to keep around unhooked. If you choose to release, the system is so easy to assemble, it can be done in the water without any problems. There are deepower the bar and the bar has a swivel which prevents lines from twisting. (Which happen if you rotate many times around the same axis). The bar seems a little heavy when you just hold it by hand on land but on water it just feels really good in your hands.
Finally, there is a very handy bag that can both be opened at the top and is has a side zipper. The bag is spacious enough to fit the kite, bar and pump, but if you prefer you can also secure the pump and bar on the sides of the bag.
Overall a very positive review, but it is also very hard to find something negative to write about with this amazing kite. The Rally will not be the first choice for those who want to ride freestyle, but for freeride, waves and beginners it is spot on. Nor am I alone in this assumption, since testers from around the world all come with the same very positive feedback.
The Rally comes in the following sizes:
Sizes: 4m, 6m, 8m, 9m, 10m, 12m, 14m
Let me know if me if there are any items that you require more information about.
/ Raphael
Patrick Rebstock with his Slingshot Rally:
Here are some more reviews of the Slingshot Rally:
https://www.kiteboardingreview.com/kitereviews/20-slingshot/97-slingshot-rally-2011
https://www.sbckiteboard.com/2011-kite-review-display?news_id=1764
https://www.forcesix.com/2011-slingshot-rally-review.html
https://www.sbckiteboard.com/2012-kite-reviews-display?news_id=1867
Slingshot goes to Nitrocity
Some lucky guys from the Slingshot team have recently been to Nitrocity in Panama to test some of Slingshot’s new products, among them the Slingshot Turbine light wind kite. Anyway, check out this cool video and book a flight to Panama!
0New Slingshot Video
The Slingshot team has made a new movie in Panama. A great edited video with some kick-ass shots, just like we’re used to see productions from Slingshot!
0Slingshot Product Catalog 2012
Looking for eye-candy? Look no further! Because it´s here, the Slingshot Catalog stuffed with great products! Enjoy!
2012 Slingshot Z
Slingshot Z is the first “Spherical-C” profile kite on the market. This is a versatile kite that gives constant pull with controlled power yet very stable and predictable in all types of wind conditions. The Z-kite is easy to relaunch and can generate huge power for those massive jumps!
The Z kite comes with all the latest features that we already see in the RPM and Fuel, but also with some brand new features, such as the “plug and play” feature. This include a pulley free bridle for a more direct feel and for enhanced responsiveness. Compared to RPM and Fuel, the Z-kite sits slighty further in the wind window, which gives it unmatched upwind performances. The Spherical-C Profile in combination with the axis wing tips make the kite more or less relaunch by itself, since it wants to roll up off the water. Z is a kite from Slingshot that has been optimized for a maximum range to fit all kinds of riding conditions.
The Z kite comes in sizes: 6m, 9m, 11m, 13m
LEN10 Megaloop Challenge 2012
A great competition is coming up in just 2 weeks! Forget the unhooked double hand passes that you´ve seen hundred times in kiteboarding competitions, it´s time for some real action!
The Len10 Megaloop Challenge is a competition for all mega kitelooping maniacs! Ruben Lenten has challenged 24 “amateur” kiteboarders. The bigger and higher jumps equals higher scores!
The competition will take place in Cape Town the 16th to the 26th February. The competition requires a minimum wind speed of 15 knots per second, so that´s why the competition is being held for 10 days, just to be sure that there will be at least one windy day!
The judges will not only measure high and length of the mega loops, but also style, enthusiams and speed of the kite loops.
The winner will take home $10.000 and also get an exclusive photo shoot by Red Bull’s photographer Craig Kolesky.
A second price will to go the kiteboarder that makes the biggest crash, so the one that breakes his legs or wreck his knees might at least get some money for operations at the hospital 🙂
If you want to challenge Ruben Lenten, then simply post a video of your best kite loop on Ruben Lentens Facebook Page or register yourself for trials on Red Bulls homepage. if the wind conditions are right, these trials will take place the 11th or 12th of February at Blouberg Beach.
Personally I think it will be very interesting to see what kite brands the other kiteboarders are using. Would be nice to not only see Slingshot Fuels! This challenge is great opportunity for all kite manufactures to show us what they go for!
0